I just joined in March at the urging of my friend SparkyYZF. Little did I know that by coming here I would actually meet and ride with no less than 50 other members, some of whom have become very good friends. The number will grow soon at DW'02!
Through DRN, I learned about the Ladies Oregon Off-Road School and the Dave Woods Nor Cal Off-Road school where I learned a lot and met most of my new friends.
When I started to think about going to Dirtweek'02 I had a litteral outpouring of support and offers from picking me up at the airport, lending me tents and camp gear to lending me a bike! Where else do you find people who go out of their way like that??
I've gotten PM's out of the blue from nice people just offering support to a new rider and encouragement to keep at it! I get free french language lessons from Pokie and fatty_k, and mechanical advice from BigLou, Karna&Justin, Jonala, and Shannon. Hot4Teacher gave me my first set of gear, including a new helmet.
When I had a birthday last month, I've NEVER had so many people tell me "HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATALIE!! in my life. I've printed and saved that thread because it really did mean a lot.
Dirt Bike Dave gives me REALLY GOOD DIRECTIONS to every riding spot I go to, and Treefinder gives me his last Ibuprofen when I crash harder than he does and lets me hang out by his Citronella candles when the skeeters are bad.
I have seen random acts of kindness on here DAILY, I see people giving other folks really good advice and I've seen some thought-provoking topics that make you stop and think about what life's all about and what we choose to make of it. This place rocks.
I've laughed so hard at some posts and had tears come from others. I've had a great big desire to hug most people on here and when I get the chance I just might! I have to say, DRN folks are THE BEST, I've never met a better group of downright good people in my life - that's the truth.