How I got started

I first started when I was about 6-ish. My whole family bought me a `96 KTM 50. I was elated and my next door neighbor rode with me all the time. The next year she moved, and I lost interest without a riding buddy. When I was 15 I bought a YZ250F after playing on my friend`s bike and rediscovering my love. At school, I happened to meet that same girl from back when and we went riding and to a few races. She was the number one Womens rider in Nor Cal, until she crashed and I rushed her to the hospital. Now that I have my own truck, I can take myself to all the races.

Goals for the Future

Pretty much racing everything I can in Northern California and running Track. Practicing as much as I can at riding and training physical fitness is important too. Winning, is high on my plans as well.

What inspires you to compete?

At first, it was my love for the sport and a friend who wanted me to compete with her at the races. She was my ride to everything around here. Unfortunately, we only got to race once together. The next week she suffered a shattered ankle and a list of other things around that ankle. So for at least another year, I`m racing in her honor. Now that I have my own transportation, I`ll race and hopefully get some wins so she can have the knowledge that she taught me something worthwhile. Until then, Rory, each ride is for you.

Why do you like this sport?

The only reason I could find not to like this sport are broken things. Broken bikes, broken bones, ect. Of course, work and time will fix those. They just seem to follow the racing around like an ugly shadow. Other than that, I love this sport mind, body and soul. The rush is incredible. I`ve seen kids go from drugs and alcohol to bikes and the other way around. This sport is a powerful influence on kids like that; it gives us something real and fun to do. I love this sport because I like to compete, I like how addicting it is, and just about everything else (even broken things).

Do you train? What does your schedule look like?

I love to train. With school now in session again, it has been hard to find time to train and to pracitce. However, the addition of a few local races has allowed me to become far more serious. This year, I am lifting weights for an hour each day and running for an hour or two. On my bike, I would ride two or three times a week at the track, and several times out on trails. With my physical training and riding on multiple venue types, I am great shape and know my bike forward and backward. I believe this helps me become a much better rider every week I ride.

Music?

I guess my selection is rather odd. I only listen to rock music and sometimes country. Weird combination huh? I only have a few CDs but those I do have are all rock. I get most of my music from iTunes but I just listen to it on my computer because I don`t even have an iPod. I like rock because, in general, it`s cleaner than anything else and gets the adrenaline going. Maybe I`m an adrenaline junkie?

How's Life Treating You?

Life`s great. I`ve got good, clean friends who love to have good, clean fun. We ride whenever we can and swim in my pool until 3 in the morning. Good stuff. School is easy enough, with a 4.0 I worry little about that. My girlfriend is good to me too and supports my racing efforts. My family is very supportive and pays me to work on our farm so I can have enough money to buy my own bikes and what not. In the end, I enjoy my life to every last second of it.

Running Varsity Track my first years of highscool and putting down personal records in the 100 meter at 11.7 and in the 200 meter under 24 seconds. The same two years I played as the only Freshman and Sophmore on the Varsity Soccer team. I worked hard and achieved several goals I first thought unattainable.