Monday Maniac #19

by Ryan Gauld

“5 bucks”, “It’s the dude in the trailer”, “Double Up”, “Those kids playing peek-a-boo are pissing me off,” “I was testing the rings out on the shoulder,” “I’m over racing. I just work all week and party on the weekend.” Man what a weekend in Sand Del Lee. The weather was mint, the track was so-so on Saturday but awesome for the boys on Sunday. Newf, Grey, Keast and I all travelled up together, and what a great time it was; lots of laughs. The way I started this article has a bunch of hidden stories that only we would understand. It’s times like those that make ya really enjoy going to the track (even if you’re a bit weak and decide to just be a fan).

This group and all the others that crossed through this weekend were always smiling and enjoying the day at the track.

The biggest news this Monday morning is about the James Stewart drama. The rumours that had been surfacing of him going yellow have finally come true. Stewart will ride a Yoshimura Suzuki for the outdoors for years to come. I’m not sure how I feel about this. There is no doubt that this kid was born to race a dirt bike and show the world his abilities. Nobody can argue that. But why can’t he just be a racer instead of having all this drama that surrounds him? Is it all just a marketing ploy or is he really just trying to figure things out for his future? It’s hard to like and not like him. He’s like an underdog now that you just want to cheer for, but on the other hand you just hate the guy for not giving his fans a solid racer to cheer for. What happens if he wins outdoors? Will all of the BS from the last few years just go away and he’ll become the Stewart of old? What if he gets whooped? Or an even crazier thought, what if he crashes, gets hurt and doesn’t finish another series? Would he still deserve all the respect and the money he gets? This is a tough situation for fans of the sport. I can only imagine all the hard feelings and emotions he has been going through the last few years. This sport is tough without all that extra stuff to deal with. I am pumped to see him race outdoors. I think that part is great for the series and the fans that will attend each race, but if he just does what he’s been doing then the chord should be cut. Reality of him being a flake and difficult to deal with will show its ugly head. The money this industry spends on him should go to a more willing participant. The world will be watching at Hangtown. Let’s see what this kid has……….again.

Will Stewart bounce back after all that has happened?

I’m very impressed with our young talent right now in Ontario. The turnout was not huge this weekend at Sand Del Lee but every fast guy was there. The best part of what’s coming up is that these kids are riding for the right reasons. Not for the money or the future hope for money, they’re all doing it because of the passion they have for our sport. The industry is in its toughest spot right now. Money is tight and free stuff is hard to come by more and more, each passing year. But these kids are still working hard and giving it everything they have out on the track. That right there is great for our sport. The egos and bad attitudes from racers (me included back in the ‘90s) looks to have passed. These kids, right from 50s to Intermediates, impress me with their attitudes in the pits, their personalities with others and their willingness to listen to knowledgeable, experienced pro riders that give advice. Yes, this sport is all about you when you are out on the track. We know it. I’ve said it and so have many others over the years, but there are so many ways behind the scenes to get a little help that would makes it easier for you, the racer, to feel good on the track. I saw this all weekend at Sand Del Lee and I am stoked for that right now in our sport. Let’s keep the good times rolling families, racers, and fans. Hopefully the people that have all the money and power outside of our little community will realize that their advertising dollars could be going to a rider in our sport that has the qualities that all young athletes should have. You can learn them right here in the sport we call Motocross. Join us. You’ll be impressed.

A couple of very proud fathers and passionate race dads enjoying the beauty day watching their kids have fun.

Speaking of emotions, not more than two weeks ago, I got a blow to my emotions that I figured would be easy to take. I’ve grown up with no real feelings ever shared in the household, the bike shop or anywhere pretty much. My life’s bumper sticker has pretty much been, “suck it up you p&%#@” and that motto has got me through some deep stuff in the past. Recently I got dumped. I’m a free man some would say but it’s been harder than I thought it would be. As I said, my motto above has worked for 34 years. All of a sudden I have feelings. What’s up with that? Normally, if this was somebody else in the situation, I would make fun of them so much for being weak that it would become some sort of a joke rather than something serious. Now I’m the one on the other end and man it’s not that much fun. I’ve been a bit of a write off since, all the while knowing it was for the best and it is better for it to end now rather than down the road when there would have been tougher issues to deal with (Kids, marriage, etc.). I figured it would pass. I would be a man chasing some new skirt right away and the old skirt would fade away like me fading in motos in the ‘90s. It hasn’t yet. I have had tons of people ask me about it because most of my world (moto world) knows it all. There are some I will share with and others can just assume I’m weak.

Oooops!! How'd that get there? LOL

For instance this weekend, I just didn’t feel like riding. I got out in the first moto and all I was thinking about was how upset I was over this and was finding it hard to adjust to this new feeling. I have never felt this way about anybody before. For the most part of my dating career, it’s been a one and done. I usually can’t stand the opposite sex hanging around but this one was different. She was special. Now that special is gone, where do I go? I feel lost but maybe it’s just a new start? Maybe that was the right path? Will I find it again? Will that pain in my gut go away? All these answers are on this new road ahead, I suppose. The reason I’m sharing this with my readers is this: Feelings are for the weak. They are for the weak but I have come to realize, in this one instance, that they’re there and you can’t hide or deny them. Like I said, this has never entered my mind, ever. This hurts and I’m stoked to find out that I am real after all. I’m not heartless. Maybe this will all make me a better man? I don’t know and that’s the best part of this fresh situation. Something learned and something new has to come of it. Zanette, I’m crushed but I applaud you for being the smarter person and to realize what you wanted over some status symbol. Good luck!!

Thanks to Newf, Kyle and Richard for being good dudes this weekend. I had just as much fun being a fan as I do a racer when it's like this. Cheers fellas.

For all of you that read this and think “what in the hell is wrong with Gauldy?” Well nothing is wrong. I just found out I was a regular human after all. Hopefully, those who read this will not be a meathead like me and bottle it up. I did that this weekend which is why you didn’t see the #107 on the track. I got mind f$%^#$. I hate to admit it and it makes me feel kind of odd writing this, but this is the only way I know how to express myself anymore. Motocross has always stolen the show for everything in my life. It almost feels good knowing that something else went above it this time. Okay, next step, here we go!