The Austin Watling Diaries- Return to Racing

As many of you may know, about 7 months ago now, I announced I was done racing motocross professionally.  I didn’t enjoy training anymore or doing bike work but most of all I lost the fun in riding my dirt bike.  It became a job to me, and even though I knew it would eventually come to that, I didn’t think the fun would ever go away. 

I’ve been home from my trip to Bali and Thailand for about three weeks now.  I have ridden three times in the last seven months and had so much fun each time.  Last week I rode once and told my parents we should go to Gully Mor for the weekend, and they were all for it!  So I loaded the motorhome while my parents were at work on Friday and they met me up there Saturday morning!  This was my first race since the Madoc National last year, and I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed being on a bike so much.  Everything I missed about Moto was there this weekend.  I was able to see all my friends, watch some racing and even take some photos, but more importantly I got to ride my dirt bike stress free!

It rained a fair bit Friday night but it made for the best I’ve ever seen the track!  No dust, just perfect clay ruts….and LOTS of them.  I felt pretty good in practice on Saturday.  I just tried to stay smooth, minimize mistakes and HAVE FUN!  I was very happy with how I rode in practice but was not sure how my cardio would be, considering I haven’t done cardio in a very long time (haha).

Saturday morning was like every other morning at the track.  I had a smoothie before riders meeting, stretched a bit and got dressed for practice.  I raced the only two classes I am allowed to race; cash class and youth, so I had 4 motos to do.  My first race came around, we picked gates and my Dad started packing it (he might of missed being at the track more than I did – haha.).  The gate dropped and I pulled the holeshot but unfortunately, I stalled the bike and had to come from the back.  I hit about mid-moto and I was on Max Fillipek for 2nd, and Nick Cryer was only a few corners ahead of us.  As I was going into the “s” section, my sprocket broke off my hub and I rolled off the track.  I wasn’t bummed at all because there was no reason to be and I felt like I was still riding really well.  I pushed the bike back, my Dad swapped out rims and we got ready for our next moto.

Second moto of the day I got a good jump off the gate but was pushed a bit wide.  In this Youth moto there were four of us and I ended up at the back after the first corner.  I made my way into first by the 4th lap, pulled a gap and rode smooth and consistent to the checkered.  After the break, I raced my third moto of the day.  I pulled the holeshot again but this time I didn’t stall it.  I knew I had to sprint and pull a gap at the start, so that if my cardio started to drop off, I’d have a bit of room to work with.  I stayed smooth, hit my marks and pulled a gap that I was comfortable with and stayed there the whole race. 

Finally, it was time to go home.  No, I did not race my final moto of the day because we were already behind on the schedule and there were another 10 classes before my last race.  I decided to pack up and we all went home and went swimming.  Overall, super happy with how my first race back went and I am excited to do some more play riding this summer and maybe hit a few more local races!