First ride of 2017 on my new RM-Z 250

<img alt="First ride of 2017 on my new RM-Z 250" class="img-responsive" src="/images/0/f/3/3/c/0f33cae3d1986885f783d7bc86d03c1b4904b08e-01first-ride.jpg" />

<p>Last fall I went for one last ride for the the 2016 season. I went to Limerick forest and had a very unfortunate incident when I decided not to tie my bike down to the trailer properly. I did manage to salvage that day and get out for a good ride but it was that ride that <a href="http://vintagemoto.ca/notes/have-you-ever-done-anything-this-dumb">got me to thinking about </a>...</p>

A Motocross Wedding/Flight of the RM

<img alt="A Motocross Wedding/Flight of the RM" class="img-responsive" src="/images/d/3/c/1/a/d3c1a9668d3955689c83ba1317204e946d51fcd5-01wedding.jpg" />

<p>So why would I try to make an 84 RM fly? My Uncle Mike was right on the money, I watched my Dad do it and refused to be outdone, especially during the week of my wedding.</p> <blockquote> <p>This story is part counter-story to <a href="http://localhost/vintagemoto.ca/notes/jumping-big-at-charleston">So how far can you safely jump a 1984 Suzuki?</a></p> </blockquote> <p>Contrary to popular belief, riding Mot...</p>

Too Many Projects, Not Enough Room & What Makes a Bike “Vintage”?

<img alt="Too Many Projects, Not Enough Room &amp; What Makes a Bike “Vintage”?" class="img-responsive" src="/images/4/d/d/a/0/4dda066d6974f7eb31263330443eb86905d52fb6-01-macs-shed.jpg" />

<h3>As can be seen in the above photo, I have too many projects on the go, and not enough room to do them.</h3> <p>My first project didn't actually have anything to do with motocross. I finally grew tired of putting studs in my rear tire and attaching my homemade front ski, just to ride it once or twice, real...</p>

Growth Experiences - Let The Adventure End... Please!

<img alt="Growth Experiences - Let The Adventure End... Please!" class="img-responsive" src="/images/c/b/f/9/1/cbf915775a0e1aa37724f1c9660efe6c197743d6-01-econoline.jpg" />

<p>I published this story where I insensitively portrayed David Poelman. I regret this and I offer my sincere apology. I enjoyed knowing David, I am happy to have shared some good times with him as well. I made assumptions about which I knew nothing and I made a cheap joke at his expense. It was stu...</p>

The Third Annual BC adventure - Chapter One

<img alt="The Third Annual BC adventure - Chapter One" class="img-responsive" src="/images/6/f/4/5/e/6f45ee0dbf6a33054dc711201fb5580bcefe8d4b-01-mike-bernie-kimberly.jpg" />

<h3>Three years in a row makes it an annual event.</h3> <p>In 2014 my daughter Rose and I went to BC to spend time with my brother Pat, sister Cathy and their families in Merritt BC. For me the highlight of the trip was immersing myself in the dirt bike lifestyle in the hills near Merritt BC. <a href="http://vintagemoto.ca/notes/the-epic-multi-generational-bc-dirt-bike-adventure-of-2015">In 2015 I went again</a>. This was to be a more complete family reunion where all of our dirt-bike riding family members would gather. It was another great vacation except I immediately wounded myself as did my nephew Mike. </p>

It is not possible to be half-way into this sport

<img alt="It is not possible to be half-way into this sport" class="img-responsive" src="/images/3/9/7/9/2/397920b6b42c745897816bdb6d00c9f985fb4e04-01me-rm-z250.jpg" />

<h2>Bitten by the bug... hard</h2> <p>A few months ago <a href="http://vintagemoto.ca/notes/have-you-ever-done-anything-this-dumb">I wrote a short story</a> about dropping my bike off the trailer. It was my last ride of the season and I finished the story pining about how the vintage bike was great but not real practical. My goal <a href="http://vintagemoto.ca/notes/i-am-now-a-vintage-motocross-racer">when getting into vintage motocross</a> was to just do a...</p>

So how far can you safely jump a 1984 Suzuki?

<img alt="So how far can you safely jump a 1984 Suzuki?" class="img-responsive" src="/images/4/9/4/b/3/494b31bc9efbf2ff1beb23407e94258e5488c263-01-me-big-jump.jpg" />

<h2>I know for sure you can fly 110 feet without any problem at all.</h2> <p>Last summer my nephew and his bride had their wedding in our hometown. Since buying the old '84, I had really been looked forward to taking it to the track where I cut my teeth as a young motocross-crazed kid. </p> <div class="grav-youtube-wrapper "> <div class="grav-youtube"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WwIikp0NFsY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> </div>...

The epic multi-generational BC dirt bike adventure of 2015

<img alt="The epic multi-generational BC dirt bike adventure of 2015" class="img-responsive" src="/images/0/d/e/c/5/0dec5453c25f8da18036db9537dbfc39b63c1b8d-01-bc-merritt-first-ride.jpg" />

<p>UPDATED February 4, 2017. I added a video from Mac's GoPro</p> <p>Here is a story from the modern era of dirt-biking and family fun. In 2014 I took my daughter Rose to B.C. for a vacation- a respite from the horrible events that had consumed our family for longer than I care to think about. We had a great time and as good fortune would have it, it has become an annual event. This story recalls the events of the second annual trip to B.C. to ride dirt-bikes.</p>

Celebrate the start of Supercross season

<img alt="Celebrate the start of Supercross season" class="img-responsive" src="/images/f/4/f/1/9/f4f19991fe20192157fcaf9c6af25803670ec29e-2013-rm-z250-ice-turning.jpg" />

<p>Yesterday was the start of the Supercross series with Anaheim 1. Ken Roczen won which was no big surprise, he won last year too and the year before. I always get excited for the Supercross series in the same way most other Canadians get excited for the hockey season. </p>

Have you ever done anything this dumb?

<img alt="Have you ever done anything this dumb?" class="img-responsive" src="/images/4/3/2/c/7/432c710ee9c7ecc90d2e9322a7087800be55fede-00-seat-side-plate.jpg" />

<h4>Back in 1982 I bought a brand new Yamaha YZ-250. It was the first year that Yamaha used International colours for Canadian bikes. Mine was white with a red seat and gold rims and it looked amazing. The reason I bring this up is because this was the first time I had a bike fall off a trailer. Yes</h4>...

Oscar won't give me a helicopter ride

<img alt="Oscar won&#039;t give me a helicopter ride" class="img-responsive" src="/images/0/0/f/9/6/00f962abbbbeeea7028141d4dcf177d0a739ded2-pat.jpg" />

<h3>Pat Cox in the centre along with Cathy Cox, Mac Cox, Pearl Cox and me having a jam</h3> <h2>Who remembers Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom?</h2> <p>Deb Riley posted a link to this on facebook and it brought back a flood of memories. I remember seeing this episode while watching TV with my dad on Willow Road so I must have been 11 or 12 at the time. These crazy conservation officers were tagging moose from the pontoon of a "Copter" and Merlin Perkins' crew was on hand to film the whole process.</p>

A fun day of Motocross at KMMX

<img alt="A fun day of Motocross at KMMX" class="img-responsive" src="/images/d/6/a/1/f/d6a1f0d9f65ca5c9e319f196d2c1ca838baecf5d-01muddy-81.jpg" />

<p>I am skipping over a few adventures and writing a short story about a great day that I had riding motocross and meeting some new motocross people. </p>

A new video from Mackenzie

<img alt="A new video from Mackenzie" class="img-responsive" src="/images/2/e/d/a/2/2eda26de7c13b8358d73970937e6007887f3809a-screenshot-2016-06-26-193758.png" />

<p>Mackenzie posted this great video of him riding with friends in Grand Prairie. No swearing this time. Nice Mac! If you have anything else to show Mac, I love featuring you on the pages of the VM Notes.</p> <div class="grav-youtube-wrapper "> <div class="grav-youtube"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ciJyBFs8jRU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> </div>

The Death of My 450

<img alt="The Death of My 450" class="img-responsive" src="/images/1/1/5/6/f/1156fb570476ff4260719bc4615f6d69627d65be-01-crushing-of-the-soul.jpg" />

<p>The Death of My 450. Looking back now, I really should have named this "The Crushing of My Soul" as my spirit was hurt a lot more than the bike was. I suppose the best way to explain why it was so soul crushing, is to write about what I went through to get that bike.</p> <p>Summer of 2012 is when the cru...</p>

So many reasons not to ride

<img alt="So many reasons not to ride" class="img-responsive" src="/images/e/0/5/c/9/e05c94317311a6501c2e8b52cc79896af233d8c9-01-trailer-with-bike.jpg" />

<h2>I just spent a winter restoring a bike and the results are fantastic. Why not ride it?</h2> <p>On Tuesday I put new rubber on the wheels. This was the last stage and my plan was to come home, put the mounted wheels in the basement and then when I get back from my trip I will drag the bike outside and pu...</p>