March 22, 2008 marked a very special day in “world*” history. Sir Robbie Rob (me) finally returned to the world of riding motocross. It’s almost been a year since the last time I rode, a year that I’d rather not go through again. After tearing the ACL and re-injuring it, I thought about not riding for a long while. After a week those thoughts turned back to “I can’t wait to get back on a bike”. Throughout the year I went back and forth about riding again, trying to weigh how much it was really worth to me. From the posting about the new bike you can see what my final choice was. Even after we bought the bike I still doubted I wanted to ride again. But not riding had left a huge void in me that I needed to fill. I had to at least get back on and see if it felt the same. So Alev and I went out to Cross Creek MX Park this past Saturday. After un-loading the bikes and gear, I took my time getting ready. I wanted to make sure I didn’t rush into anything. Plus I had to get comfortable with my DonJoy knee brace. So I finally get suited up and jump on the bike. I’m not use to this new bike and the feeling of the clutch so I stalled the first couple times. This was just adding to the doubt. After figuring out the clutch, I rode around Cross Creek flat land getting re-acquainted. Nothing felt right to me. After riding around for 20 minutes, I went back to the truck with more doubt than ever. Going through my head were thoughts that I wasn’t going to be able to ride and enjoy it like I did. I just need to let go and move on. I told Alev that I wasn’t feeling it and she gave me a little pep talk. After the break I got back on the bike and decided to putt around on the Day Track. This time around I felt those old feelings coming back. I still had quite a bit of paranoia but overall things were going good. I wasn’t jumping anything but I was working on my corner speeds. I must say I think my corners are a ton better than before. I still need to continue working on my legs so I probably won’t be jumping anything anytime soon. But I have hope for the day that I can piece everything back together.
*By world history I mean the world I’ve created in my own head.
