Dave, I found my initial irritation with you blowing by me with your expert skillz in NovU quickly transferred into me making the same move on someone else a lap later. So thanks for that

I actually did the race school with you at the clubhouse at SCR back in 05. I remember you, you surely don't remember me. I didn't get to race after that until late last year.

I want to learn, and take lessons and seek advice wherever I can. I compete against myself primarily, but I wouldn't be a racer if I didn't want to be faster than the other guy and try to beat him/her to the line.

I'm a novice, in this novice system that we have. If I do get a podium, I have some stickers that will get me a prize, and will get a little trophy. Those things are cool - who doesn't want to win something? At the end of the day: Big deal. That's not my primary motivation.

Keeping up with, and maybe some day dicing with you and the others is my motivation. Secondarily, I LOVE working on my bike. Thirdly, hanging out with everyone here is about the coolest thing I've ever done.

I crashed my ass off on Sunday in AmO. Over the last couple of days recovering from my concussion, hardly able to walk (said without discounting the more serious injuries of the others that crashed), all the normal thoughts went through my mind:

"Maybe I should re-think this", "Giggity-Giggity-Goo", "its going to cost as much to replace just my personal gear as I had budgeted for tires for the rest of the season","family","broken bike", "I'm not as fast as that cherry picker Dave Gallant anyways"....

F**k it. I will be at Pike's, and I will be doing my best to follow you, learn from you, Matt and everyone else.

My bike isn't as shiny as it was on Saturday morning with its fancy paint and clear coat, but its a perfect tool to serve my motivation. And what better way to get to work on it than crashing it? ](*,)

Luke