JASON THOMAS - 'THE HARD WAY' - PART 15.
1st Oct 2013
Well folks, I’m back at it again with the blog. The last one got a massive reaction mostly all good stuff and the odd comment from a couple of clowns, ha! Anyway since all the drama of Unadilla, where I lost a bit of the spark for my racing, I have been busy trying to find some motivation and drive.
I can honestly say that this is the first time in my career I have felt like this, but it’s been a long time coming. Over the past 18 months or so life has changed a lot and my opinion of a lot of people has change based on the way I have been treated – over time it has just gotten me down to the point where I need to step back and try and re-light the fire.
That said, after Unadilla I set off to PA for a DirtWise school that was being held at Rausch Creek. I have never been there before but I knew GNCC had raced there as well as the National Hare Scramble series. I really had no idea what to expect but I was ready to get the weekend started and excited to meet some new people and future friends.
The location was awesome and very similar to where I grew up in Wales. I set up for the school and then set off on a little trail ride. I took my 125 for this school as I wanted to get a feel for it in the rocks. I have been feeling very fast on it at the tracks I normally ride but wasn’t sure about it in the rocks, more so because of people telling me it wouldn’t be good in them. This place was nothing but rock, with some really technical trail and some pretty tough but flowing stuff. It got dark pretty fast so I wasn’t able to ride much but it was enough to pick my spirits up a little and get me pumped for the next two days of instruction.
Due to there being a lot going on that weekend with regional races in the area, the school was a little smaller than usual, but I had a great group of guys though, all of who were at a A/B level. The weather was fantastic and the day could not have gone better. Everyone was having a blast and improving their skills by the hour. The end of the day soon rolled around and I was keen to see more trails……… I asked one of the local guys if he was up for leading me around and before I knew it the whole group wanted to go trail riding.
It’s been a while since I have just gone out trail riding. The last time was with a bunch of mates in Wales when I was home for Christmas 4 years ago I think, ha. Anyway, while we were all ripping along I started to remember why I love riding dirt bikes so much – it’s not because of the money or the fame, it’s because riding dirt bikes is AWESOME!!!! Ripping along with a group of mates, taking in the sights, laughing at each other when they fall over in a rut or endo over a log, the smack talk when everyone stops for a breather, and just the amazing free feeling you get. In all honesty that 2 hour trail ride really cleared my head of all the negative stuff and back stabbing I sometimes feel is just too much. It’s what I really needed! I’m very greatful to the guys for riding along with me and reminding me of that.
So after a long day, and now plenty to talk and laugh about, we all set off for some much needed grub and rest. As always I kipped in my van and fell asleep to a movie. The next thing I know it was time for day two – it’s been a while since I got a good night’s sleep like that were I wasn’t thinking about something. That could be down to the the long first day or I think more because I had totally cleared my head out on the trails.
Day 2 again was a sensational day and by the end of the day everyone had really come a long way with their skills improvement. All the guys left with a smile and gave some very kind words. It’s always nice to see improvements and hear possative feed back, so the whole weekend really gave me a good feeling about myself and who I really am.
Then it was back at the same old stuff on Monday as I set off to the woods for laps on my own…….. That got old fast so I called it a day and went home to watch TV, ha! Really though, the weekend was so much fun that it made my normal week really feel like a drag. As the week wore on though I did a lot of thinking and decided I was racing my 125 at the GNCC. As always I felt the world needed to know this so I FaceBooked it to make it official. The response was pretty awesome, with so many likes and comments from people who were jacked up about it. But as usual it seemed like there were more people who didn’t believe me, or in the fact I thought I could put it on the box.
This was just what I needed – a fresh fun bike that was really against what people believe is up to the job, and doubting my ability. It really got me fired up to do some testing and set the bike up the best I felt it could be.
Come Friday though the little toy bike was lacking a bit of grunt and the piston was slapping around a bit (so I stripped it down which took all of 10 minutes, ha!) and quickly whacked some fresh rings in to it, and continued to prep the rest of it. Now I live in a condo where I’m surrounded by old folks (and dirt bikes are banned, but somehow I sweet talked the old ladies into letting me put all my crap and bikes into my one bay car garage) so I don’t ever start the bikes there at all.
So Saturday afternoon the bike was looking fancy and ready to go, so I loaded her up in the van and set off down the street – next stop was the ice cream shop parking lot. I pulled the bike out and kicked it in the guts, but nothing happened, but then she cranked over twice followed by a very tight sounding piston and stopped. The next time I kicked I about broke my foot and the kicker on the footpeg……. She had lost all compression. It’s been a while since I built a 125 and I was now in a panic! I set off to my local dealer and asked the mechanics for some help – the guys where more than happy to assist and stripped her down in 5 minutes.
The verdict was I had put the rings in upside down, ha, ha!!!! I had no idea rings were directional. Anyway they suggested I throw a piston in as well, which now put me $300 in the hole before even turning a wheel. But now I had a fresh top end to rip on Sunday, so huge thanks to those guys for that.
So by now everyone will have seen my result which was 2nd place in XC2 and 8th overall. It was a great result I feel and one that I will cherish for many years. The track was pretty technical and very good, not only because of my result, so well done to the track crew. I plan on topping my result at the next round at St.Clairsville by putting the toy bike on the top step!
Right now I’m in Italy getting my KTM250F (supplied by my mates at the Colwyn Bay shop in the UK) – testing has gone well and I feel good on the bike. There is zero traction out on the tests and its very dusty, so that should make for an interesting week.
The bikes go in to impound tomorrow and I plan on having a swim in the crystal clear Mediterranean Sea after that and get myself ready for a long hot week on the bike. I certainly hope to earn my 3rd ISDE gold medal as well as getting some top special test times, and a good overall position.
Until next time, believe in yourself and trust everything happens for a reason.
Ring-da-ding-ding!!!!
U
K
Jason Thomas is supported by DirtWise Riding schools and Instructional DVDs, KTM-Parts.com and www.AOMC.mx, Maxxis tires, KLiM Technical Riding gear, Smith goggles, Lazydays RV, Stuk Graphics, Enduro Spec suspension tuning, Highland Temporary Scaffolding Works, DirtTricks sprockets and brake rotors, Flexx Handlebars, Leatt products, G2 handguards and throttle tubes, Rescue Pegs, BatteryStuff.com, Motorex Lubricants, IMS fuel tanks and footpegs, FMF exhausts, TCX boots, Asterisk knee braces, DP brake pads and clutch plates, TM Designworks chain guides, and KTMTalk.com