Reed's Rat Race

You know that phrase "Its not what you know but who you know"? Allow me to add my twist to that phrase: "Its not what you have but who you know that has what you need." Yeah, that's it. See, I don't have a dirtbike nor do I have the land a dirtbike requires (our 0.33 acre lot is barely big enough for Lil' G's 50cc dirtbike). But, I'm lucky enough to have a couple of friends that not only have dirtbikes and the land but they are nice enough to let me use 'em. Oh lucky me. And lucky Gavin. This past saturday I loaded up the family into the Jolly Green Giant and we headed down to Pearl, MS to spend the day riding dirtbikes at The Cornerlot Resort, an offroad park for motorcycles only. My friend Mark T. and his wife Ada built the Cornerlot out of sheer love for riding. Mark recently completely overhauled the area by adding a new supercross track, a new kids MX track and completely overhauling the big MX track. In addition to those thr

Just a warning: this is one looooong, drawn out post. Those of you not really interested in motorcycles probably won't find anything worth reading. The Lead-Up I don't know exactly when it occurred, but at some point several years ago I learned that there are organizations that rent race tracks and for a fee will allow anybody (well, almost anybody) to ride on the track. It was at that point that I knew I wanted to get my bike onto the track. To ride without worry of stupid cages (motorcyclist speak for cars) crossing into my lane or pulling out in front of me would be sublime. There would be no dogs or deer or slick diesel fuel spills or cops on the track. It would be the PERFECT riding environment to test and improve my skills. And it would be fun! So last weekend I finally got the chance to fulfill my dream. Only now I want MORE! I think I know what if feels like for an addict to take that first hit of crack. It was better than I anticipated. The lead-up to this blessed eve

Ya know how families tend to have a theme when its time to take the annual family picture? Don't know what I'm talking about? Picture Mom, Dad, and all eight kids dressed in faux cowboy shirts with those mother of pearl buttons, blue jeans, and cowboy boots and to top it off, they are all sporting home-made denim vests and cowboy hats. Everybody from teen-age Billy right down to the still-in-diapers toddler all dressed exactly alike. The family is neatly arranged on bales of hay with a cheap looking barn back drop. Get the picture? Anyway, I think I found a family photo that takes the cake...and no, this is not us or anybody I know...its from the internets, so feel free to laugh AT them!