The Big Jump
The The Big Jump/ The Tao of Travis Pastrana written by Travis Pastrana with Alyssa Roenigk.
The Big Jump is a full throttle ride into the heart and mind of Travis Pastrana and offers a glimpse into all the hard work, dedication, brilliance, and talent that make up the myth. More than just a biography, The Big Jump chronicles not only Travis’ career on dirt bikes, motorcycles and rally cars, but adds anecdotes and fun family stories, which tries to convey what makes Travis tick.
I’ve always been a TP fan, not only for his abilities and never-say-die attitude, but because he’s a genuine nice guy—a little nutty perhaps, but a good clean-cut All-American kid. The Big Jump chronicles his infamous San Francisco Bay jump, and his incredible double backflip, and it’s also filled with Travis’ personal philosophy and individual tao. Sprinkled throughout the book are inspirational tidbits such as:
--"Damn the consequences—you may only get one chance to have the greatest ride of your life."
--"Everything is impossible until someone does it."
--"Sometimes the biggest risk is not taking one."
Amen, Travis!! Great read written by a great rider.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Winter is for reading and writing
The past two months of snow and freezing rain here in upstate New York have left my yard a mess of icy lasagna. Add a few freeze/thaw cycles and trying to traverse the property is like walking on a nok-hockey table in a pair of socks. Riding the bike just isn’t an option!
That’s okay though—winter gives me a chance to catch up on my reading and writing. I’m in the final stages of getting the first of several Grin Factor Guides out onto bookshelves. Learning the ins and outs of the publishing business has been a daunting experience, but I’ve persevered and fruition is within reach.
That’s okay though—winter gives me a chance to catch up on my reading and writing. I’m in the final stages of getting the first of several Grin Factor Guides out onto bookshelves. Learning the ins and outs of the publishing business has been a daunting experience, but I’ve persevered and fruition is within reach.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Book Review: Motocross Riding Tips
There aren’t many books that offer motocross and off-road riders informative tips and tricks to better their riding skills. In Dirt Rider’s Motocross Riding Tips the editors of Dirt Rider have compiled a great selection of previously published articles from their magazine. The book offers a wealth of information that every rider, from beginner to advanced can benefit from.
Separated into six chapters, each chapter follows a logical sequence, meaning Chapter One begins with Starts, Chapter Two focuses on Turns, Chapter Three on Jumps, and so on. Each article is accompanied by excellent step by step black and white photography, and the photos are numbered so you can easily follow the sequence. The rider’s actions in the photos are explained with a caption so you know exactly why the rider did what he did. The tips and techniques are from the industry’s best, with Jeremy McGrath, John Dowd, and Kevin Windham voicing in on the motocross side.
Chapter Four focuses on bike setup tips and there are many other mechanical tips interspersed throughout the rest of the book. The chapter includes such tips as:
• Protecting your bike on muddy days
• Setting the sag
• Adjusting the spring rate
Of all the chapters, the bike setup chapter suffers the most from age due to the ever-changing nature of technology, but if you have an older bike you may find the bike setup tips invaluable.
Although the title says Motocross Riding Tips, chapter Five is dedicated to trail riding tips.
• Bounding through boulder fields
• Single track off-cambers
• Speed secrets for woods racers
• Crossing big logs
These tips and more are covered by a who’s who of off-road legends. Dick Burleson, Steve Lamson, and Randy Hawkins all offer their expertise.
The final chapter focuses on climbing hills, and shows the correct (and incorrect), way to climb slick, steep hills. Of course, what goes up must come down, and Destry Abbott imparts his tried and true words of wisdom to get you safely back down.
Motocross Riding Tips is a resource you’ll return to time and time again.
Separated into six chapters, each chapter follows a logical sequence, meaning Chapter One begins with Starts, Chapter Two focuses on Turns, Chapter Three on Jumps, and so on. Each article is accompanied by excellent step by step black and white photography, and the photos are numbered so you can easily follow the sequence. The rider’s actions in the photos are explained with a caption so you know exactly why the rider did what he did. The tips and techniques are from the industry’s best, with Jeremy McGrath, John Dowd, and Kevin Windham voicing in on the motocross side.
Chapter Four focuses on bike setup tips and there are many other mechanical tips interspersed throughout the rest of the book. The chapter includes such tips as:
• Protecting your bike on muddy days
• Setting the sag
• Adjusting the spring rate
Of all the chapters, the bike setup chapter suffers the most from age due to the ever-changing nature of technology, but if you have an older bike you may find the bike setup tips invaluable.
Although the title says Motocross Riding Tips, chapter Five is dedicated to trail riding tips.
• Bounding through boulder fields
• Single track off-cambers
• Speed secrets for woods racers
• Crossing big logs
These tips and more are covered by a who’s who of off-road legends. Dick Burleson, Steve Lamson, and Randy Hawkins all offer their expertise.
The final chapter focuses on climbing hills, and shows the correct (and incorrect), way to climb slick, steep hills. Of course, what goes up must come down, and Destry Abbott imparts his tried and true words of wisdom to get you safely back down.
Motocross Riding Tips is a resource you’ll return to time and time again.
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