The feeling you get banging through gears sitting on a 200 pound motorcycle is unmatched. Feeling air forcing against you as you’re pushing to go faster, truly grants you the most freeing feeling., It is something I believe everybody should experience.
At Arcata High, there are only a few boys who share this interest. I would like to spread the word of dirt biking and get more people involved in the sport. Yes, riding dirt bikes is a sport.
Like other action sports, dirt biking takes a lot more skill than people think. It requires balance, quick reactions and the ability to control a powerful machine through unimaginable terrain. There are two main types of riding, enduro and motocross.
Enduro riding usually consists of long tight trails through forests, steep hills and mud. These riders have to deal with natural terrain and obstacles, which makes it challenging and unpredictable. It requires lots of endurance and patience. Some enduro races can range from 50 miles to over 200 miles.You will sometimes end up riding for over 10 hours.
“It’s you versus the terrain, it clears your mind, builds skill, and it’s something you can grow in for years,” Emilio Medina, a fellow Arcata High rider at Arcata High said. “It’s not just a sport – it’s an outlet.”
Motocross, on the other hand, is straight speed, style and commitment. It occurs on a closed course track that is wide open with massive jumps and berms. Races are shorter but much more intense, with a gate drop start there will be up to 40 riders pinning it into the first corner at the same time.
“It’s nice, you can go faster, wouldn’t say it’s not as hard…”Said Blake Beckett, “…but both motocross and enduro are pretty difficult in their own ways”.
In the end, whether it’s enduro, motocross, or terrorizing the streets on your obnoxious motorbike, at least you’re getting outside and enjoying yourself. For the riders at Arcata High and beyond, dirt biking is not just a hobby or a pastime – it’s a sport and a way to push limits, clear your mind and experience something truly freeing.