I was only five years old the first time I saw one. I knew I had to have it and now. “It,” was a mini-bike. My best friend was on it. I ran right over to her and pretty much begged her to let me ride. Her family had two mini-bikes. We went back to her house to ride them. The back yard was about a half of an acre. It was lined with cumquat trees and we would ride the mini-bikes in between the trees and bushes. There was a large caged area, about forty by sixty feet, containing a large collection of exotic birds. Surrounding the area was an electric fence to keep animals away from the birds. We would play “chicken” with our brothers. Sometimes we’d crash into each other and someone would land on that electric fence. Wow, that was a sight! I remember the first time my mother saw me riding the mini-bike, she yelled out “Be careful! And drive to stay alive, will ya?!” I yelled back “OK, ma!”

Several years later, when I was about ten years old, we moved into the city. This is where I met my next best friend, Jeanie. We’re still good friends. But that’s when “it” happened again. I knew I had to have “it”. This time, “it” was a dirt bike. Well, my friend’s father taught us how to ride it. He even taught us how to race it! The first time my mother saw me on that dirt bike, she yelled out “Be careful! And drive to stay alive, will ya?!” I yelled back “OK ma!”

Then later, “it” happened again. This time, “it” was serious. OMG, could it be? Yes! And in my favorite color…pearl white! This time, “It” was a Fatboy. I ride it to this day. I thoroughly love riding, and between family and friends, there’s always someone to ride with. I no longer have my ma to tell me to be careful, so I’m paying her message forward. So, be careful! And drive to stay alive, will ya?! I’ll see you around town. And remember, if you want to know what’s going on, just click centralvalleybiker.com!

Deby