EP 52:  MotoGP Live - The Sound of a Motorcycling Family

It was the sound that first got our attention.  It was loud and we were still in the car approaching the parking lot! All that we could do was smile and say “wow, are you kidding”?  

We got out of the car.  The sounds intensified.  Twenty to 25 motorcycles screaming down the straight away at over 200 miles per hour.  Bikes with 300 horsepower engines revving up to 19,000 RPMs.  These are loud and fast motorcycles.  Just the thing we and thousands of others had come to see at the International MotoGP at the Circuit of the America’s.  

And the biggest thrill, being amongst the crowd of like minded motorcycling fans, cheering on the riders and gasping when there was a crash.  Just like those attending a football or baseball game, this experience was another reminder of just how large and enthusiastic our motorcycling community really is.  This motorcycling community we’re a part of is global, positive and enthusiastic, and it feels great to be a member of that family.  Let’s talk about it!  Stay tuned.

INTRO

It was a year ago when my friend Kent called me and said “Ron, meet me in Austin, Texas and let’s go see the MotoGP races at the Circuit of the Americas.”  Unfortunately, I had to explain that the injury to my hand was still recovering and I’d need to pass on that this year.  He said “OK, how about next year, 2024?”  I said, “You bet!”.  

So here we were, the first part of April and I met my old friend at the airport.  Kent and I go way back, almost 40 years if you can believe it.  We met when we were in competitive bicycling, riding with other fast riders local bike shop teams through the hills of North Texas, riding in tours and races.  A desire to be physically fit and competitive is one of the many things that Kent and I had in common.  We still do, I just need to focus more on the fitness side of the house while he remains a lean machine.  

I need to say this.  If you don’t have a close friend, get one!  Friends and family make the world go around as you know.  It felt much like an extended family out there.  Like many of you, I have had a passion for motorcycling for a long time and it’s so cool to see and talk with others, both young and old who feel the same way.  

NEW MUSIC.

Life on the MotoGP circuit is a relentless pursuit of perfection. Since getting back home to Colorado, I’ve been watching a lot of videos about MotorGP riders and teams.  I think searched using the words “A day in the life of MotoGP” or something like that.  It interesting how learning more details about something can give you a lot more insights into reality.  If only more of folks would take that into consideration when they watch only one news channel.  Ut oh, no politics in this Podcast, moving on!  

Riders spend countless hours honing their skills, training their bodies to withstand the physical demands of the sport, and studying the nuances of each track. I saw some cool examples where the riders would ride the track on bicycles to better visualize the details of each hill and corner.  These riders must be fearless, yet calculated; aggressive, yet controlled. And they must be able to push their machines to the limit without crossing the line into danger.

The MotoGP circuit is a global stage, with races taking place in countries all over the world. It’s very much an International crowd and I think that’s one thing that attracts me to it.  There are really good people all over the world.  I love that fact.  Riders come from diverse backgrounds and cultures, but they are united by their passion for the sport. They are a tight-knit community, sharing triumphs and setbacks, pushing each other to be their best.

I think sometimes we look at the life of a famous person and think, oh, if I could only be like them, or have the things that they have.   But life on the MotoGP circuit is not all glamour and glory. There are risks, both physical and emotional. Riders face the constant threat of injury that could result in a huge impact to their finances, and some have even lost their lives even in practice. From what I’ve learned, the pressure to perform is intense, and the competition is fierce. The riders are also well aware that their support teams are also very dependent on his or her success.  There are sponsors who pay the bills.  Those sponsors for motorcycle brands, tires, brakes, engine oil, all of them have their brand names not only on the bikes, but on the riders racing suits.  Winning or at least placing in the top three may be what they require in order to remain a sponsor.  With all this in mind, riders must be mentally tough and resilient, able to bounce back from disappointment and setbacks.  

Just today, I was watching a video about Miguel Oliveira who is currently riding for the RNF MotoGP Team riding an Aprilia brand motorcycle.  What a great guy!  Such a love for family and a heart for others.  Miguel is studying to become a dentist concurrently with his Grand Prix racing career.  Studying to become a dentist while also traveling the world racing.  Now that’s pretty cool!  That’s a very smart backup plan.  

As I’ve learned, I think what sets Miguel apart is not merely his exceptional riding abilities but also his commitment to his loved ones.  He shares how close he is with his parents and how his dad let him try motorcycling at an early age.  My dad did the same.  Beyond his personal life, Miguel's compassion extends to others. He actively participates and also operates various charities including motorcycle training schools for young kids.

Some time ago, I heard a celebrity say “I’m just an ordinary person with an extraordinary job.”  That was Julia Roberts, probably one of the most popular celebrities in the world.  Miguel and other riders in the MotoGP world are certainly international superstars in their own realm, but from what I saw in the videos about Miguel, he too is just an ordinary person with an extraordinary job.  He’s also a person who cares for others and knowing that now, I’ll be watching him more closely when I watch MotoGP races in the future.

Most of us are just ordinary people.  Maybe we look at motorcycle racers and celebrities who have that fame and fortune many of us dream about.  Some people put in a lot of time and effort to be recognized as rich and smart.  But I remember an evening conversation that Kent and I had on that trip to Austin.  We talked about how lucky were are to have a family and good friends.  We talked about how grateful we were to have a friendship of 40 years.  We agreed that that’s about all of the wealth and fame that we need.  I’m grateful for the chance to see the MotoGP in person, but I’m most grateful to have shared that experience with a great friend.  Thanks Kent!

And thank you for joining me today and for telling your friends about this podcast.  I wish you peace.  I wish you love.

Music by Vasileios Ziogas from Pixabay and Geoff Harvey from Pixabay