Racing is a dirty business

Lori Bryant has been the race track manager at Glen Helen Raceway for more than 20 years.

"My viewpoint on this industry," she said, "is it’s all about the grassroots and families being together, whether it’s motocross or motorsports."

The raceway hosts AMA Nationals and other large regional races which involve professionals.

"I don’t know of one promoter out there who doesn’t put their absolute heart, soul and hard work into promoting their events," Bryant said. "It just doesn’t exist."

At the end of the day, pro riders may complain about the conditions of the track, but they have to remember they’re the ones tearing it up with their toys, she said.

"What makes me stay, after all of that, is a situation like last weekend that sits close to my heart," she continued. "Years ago we used to have this dad who did everything he could for his two sons to bring them to ride at our facility. Obviously, the dad had very little money."

The man worked at the raceway so his boys could have track time. Bryant did whatever she could for the family. "Everybody was happy," she said.

But abruptly, they stopped showing up.

"I guess maintenance on the bikes might have been a factor, or the sons outgrew their bikes," Bryant wondered. "I don’t know. But I never forgot them."

Last weekend the two boys approached her, asking if she remembered them. The fact that they remembered her was an example of why Bryant has stayed.

And even the little things count, like families that race the amateur series, who just call to chitchat.

"[They say], ‘Hey, Lori, how’s it going?’" she related. "‘We’ll be in town to visit you.’"

They come to the facility with their kids all weekend, and when they go back home she won’t see them for a while.

"They count on me," Bryant said. "That’s all I really care about – the families."

Spectacular vacation

For 23 years, Colette Sewell has been the race team coordinator for Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki. She’s seen a lot of things happen.

On Father’s Day weekend, Sewell went on a street bike riding adventure with her husband through the wineries of Paso Robles up Highway 1 to a scenic location called Ragged Point.

The two days of riding, beginning at a rented beach house in Morro Bay, was 100 miles round trip each day, but her bike, although very comfortable, is a 250cc machine.

Sewell said the journey took them to several wineries and tasting rooms she’ll never forget.

"The appearance and style of each location ranged from a rambling farmhouse to a bed and breakfast, and several even had the appearance of a castle," Sewell remembered in a recent essay she e-mailed the Valley News. "Although I was not in a position to sample the wines, I managed to fill my saddlebags with wines from each stop."

At one point, they ventured off Highway 46 and became lost on the back roads of Paso Robles. They saw deer standing on the side of the road, eyeing their Suzukis with mild interest.

"We never once saw another motorized vehicle on any of these back roads," Sewell wrote.

On Sunday, the couple departed Morro Bay and headed 50 miles up Highway 1 toward their destination.

"About 16 miles into our ride to Ragged Point we came across yet another winery in a town called Harmony," Sewell related.

The town had a population of 18, she said. The stretch of highway was so close to the shoreline that the water crashed up onto the road.

After a while the trip became difficult, but they finally arrived at Ragged Point.

"The grounds were beautiful and splashed with colors so vibrant it didn’t look real," she continued. "I’ve had this same exact experience by car. It didn’t compare.

"When traveling by car, your experiences are limited by what your eyes can take in. When you travel by motorcycle, all of your senses are alert to the experience."

Sewell looks forward to her next riding adventure.

It’s not just all about the women

Many women want to get to know Ryan Hughes, trainer for Honda of Houston #250 pro rider Jessica Patterson.

Hughes owns a 500-acre private motorcycle and off-road training facility in Anza that trains well-balanced, competitive athletes.

"Everyone must learn proper technique," Hughes said. "Speed is only as good as the rider’s technique."

To Hughes, it’s in the rider’s best interest to focus on three aspects of the body.

"Number one is nutritional," he explained. "This affects your mental and emotional aspects. Number two is the physical aspect of strength. If your body is dull from improper nutrition, then your performance is going to be dull too."

It’s important to watch what one puts in her body, he said. Often, people don’t realize they’re consuming foods to which they are allergic.

"Many of my students learn that they are allergic to gluten," he continued. "I have them cut gluten out of their diet immediately."

"If you don’t love yourself enough to feed yourself properly, you are going to be miserable," Hughes stressed, saying he can’t imagine how a miserable individual would be able to care and love the people around her.

Hughes’ number three focus: balance. This includes coordination, stability and flexibility.

"The one thing about training the women – they don’t have egos like the men," he said. "They’re very open-minded. They know better. They’re very good listeners. The men are thinkers and the women are feelers."

For more information on Hughes’ training facility, visit www.rynoland.com.

1. Tammy Cook says :

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