If ever there was a BASE jumper deserving a “E!” True Hollywood Story, that would be the man you recognize by his trademark “Take Care, Space” signature line.

Tracy “Space” Walker, born and raised in the deep south of the United States, is every bit a self made man. He was reared along with an older brother by his single mother and grandmother during the early years of his childhood. It was later, during his teenage years and surviving a heavy handed stepfather, whom Tracy would come to describe as the epitome of evil that life served up some tough knocks. Tracy set out on his own as soon as he was able to fly the coop, breaking a negative cycle in search of a positive life. To hear tales of his teenage years makes one cringe; to know the caring, loving man that he became against the odds, makes one want to sing his praises.

Ask any of the BASE jumpers who have had the pleasure of his company on a jump, or the opportunity to spend time talking with him and you will hear the same descriptions over and over. “Space is the Yoda of BASE”, “He is a guru of sorts”, “He mentors the best of the best.” As research progressed I soon heard, “He is mentor to Felix the glory hound of all glory hounds.” I could almost hear the “booing and hissing” in the background as the words rang in my ears.

In my first conversation with Tracy I decided to cut right to the chase, flat out hit him right between the eyes, “Are you responsible for the monster that is Felix Baumgartner?” He laughed and agreed to take full responsibility, before continuing on to explain the joy of having trained such an athlete as Felix. He assured me that Felix is no monster, a bit “misunderstood” by the general BASE population, has a bit of an ego, (gasp I said, “ego in a BASE jumper it can’t be”) and like everyone else on this planet has made some mistakes in judgment.

In those few statements alone I gathered a basic understanding on how Tracy felt about mentoring. His love of all things BASE jumping could be summed up in the loyalty and concern he exhibits on behalf of his students. BASE jumping is a serious topic and is meant to be treated with respect. BASE jumps aren’t just made, they are planned and executed, a spiritual experience to be savored and celebrated.

He explained the qualities he has seen in each of his students that persuaded him to take on the challenge and responsibility of teaching and which characteristics he admired in them afterward as they matured as jumpers in this manner. “Perseverance in the quest for knowledge”, he responded, I have had many students, but mentored only a few. Solid rigging skills, the ability to not jump, BASE ethics, and doing jumps that have not been done prior in the sport are characteristics I admire in my former students.”

Do you have basic guidelines that must be met by the student prior to you considering taking on the responsibility of mentoring them? “Rigging, tracking skills, canopy control drills, accuracy landings, etc. The amount of skydives is unimportant. What is important is the amount of skydives preparing for BASE and the mentality of the jumper.”

Rigging, scoping out the object and conditions, safety protocols, etiquette, and decision making are the 5 most important things Tracy believes a mentor must teach their student prior to the student going it alone. He adds, “of course this is assuming they have their exits sorted.”

I asked him to share his viewpoint on whether he felt it was important for every BASE jumper to have a mentor and how much control or influence does the mentor have over the jumper’s activity?

“It’s a great idea to have a mentor. There is so much information out there that it is pointless to reinvent the wheel and be a pioneer in one’s mind and nowhere else; leading to having an accident. Certain elements of people resent this though and enjoy the higher risk of figuring it out their selves. A mentor does not control a student; they can only hope to have the possibility to influence a student. That jumper’s activity’s is totally up to them.” As to how much responsibility should be placed on the shoulders of the mentor regarding the student’s activities, “None if the student has disregarded the mentor’s advice. The rest should be regarded on a case-by-case basis.”

The million dollar question being, “What makes a person qualified to be a mentor?”

“I believe it is the ability to do the following: Teaching: Helping the student to remember a list or sequence. Instructing: Helping the student to employ that list or sequence. Mentoring: Listening to the student and personalizing the teaching and instruction parts to the fit the student. This is allowing the student to analyze and know when to implement dynamically whichever lessons and instructions called for in a given situation.” Had he ever turned down a student, “I have turned down instructing students because of my lack of time or inability on the student’s part to achieve the objectives I use as a guideline. In my Euro course, I would state that jumping was not part of the instruction, but if they did well….”

As far as teaching the technical aspects of BASE vs. Ethics, Community and History of BASE, Tracy offers this tip. “After the initial discussion with the student where I tell them horror stories and how BASE will effect or maybe end their life, I start with rigging. This allows me to judge how they mentally approach challenges and for me to then tailor the mentorship to the jumper.”

Tracy’s most bonehead thing he had ever done: “That is my secret. I have a fear if I tell; someone will up the ante and do something more boneheaded. Jumping a 110 degree inside corner of a 370 foot building on my 15th jump would rate right up there in the bonehead department. Tom and Dwain did it later, but having much more experience in BASE jumping.”

His attraction to BASE came as a three part epiphany of research and discovery, leading him on the path to doing. The first being his meeting of Eric Lee, “a truck driving dude who showed up at the Mardi Gras Boogie just across Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana. He was talking BASE with another skydiver; I saw the fire in his eyes as he spoke of the highest building in New Orleans at the time, 700 feet. So I researched the building and jumped it as my number 9 jump.” His second affirmation came in “the fatality of Jeb Williams. Jeb being an experienced skydiver/commercial airline pilot, the type of guy that one would feel confident if he was at the controls. The type of guy that I figured would be the last on your list of dying in jumping. So I researched all I could about Jeb. Lastly came “Skydiving Magazine”, I thought they had a typo in announcing that someone had celebrated their 1000th jump on a jump from a 400 foot antenna. So I researched it and discovered it was true.”

Tracy considers the fact that he has been around for “awhile and have probably ground crewed and witnessed more BASE jumps than anybody (ca 10,000) and witnessed it’s growth from infancy” as what makes him unique to the sport of BASE. He adds, “I also have the notorious distinction of being the instructor/mentor of infamous high profile jumpers, John Vincent and Felix Baumgartner and famous guys also.” In questioning him about his greatest achievement in life, the focus shifts from BASE to helping people. “Facilitating change in people’s lives is my achievement. I have gotten thanks for this many times.” Tracy enjoys teaching about life as much, if not more than he enjoys teaching about BASE.

He is a student of life who as a child devoured whole encyclopedias in his thirst for answers. He tells me that he hasn’t achieved his childhood dreams as he is “still in my childhood and I just keep dreaming”. Continuing on he explains how BASE has contributed to his personal growth, “it brought me around the world. It matured me in the social sense that I realized that the US of A did not have everything and the US of A is not the land of the free unless you count “free to do as you are told”.

Tracy and his family currently reside in Munich, Germany where he competes annually in the Munich Chili Cook Off. This year Tracy landed 2nd place, alongside, Spiciest for his Chili Con Carne; “Being it was so spicy is probably why I didn’t take 1st place, I had a cocktail of chili’s to add but it just was getting too spicy so I aborted the chipotle. Winning Chef’s prize for his veggie chili, “which I think is morally wrong, but actually it was ass-kicking. Three trips to the podium, I am eating cheese and no chili for 10 months now.” He named his recipes as only Space would, “Global Warming” was the name of the Carne and “Cow Friendly” was the veggie. “I was going to call it “Greenhouse Gas”, but it did not sound too appetizing.”

Recently added to his list of hobbies of “Foot-bag, Rubik’s cube, card tricks” is Foosball. You can find Tracy online discussing, practicing or playing Foosball at all hours of the day. He is determined to master the game so much so, that his wife presented him with a Foosball table for his most recent birthday.

In speaking with Tracy you must learn to keep your eye on the ball so to speak. The conversation moves in beats as steadily as it does in transitioning topics; suddenly you find yourself being quizzed on numerous philosophical viewpoints. Emperor Joseph II is quoted in the movie Amadeus, as saying to Mozart: “My dear young man, don’t take it too hard. Your work is ingenious. It’s quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that’s all. Just cut a few and it will be perfect”. To which Mozart replied, “Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?” During the next round of questions, I found myself feeling as if some notes went missing, but later realized it is part of Tracy’s charm to be as short in his responses as he can be elaborate and generous with his words in other instances.

What is your jump philosophy? “To ask one’s self “Is it worth it?” , What is your biggest fear? “Heights”, Is there anything you wouldn’t try or do in life?“There are some things, but mostly the reason is time or money constraints”, What is your fitness regime? “Live actively”, What is your weakness in jumping? “Tracking”, What is your strength in jumping? “Tracking”, Is there a time you see yourself retiring from jumping? “No”, How do you mentally prepare for a jump? “I let my fear and logic fight it out and go with the winner”,Did you attend a First Jump Course? “No”, How many skydives did you have prior to your first BASE jump? “500+”, How many BASE jumps did it take before you earned your BASE number? “62″, Did you have a mentor? “No”, Do you prefer solo or group jumps? “mostly solos but a multi-way is great every now and then”, What is it about BASE jumping that you enjoy the most? “Kickin’ out a bitchin’ track”, What is it about BASE jumping that you least enjoy? “Pilot chute hesitations”.

Finally, I cornered him between chilli batches to answer, “In your opinion, what is the biggest mistake a new jumper makes? and “What piece of advice would you offer to a new jumper?”

“Biting off more than one can chew and being too excited to train to get the experience to do the jump as safe as possible. In the END, it is up to the individual, to insure the safety of one’s self. That means YOU. Make your own decision on what you are capable of. If one is told what to do all of the time and adheres to that, then the decision process goes away. If I instruct my student to follow my rules, the student will never be better than I. If I instruct my student to evaluate the situation and make his own rules, then the likelihood that he will progress beyond my abilities is greater which is what I consider the true instructors dream. On a side note, the student has a higher chance of becoming a statistic.”

Lastly, (huge sigh from Tracy) I asked the man who is always on the go with this project or that project,”Do you have a personal goal for yourself right now?” His response is classic Tracy, “I really dislike personal goals. It screws me up. I tend to just go for it. The problem with personal goals is that one gets tunnel-vision. It’s like concentrating on your altimeter when you have a malfunction skydiving out of a plane instead of dealing with the situation. Freefall video is a prime example of this. Been there and done that. Almost died but the subject was in frame. Another couple of friends did die, but it was framed in the video we recovered. One must really be hard to have a goal and not give up safety to achieve it.”

In the end, after months, yes months, of bobbing and weaving, receiving bits and pieces at a time in trying to complete a portrait of “Space”, the Yoda, the BASE Guru, I “nagged” him into sharing two of his stories. I only wish this was an audio tape so that you could all get the full effect of a “Spacey Tracy” BASE story. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of spending time with Tracy knows how blessed I am as a writer to be given the opportunity to learn from him about BASE, life and “not sweating the small stuff, because it’s all small stuff”. Period. Take Care, Space.

List 5 Random Facts or Habits about yourself that would be classified as weird, strange, or different.

1. Being 46 yrs old and still playing

2. BASE jumping

3. Sewing foot bags (2-62 panel)

4. Weather forecasting

5. Playing with divining rods

Tracy “Space” Walker Statistics:

Age: 46

Marital Status: Married

Location: Munich, Germany

Children: Daughter 9yrs and Son 4yrs

Education: High School

Hometown: Deep South

Year of first B.A.S.E jump: 1988

Container is: Perigee/Gargoyle

Canopy is: Mojo/Troll MDV

Your profession: Research Technician

B.A.S.E number:283

Nickname: Space, Spacey Tracy

Osaka, Japan

A 170m building in Osaka, Japan kinda stands out. I scoped it out on a Monday to sort out the security detail and decided I had a good chance to pull it off as there were only 4 security officers on the observation platform. Unfortunately there were 20 Security officers present on jump day Thursday. The weakness in the security was still there though. It meant that I would have less time to stand up and jump from the handrail 2m out and 1.5m down to the top of the suicide fence, followed by a 3m drop to the roof where I would run to the edge and jump.

I waited until the security guy walked behind me and turned his back, and went for it. As soon as I stood on the handrail, the security guard started yelling, but I made it onto the suicide fence and dropped down to the roof and made for the exit point. One security guy was on my heels yelling Japanese at me. I was thoroughly prepared for this. I had learned how to say in Japanese, A: If you come closer I will jump”. B: “I am very sorry”. C: ”Thank you very much”.

I threw off my day backpack camouflage covering my rig and turned to say “If you come closer I will jump”, but I forgot the words unfortunately. So instead I said “thank you very much” with a big smile on my face. I think the smile on my face freaked him out because he took a step back and I turned and jumped.

I had planned to land near the street but as I unstowed my brakes, I saw there was too many people there on the sidewalk. So I opted for a 180 degree turn back into the inside of the building (The building was 2, 150m office towers, 70m apart capped with another 20m of building bridging them together.).

As I was preparing to flare I saw two security guards running towards me. I flared, stood it up and grabbed two armfuls of canopy and they had me. They escorted me to a meeting room where I waited for about 15minutes until the board meeting convened. I made use of the Japanese that I did know, repeating it over while waving my hands like foreigners do , “I am very sorry”, ”Thank you very much”, and in English, “Beautiful building!”

They made me write on a piece of paper that I would not jump the building again and I asked how many times as I thought this was copy work like when you were bad in school like Bart Simpson. They didn’t understand so I wrote what they asked and they looked it over, discussed it and then handed it back and ask me to write that if I did jump it again it would on my own responsibility. So I did that and signed it with my BASE number.

Then they were escorting me to the door and I asked a question that was translated. The question I asked was “Could you bring me some postcards from the tourist shop?” There was a resounding “No!” in English and they threw me outside. Before I could regain my feet, my canopy was thrown on top of me, along with my day backpack camouflage get up and the door slammed and I could hear the lock slamming closed.

Croatia & The Rocket -Man

I have been involved in quite a few high risk jumps as rigger and consultant. I was in Croatia at a 195m cave when we got weathered out by the Bora wind and associated rainfall. Since it can last 2-3 days, we had to return to Munich with the rental camera gear since we had most of it. Meaning: most of the rental camera gear available in Munich. As I was approaching home via train around midnight, I received a call from Rocket-Man Peter who needed me at the 18m bridge over water in South Germany at 5am, as he was going to flick-it with the rocket deployed canopy (we developed this system) from a motorcycle jumping a ramp over the railing. I made it there on time. My first job was to brief the scuba diver on the different handles on the modified BASE gear and how to finger track to the important ones and other tech stuff. I helped Rocket-Man gear up and noticed that the rocket pocket was modified. It was ok as he was standing there.

He made a dry run past the ramp to get his line then returned for the final gear check, then to the start point. Cameras started rolling and so did he. He nailed the ramp perfectly. Cruised over the railings, look-reach-pull, the rocket fired but did not launch.

Rocket-Man shoved off the motorcycle just a couple of meters before impacting the water at 90kph (yes, we had calculated this before the jump). He hit knees first which tipped him forward to take a full body slam against the surface. Rocket-Man and the bike disappeared under the surface of the lake. Plastic mudguards from the bike floated up….

Then Peter floated up but facedown. The scuba diver froze in shock. Germany Eddie (BASEr/cinematographer) who was filming from up top near my perch on the bridge, stripped down, jumped the 18m down and turned over Peter and swam him to the pickup boat (saving Peter’s life). Peter was unconscious but had started breathing again. During all of this, my mind was going “WTF?” I was reviewing the gear check, and could not perceive how I could have missed something. The deployment chain was totally clean.

I got a ride to the hospital as they would not let me go in the ambulance with Peter. When I got to see him, he was asking me what happened. I explained about the rocket not clearing the pocket. He didn’t have memory of the event at all. Actually, he was definitely missing some weeks of memory.

I got the gear and inspected it and nothing was amiss. But in the 6 intervening hours, so many emotions went through my mind.

The aftermath: Unfortunately due to the bulk of the 2 neoprene suits, the pocket flexed as he cleared the railing, leaned over and pulled the deployment handle trapping the rocket in the launch pocket. Peter regained a lot of his memory and successfully jumped his modified rocket deployed rig/ramp/motorcycle at a quarry (31m I think) for the Discovery Channel show “Stunt Junkies”.

Two days later, I was on my way back to the cave in Croatia.

The cave jump was successful.

 

Shredding Stereotypes: Modern Perceptions of Extreme Sports

By Cameron Livermore

As humanity has continued to evolve and adapt to the rise of new technology, so have our pastimes.  In the late twentieth century, the combination of sport and technology began to give birth to a new breed of recreation: the extreme sports.  Simple stick and ball games have changed over time with the advent of better equipment, but this new breed of sports is different in that the participants rely on specialized technology to achieve feats that the human body is ill-equipped for on its own.

Skateboarders reworked the existing technology of frictionless, high-speed travel that previously resided amongst skiers, who in turn began to notice an invasion of younger people at their resorts mounted on snowboards.  The offroad motorcycle improved steadily in the last half of the century until it was capable of tolerating extreme force, giving athletes the ability to launch their two-wheeled machines off of dirt mounds and specialized metal ramps to astounding new heights and distances.  Many offshoots and evolutions of old sports were enhanced by new technology, adventurous minds, and the idea that there was plenty of territory left to conquer in the area of recreation.

However, these sports came as somewhat of a shock to an older, more traditional population.  Young skateboarders and surfers in the 1980s carried themselves with a radical flair, both on and off their boards, evoking both excitement and outrage from the established authorities.  Snowboarders descended in droves on established ski resorts, and the patrons there reacted with disdain and sometimes outrage, regarding the new form of sport as an unwieldy and dangerous adaptation of their own.  Motocross riders watched skeptically as a segment of professional racers, disillusioned with sponsorship and professional racing politics, split off from the racing scene and began performing aerial tricks on their bikes. 

The general attitude of disdain evinced by a population that grew up playing more traditional sports fueled the new breed’s rebellious spirits, until many of them broke with societal norms in their quest to shock the majority with dangerous maneuvers and equally dangerous lifestyles.  Their attitude of rebelliousness was arguably necessary to keep their lifestyle from being affected by the forces compelling them to “get back in line,” as it were.  These deviant sports were viewed by the general public as the pastime of deviant citizens, and when one is stereotyped unjustly, they may exemplify that stereotype to validate their labeler’s suspicions, and in turn be somewhat validated by that irony.

Unfortunately, the people who stereotyped extreme sports began to see all participants of these sports as deviants, when in fact the second wave of athletes had already risen.  Younger people, inspired and curious about these new sports, had begun to take up the mantle of their older, wilder counterparts.  These newer participants dreamed of professionalism, of making a living doing what they loved, as other professional athletes had in the past.  On their rise to such a level, however, they encountered roadblock after roadblock: laws making their sports actual crimes, facilities banning their new form of sport, resorts denying entrance to their kind.  Extreme sports were once considered a harmful and destructive fad, and only recently has the general public begun to grasp the merits of both the sports and athletes involved.  What was once perceived as an offensive pursuit is becoming recognized for the true spectacle it is: one of hard work, dedication, blood, sweat, and tears.

There is no doubt that these new sports can carry painful and even deadly consequences for their athletes.  “I always call extreme sports good for business,” says Dr. William Roberts, president of the American College of Sports Medicine.  “They produce injuries that generate more income for me than any other sport.” (Tresinowski et al. 1).

Injuries are a fact of life for professionals in extreme sports.  Broken bones, bruises, even paralysis or death can result from mistimed trick or faulty equipment.  Why, then, do these athletes choose to risk life and limb in order to participate?  For most, the answer is simple.  These sports provide a feeling that cannot be obtained in any other way.  Adrenaline rushes, confidence in one’s ability, even spirituality are all attainable through extreme sports. 

Perhaps it was best summed up by big wave surfer Mike Parsons, in this quote from the book Being Extreme by Bill Gutman, Shawn Frederick, and John Butman:

“The ocean for me is a totally spiritual thing.  It doesn’t matter if it’s small or big surf, just being in it is the important thing.  It’s my place.  You can have all kinds of problems and worries, and the second I begin surfing, I’m completely focused on that and the rest of the world goes on hold.  It’s almost like someone going to church.  Without a doubt, the ocean is my church,” (99).

The rest of the world goes on hold for participants in extreme sports.  A skilled athlete must use every ounce of concentration, muscle memory, and attention they have to complete the maneuvers they attempt, and this allows for no distractions.  As a motocross rider myself, I can personally vouch for this “clean slate” feeling.  All of my worries, troubles and preoccupations evaporate the instant I soar off of the first jump on a motocross track.  My attention is focused entirely on the next set of obstacles; my mind makes infinite tiny decisions every second, and as I progress, its capacity to make these decisions increases.  A well trained extreme sports participant does not think; they simply react, and it is perhaps this channeling of the primal “fight or flight” instinct that can make the experience so entirely rewarding for us. 

Recent studies have helped to corroborate this, as they show that extreme sports athletes have higher sensation-seeking needs than the average person.  Sensation-seekers are people who desire to experience new and/or novel sensations, or experiences that are not present in the course of everyday life (Malkin and Rabinowitz 34).  Extreme sports provide the means to feel new things and experience unique sensations.  Perhaps this is part of the reason that so many young people are drawn to them; in a life consisting mainly of school and work, in an environment where sexual urges are often repressed or discouraged, extreme sports offer young people a way to feel very alive.

These sports are also gaining athletes’ participation due to the dramatic visual effects achieved in their execution.  Risking life and limb results in spectacular displays of human beings leaping huge distances in a single bound, showing new degrees of finesse and skill, and generally performing feats that were once thought to be impossible (if they were thought of at all).  The consequential increased video coverage results in more viewers wanting to try new things.  “People are increasingly challenging themselves with activities which place their lives totally in their own hands and moving away from safer, more regulated activities,” says James Stewart, in his article “Taking the Plunge,” which appears in the Institute of Internal Affairs Public Review. 

Perhaps in a society where new laws are constantly made, old laws are rarely repealed, and people follow a somewhat set course of school, college, then work, we are simply beginning to yearn for a little chaos in our lives; or perhaps it is the feeling of controlling one’s fate that results from flying through the air or sliding down a rail that is compelling more people to try these sports.  As Stewart says, “These sports have less of a competitive feel about them, in many cases the only benefits come from the warm, fuzzy feeling one gets by beating one’s previous best or just by improving one’s skills”(1).  That “warm, fuzzy feeling” is synonymous with control.  As an avid motocross rider and snowboarder myself, I know this firsthand; the feeling of being in control, even when traveling at forty miles an hour while twenty feet above solid ground, is intoxicating and has increased my confidence in all areas of life.

This feeling may best be described as one of sheer self reliance and independence. Team sports, on the other hand, involve more of a feeling of unity and cooperation. Often times, a player will have to sit out large parts of the actual contest, such as in football, baseball, and basketball.  The notorious bench has no place in any extreme sport, however.  There is no one to catch a BMX rider if he fails to clear a twenty foot dirt jump, and no one to step in for a skateboarder after he’s fallen off of a rail onto concrete.  Extreme sports athletes rely entirely on their own proficiency, dedication, and natural talent.  This can lend the athlete a very powerful sense of satisfaction; when a new goal is met or a new trick performed, the feeling of accomplishment is not divided amongst a group.  After successfully reaching a higher level of performance, the confidence and sense of achievement gained provides more than enough motivation to continue pushing the limits.

I can testify on this point personally.  Recently I participated in a large desert off-road motorcycle ride.  A newcomer joined our camp this year: a twenty year old that had ridden off-road motorcycles only briefly at age twelve.  He brought boots and a helmet, but no motorcycle; we had four bikes and only three riders in our group, so we let him try our bikes out.  The person in question rode more than anybody else that weekend.  He progressed from barely competent in the high-speed, three foot wide trails to a respectable desert rider in only a few days.  After each ride, he would reminisce excitedly at the camp fire about overcoming a new obstacle, jumping over bumps at higher speeds, and learning how to take corners quickly.  Each achievement boosted his confidence and fueled his desire to learn more.  In this way, extreme sports can be an addictively satisfying pastime.

Perhaps it is no coincidence that the rider I met in the desert had his bike taken away at a young age after his dad crashed and injured his knee on an old off-road motorcycle.  Many parents still see extreme sports as a serious threat to their children and will not allow them to participate in anything of the kind.  In an article titled “Flying High, Falling Hard” from People Magazine, a mother from Wisconsin is quoted, saying: “I don’t shelter my kids, but I’m not comfortable with sports with high injury rates.  I want them to be safe,” (Tresinowski et al. 64).  This is a perfectly logical argument; however, not very many children are perfectly logical themselves.

Forbidding a child from participating in an extreme sport can increase their desire to do so as a form of rebellion, as I witnessed in the desert recently.  That particular person was responsible.  He wore safety gear and had fourteen experienced riders to coach him and watch him, but still crashed at high speeds twice over the weekend.  Had he been a bit more reckless and a bit more motivated to rebel, he may have been more poorly equipped and could have been badly injured.  Unfortunately, this is often the case.  Young children imitating professionals they’ve seen on television without parental guidance or proper safety equipment are much more likely to sustain debilitating injuries.

A better approach is given in the same article in People by another mother, Michele Soven of Longwood, Florida.  Her son is an avid wakeboarder.  Wakeboarders are towed on specially designed boards behind boats, jumping the wake thrown up by the boat’s propeller and performing tricks.  “From the beginning, my husband and I were very involved,” says Michele.  “Every injury he got, I would find out how and why it happened, to prevent it from occurring again.” (Tresinowski et al. 66) 

Her son Phillip has sustained multiple injuries, the worst of which he suffered while trying to jump onto a long, wooden rail floating in the water, an obstacle wakeboarders call a “slider.”  Phillip caught his board on the edge of the obstacle, shattered his nose, and split open his face.  It took 58 stitches and two reconstructive surgeries to repair the damage, but Michele never once thought of trying to take away Phillip’s wakeboarding privileges.  “It’s something he loves to do, so how can I forbid it?  If I did, it would be more likely that he’d do it without parental guidance,” said Michele (Tresinowski et al. 65).  This is a realistic viewpoint.  Extreme sports are definitely dangerous, but risk can be minimized with proper guidance, safety gear, and involvement from experienced athletes and parents alike.

Samah Boulis and Andreas Rehm, Orthopedic surgeons from the United Kingdom, share this viewpoint in their article Our Experience with Motocross Accidents in Children: Patterns of Injuries and Outcomes.  The article details the types of injuries common to motocross riders, and offers the opinion that the implementation of helmet and protective gear laws would substantially minimize the injuries that occur in motocross riding and racing (1). 

While most if not all public motocross facilities do require riders to wear helmets, few go beyond that basic safety.  The additional stipulation that riders be required to wear protective boots, gloves, pants, jerseys, body armor, and neck braces would substantially reduce motocross related injuries.  Again, I speak from my own experience; I have never broken a bone while riding motorcycles, and have ridden one thousand hours or more-always with the proper safety gear. After many high speed and high altitude crashes, I have still never suffered anything worse than cuts and scratches.  My safety gear has been destroyed and replaced many times, saving my body in the process.

The public has begun to recognize that with such safety gear, extreme sports can be participated in with some degree of safety.  Extreme sports were once thought of as something close to a death sentence, even with gear, but that has been shown to be untrue in recent studies of sports related injuries.  The percentage of people injured in extreme sports is often the same or even smaller than the percentage of people injured in conventional sports such as football.  In a list that compiled the number of injuries based on the time spent playing or participating in a sport, the only extreme sport even close to the top of the list was snowboarding, ranked third behind boxing and football.  Skateboarding sits at twenty-second, and BMX biking at twenty-fourth (Tresinowski et al. 64). The myth that extreme sports resulted in more injuries than traditional sports has been effectively broken by professional researchers in a number of studies such as this one, and that data is trickling down to the public awareness with increasing momentum.  Parents are now becoming aware that their child is just as likely to break a bone while being tackled by a linebacker in a high school football game as they are to break one while jumping down a set of stairs on a skateboard.

Unfortunately, the average citizen’s change of perception is not always mirrored by official groups.  Signs proclaiming “No skateboarding, No bicycling, No rollerblading” are still a common sight in any city.  This is perhaps best illustrated by the outright ban on skateboarding that occurred in Philadelphia’s LOVE Park, a kind of Mecca for modern skateboarders.  Jeremy Nemeth’s paper Conflict, Exclusion, Relocation: Skateboarding and Public Space details this incident.  Policy makers in Philadelphia decided to restructure the park in time for a citywide festival, both physically and legislatively.  The legislative portion instituted an around-the-clock police patrol in and around the park to enforce a new zero-tolerance ban on skateboarding.  If any citizen was caught skateboarding, they would have to pay a three hundred dollar fine and could even be imprisoned.  Skateboarding became a crime (297). 

This did not sit well with the resident skateboarders of Philadelphia, who assembled for a march on city call on October fifth, 2003.  They accomplished nothing with their mass protests, however, so instead began a campaign.  Non-profit groups formed, dedicated to regaining the right to skate in LOVE Park.  After a long stalemate with city officials, a bargain was struck; the city would build a street-style skate park for skaters to use.  While this satisfied some, many skateboarders continue to fight for their right to skate at LOVE Park.  In a newspaper poll taken in 2004, ninety-two percent of two thousand resident Philadelphians polled supported the skateboarder’s fight to return to LOVE Park (Nemeth 304).  This instance suggests that the average citizen is starting to accept extreme sports, and again illustrates that institutions are not always doing the same.

Some might argue that such laws are made due to the damage caused to public property by extreme sports.  While it is true that skateboarding and BMX riding can damage public architecture, it is not true that the athletes involved are generally careless of this fact.  Philadelphia city officials estimated that skateboarding had caused approximately sixty-thousand dollars worth of damage to LOVE Park.  Shortly thereafter, the city gave the park an eight-hundred-thousand dollar facelift (Nemeth 301). This should adequately answer the question of whether or not the city had the funds to deal with such intense use by skateboarders.  If the city could afford to spend eight-hundred-thousand dollars to update the park, they could afford sixty- thousand dollars to repair it. 

However, the skateboarding community went even further to show their dedication to regaining the privilege of skating in LOVE Park.  A skateboard shoe manufacturer, DC Shoes, offered to pay one-hundred-thousand dollars each year for ten years to the city for maintenance of LOVE Park if skaters were allowed to return.  The city refused (Nemeth 303).  How is it that city officials claimed they refused skateboarders the privilege to skate based on the damage the sport caused, yet continued that refusal even after paying roughly thirteen times the estimated cost of the damage to update the park?  How can the cost of damage, at sixty-thousand dollars, when compared to one-hundred-thousand dollars a year for ten years from DC shoes, be considered a legitimate reason to continue excluding skaters from LOVE Park?  It seems that not all prejudice against extreme sports has faded with time.  Skaters continue to lobby for access to LOVE Park, and the city continues to refuse them (Nemeth 304).

Skateboarders have a similar complaint in Bronx, New York.  Street skating is nearly a crime in the Bronx, making it very difficult for skaters to progress and practice what they love to do.  “…We aren’t harming anyone, and we aren’t doing anything bad-just skateboarding,” says Chris Seise, a Bronx skateboarder (Mcdonald 1).  There is a park in the area called Mulally’s, but the park requires that a skater’s parents sign a waver before they are allowed to skate (Mcdonald 1).  This makes access difficult for the skaters whose parents do not approve of their child’s chosen sport, and may lead to more illegal street-skating by children under eighteen years old who cannot use the park.  If the city would provide a public skate park utilizing street obstacles like benches and handrails, the unnecessary commitment of city resources to the prevention of street skating could be stopped.

Another less harmful discrimination is often perpetrated by participants of “classic” or “ball” sports, such as football, baseball, and basketball.  In an issue of Sports Illustrated, a journalist asked many athletes whether they considered skateboarding to be a sport or not.  “Hell no.  It’s a recreational activity, like fishing,” said Blue Jays outfielder Jose Cruz (Albert and Mravic 28).

Other athletes showed similar scorn.  “They’re trying to make everything a sport,” said Marlins infielder Dave Berg.  “Why not grocery bagging at Albertson’s?  These days they even call putt-putt golf a sport.  That’s just trailer-trash activity.  Sure it takes skill to do these things, but is it a sport?” (Albert and Mravic 28).  It is true that many extreme sports athletes view ball-sport players similarly, and that the rivalry is far from one-sided.  It all seems to be a case of conditioning.  Whatever activity is done and watched in the household is often an activity the child will later consider a sport.  Certainly extreme sports and team sports are both valid athletic pursuits.

As the public demand for facilities in which to practice extreme sports grows, some institutions are finally responding adequately.  In the journal Parks and Recreation, Kelly Bastone cited many such instances in her article “Going to Extremes.”  Kelly writes that “Directors and managers elsewhere have also received requests to go beyond team sports and provide opportunities to skate, bike, climb, paddle, ski, and even surf…” (Bastone 60).  Some institutions have chosen not to take the “LOVE Park” route, and have risen above and beyond to provide safe, well-designed facilities for athletes.  Many cities are feeling the demand and responding aptly. 

Reno, Nevada built a whitewater rafting park on the Truckee River, the town of Steamboat Springs in Colorado runs a community ski and snowboard slope called Howlsen’s Hill, and city Officials in Chattanooga granted permission to a group of rock-climbers when asked if they could begin climbing a limestone support column on one of the city’s historic bridges (Bastone 63-65).  Many cities are welcoming extreme sports athletes with open arms.  Word spreads quickly in the athletes’ world, and once a town is known as a good destination for a sport, its economy reaps the benefits as adrenaline-seeking tourists spend their money while visiting (Bastone 64).

In Kelly Bastone’s article, one city stands head-and-shoulders above the rest. Oklahoma City’s director of parks and recreation, Wendel Wisenhunt, is quoted, saying “”We were hearing that our emphasis on stick-and-ball sports just wasn’t serving everyone, particularly the younger population.”  Wisenhunt responded to the need for extreme-sports facilities in dramatic fashion; in 2005, at a cost of seven-hundred-thousand dollars, the Mat Hoffman Action Sports Park opened in Oklahoma.  Oklahoma City’s director of parks and recreation worked closely with professional BMX rider and native Oklahoman Mat Hoffman to create a facility that would allow beginners to progress safely while simultaneously challenging veteran athletes (Bastone 2).

This is approach to building facilities is by far the best, as simple logic shows. A dangerous, boring skate park is a bad investment, but not many public officials have thought to go as far as to seek out the input of professional athletes to help build the courses.  The necessity of doing so is obvious, as extreme-sports facilities are products of creativity and have no set boundaries, obstacles, demarcations, or other mandatory features.  A football field is a football field, and can be duplicated rather easily, but skate parks, motocross tracks, and other extreme-sports arenas are unique facilities, each with their own obstacles, safeguards, unique attractions, and creators.  If the city official overseeing the project acquires the help of a professional athlete to design a safe, fun, and challenging course, they are likely to see much larger attendance numbers.  The local economy again feels a pleasant surge as athletes spend money in the park’s proximity, which can transform the cost of the park’s creation into a profit, in time (Bastone 63).

Another factor that is helping win over officials is the changing perception of extreme sports participants as a type of people.  Skaters, particularly, were once associated with illegal activity such as drug use and vandalism; that association is now rapidly dissolving as kids and teens campaign for the addition of skate parks to their city and take pride in keeping the parks safe and legal once they are constructed (Weller 567).  Once looked upon as apathetic deviants, skaters are now being respected as socially active people with strong voices in their community (Weller 568).  As more and more athletes practice their sports without participating in the unsavory activities that were once associated with those sports, more non-athletes are beginning to see them as respectable public figures. 

As extreme sports continue to grow in popularity, people are beginning to accept this new view of the athletes, and are realizing that extreme sports may not truly be as bad as the old stereotypes implied they were.  City officials are helping to build new parks, parents are more likely to let their children choose to ride a skateboard or motorcycle, and television networks are scrambling to provide more coverage of high-flying bikers and boarders.  While the public’s increased exposure to extreme sports still far from matches the popularity of older, more well-know sports, the stigma once attached to athletes participating in them is quickly eroding.  For the athletes in question, this acceptance has come somewhat late, but is nevertheless deeply appreciated.  No person enjoys persecution, much less so for performing difficult and skillful feats of athleticism, and extreme sports athletes are no exception.  As ESPN’s X Games grows, Mountain Dew’s Dew Tour appears on network television, and other forums for extreme sports are piped into America’s living rooms, the true athletic and mental fortitude displayed in extreme sports is beginning to be so readily observable that outdated stereotypes can no longer be applied.  More cities are giving in to the demand for skate parks and other facilities for extreme sports athletes to use, and more children than ever are idolizing motocross riders or snowboarders instead of baseball or basketball players.  The former black sheep of the sports world are slowly becoming the main attraction.

 

 

Works Cited

Bastone, Kelly. “Going to Extremes.” Parks and Recreation 43.5 (2008). EBSCO.Academic Search Premier. Dana Library, Clackamas Community College. 23 Oct. 2008 

<http://0web.ebscohost.com.library.clackamas.edu/ehost/detail?vid=12&hid=103&

            sid=8e7a8654-c85d-4436-ba01 9b99c1bc0be3@sessionmgr102&bdata=JnNpdG

U9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ==#db=aph&AN=31886088>.

Boulis, Samah, and Andreas Rehm. “Our Experience With Motocross Accidents In Children: Patterns of Injuries and Outcomes.”  Internet Journal of Orthopedic Surgery 3.3 (2006). EBSCO. Dana Library Clacakamas Community College. 17 Oct. 2008        

http:/web.ebscohost.com.library.clackamas.edu/ehost/detail?vid=7&hid=22&sid=

c913e90c-ec1c-4a77-b125- 4560e7c2cc48@sessionmgr2&bdata=JnNpdGU9Z

Whvc3Qtb  Gl2ZQ==#  db=aph&AN=22553113

Gutman, Bill, Shawn Frederick, and John Butman. Being Extreme. Citadel Press

2003. Google Book Search Beta. Dana Library, Clackamas Community College. 20 Oct. 2008 <http://books.google.com/books?id=wmxJVnoB0HAC&pg=RA1-

PA192&dq=”Adrenaline+Sports”&lr=&sig=ACfU3U2qsju                 

w7EmEpov2Sxuclv-Bnnu57w#PRA1-PA197,M1>.

Kim, Albert, and Mark Mravic. “Sport? Not a Sport?” Sports Illustrated 93.9 (2000): 28.

EBSCO. Academic Search Premier. Dana Library, Clackamas Community College.

1 Nov. 2008 <http://0search.ebscohost.com.library.clackamas.edu/login.aspx?direct= true&db=aph&AN=3499782&site=ehost-live>.

Malkin, Marjorie J., and Erik Rabinowitz. “Sensation Seeking and High Risk Recreation.” Parks

& Recreation 33.7 (98): 34-40. EBSCO. Academic Search Premier. Dana Library, Clackamas Community College. 1 Nov. 2008. <http://0search.ebscohost.com.library. clackamas.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=899852&site=ehost-live>.

Mcdonald Jr, Oscar. “What’s Left for Bronx Skateboarders?” New York Amsterdam

News 99.32 (2008). EBSCO. Academic Search Premier. Dana Library, Clackamas Community College. 22 Oct. 2008. <http://0web.ebscohost.com.library. clackamas.edu/ehost/detail?vid=5&hid=113&sid=0552f7b7-48ce-4548-a375- 4a3d8d858611% 40sessionmgr107&bdata=Jn NpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ==#db=

aph&AN=34030292>.

Nemeth, Jeremy. “Conflict, Exclusion, Relocation: Skateboarding and Public Space.”

Journal of Urban Design 11.3 (2006): 297-318. EBSCO. Academic Search Premier. Dana Library, Clackamas Community College. 22 Oct. 2008 http://0 search.ebscohost.com. library.clackamas.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=24905978&site=ehost-live.

Stewart, James. “Taking the Plunge.” Institute of Public Affairs Review 57.3 

(2005). Pg. 4. EBSCO. Academic Search Premier. Dana Library, Clackamas Community College. 25 Oct. 2008.<http://0-web.ebscohost.com.library.clackamas.edu/ehost/ resultsadvanced?vid=21&hid=103&sid=8e7a8654-c85d-4436-ba019b99c1bc0be3@ sessionmgr102&bquery=(extreme+sports)+and+(motivation)&bdata=JmRiPWFwaC>. 

Tresniowski, Alex, Anne Driscoll, Kevin Brass, and Giovanna Breu. “Flying High,

Falling Hard.” People 61.22 (2004): 64-69. EBSCO. Academic Search Premier. Dana Library, Clackamas Community College. 25 Oct. 2008. <http://0-search.ebscohost.com. library.clackamas.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=13239994&site=ehost-live>.

Weller, Susie. “Skateboarding Alone? Making Social Capital Discourse Relevant to

Teenager’s Lives.” Journal of Youth Studies 9.5 (2006): 557-74. EBSCO.

Academic Search Premier. Dana Library, Clackamas Community College. 29 Oct. 2008 <http://0search.ebscohost.com.library.clackamas.edu/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=aph&AN=23107604&site=ehost-live>.

 

 

 

 

           

 Bridgestone

ED 11 / 12 Real Enduro race tyres that can also be used on public roads. Terrific traction conform to FIM regulations.
These are real Enduro race tyres with dynamic block patterns and motor cross compounds. Ideal for Enduro competitors who need off-road performance.

ED77 / 78 A heavy-duty reinforced enduro style intended for serious offroad competition. Specially designed to handle a variety of changing non D.O.T. trail conditions.

M403 / M404, Specifically designed for varying intermediate terrain applications Redesigned center and shoulder blocks offer better control at all lean angles Long lasting center compound and softer side block compound for superior cornering grip and traction Tube Type

MOTOCROSS M201 / M202 / M203 / M204 SOFT TO MEDIUM,  M201 Revolutionary tire-design technology provides comfort and bite in a broad range of soft terrain applications Computer-designed block placement for self-cleaning performance Race-proven pattern gives outstanding performance on today’s MX and off-road courses Reverse Cap/Base compound — shock-absorbing softer base capped with ultra high traction surface .

MOTOCROSS M604/ M603 / M602 / M601 / MEDIUM TO HARD, Outstanding performance on today’s firm base man made courses New tread pattern cuts through loose terrain to find traction and grip on a firm base Long lasting center compound and softer side block compound for superior cornering grip and traction Tube Type

ED668/ED663 FIM APPROVED ENDURO – STREET LEGAL & PASSES M.O.T,  ED (Gritty) Series (80% off-road/20% on-road) ED 663/668 specifically designed for intermediate to soft conditions .

MOTOCROSS M101 / M102 DEEP SAND & MUDDY GROUND, Matching front and rear combination designed for deep sand and bottomless mud. Rear tire paddle-like pattern for traction in extra soft conditions.

MOTOCROSS M401 / M402 Medium Ground, Specifically designed for varying intermediate terrain applications Redesigned center and shoulder blocks offer better control at all lean angles Long lasting center compound and softer side block compound for superior cornering grip and traction Tube Type .

CHENG SHIN

C858, Ideal for a budget priced replacement . Popular on/off road tread pattern Tube type Tough 4-Ply construction.

COUGAR

D991, another budget tyre, though works well in soft ground..

DUNLOP

D739 front tire delivers outstanding performance in hard-pack conditions and improved cornering grip in all terrain.
Rear tire provides excellent center-tread traction for impressive start/acceleration grip, plus improved braking and lean-angle traction.

773, The rear tyre’s paddle-style tread block configuration gives the extra drive that’s required in the soft stuff and makes the D773 the tyre of choice in sand and soft mud. The front tyre pattern features unique tread blocks that give a smooth ride through the ruts. The D773’s proven racing pattern was developed with top international motocross riders at the most demanding soft terrain tracks. New aggressive pattern and specially formulated compound improve cornering grip and straight-line traction in sand and mud.

Geomax Enduro, Utilising the experience of Europe’s most talented riders, Dunlop has developed the Geomax Enduro to give increased traction, superior corner grip and improved wear on all type of terrain. Developed to conform with F.I.M. regulations, both front and rear tyres can be used at all levels of Enduro competition. The Geomax Enduro utilises larger gaps between knobs and a very different shape of block to increase traction in terrain varying from hard pack to soft ground but it’s especially good on the grassy terrain so common in UK enduros. Tread durability is excellent.

D756 MX COMPETITION SOFT TO INTERMEDIATE TERRAIN, Dunlop’s best selling MX tyre because it’s the perfect choice for the vast majority of UK motocross tracks. The comprehensive shoulder block configuration provides extra grip when leaned over, in order to encourage faster cornering. The rear tyre’s centred tread pattern gives the rider straight-line drive and stability for excellent starts and improved braking. Reduced tyre weight produces less unsprung mass for faster turning and acceleration. Exactly the same technology we use to design and make the full-size, MX3 world championship-winning tyres goes into every mini-bike D756.

D908RR DESERT COMPETITION / CROSS COUNTRY & GEOMAX ENDURO FIM ENDUROCOMPETITION ROAD LEGAL, The D908 RR offers exceptional durability for racing or cross-country rides and its performance on rocks, hard ground and sand is unbeatable. Thanks to its high levels of grip and exceptional wear characteristics the D908 RR is the ideal choice for serious trail riders. The reinforced central blocks deliver excellent traction and incredible stability at very high speeds as well as in turns on surfaces from hard pack and road sections to sand. The increased open space around the shoulder area provides ultimate traction in the sand and mud. The D908 RR incorporates a very heavy-duty casing for improved bump absorption and puncture resistance. This reinforced construction allows lower air pressures for larger tyre footprint. The highly durable tread compound is engineered for rugged off-road performance and also for satisfying road usage. The D908 RR is very predictable and very progressive when sliding in high-speed turns.

TRIALS COMPETITION D803, Totally redesigned tyre profile, along with suppleness, strength and grip revisions improve competition performance. Even when the tread knobs have lost their sharp edges the D803 still finds traction on rocks. The D803 absorbs greater impact from the terrain and has optimum rebound force. New, more supple casing and refined rubber compounds give increased traction and better shock absorption. Stiff bead and a flexible crown provide better rear rim stability, allowing tighter turning ability. This also leads to an improved tendency for the rear tyre to stay on rim when totally deflated – an important consideration in long-distance trials.

KINGS

KT-9601. A 4-ply front tyre with excellent durability and traction on intermediate to soft terrain. The SM-9601 features widely-spaced knobs that clean out easily to keep you driving forward. Race tested by professional riders.

KINGS TYRES KT-965, A range of motocross tyres giving you quality with economy. The KT-965 Kings is a well proven pattern, designed for long life and maximum grip. The compound material of the kings is suitable for use on intermediate terrain, so will suit a wide range of riding applications. This tyre features a strong side wall to eliminate rolling and has high resistance to impact punctures.

 

KY0T0

KY0T0 ENDURO,All new F.I.M improved E-marked enduro tyre, fully tested by the top enduro riders in Europe, provides excellent grip and lasts as long as other well known branded tyre.

M51 Kyoto / X-Pattern, A well proven pattern developed for long life and maximum grip, the compound of the X-pattern is designed for sand to firm ground, an all round good tyre with economy in mind.

MAXXIS

M7304 & M7305 New knob design offers precise steering for a wide variety of soil conditions. Front and rear tyres combine for best overall performance..

M7307 & M7308 Computer-enhanced tread design ensures optimal traction in sand and mud. Specially formulated silica rubber compound and open tread pattern provide excellent self-cleaning tire characteristics. Anti-flex knob bridges on shoulder reinforce side knobs for increased traction. Tube Type.

M7311 & M7312 Race-proven rubber compound delivers excellent traction in soft/intermediate conditions. Anti-flex knob bridges on side lugs offer solid straight line stability and enhance grip for aggressive cornering.  Developed during Grand National Cross Country series.

 METZELER

MC 5 MEDIUM TERRAIN,

All-round motocross competition tyre tuned for “intermediate” terrains Great braking performance for late and hard braking entering into corner with high stability Strongly reinforced half shoulder blocks: maximised traction on different terrains ensuring effective acceleration even at full lean Great control when sliding into corners thanks to progressive contact feeling .

MC4 SOFT TO HARD,

Motocross competition tyre for enhanced performance tuned for soft to medium terrains . Excellent lateral stability and fast cornering, carving precise trajectories thanks to the intersected shoulder blocks Superb traction especially on soft, loose terrains for great accelerations out of corners Tread compound optimised for soft grounds featuring great stability especially when hard braking .

MCE KAROO & MCE KAROO T (ENDURO STREET), Multipurpose off road tyre with maximal adaptability that makes everything possible:
from the sand of desert rallies to the asphalt of road touring

KAROO : Knob distribution developed for impressive traction in off-road use together with great high speed stability on-road Handling characteristics with smooth corner entry and stable leaning for optimum control when cornering Excellent mileage capability even if used on-road and great adaptability to different bike’s load conditions KAROO T :Knobby tyre for high performing enduro bikes designed to satisfy both the most
demanding Travellers needs highlighting a strong off-road appeal Dedicated geometry and distribution of knobs perfectly combining reduced noise and enhanced braking stability especially with ABS braking systems Larger size and reduced height of knobs developed for higher traction and improved high speed resistance and mileage Top performance on-road: outstanding handling perfectly combined with a great cornering stability at all lean angles .

ENDURO 3 SAHARA (ENDURO STREET),

Enduro tyre with very good on-road performance dedicated to the globetrotters always looking for fun riding no matter what the terrain is Dedicated tread compound perfectly combining safe on-road cornering grip and good off-road traction Tread pattern geometry designed for fast self-cleaning: stable and precise trajectories without skidding also on soft, muddy terrains Great handling with easy corner entry, stable cornering and high safety margins when riding at the limit .

MC 6 HARD TERRAIN,

Motocross competition tyre for enhanced performance tuned for medium-hard to rocky
terrains Tread pattern design optimised for great grip on medium-hard grounds, with reduced skidding even riding on stones or watered tracks Good self-damping allowing great trajectory precision, “flying” over stones and obstacles Maximum contact feeling in all conditions for constant grip during hard accelerations .

MCE 6 DAY EXTREME (ENDURO COMPETITION),

World champion Enduro F.I.M. tyreThe ultimate off-road tyre developed with World Champion factory riders for the most extreme conditions New High Resistance Polyester carcass-material with X-ply construction for superior structural characteristics and excellent puncture resistance . Knob distribution and geometry designed to offer outstanding gip and traction with high resistance both in dry and wet condition, form soft/loose terrains to hard .

MICHELIN

AC10 ROAD LEGAL OFFROAD, Michelin’s road legal motocross tyre MST & E-Marked .

HP4/SAND4, Starcross® HP4 tires are designed for hard-packed, extreme “blue-groove” conditions. Starcross® HP4 tires feature innovative knob patterns designed to help maximize cornering traction on hard-pack. The wide 90/100-21 front Starcross® HP4 tire (as opposed to the typical 80/100-21 size) provides a larger contact patch that enhances predictability in blue groove conditions. The taller, wider front casing also provides greater air volume for absorbing hard landings.Sand 4 Rubber mixture is designed to perform well even in cooler temperatures. Designed for low inflation pressures-can be used as low as 12 psi. Specific knob pattern for 125 2-stroke and 250 4-stroke increases float to avoid power loss. For use with S12 or MS3 front tires.

M12 MEDIUM GROUND, Ultra durable rubber mix offers outstanding resistance to wear. Massive blocks resist tearing and chunking under the worst conditions.

T63 ENDURO STREET,More off-road-oriented than the Sirac, the T63 is also a smaller counterpart of our full-size trail tyre. With its large tread blocks, small bikes can take on more challenging terrain without getting stranded.

ENDURO COMP MS/4/3, An excellent all-around rear tyre, the Enduro Competition III is a favourite of World Champions. The unique block design, along with a carcass that’s both supple and durable, help give the Enduro Competition III superb performance on a variety of terrain. Side blocks are designed for aggressive cornering and precise steering in mud. Tall blocks grip even in the deepest mud holes.

JUNIOR STARCROSS MS2 & MH3, MS 2 Tubed Crossply Tyre, for soft ground. MH 3 Tubed Crossply Tyre for hard ground. MH3 Massive blocks resist chunking on hard tracks. Reshaped side blocks provide excellent grip at extreme lean angles.The Michelin Star cross MS3 motocross tyre has been designed to put the maximum surface area on the ground, combine this with the grooved central tread block and it gives you some of the best grip around on hard surfaces.

S12 MX SOFT GROUND,Innovative tread design with lateral knobs spaced at a wide angle from the tire’s center-line, for incredible cornering stability. High, narrow knobs for mud penetration. Reinforced knobs resist most chunking. Knobs turned 45° for efficient mud evacuation. Differential rigidity casing is designed to minimize rebound, so the tires spend more time on the ground—for enhanced acceleration, braking and steering .

STARCROSS MS3 SOFT GROUND / MH3 HARD GROUND,

MS3 The Michelin Star cross MS3 motocross tyre has been designed to put the maximum surface area on the ground, combine this with the grooved central tread block and it gives you some of the best grip around on hard surfaces.

MH3 Massive blocks resist chunking on hard tracks. Reshaped side blocks provide excellent grip at extreme lean angles.

TRIAL COMPETITION, With 24 World Championships since 1981, the Trial Competition is the acknowledged leader in the sport. Extraordinary suppleness, grip and strength make the Trial Competition a favorite of both pros and amateurs.

MITAS

C10  A tread pattern for rear wheels of cross motorcycles for a semi-hard to hard terrain. C11 A tread pattern for front wheels of cross motorcycles for a semi-hard terrain. C12 A tread pattern for rear wheels of cross motorcycles for a semi-hard to soft terrain.C13 A tread pattern for front wheels of cross motorcycles for a semi-hard to soft terrain. C14 A tread pattern for rear wheels of cross motorcycles suitable particularly for a very soft terrain.

C15 A tread pattern for front wheels of cross motorcycles for semi-hard to soft terrains.C16 A tread pattern for the rear wheels of cross motorcycle suitable for stony and very hard terrain.DOT and ES 75 approved, 80% off-road, 20% on road. C18 and C19 Medium hard to soft ground. C20 Medium hard to hard ground.

EF 05 A modern type of rear type tread pattern for Enduro FIM races suitable for wide range of terrains. Very good grip properties and very low abrasion even in hard terrain. EF 06 A modern type of front tyre tread pattern suitable for wide range of terrains Excellent grip properties and very low abrasion even in a hard terrain. Suitable also for cross and sidecar cross.EF 08 Modern block type of tread pattern for both front and rear wheels of enduro motorcycles. Very good riding properties both on the road as well as in a less demanding terrain.

 

ET 01 A new tread pattern for trial races. Suitable for both front and rear wheels of trial motorcycles. C 02 A tyre for rear wheels of cross and sidecars motorcycles possessing very good riding properties in a harder ground terrain.C 04 A rear motocross tyre for a medium soft to semi-hard terrain. Its tread pattern offers optimum riding properties under all modes of operation.

PIRELLI

MT 43 Conventional tyre for amateur, optimum performance on hard, wet and dry terrain even in indoor events,reinforced carcass to reduce the deformation and maximize the footprint on every type of terrain.

SCORPION EXTRA, Excellent traction and self-cleaning properties to push from the start;  
Extreme directionality and stability to keep the perfect trajectory; 
Constant and stable performance lap after lap during the race.

SCORPION MX MID TO HARD 454, Excellent traction even on changing terrain conditions to get the maximum speed; Extreme grip and directionality for an outstanding lateral sliding control; Reduced weight for a best jump control.

SCORPION MX SOFT 410, Excellent traction and self-cleaning properties to push from the start;   Extreme directionality and stability to keep the perfect trajectory;  Constant and stable performance lap after lap during the race.

SCORPION MX HARD 486, Maximum grip in starting and acceleration and cornering; Extreme braking performance for a delayed corner entry even in the fastest tracks; Reduced wear for constant performance till the end of the race.

SCORPION MX MID TO SOFT 32, Extreme traction to keep always the maximum speed on medium to soft terrains; Maximum stability to carve new trajectories; High performance consistency even in severe racing condition.

SCORPION PRO, Improved materials for restistance to tearing, cuts, abrasion and wear. Balanced construction for the right compromise between strength to endure fatigue and softness when surmounting obstacles. Optimised distribution and geometry of pattern’s knobs for the adequate traction and braking.

motopsychos.co.uk hope this information is of use to you and helps you decide what off-road tyre you need, you can see images of all the off-road tyres listed above by visiting www.motopsychos.co.uk   .

You can click this direct link to the offroad tyre section here – http://www.motopsychos.co.uk/off-road-tyres-105-c.asp

Thank you for reading .

Stephen Bonnici

 

 

Soichiro Honda, the developer of Honda motorcycles, didn’t set out to manufacture them. In fact, his passion was vehicles. He also loved the idea of driving fast and enjoyed racing. He worked from the time he was a teenager in an auto repair shop, so he had a great understanding of the mechanical end of things. He also owned a Harley and an Indian, giving him plenty of motorcycle riding experience.

In 1928, Honda opened his own repair shop. As a hobby he also indulged in building race cars. He did not start the Honda Motor Company until he was 41 years old in 1948. They manufactured several two stroke and four stroke motorcycle models. He focused on the areas of quality and design, offering well made products to compete in the industry.

While the motorcycle sells continued to rise over the next two decades, the company almost went under in 1953. This was due to the end of the Korean War and economic depression in Japan. However, they continued to sell a small amount of motorcycles and continue production. The main reason Honda did not close the factory was because he did not want to see more people out of work.

It was a good choice as by 1958 Honda was again profitable. In July of that year they introduced the C100 Super Cub which is known as the most successful motorcycle in the world. It was marketed as a cheap and versatile model that could be used by anyone. The bike featured a four stroke motor and a three speed transmission. The bike was very easy for new motorcycle riders to operate as well. Women even used it as a means of commuting. As a result, Honda became the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world by 1959.

Honda decided this was a good time to think about international expansion. They focused on Asia and Europe instead of the United States. This is because they felt there was too much competition with American made bikes to be profitable. However, the decision was made to come to the United States because Honda felt if the American people accepted their models, then it would set precedence for the rest of the world to do so.

The first Honda retail store in the United States was based in Los Angeles, California; opening its doors in June of 1959. Honda fought hard to promote their products in the United States with a positive image. This ploy worked well, and Honda had more than 75 successful dealerships in the United States by 1960.

Honda is also credited with establishing the Motorcycle Industry Council and the Motorcycle Safety Council. They provided half of the funding needed to start both organizations. Their community involvement was noticed and highly appreciated by the motorcycle enthusiasts of the United States, resulting in more trust in Honda products.

Throughout the 1970’s Honda continued to rule the motorcycle industry, developing new motorcycles that people around the world couldn’t get enough of. They also got a reputation for the fastest bikes around, as their models won more than 70 high profile races around the world in 1973. In 1975 Honda took another leap that paid off well for them. They introduced the GL1000 Gold Wing as a touring bike. It brought a whole new level of comfort and style to touring bikes that other manufacturers quickly copied.

Since then, Honda has continued to produce innovative motorcycle models that appeal to the various cultures around the world. They have also continued to invest in the public interest. Honda donates thousands of motorcycles to worthy causes each year. They also help fund motorcycle training courses to help ensure motorcyclists have the best information to operate their bikes safely.

Honda has proven themselves to be a manufacturer of reliable motorcycles for the past several decades. They are among the top sellers in the motorcycle industry because of their unique designs, long lasting equipment, and low cost motorcycle models. While they have taken some huge risks over the years, they have helped them to build the successful motorcycle empire they have today.

Supercross motorcycle racing is known as a popular sport. In fact, when it comes to racing, it closely follows NASCAR in terms of popularity.  For that reason, a large number of individuals, including children, have decided that they want to participate in the sport. This means becoming involved in supercross motorcycle racing, often at an amateur level.  

If you have made the decision to participate in supercross motorcycle racing; congratulations.  It is a fun and exciting sport, one that you will be sure to love.  Perhaps, the first step in getting involved in the sport is to purchase the right equipment. This equipment often includes an off-road motorcycle.  You may assume that the rest is easy, after you have purchased the motorcycle, but you may be wrong. If you have never had the opportunity to ride an off-road motorcycle, you may find that it is a little bit harder than you imagined.  

When it comes to things that are harder than you may have imagined, such as off-road racing, it is important that you do not give up. A lot of things in life are hard to do, but that does not mean that you should go ahead and throw in the towel.  Instead, it means that you may have a little bit of practice and hard work ahead of you.  However, it is important to remember that just about any sport, including supercross motorcycle racing, requires a little bit of practice and hard work.

When it comes to practicing, you will find that you have a number of different options. Depending on where you live, you may have access to an indoor supercross racing track or an outdoor motocross racing track.  If you do, you will want to see if you are able to use the track. You may have to pay to use it, but you will find that the small fees are worth the experience.  In addition to use of a local track, you may also find that your local track offers training courses.  If these courses are offered, you are encouraged to take one.  Not only should you be able to get the feel of a real off-road racing track, but you may also be able to learn valuable tips.

Perhaps, the off-road training courses offered directly at supercross or motocross tracks are the best, but you may not have access to those courses, if they even do exist in your area.  If that is the case, you may still want to take a motorcycle class or course.  In the United States, including small towns and big cities, a number of motorcycle classes should be offered, many on a weekly basis.  Even if you are not being taught how to drive a motorcycle off-road, you will still learn valuable information; information that likely pertains to motorcycle safety and maneuvering.  

Of course, in addition to taking a motorcycle training course, you have the ability to practice on your. There is a good chance that this practice will take place right in your own backyard. If you are interested in doing this, it is okay, but you need to make sure that you proceed with caution. First-time riders are always encouraged to practice around others.  In the event that an accident does occur, you will want someone there to assist you.  It may also be a good idea to deck yourself out in safety equipment. This equipment should include a helmet, as well as protective padding. After you gain more experience, you may be able to eliminate some of the equipment, such as large amount of protective padding; however, it is always advised that you wear a helmet.  

By keeping the above mentioned points in mind, you should be able to find the safest way to participate in supercross motorcycle racing. As previously mentioned, the best way may be to take an off-road motorcycle course, but, as you can see, there are a number of other easy and affordable alternatives.

Are you interested in participating in supercross motorcycle racing?  Whether you are a fan of the sport or just a fan of the action packed excitement, there is a good chance that you may be interested in participating.  If this is the case, it is important to remember one thing.  Although your dream may be to become a professional supercross motorcycle racer, you have to start somewhere.  The place that you need to start is at the amateur level.  

When it comes to amateur supercross motorcycle racing, there is some confusion.  Many individuals are unsure exactly what being an amateur entails.  An amateur is defined as someone who is doing something part-time or competing in a recreational activity.  Depending on the type of route you take, you can not only enjoy the sport, with a passion, but you can also make money while doing so, even at an amateur level.  This is done by finding a local supercross motorcycle racing track; however, this is where some of the confusion sets in.

Supercross motorcycle racing is a version of motocross racing.  The only difference between the two is that supercross racing involves the use of shorter, indoor tracks.  Although your intention may be to start a career in supercross motorcycle racing, you may have to first give motocross racing a chance. This is because not all areas, in the United States, have indoor supercross motorcycle racing tracks.  Essentially, this means that you will likely have to get your start on a larger, outdoor motocross track. However, it is important to note that it will not be a waste of your time. In fact, many professional supercross racers first got their start in motocross racing.

In the event that you do not have access to a supercross motorcycle racing track or even a motocross racing track, you can still practice for the sport.  Many individuals have been known to develop their own supercross motorcycle racing courses, as well as their own motocross racing courses.  Depending on your commitment and the size of your property, you may very well be able to develop your own course, right in your own backyard.  However, it is important to remember one thing, safety.  As with racing on a motocross or supercross track, your backyard can be just as dangerous, if not more. For that reason, you will want to make safety your top priority.

Of course, when it comes to safety, you can always protect yourself by wearing the proper safety gear. This gear should include the proper clothing, protective padding, as well as a helmet.  It is also advised that you never ride alone. This will help you if you ever have an accident, should you need to call for help someone will be there to help you. The previously mentioned safety precautions can easily be considered common sense, but there are additional precautions, ones that you may never have even thought of before. One of those precautions involves taking a motorcycle training course.

Motorcycle training courses are offered all across the country.  In fact, there is a good chance that you have one in or around your home. If this is the case, you are advised to take it.  Most of these courses are offered at a reasonable price and they will provide you with an unlimited amount of knowledge.  In additional to traditional motorcycle racing courses, you may even find ones that are offered specifically for those interested in off-road riding.  If a career in supercross racing is what you are looking for, these courses may be vital to your development as a rider.

As you can easily see, there are a number of different ways that you can go about participating supercross motorcycle racing.  Whichever way you choose, it is important to remember that supercross racing is a dangerous sport; therefore, you need to remember to protect yourself.

New York State Driver Improvement Program

New York State Internet Point & Insurance Reduction Program I-PIRP

Excelsior Driver Training Solutions

Sponsored by American Safety Inc.

 http://www.newyorkdriverimprovement.com

The New York State Department Of Motor Vehicles – NYSDMV Has Approved Our Sponsoring Agencie’s Course. Excelsior Driver Training Solutions Is A New York State Driver Improvement Internet Delivery Agent, For The NYSDMV I-PIRP Program. This Program Is Offically Known As The New York State Internet – Point & Insurance Reduction Program (I-PIRP). This Online Course, Is An Alternative Delivery Method For The Classroom Based Point & Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP). Upon completion of this DMV Approved New York 6-Hour Safe Driving & Accident Prevention Program (SDAPP) Course, New York Participants Will Be Entitled Receive Up To A Four (4) Point Reduction From The New York DMV Driving Record And A Mandatory Ten Percent (10%) Insurance Discount On Their New York Liability, No-Fault & Collision Car Insurance Premium Rates For Three (3) Years. If You Complete A NYS DMV Approved Motorcycle Safety / Accident Prevention Course, The Reduction Will Apply To The Liability & Collision Insurance Premiums For Both Your Motorcycle & Automobile Policies.

 

Click Here for the New York State Point & Insurance Reduction Program ( I-PIRP ) Course.

The web-based version of the PIRP course is called the Internet Point Insurance Reduction Program, or I-PIRP. New York State Approved I-PIRP courses are equivalent to the traditional classroom courses taught by an instructor, but there are some significant differences between the two. To begin with, the web courses are noteworthy for their convenience. No driving to a classroom is required for any reason (not even to take a final exam). This could be a huge factor for New Yorkers who want to take the course, but would prefer to avoid congested traffic, inclement weather, and high gas prices.

 Second, the Internet defensive driving courses must use advanced security features to prevent fraud. This is not a part of the classroom experience. The DMV has required that all I-PIRP sponsors use some form of biometric security measures OR require proctored testing at a physical location before their courses will be approved. All of the courses that have been approved to date use some form of biometrics, which can range from facial scanning to fingerprint scanning or other technologies. However, all of the courses that were initially approved use a form of biometrics known as keystroke analysis

   Perhaps the most noticeable difference between the live PIRP class and its online counterpart is that the former requires an instructor, while the latter does not. If students have a question about the material, they can call or e-mail the company offering the course, but they cannot raise their hand, ask a question, and get an immediate response. This is obviously a disadvantage for students who wish to have a more “hands-on” experience or quick access to a seasoned professional.

    On the other hand, the online defensive driving courses must meet strict content guidelines established by the DMV, so all students will receive the same instruction each time the course is delivered. DMV requires that certain topics be covered, such as New York traffic laws, how to deal with aggressive driving, and the consequences for drivers who choose to drink and drive.

 

has several organisations which are dedicated to improving motorcycle safety by providing advanced rider training over and above what is necessary to pass the basic motorcycle test. These include the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and

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the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). Along with increased personal safety, riders with these advanced qualifications often benefit from reduced insurance costs.

An MSF rider course for novices

Motorcycle Safety Education is offered throughout the United States by organisations ranging from state agencies to non-profit organisations to corporations. The courses, designed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF),

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include a Basic Rider Course, an Intermediate Rider Course and an Advanced Rider Course.

In the UK (except Northern Ireland) and some Australian jurisdictions, such as New South Wales,[52] the Australian Capital Territory,[53] Tasmania[54] and the Northern Territory,[55] it is compulsory to undertake a rider training course before being issued a Learners Licence.

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In Canada, motorcycle rider training is compulsory in Quebec and Manitoba only, but all provinces and territories have Graduated Licensing programs which place restrictions on new drivers until they have gained experience. Eligibility for a full motorcycle licence or endorsement for completing a Motorcycle Safety course varies by province. The Canada Safety Council, a non-profit safety organisation, offers the Gearing Up program across Canada and is endorsed by the Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council.[56] Training course graduates may qualify for reduced insurance premiums.

[edit] Types Main article: Types of motorcycles A boulevard cruiser (front) and a sportbike (background)

There are three major types of motorcycle: street, off-road, and dual purpose. Within these types, there are many different sub-types of motorcycles for many different purposes.

Street bikes include cruisers, sportbikes, scooters and mopeds, and many other types. Off-road motorcycles include many types designed for dirt-oriented racing classes such as motocross and are not street legal in most areas. Dual purpose machines like the dual-sport style are made to go off-road but include features to make them legal and comfortable on the street as well.

Each configuration offers either specialised advantage or broad capability, and each design creates a different riding posture.

[edit] Motorcycle rider postures

The motorcyclist’s riding position depends on rider body-geometry (anthropometry) combined with the geometry of the motorcycle itself. These factors create a set of three basic postures.[57]

Sport — the rider leans forwards into the wind and the weight of the upper torso is supported by air pressure as long as the motorcycle is travelling at speed, typically above 50 mph (80 km/h). The footpegs are below the rider or to the rear. The reduced frontal area cuts wind resistance and allow higher speeds. However, at low-speed this position throws the weight of the rider onto the arms instead, and this is quickly tiring to the wrists of unfamiliar riders. Moreover, the sports position makes it more difficult for the rider to look around and foot through traffic. Many sport bikes have narrow, swept-back handlebars, or clip-ons (short stubs clamped to the telescopic fork tubes). Following the style of racing bikes, most have full-fairings and often come with almost complete engine enclosure, although motorcycles with a sport riding position are becoming more diverse with the marketing of factory naked bikes, streetfighters, retro cafe racers, and other blends of styles, having varying riding positions somewhere in the range from sport to standard.[58]

Riding an ATV gives one a feeling of exhilaration. Wind blowing against your face; the ground moving rapidly underneath you. What is the deal with these vehicles, really? Some say that it is relatively safer that motorcycles since it drives on three or four wheels. When you ride a vehicle such as this, your inner ears will not have to work harder since balancing does not require much effort. However, this does not mean that accidents do not occur because of all-terrain vehicles.

All-terrain vehicles can go as fast as over 100mph, which makes wherever one rides an accident-prone area. These accidents commonly occur to women and children below the age of twelve. That is why some machines greater than 90 cc to bear a label stating that children below this age be prohibited to ride.

According to statistics, deaths and injuries still occur because of improper and irresponsible riding of all-terrain vehicles. Such incidents could have been avoided if riders observed proper precautions and safety measures.

First on the list, of course, is wearing of helmets. Just because all-terrain vehicles have four wheels, does not mean that it will not impose danger to the rider and the onlookers. Secondly, proper clothing is necessary. When riding, if possible, one must wear long sleeved shirts and long pants to protect the rider from scratches from brush. Gloves with padding on the knuckles and boots that rise above the ankles are recommended to wear when riding. Goggles are also necessary to protect the rider’s eyes especially when the helmet does not have the appropriate face shield.

There are also pre-riding checklists that have to be acknowledged. Just imagine what could happen if a rider overlooked certain things that not only could put him in danger but also other individuals around him. This checklist ensures that everything in the vehicle is in good condition to prevent breakdown or an accident.

Riding an all-terrain vehicle requires discipline and responsibility. The discipline to know one’s boundaries and stay in them is important. Responsibility to make sure that not only is the ” title=”ATV”>ATV in proper running condition, but so is the rider.

Complete campaigns finished to determining safety motorcycle riding will add up to nothing if the Protective Cover is not Good. For example, leather jacket will not mean that much if the hands, the knee, or elbows are not properly preserved with cushioning or buffer pads to absorb the shock when these regions are taken in a ram. In the same token, a helmet will extend only partial Protection if there is no neck brace to go with it. For this reason, some traders commonly extend packages of helmet and neck brace for Unflawed Protection.

Potential Events of Unstable Neck Brace

In some illustrations such as in motocross races or simply taking a roundabout way via off-road or unpaved courses, the head normally sways and trends to adapt to the rocky terrain the motorcycle is constrained to tread on. Neck braces help by acting as a stabilizer of the head, precluding the neck and the surrounding spheres from injuries whenever the neck is swung from side to side. Notwithstanding, when using a neck brace, one should not just apply anything. Instead, function entirely the finest in Risky Venture neck braces such as the Leatt Adventure Neck Brace.

Innovative Neck Protection

Leatt Risky Venture neck brace is the ongoing creation in motorcycle-riding Aegis. There’s a secret for the utmost degree of Aegis that the Leatt Dangerous Undertaking neck brace allows for. The product was groomed with the help of medical experts in right coordination with true motocross riders to create the better Possible Protective Cover for the neck that is in Leatt Venture neck brace. The brace is induced from molded glass and reinforced nylon to aid foreclose the following injuries:

# Injuries resulting from excessive forward movement of the head
# Injuries caused by overwhelming rearward head movement
# Hurts stimulated by intensive sideways motion of the head
# Injuries to the spinal column resulting from the impact of pull applied on the helmet such as in a smash or head-on collision

The conclude why Leatt Venture neck brace is hence operational is that it does not examine to intervene with the motion of the head, but renders to bring the head to a curbed stop in situations where extreme head movement takes place. The entire structure of the neck brace is padded, which gets it an immaculate cushion for the pressures that efforts to sway the head to and fro and side to side. As such, in moments of impact, the draw is disordered and evenly spread-out without inducing any physical accidental injury.

Allay Neck wear

One extra and very welcome benefit employing the Leatt Risky Venture neck brace has is that it services Salvage wear from the neck muscles. Astonishingly, the brace is a perfect company for most helmets, thus anyone can utilize the brace with exactly about any helmet they already own.

For you to own the fullest degree of Protective Covering for the neck and adjoining areas, check out Bob’s Cycle Supply for the optimum deal on Leatt Venture neck brace.