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MOTOGIRL

FAST THOUGHTS FROM JESSICA LEE

Tuesday April 8th, 2008
Life of a Highschool Racer- Why your kids should ride
In highschool, you’ve got the preps, jocks, nerds, the party girls, the emo kid, goth girl in the corner and who knows what else. You know what kind of people I’m talking about. Everyone knows that the football player is the jock or any other sports player at school but what is the motocross kid? See, this is something that never fails to amaze me. Most of us racers hate school and would rather spend 24/7 riding (nothing wrong with that) and are never in class but somehow we manage to become the topic of conversation. Yet, we still aren’t “labeled”. Someone asked me the other day “well what are you?” I looked at them with a puzzled face because why would I want to be labeled?

I’ve walked through school hearing “oh look thats that dirtbike girl” or “wow I heard she’s pretty cool and rides fast” by people who do not even know a thing about dirtbikes. You become a legend around you’re school when you do something like MX. I think it will always be the baddest sport on the face of the earth.

Being a racer during highschool is a blessing and a curse because at times you “forget” that term paper that was due or use the old “my dog ate my homework” kind of excuse because you just had to ride that night. I’ve been there and know how that feels. What is it that makes us put what we should do last and bring motocross to the front of the line? Is it just because we love to ride or do we actually believe that it’s more important than getting an A? Luckily, my dad grew up racing so he knows exactly how I feel at times. He’s let some things slip and has taken me out of school early to go practice because I had a race coming up that weekend. Nowadays, I’ve switched from going to a normal highschool to a performing arts school that is for students who have a career. I have a college like schedule where I go to classes 4 days a week for a few hours.The rest of the time I spend training and racing. Bet you’re jealous huh?

Most MX kids are home-schooled or try to get thru regular classes with that urge to ride everyday. We don’t really feel the need to go to every party, prom, homecoming or whatever else. I’m pretty sure I can speak for most racers when I say this, honestly we’d rather ride or hang with our riding buddies. My prom is this weekend which I’m excited about but at the same time I know it will be weird because although I do have a lot of friends at school they aren’t really the people I would normally hang out with. So, I’m going with my riding buddies!



Motocross seriously isn’t just a hobby it’s a truly is way of life. Anyone who races knows what I’m talking about. It’s kept me from doing things that I would regret like drugs or alcohol or going to huge parties every weekend. Yes, my friends and I can be reckless or crazy but we would never do anything to get in serious trouble. We all know that trouble means no riding. That would be worse than not “fitting in” because we didn’t go a party. So parents, if your kids are the least bit interested in riding I would highly suggest you get them into it. The pros out way the cons by a long ways. It may be dangerous but pain only hurts for a little while and memories last a lifetime.

I can promise you that it will be one of the best things your kids have ever done. This is coming from a girl who has gained self confidence and friends that will last a lifetime through the great sport of motocross. With all of this said, take your kids out to some trails or a track and see how they like it. I mean, you love it don’t you?

Here are some pictures of some of the great times I've had with the friends that will last forever; my motocross buddies.








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THE AUTHOR


Jessica "Motogirl" Lee is a 33 year old motocross racer and journalist. Born into a family of motorcycle enthusiasts and industry insiders, she has been riding and nurturing a passion for motorcycles from the age of four.

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