Sure, if you ask me about Loretta’s you will hear me complain a little. Yes, I am that guy. But I am also that guy who will tell you he loves it immediately afterwards. Since this is the first time our family has experienced a rain delay here at Loretta’s, I had some time to give you all that may have not been here before a brief explanation on why it’s fun and maybe not so fun to be here at “The Ranch” here in August. Here are 3 reasons why you may want to go and 3 reasons you may want to stay home. This is called doing the “JT” or “Being Switzerland”.
Reasons Why You Should Go:
- Feeling Of Accomplishment: If you qualify to get here, you should feel a sense of pride because it is NOT easy to make it to Loretta’s. With an Area and a Regional there are many things that could happen before you even get to line up here at the ranch. There are only 42 spots here and there are hundreds of riders per class trying to make it into those 42 gates, so if you’re lucky enough to be one of those 42, you should feel like you’re bad ass. There are tons of internet riders out there that say “it’s easy to get there”, or “I could be top ten”, but the fact is that YOU did it! I understand how much work it takes a family to get here and do it TOGETHER! It’s A LOT of money and sacrifice for the whole family and if you’re doing it by yourself, you’re an even bigger bad ass! Give yourself an atta boy or enjoy a cold beverage in the creek in honor of you!
2. Family Motocross Atmosphere: Sure you can go to Hawaii or the lake for your vacation but if you’re a die hard moto family what better way to take a “vacation” than to spend it with thousands of other like minded Moto crazies! Kids running free on golf carts, pit bikes, swimming in the creek, parents bullshitting about their kids with a beer in their hands and most of all, people helping people. We don’t get to see unity that much in our country anymore but there is one week where you see A LOT of it! LORETTA LYNN’S! I love getting there and talking to all different types of people. Some of them are just there to watch and not even race. These are the people that I like to spend my time with! The American moto family! Love it and nothing else like it anywhere! Hearing another rider’s story on how they got here or how they want to do it next year is something that look forward to each and every year.
3. The Track: We are from California so getting to ride dirt like Tennessee is something that it tough, but also very fun to me. It’s kind of sadistic honestly. The track kicks my ass, works me like a rib, but I love it! I can try to prepare for it as much as I can, but until you’ve been here, you don’t really understand the pleasure you get out of riding a track that is so rough it almost makes you feel like you’ve never ridden a dirt bike before. I enjoy that! Monday’s are usually when you freak out a little, but by Wednesday, you’re mind is ready for how your bike and body will have to tackle your 20 minute moto. Ruts upon ruts is what you’ll get and us west coast California riders need some time to adapt. However, this is why I love motocross, because it’s TOUGH! Even more reason to feel rewarded with your finish after three 20s!
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Go:
- Cost: Look, I am not here to bullshit you. It costs A LOT of money to get here. I spend almost 10K from the time I start our “Area” qualifiers to the time we leave the ranch to go back home. I look around the pits here and wonder how these people do it! There is a mix of big rigs, motorhomes, vans, trucks, people in tents, but make no doubt, it’s expensive! I am sure you can do it cheaper than what we do it, but this is how our family feels comfortable going so I must adapt and make some extra cash to get here. It’s stressful and can cause tension at times so just know that you must have a solid unit of people in your corner to get through this process. But, if you can, see reason number 1 of why YOU SHOULD GO!
2. Time: Time is money right? Well, I have to work to make a living like you! When I am away for over a week from my job, that is tough! If you have vacation time from your job, you’re good, but if you’re self empaled the work doesn’t just stop because you’re here. I struggle with this at times! I feel like I am missing out on work because I am away. So just know that the time spent here is time away from other things you might/should be doing at home. If your boss says “see you later and have fun”, then I envy you!
3. Mud: Like I said earlier, this is the first time we have had a big mud race out of the four years we spent here! You can sit here and tell me, “mud is a mindset, Keefer”. Yeah, ok, but it still is hard on the bike when you have to race six 20 minute motos in this stuff! Doing two 30s is no big deal compared to six 20s! Keeping a bike together for that long is hard on the mechanic (or rider, if you are both mechanic and rider). This is not a very fun part of the ranch. It is Tennessee in the summer time so thunderstorms are here and can wreck havoc on your machine. Bringing foam as well as duct tape to protect your machine is crucial. Oh and please have a set of roll off’s or three to make sure you can see out there folks!
SEE YOU AT LORETTA’S! OR NOT? –The Keefers
