A lot of stuff has been going on in my life lately. I feel like I barely have time for anything these past few weeks. From traveling to the nationals, going to school, practicing, and getting my homework done on time, my life has become very hectic
I want to talk about the first national a few weeks ago in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. The event started out just I had hoped. I won the first day of competition and was leading for the first part of the second day until Pat had a come from behind victory. Even with the second place finish, I was still happy with my result from the weekend because it’s the best start I have had to the start of the season. I am really hoping this could be my year. I feel really in sync with the Gas Gas 300 Race model, and my confidence has been boosted from my start to the season.
Coming into the event, I was nervous and really didn’t know what to expect. The previous weekend, Pat had cleaned both days of the world rounds in Portugal and took over the points lead in the Junior Championship. I felt confident with how I was riding and knew I had to ride virtually error free in order to beat Pat. Pat started out the trial by getting a five in the very first section. I knew this was going to give me a small advantage for the day and I had to capitalize on it. The sections were quite difficult and very big, so they were basically either a clean or a five since they were not very technical. I felt like I rode virtually error free and capitalized on a lot of mistakes Pat was making. I didn’t have one five the whole day, which really helped in my first victory of the year.
I started out the second day confident that I would be able to repeat my results from the first day. Some of the sections were changed from the day before and they were a little bit more technical. I started out the day really well again and just made one little mistake in the morning part of the day. The rest of the morning was a tight battle between Pat and I, and I knew that I had to do everything I could to keep him behind me. I knew there would be one section in the afternoon portion of the day from walking it previously that it would be difficult for to make. This section ended up costing me a possible victory on the second day. Pat and I were both riding very well, but he was able to wedge me out on day two
After getting home I just had to look forward to the next events back East and start preparing them. I felt like the underdog coming in to Oklahoma since Pat is the three-time National Champ and a lot of people were expecting him to win and pull away towards another championship. I was really determined in the off-season, especially after signing with Dale at Gas Gas USA, to make sure that the championship would be mine this year, and I feel like as if I have started off on the right foot to get it done. Now I just got to find some more slippery creeks and hillsides somewhere in California to get practice in for Rhode Island and New York.
Ever since Oklahoma, it seems like school has just really been piling up on me. Engineering is a very difficult major to achieve, but once I get my degree and I am done riding, I know that my I can look forward to a good future with a successful career. School has been making it difficult to train and ride as much as I would like, but I squeeze it in as much as I can. I really have no time now between school and riding, which upsets my girlfriend, but she is going to have to deal with it.
I was able to get away for a weekend recently and went up to Goldendale, Washington with a friend of mine to ride the Colombia Cup. It’s a prestigious local event they have up there every year. It was fun to go up and ride with no pressure and train with a couple Ex Pro riders from a few years back. My weekend ended up being very successful and I finished with only three points for the whole weekend. Two of the points were from just playing around. I think second finished with 44 so it was a good weekend. Just a lot of driving for two and a half long days of riding on the bike.
I need to start getting for Endurocross pretty soon, July 17th is the opener in Vegas. I feel physically like I’m close to where I need to be with the top riders. I just need some more time on the bike since I am still unaccustomed to the Gas Gas dirtbike since I have ridden it so few times. I guess once Kane starts coming out to my house to ride on my track I will get all my Endurocross training in.
I’m really happy with how everything is going in my life right now and it feels good when every time you go out riding, you feel like you’re improving. I guess once I feel like I peak and quit getting better, I may have to find something else to do besides riding trials professionally. I hope all is going well with everyone and if you have time, look me up on Facebook and send me a message if you have any questions.
Also be sure to go to the newsstands and pick up the new Dirtrider. It’s got some pro riding tips in there from yours truly.
See the calendar in the CKR website for all up coming races/events including Cody’s National Trials events in June and July. Donner will be the closest competition to see on the west cost on July 31st and August 1st… Good luck Cody from all your supporters at CKR.
Follow Us Online: