Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Rev Up. Every once in a while, a man comes along that changes the world. From Neil Armstrong to Evel Knievel to Travis Pastrana I see so much similarity. Of course, everything is relative and comparing Knievel’s jumping of buses on a 600 pound Harley to Armstrong becoming the first supersonic human is a stretch. Where does the skill start and where do the balls end? To both of those badasses it is immeasurable. They will forever be two of the gnarliest men (sans combat veterans) of all-time.

Or are they?

The ballad of Travis Pastrana began for me at Gatorback Cycle Park circa 1990. There used to be a gigantic double coming out of the Gator Pit called the “Scott USA Double.” It was huge for big bikes, and only the upper echelon of mini cycle racers dared to send it. I remember following Gregory “Golden” Rand over it the first time and being scared to death. I was in the 12-13 class and after my practice I watched the 7-11 riders from the fence line and none of them were jumping it. That is until a rider with a stuffed animal (Wile. E. Coyote) zip tied to his chest protector came screaming out of the Gator Pit and took off into orbit in the middle of the pack. Everyone screamed, but the tiny Suzuki rider landed safely. A collective, “Who the hell was that?” came from the wood splinter adorned bleachers. Just then I heard someone say, “That’s that Travis Pastrana kid.”