Ask Ping

Jeff,

You're blowing so much smoke up my ass right now that I'm going to need to schedule an appointment with my proctologist to check for colon cancer. Jelly finger aside, I don't agree with your line of thinking here and let me tell you why: There should be some benefit to qualifying well, and getting a pick at a better gate is definitely reason to go fast. But more importantly is the fact that, if every gate were the exact same distance from the premium spot in the first turn, you would have way more riders getting there at the same time. That would mean even more carnage in an already extremely precarious situation. As is it now any first turn in a pro race is more nerve-racking than a mid-week grocery run in Fallujah. Right now you can still get a holeshot from the outside if you absolutely nail the gate drop and the first shift, and that's how it should be.

PING

 

Ping,

Being a slightly beaten up, rather slow amateur vet rider, I've broken a few bones, including a serious radial/ulna wrist fracture and dislocation. At 48 years old, I'm starting to notice new pain and stiffness in the previously damaged wrist. Since you have first-hand experience in numerous major injuries, I was just wondering if you are experiencing much pain, arthritis, or other general ailments related to all of the injuries. As bad as yours may be, I cannot imagine what Travis Pastrana feels like in the morning now, let alone 20 years from now if he lives that long. I loved your Racer X column and always look forward to Ask Ping. Keep up the strong wit.

DC- USPO

DC,

I try not to look too far into the future when it comes to the potential for arthritis. I know the aches and pains are coming, but as of right now, knock on wood, I'm feeling pretty good. I've had three ACL reconstructions and a rod in my femur, both shoulders have separated AC joints, both ankles have been twisted, and both of my arms and wrists have been fractured so many times I've honestly lost count. I still have a screw in my navicular and two plates attached to my radius and ulna in my left forearm. Suffice to say that I have been beaten like a slow horse at the Derby. Maybe it's clean living (I rarely drink and have never used any kind of tobacco), or maybe it's the fact that I stay very active (mountain biking, cycling, Crossfit, surfing, skiing, tennis, fighting fire), but I still have all of my range of motion and function in all my joints, and I still feel good. The only real ailment I suffer from is when my wife hands me a honey-do list on my days off and I tell her there must be something wrong with my eyes because I can't see myself doing any of that stuff. She doesn't think that's funny. 

As for Pastrana, I can't imagine how his injury-ravaged body feels. He seems to go pretty hard still so I imagine it hasn't caught up with him too much yet. But his time is coming and there isn't enough ibuprofen in the world to take his pain away. He'll probably just keep jumping out of planes without a chute and mask the pain with adrenaline and endorphins.

PING

 

Hey Ping,

I'm a 27 year old motocross enthusiast and rider from Cajun country I have been reading your columns for years and really respect you as a rider and person. My family and I recently took a trip to Anaheim, CA, for the season opener at A1 and to do some sight seeing my 8 year old son and I had a blast and want to make it back in the years to come. Riding around California was like motocross heaven so many mountains and trails unlike anything we are accustomed to in the flats!! My question is I watch all these videos of the top guys absolutely shredding the hills and wonder…Are all the these places open to public riding? Are all these private areas? My dream is to go rip in the hills out there one day. Thanks for all the good columns and keep rippin...

Sincerely,
Rodriguez117