The Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone for another year and what a great weekend it was. I saw through Twitter or Facebook that everybody I know spent a great weekend with friends and family just like I did. The weather was perfect and it gave us the nice indication that winter is not far away, which is also my favourite time of year. I have never really been a huge family guy. This year the family is full of new born babies. We had two fresh ones born in 2012 thanks to my cousins. I also have a few little cousins that are just under the age of 5. It is really humbling watching kids smile and observing the entire family experience, all the uncles and aunts poking their bellies and making weird noises trying to get the kid to smile. Sitting back and watching that was pretty cool. Thanksgiving really brings joy to everybody, I think. Some may say looking from the outside in on certain families it brings more happiness than Christmas. I sure hope that all of you out there reading this had a great Thanksgiving weekend and got to see your family the way I did. I guess it’s because I’m getting older but I really enjoyed this year’s more than any other. Now I can’t wait for the jolly fat man in a couple months. Bring on the snow!!
Okay, now to some business at hand. I was able to ride the 2013 Ryan Dungey addition KTM 450 SX. This bike has had a major overhaul for this coming year and I was pleasantly impressed. I have shared in the past and always will share my thoughts when I don’t care for something or feel it is a bit of a letdown. I believe that anybody that purchases the new machine from KTM will be very happy. As soon as I sat on the bike I felt very comfy compared to past KTMs I have ridden. All the new features are every noticeable and ensure a fun ride. If I had one negative to share it would be that the power is very soft. It’s there but the bottom end feels like it could use a little more snap for my liking. This is an easy fix with a little tuning and motor work. For a Beginner to Intermediate level rider this bike is ready to rip. Now, since Danny Brault of KTM Canada has forgotten how to take a good picture, I will be getting out on this fresh ride again very soon. Poor Danny, he used to know how to take a pic back in the Racer X Canada days but now that he’s gone all corporate his picture fingers are only good for typing emails. Haha
There is not much happening in the rumour world or silly season. I do know that Monster Leading Edge Kawasaki has signed two riders already for next year – one MX2 and one MX1, so far. Once I get the OK from Team Manager Jason Hughes to release that info I will share it with you guys. Also it looks like Kaven Benoit will be riding something other than a KTM next year. It could be blue or green from what I’m hearing. The battle is on for the most sought after rider from 2012.
The KTM Canadian AX series is just 10 days away – October 19-20th in Cloverdale, BC. There will be guys racing like Brock Hoyer, Ryan Lockhart, Spencer Knowles, Dylan Deleplace, Dusty Klatt, Dylan Kaelin, and I’m assuming many more. The series is shaping up to become a great way to keep us race fans busy this winter.
height=350A very short but pretty cool Monster Canada vid from the Monster Energy Montreal Supermotocross.
One last thing: Tyler Medaglia is trying to get his way to Germany for the month of November. Some financial hiccups have gotten in the way but hopefully they will all work out so that he can keep his skill level high by racing a few times this winter.
That’s all I have for this week. It’s short but take the time to watch all the videos I have placed in here from the last week in Montreal. Good time!!!