I had just finished grade schooll when my family moved from my home in Kansas to a suburb in Texas. Texas was a big adjustment for me and starting Junior High a month after leaving everything familiar made it an even more difficult time. I think my dad was having a hard time adjusting to his new job and was experiencing some difficult times as well. So, on what seemed like a whim to me at the time, he went out and bought 3 motorcycles. Two dual sport bikes and one street bike. He bought one for his daughters to share, one for his sons to share, and then kept the street bike for himself. The two oldest siblings had no interest since they were already driving cars and working. My brother two years older than me, was constantly grounded, so his chances to ride were diminished. That left me with a bike I never had to share and opportunities to ride as much as I wanted. I spent every afternoon on my bike riding on trails through the neighborhood and along the sandy banks of Spring Creek, and racing other neighborhood kids with bikes.
All of those memories came flooding in on me yesterday as I found myself back in the old neighborhood. I didn't bring my camera, but I did have my phone with camera capabilities, so I was able to capture a few pictures; mainly for me to mail back to my siblings and parents later. I thought my 'memory lane' ride might trigger some fun memories for you guys too, so I'll share the few I have.
After going by my old house, I decided to take the route to the back of the neighborhood which I always took on my Kawasaki to get to the trails. Things look smaller now that I'm older.
I remember there being about 30 acres of raw forested land at the back of the neighborhood. There was also an elaborate maze of miles of single track trails which were cleared and maintained by those of us who used them. The trails led out to Spring Creek which was a dirty brown water creek with steep, steep sandy banks. No vegetation, just steep sandy banks. On one side of Spring Creek there was a cleared path about the width of a driveway that followed the bends and curves of the water route 15-20 feet below. While the forest trails were packed dirt and pine needles and logs, the banks of Spring Creek were clear of vegetation and dirt, leaving only sand with which to contend. It was here that we would race our bikes. Sometimes the races were formal, but mostly it was just a bunch of us trying to beat the others to the end of the trail. These 30 acres were a motorcycle mecca for the area, complete with single track trails, wide dirt roads, sandy creek banks, jumps, technical trails, tree houses, forts, and rarely any adults who would venture into the woods.
I had not been back to see this part of my childhood since I was 18 years old. With the passing of years, I was certain things would have changed so much that I would not even be able to find the old spots. But I was wrong. Everything looked differently for the most part, but yet it was still so familiar that I had no trouble locating different spots with special memories.
The creek use to flood almost yearly, so the houses which use to back up to the area have been demolished and the land is now a flood plain which the area residents are trying to 'beautify'.
This is the banks of Spring Creek now, where I first fell in love with motorcycling. The banks are no longer sandy, but instead they are covered in green grass. The pictures were taken with a camera phone, and it picked up a lot of sun glare so quality isn't so great. Sorry
That's looking back east to the starting point of our races. This next photo looks down the banks to the west where we would end them. In the sand, and at the age of 13, the route seemed to be about 10 miles. Traveling there yesterday, I think it is probably only 2-3 miles
And here is looking down the banks - kind of steep and scary for a 13 year old kid. I was more afraid of snakes than anything else.
Finding this, I decided to look for more memorable spots. I found the old dirt road. The trees and underbrush had been cleared away and it was almost "park like" in it's setting. But the dense woods were still right on the edge - the woods I remember riding through and maintaining with my friends.
I was getting pretty excited about finding my old riding grounds by now, so I headed down this dirt road until I saw this:
Hmmm. Fire? I was curious, so I proceeded. Maybe I got a little too close.
Once past the burning area where they were clearing out brush to create more of the park like setting, I came upon the area which use to have the wooded single track trails. I was surprised to see that there are still some trails here. The woods were pretty dense around the trails though, so I'm not sure if they are still ridden much.
Then the land opens up to another clearing and it was obvious to me that this area is still being ridden. I rarely visit places I've left behind. Mostly, I just want to move on. But yesterday was a good day for me. Even though I left this area years ago, I never left the love for motorcycling, so coming back here brought only with it good memories.
Thanks for letting me share some sentimental moments. Please feel free add to this thread with your own early motorcycling memories, if you want to.
