- Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
Words: 250-500
Maya Nibbe
9/1/2018
About three years ago, one cold Christmas day, I got my first dirtbike. It wasn’t really a dirtbike. It was a miniature version of a dirtbike that lasted long enough to give me a scar and a few minor injuries, and gave me some confidence to move to a full-sized dirtbike. Once I was done with it, I got my hands on an actual dirtbike, a red 1996 Honda CR80. It has worked well for me in the last two years I’ve had it. Sure, it can be hard to deal with at times, especially since it’s a two-stroke, and I've put it through a lot, but it’s mine and I’m proud of it!
When I started riding my dirtbike, I was understandably apprehensive. I’d heard stories from my dad and friends about how their two-stroke dirtbikes did some damage to them, and I’ve seen plenty of YouTube videos that further showed just how bad things could get on a dirtbike like mine. Despite all of this, I decided to swallow my fear and ride anyway, just to prove a point to myself that I could do it.
At first, I was slow, but over time, I got more comfortable riding my dirtbike. I used to have a cheat sheet taped to the handlebars that had all of the gears listed, but after a few months, I threw it away. I realized I could never think past what was directly ahead of me while I rode. I started worrying less about myself and my dirtbike, which eventually turned into worrying less about everything else in life.
Things really kicked into gear when I started trail riding in the mountains! More dirtbike maintenance, and band-aids and ice packs for me, but it has been worth it. I've loved every trail adventure, even when it caused damage to my dirtbike or caused me some pain. Dirtbikes offered a freedom from life nothing else had, and I was attracted to the individualism and adventure associated with freestyle motocross. Today, I take every chance I can get to go riding.
Before my dirtbike riding days, I was frail and easily scared. I was anxious, depressed, and without much hope or outlet. But when I started riding, I gained a lot of strength, my fear slowly faded. While dirtbike riding didn’t cure my anxiety and depression, it helped me deal with it. I finally had some hope, and I had an outlet.
