Who drives off without paying for gas?

I did. A complete and total accident. On Monday, we loaded up four dirtbikes, all the gear, Adri and the boys and headed for a full day of riding at Buffalo Range Riding Park in Ottawa. We stopped at the same BP gas station we stop at every time we come to Ottawa. The boys ran in for Subway and Adri helped me combine 93 octane fuel with the 2-stroke premix into my 5-gallon container.

As we finished re-loading the container back into the truck, a couple random guys approached us for directions to the dirtbike track. After a few minutes of small talk about riding experience we agreed to show them how to get to the track by following us. By then, the boys had come back out with their Subway sandwiches and we took off... with the other two guys following.

After a few hours of riding, we were enjoying some much needed rest. As we were hanging out on the trailer we noticed a LaSalle County Sheriff driving around. Pretty weird place for a Sheriff is what we were all thinking.... even weirder that he has now stopped next to my car. He is talking into his radio for a few minutes and finally comes out.

"Are you David Rockey", he says. Completely stunned I manage to mutter, "Ya...yes sir, what seems to be the problem?". The sheriff then asked if I got gas at Conroys Amoco and I say yes... still not knowing what the heck is going on. Then he prompts me, "Son, did you forget to pay for your gas?". "Holy crap!!", I exclaim.

With the distractions of the guy asking for directions and the boys and their sandwiches, I completely forgot to pay for the $11.67 worth of gas that I had pumped. What an idiot! Thankfully, the officer could sense my genuine mistake and allowed me to call the gas station and pay with my visa....and not arrest me or anything.

Phew! That was kinda scary but it worked out OK.

Buffalo Range Riding Park Liability Waiver

Many of you read about my weekly adventures in Dirtbiking - the mild success stories, the high flying, adrenaline packed exercise... and the extremely painful injuries. I thought you might get a kick out of the liability waiver I have to sign every single time I go to the track. I scanned the original right into this sucker. If this doesn't make you think twice about dirtbiking... the photos of my injuries should!

(click the images to view a larger version of the text)

Great Day at Buffalo Range Dirtbike Track

Sunday was a mud-filled day of perfect riding out in Ottawa. I picked up the usual suspects, DJ and Chad, and one suspect returning to the lineup, Dean. We managed to load all four bikes onto my trailer made for three bikes, pack into the truck (well, sorta) and off we went. My POS 4-banger Amigo was really grinding with the extra weight.

Anyway, we got to the track and everyone was moaning about the rain and how the tracks were flooded. They were wet, and pretty muddy, but they were not impossible to ride. In fact, I had one of the best rides I've had in the last two seasons. The bikes came back weighing an extra 40-50 pounds with all the sandy, muddy clay that was caked ALL over the bikes and our gear.

I have a quick pic I took with my cellphone camera to give you an idea how muddy it really was - I will upload it when I get back my Indy/NY trip this week. We had to pack it up and head in a little sooner than we had hoped but the boys were running fast, Dean had a blast for his first time of the season and I couldn't have had a better day.

My confidence is coming back, my speed is up, air control is improving as well as physical conditioning.