There were two main lessons of the failed KLX Loading Test; the lighter the better and a full-size bike will not fit in my van. These were taken into account when I was deciding the fate of the Kawasaki. I also did research on what is needed to ride on OHV and state forest land. The van wasn't going anywhere. Those were the parameters.

With the problem being the bike was too long and too heavy, I thought I'd take advantage of being short and get a smaller bike. The solution seemed obvious in hindsight There were not many to choose from that had a 19" front wheel. Anything smaller than that would have had the circus bear on a bicycle seating position which is not at all senior-friendly.

The trail bikes were all spindly suspended, slow, heavy, air-cooled beginner bikes, such as the Honda CRF150F Dual Sport. In the end, quite unintentionally, I went back to a Motocross bike. I opted for the Honda CRF150RB, the big wheel Super Mini aka CRF150R Expert. All my choices for a motorcycle that would fit in my van were a compromise in one way or another. I'd like to think that lighter weight and good suspension were the deciding factors, but even though I had no desire to race, I must admit I'm a track rat at heart. I like riding the tracks, camping there, working there, or just hanging out.

It was unofficially declared a Project Bike. My idea was to have something like a 5/6th scale CR250R, NOT a Pit Bike. There were several changes I needed to make for comfort and fit. With a spark arrestor, I could ride on hundreds of miles of trails and unmaintained roads. I thought that a few more mods would allow me to go on roads once in a while, but upon further research, that was not true at all. This would be a dirt bike only. The project started in mid-June with a goal of riding it in the Fall. In my prayers, I reminded myself often of my age just so I don't get lost in the moment and forget that I'm much more brittle than I used to be. Staying off the ground, having fun, and having CMA adorned gear and livery, are the only goals.

Besides the motorcycle itself, I needed to fill the gaps in my gear. In 2010, I put away a full set of riding gear and many spares. Upon close inspection, nearly everything was discarded or become a garage decoration. A hot Arizona garage did most of the damage, especially goggles and anything made of cotton or leather. Arizona tip, don't keep your gear in the garage. I must admit that it was nice starting with almost everything new and ridding myself of my almost hoarder-like quantity of old gear. Even with buying replacements, I cleared enough room so that the larger of the two gear bags was no longer needed.

The other project was getting myself into better shape to ride. Unlike when I was in my 20 and 30s and a six-week boot camp would do the trick, in this life chapter, the program was as much PT as it was exercise. The timetable on this was a big unknown as was the final outcome.