Josh Jewell Balancing Life

“I have a goal,” says my barber, Josh Jewell. Between snips he pauses for effect. “I want to try out for BMW’s International GS Trophy.”

- Bill Dragoo

Josh’s name has never been on a marquee, but like Thoreau he lives deliberately—practicing his riding skills, building his business, managing his family, and maintaining his fitness, a carryover from his days as a mountain bike racer. It’s no stretch to believe he’ll achieve his GS Trophy objective.

Josh’s traditional values are evident in both his haircuts and his respect for his wife and daughter. “I try not to let April fuss with the daily chores too much. She works harder than I do, trying to finish her degree and work at the Health Department. Besides, I love spending time with Riley (the couple’s eight-year old daughter).” This wholesome work ethic permeates both his life and his riding.

Josh began riding at age 11. A month-long grounding for doing wheelies in the street on his Kawasaki KX80 did little to quell his enthusiasm, but life and mountain bike racing distracted him for a few years. He re-entered the moto scene as a young adult on a Triumph Speed Triple, soon followed by a KLR650. Josh’s “go for it” riding style broke too many parts off the big Kawasaki, forcing him to turn to something more trail-worthy, a street legal Yamaha WR450. Soon after, he added a