Take a ride on the wild side

Motocross has always filled my heart with fear. Not curiosity. Not temptation. Just fear. So, it was time to do something about that…

- Mikko Nieminen

I have always enjoyed watching motocross, and admired the skill and physical ability of the riders. When these top athletes are performing their dirt ballet it’s entertaining, exciting and inspiring.

But having a go at it myself has never appealed. Mostly because, at its core, it just looks like a big plateful of madness, served with a side order of insanity, plus a dollop of crazy on top. For me, taking part in motocross looks like a fast-track to pain, broken bones and eating through a straw. No thanks.

That was until I was introduced to Tom Weston, who runs Yamaha’s MX Experience.

Because he’s a nice chap, he invited me for a taster day, and because I didn’t want him to realise that I was a frightened, nervous mess at the mere thought of it, my mouth said ‘yes, sounds great’, while my brain was busily preparing for a total shutdown of all functions not essential for a first-class nervous breakdown.

Damn, my big mouth…

After an anxious wait, the day of the Yamaha MX Experience arrived. They use venues across the country, and I had picked a track in Bevercotes near Nottingham.

As I signed on and helped myself to a coffee, I was rather pleased to see the faces of the other riders around me looking just as nervous as I felt. At least I wasn’t alone with my worries. But looking at the hills, corners and jumps of the MX track behind the sign-in tent, I was still far from reassured.