I have to admit, dirt biking has never been on my list of things I must do in my lifetime. I like to have a little more “protection” between me, the ground, and other moving or fixed objects that could cross my path. I’ve always been kind of a scaredy cat… a few years ago, my friend Lanai and I used to hang out with Brian Keaulana several days a week, we would do all kinds of crazy things that are outside of my comfort zone. If you watch video of our adventures, you’re likely to hear me say… I mean scream… “I’m going to die!” or, “Don’t kill me!” or “I didn’t die!!! Chee hoo!” #truestory… in fact, when you finally get to watch the Travel Channel episode, make sure to listen all the way until the end.

Anyhoo… so we’re on our three-day adventure on Oahu for “The Top 10 List: Oahu” – one of the items on our list was dirt biking. My plan was to dress up like I was going to do it and just pretend to dirt bike. When we got to the house in Kahuku where all of the gear and equipment was, it was HOT. Sweltering. Every one was drenched and this was before we even put any gear on! lol

I had a pretty cute outfit set out for me… everything was purple! We all got dressed and started putting on our gear and checking out the bikes. Thank goodness, they gave me a bike that was automatic (I don’t know how to drive standard or do any kind of shifting – an embarrassing fact that any Big Island friend will ridicule me for any chance they get! lol) … I learned where the throttle was and where the break was and tried to drive around a bit on the street. It was actually pretty fun! I figured I could take baby steps…

I decided I was comfortable enough to drive along the street and up to our shoot location along with all of the boys. I did pretty well… despite my heart beating in my throat! In fact, I was having fun! Once we got off of the road and onto a trail, I started to get a little nervous. I held myself together as best I could… until the first time that I confused the throttle for the break… yes. I did that. Ever since I was little I’ve confused my left and right. If you’re driving with me – always point in the direction you want me to go. If you just say “left” or “right” I’m likely to go the opposite way. In fact, I’ve been known to go down one-way streets in the opposite direction! Yikes. Back to the subject at hand… I nearly peed my pants. I scared myself SO BAD. Springing forward abruptly when your mind thinks you’re breaking is HORRIFYING. I nearly lost my marbles!

At this point, I’m WAY behind. Everyone else is already up at the top of the trail prepping for the shoot. I froze. I didn’t know what to do… I was scared to death of trying again, yet I didn’t know how far up they were and I knew we were on a pretty tight schedule so I couldn’t very well leave the bike there and walk up. I took a deep breath, got back on the bike and tried to focus as best I could. My entire body was shaking – my adrenaline was spiking and my body was telling me “NO!! Not again!” The trail had these deep divots in it and each time I would approach one, my instinct was to close my eyes and brace myself. During one such instance, I confused the throttle with the break again. Again!? I couldn’t believe it. At this point, I’m barely keeping control of my emotions and my body. I could hear the boys up the hill… so I decided to just suck it up… tears streaming down my face. Finally! I made it up the hill!

I’m very thankful that Shane (the host) was super understanding. I told him I didn’t think it was safe for me to bomb any hills or trail ride up steep ascents. I didn’t beat myself up to  much… I mean, it was my first time. (And probably my last! lol) Shane and I worked out a script where I would introduce him to my dirt biking friend and have him show Shane around. They zoomed off to do jumps and crazy trails…

… and I puttered off into the woods! They ended up adding sound effects and fast-forwarded my departure. Ha ha! Glad THAT’s over!

Life’s Swell…

The Top 10 List Blogs: Tandem Surfing, Sandy’s Shorebreak & Surfing the North Shore, Seeing Oahu From The Air, Dirt Biking, Swimming With Sharks, Live Like Eddie, Making Ti Leaf Lei, Supsquatch & Outrigger Canoe, Hiking Kapena Falls, Eating Local – Kahuku Superette