Ricardo Laguna's 26th B-day party. By RL

Apr 17, 2008

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 3433 times

3 days ago I celebrated my 26th birthday! Looking back I think about how time seems to just come and go! Mentally I still feel as though I'm that 13yr old kid who only thought about how he was going to be able scrounge up $60 plus dollars (or however much I needed) to pay for a new set of forks. You see, back then I lived for learning how to ride 3ft high jumps! I'd finish a day of repeatedly casing over the second jump so badly that I couldn't make it onto the 3rd set but just yet so much fun. This would leave me contemplating whether or not I would be able to simply bend the forks back before they broke off or if I needed to bite the bullet and acquire new ones.

At 13, taking my bike and making a career of riding jumps was only a fantasy. I never really thought it would get me to where I am today. However, as I could never get enough of riding and was willing to

try the unthinkable and put in the hard work/long hours I have gradually become who I am today.

As riding has become my job and, unfortunately, with that has changed couple reason behind why I ride. Now don't get me wrong... I love my job! There are definitely far worse jobs out there and to consider the fact that I get to ride my bike everyday, I am not complaining by any means! LOL! However, there are times when my faith/desire to keep on going for that fantasy of mine sometimes can become cold, lonely, and above all else...PAINFUL.

But then I have days like my birthday when having family and close friends over helps me rediscover a feeling I never thought my heart could possess. That feeling is the love for the rush of adrenaline I get when I ride and see all those people watching.

With that said, through all of the ups and downs and all of the injuries I encounter, I have learned that all good things come with a price tag. I have also realized that one of the many reasons I continue to be motivated to keep on going is that I really do not know how much of a future I can get from riding. That said, I'll take on the required risks as I go and learn from them regardless of whether I conquer or fail for I'll keep on riding and make the best of it until sadly I can't pedal anymore.

-RL

www.RICARDOLAGUNA.com