I began my two wheeled lifestyle on board minibikes, literally lawn mower
engines on rigid frames, when I was 9 or 10 years old. My dad had us riding
these things around the neighborhood and riding areas like little terrors, vowing
to never allow us on the 2 stroke 80cc motorcycles my brothers and I always
wanted. It wasn’t long before Aaron and I got these bikes began our competitive
racing adventures on 80cc dirtbikes. After racing and outgrowing the 80cc bikes
we progressed to the 125cc class and raced locally and around the state for the
next 7 years. After essentially burning out from all the travel, racing, injuries,
expenses and finally a tragic loss of a racing friend during a National Race
event, our family decided that it was time to step away. My brother and I went
many years without riding again, but eventually the riding bug came back
biting.. We rode 250cc bikes for a couple years, never competing again, but
riding for the sheer fun and addiction that we both had for the sport. After yet
another accident at a local track that saw Aaron with a significant injury, the
realization set in, combined with simply getting a little older, that we needed to
move on to a “safer” form of riding. Aaron and I purchased desert/long distance
type motorcycles and eventually met John Jensen. As they say, the rest is
history…….. countless fun rides, Baja trips, Baja Score Race Series pre-running
and racing adventures, long-distance rides to destinations like El Centro to Las
Vegas and Parker, AZ and countless local desert rides. It has been quite an
adventure riding with John, Alan, and the friends and riding buddies we have
acquired along the way, riding in 99-100% of all destination rides set up by
John, and memories that will no doubt last a lifetime.
Sadly, my life has also been affected by the “C” word. I have lost several family
members to various causes of this rotten disease and recently my uncle was
diagnosed with prostate cancer and is currently in treatment. Shortly after, it was
discovered that my Grandmother has colon cancer. Regretfully, the outlook
appears somewhat bleak for both of them. This disease appears to have no
prejudice, and it seems as though it strikes the most wonderful people in the
world. It baffles me that with the technology, research, government and private
programs, and the funds that are available today……that there is still no 100%
cure.
It is an honor for me to be part of the Cancer Ride For Life Team. Our founding
members, John Jensen and Alan Clowers, whom have also been personally and
tragically affected by this ugly disease, have put together a noble and wonderful
cause which we all hope will help to change the lives, even if in only some small
way, of the many men, women, children, and the families of those whose lives
cancer has touched.
engines on rigid frames, when I was 9 or 10 years old. My dad had us riding
these things around the neighborhood and riding areas like little terrors, vowing
to never allow us on the 2 stroke 80cc motorcycles my brothers and I always
wanted. It wasn’t long before Aaron and I got these bikes began our competitive
racing adventures on 80cc dirtbikes. After racing and outgrowing the 80cc bikes
we progressed to the 125cc class and raced locally and around the state for the
next 7 years. After essentially burning out from all the travel, racing, injuries,
expenses and finally a tragic loss of a racing friend during a National Race
event, our family decided that it was time to step away. My brother and I went
many years without riding again, but eventually the riding bug came back
biting.. We rode 250cc bikes for a couple years, never competing again, but
riding for the sheer fun and addiction that we both had for the sport. After yet
another accident at a local track that saw Aaron with a significant injury, the
realization set in, combined with simply getting a little older, that we needed to
move on to a “safer” form of riding. Aaron and I purchased desert/long distance
type motorcycles and eventually met John Jensen. As they say, the rest is
history…….. countless fun rides, Baja trips, Baja Score Race Series pre-running
and racing adventures, long-distance rides to destinations like El Centro to Las
Vegas and Parker, AZ and countless local desert rides. It has been quite an
adventure riding with John, Alan, and the friends and riding buddies we have
acquired along the way, riding in 99-100% of all destination rides set up by
John, and memories that will no doubt last a lifetime.
Sadly, my life has also been affected by the “C” word. I have lost several family
members to various causes of this rotten disease and recently my uncle was
diagnosed with prostate cancer and is currently in treatment. Shortly after, it was
discovered that my Grandmother has colon cancer. Regretfully, the outlook
appears somewhat bleak for both of them. This disease appears to have no
prejudice, and it seems as though it strikes the most wonderful people in the
world. It baffles me that with the technology, research, government and private
programs, and the funds that are available today……that there is still no 100%
cure.
It is an honor for me to be part of the Cancer Ride For Life Team. Our founding
members, John Jensen and Alan Clowers, whom have also been personally and
tragically affected by this ugly disease, have put together a noble and wonderful
cause which we all hope will help to change the lives, even if in only some small
way, of the many men, women, children, and the families of those whose lives
cancer has touched.
JOSH PREMAN
