The south will be losing one of its fastest riders very soon...

So what gives Mike? What's out there other than the trails? Switching colleges for now and still calling NC home or is this a permanent move, moms and all?

Wait!! You mean no more shirtless photos??? No way!!!

Moto is still young and has become a very fast rider, to stick around the SE isn't going to pay off like the westcoast bike wise. Enjoy Mikey! Keep in touch! Here on the ole South forum. Good Luck!
Chuck

Hey guys, yeah I'm trying to make this a permanent move. No hard feelings or anything though, I love the South! I've just always been in love with the PNW, even before I started racing downhill. I got an opportunity to move out there and live for really cheap in a nice house, so it was an obvious decision. I'm trying to score a paid internship with the Oregon Dept. of Forestry as a Forest Engineer, doing mostly ground work in all of the national forests in Oregon like ground truthing physical features and updating their maps as things change. Having just graduated yesterday, I figured that if I didn't make a big move like this now, it would be much harder later on...

I think that next year is going to be a pivotal year for the South as far as DH races go. There are big plans for the Dirty Bird and I hope that it turns out well. I'll be coming back to NC periodically as my family will still be here, so watch out!

Congrats on graduating!

Just don't knock down any trails on your new job!

Portland is one of the few places that I would even consider leaving NC for. My wife has family out there and we have spent Summer and Winter Vacations out there.

Stay in touch.
B

Good luck Mike. Hope thing work out great for ya.

yosef will miss you

Good luck Mike!! Smart on making the move now while you can, the South will still be here whenever you get back. Props to you dude for doing what your heart desires!

Good luck moto! that means im one step up faster!! haha maybe...

let me know if you want to tag along on any races this year, I got plenty of room. and when your in bend I will let you ride my super sneaky sush DH trail.

Had to dig to find this thread...figured it would be better than a new one. Looks like Hawksnest West out there bro:

Yeah that track definitely was very east coasty. The dirt is super dark and soft, and traction was unreal, even in the wet. The only difference I'd say is the terrain is much more "bumpy", if that makes any sense. Tons of natural rollers, berms, gullys, etc.

We're just happy the weather fronts finally tracked you back down. They were upset when you left, but it looks like mother nature is got you firmly wrapped in her teary embrace yet again.