Just like anyone else, there’s times when I think I could blow this job off and move on, but then an assignment comes along that makes you realize why you deal with the bad days. I had one of these not long ago which was really a combination of several projects. Usually a trip to Los Angeles is about the last thing I want to do but in this case it worked out exceptionally well.

First off, I got to fly down and drive back rather than log the road miles both directions from our Medford, Oregon headquarters. Once I arrived it was a whirlwind of awesome bikes and killer riding. I met up with Jay Clark of Jay Clark Enterprises to ride the project Honda CRF256R he built for us at Starwest Motocross Park. Read about that bike in the newest issue of MotoUSA Magazine - it’s on the press right now. While I was there I met up with Suzuki media master, Kobi Iseri, and snagged a Factory Suzuki Off-Road RM-Z450. I also borrowed a long-distance CRF450X modified by Dubach Racing Development and with both 450s in the van I headed north to the high desert.

A couple days of photos and riding with veteran tester Tod Sciacqua were like soul therapy, not to mention getting to chase the uber-talented Kyle Redmond, not that I saw either one for very long. Riding awesome bikes with guys who look at things totally different is always a good mix. I was able to take the Suzuki back home with me for a long-term evaluation and busy racing schedule. Unfortunately, the DRD bike had to be returned.

Watch for reviews on all three bikes in the near future. Each one was bad-ass for their intended use and they kicked me into gear for the summer season – exactly the reason I love having to “work.”