spectator, pronunciation: spek′tāt′ər, noun: one who looks on or watches something; onlooker

Welcome to Kickstand Alley, a motorcycle blog with a decent blend of news, pictures, opinions, tales and tidbits related to one family’s experience with motorcycles.

Flying Moto Cross, courtesy of http://www.freegraphicssite.com

Hello, my name is Kerry Atkins. I am the third oldest and only girl of six children raised in a military family during Vietnam. My dad always seemed to have a motorcycle kicking around, or at least access to one, when I was a kid. But it wasn’t until my older brothers outgrew their mini-bikes and bought dirt bikes with tobacco money in ‘72 that I took notice. Jeff bought a Suzuki 90 and Mark, a Yamaha 100. In fact, I totally blame them and their dirt-bike antics for kicking my family’s passion for motorcycling into higher gear.

You see, my dad came up with this hair-brained motocross idea that could only be cooked up in the hot North Carolina sun. My mom was clearly not happy that the boys were tearing up the yard and doing figure eights around her mimosa trees. So with her blessing, my dad’s hair-brained idea took flight. He fired up the Caterpillar and proceeded to excavate a good-sized portion of the back pasture of our family farm to build a motocross track, complete with twisties, ant hills and mud bog.

As in the movie Field of Dreams, we soon found out “if you build it, [they] will come,” especially when you brag all over town about having new dirt bikes and a practice track. Just like a good fishing hole that’s been exposed, good ol’ boys and their good ol’ friends started coming around on a regular basis to experience the Ferguson track firsthand.

What started out as a backyard hobby quickly grew into a full-scale family endeavor. My dad organized weekend heats featuring semi-pro, amateur, and pee-wee riders. My brothers worked tirelessly to keep their track prepped for race day. We converted an old garage into a concession stand and stocked it with nabs and drinks so hungry spectators could be fed. Professionals from God-knows-where dropped in from time to time. While they doled out autographs, my dad doled out trophies and prize money. It was thrilling to hear the crowd cheer everyone on, especially beginners who refused to let homegrown ruts and whoops get the best of them.

Life was good on the track. Life was good on the farm. Life was good, that is, until cranky neighbor Jake complained about the noise.

Family and Friends, Americade 2009

My family has traveled thousands of miles in the three decades since that motocross track was silenced. The men in my life still ride, including my dad who is now in his 70’s. We go to swap meets, bike nights, motorcycle shows, and rallies … altogether when we can. Mostly, however, we like to ride. Kickstand Alley is where you can read about our motorcycling adventures, past and present. I’ll also throw in motorcycle-related news and trends that we discuss when we get together. In the meantime, my family would love to get to know you. If you take a moment to tell us a little bit about yourself, we’d be grateful. It can be what you ride, where you hail, your first motorcycle experience or your last…whatever suits your fancy. Use the Comment section below.

Above all, ride safe and stay connected,

Kerry