With economy on the rise, young and experienced riders driven back to pit bikes
Randy Miller talks to his son Bode, 1, after taking a ride around the Miller's neighborhood on a pit bike Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, in Lehi. Bode has a few years to go before he rides himself, but Randy's motto is that if you can ride a bicycle without training wheels, you can begin to learn how to ride a dirt bike. ISAAC HALE, Daily Herald
The Millers, including Diann, left, Breann, 5, bottom center, Randy, center left, Bode, 1, in arms, and Devin, 8, bottom right, watch a race during the first round of the Pit Bike Race Series on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, at Monarch Honda in Orem. “We play together, and it helps the family grow closer together,” explained Diann. ISAAC HALE, Daily Herald
Randy Miller gives his son Devin, 8, a thumbs-up before a kids race during the first round of the Pit Bike Race Series on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 at Monarch Honda in Orem. Being their first official races for both Randy and his son, Devin was a bit cautious after a less-than-perfect practice run, but eagerly took the starting line after some encouragement from his father. ISAAC HALE, Daily Herald
Randy Miller talks with his daughter Breann during the first round of the Pit Bike Race Series on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 at Monarch Honda in Orem. ISAAC HALE, Daily Herald
Bode Miller checks out a pit bike as his brother Devin takes off his gear in the garage Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 at the Miller’s home in Lehi. “A lot of the guys that stay in the industry start when they are young,” said Jeff Panelley, Digital Marketing and Events Coordinator at Monarch Honda in Orem. ISAAC HALE, Daily Herald
Devin Miller watches as riders blur past him in a race during the first round of the Pit Bike Race Series on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 at Monarch Honda in Orem. Though just 8-years old, Devin has been riding pit bikes for 3 years. ISAAC HALE, Daily Herald
Engines rev and the smell of rubber and gas lingers in the air in the open basement of Monarch Honda in Orem as riders begin to gather at the starting line on their miniature dirt bikes. Behind the starting line, Randy Miller gives his son, Devin, a questioning thumbs-up as he stands next to his pit bike with uncertainty.
This is Devin’s first formal race, and after riding among some of the grown-up competitors also racing that day during a practice run, he wondered if he would even be able to compete in the race. However, after his father told him he’d only be racing against kids his own age, he put on his helmet and calmly walked his bike to the starting line.
“I care if I win, but I don’t care if I lose,” Devin, 8, later explained recalling the race.
All riders in place, the checkered flag was waved and the starting line fell, and the race began.
Riders young and old came to Orem for the first of three races held by the Honda dealership for pit bikes. Pit bikes are miniature dirt bikes that were first used to ride around the staging area of motocross races, which are for the full-size versions of pit bikes. Though born out of professional dirt-bike racing in the early 1990s, pit bikes also are quite popular with younger riders just getting into the sport. The bikes are much simpler and slower to ride, and more affordable than their full-size counterparts. For kids pit bikes are a learning tool, and for adults they’re a fun luxury.
“It started to really take off in the early and mid-2000s,” explained Robert Morgan, owner of Monarch Honda. “Then, the economy crashed and it gave everybody a new priority as to what needed to be done versus toys.”
Now pit bikes and the economy are on the rise. “It’s kind of making a comeback, and we’re trying to be that flame,” said Jeff Panelley, digital marketing and events coordinator at Monarch Honda.
Panelley organized the Pit Bike Race Series with Morgan to bring together the dirt bike riding community to enjoy friendly, small-scale racing. The first round took place on Feb. 25, the next will be on April 29, and the final round on June 3. “We’re trying to bring back having fun,” said Morgan.
Pit bike racing is just that: fun. It’s something that appeals to the riders of all experience levels and allows them to ride and race together. It also acts as a way for motosports families like the Millers to ride together.
“We play together, and it helps the family grow closer together,” explained Diann Miller. Diann, a Florida native who hadn’t been exposed to racing until she met Randy, prefers to ride a side-by-side while Devin rides a pit bike and Randy rides a full-size dirt bike on their family camping trips around the area and riding outings to prime motosport destinations such as Moab. “It’s just a fun way for a family to recreate together,” said Randy.
Randy was first introduced to motosports in high school by his friends. Once he began riding, he was hooked. “It was something I just couldn’t walk away from, the adrenaline, just the fun of it,” he explained.
“I had a friend that lived out in Eagle Mountain, and of course there was nothing else around, just dirt,” recalled Randy. “So we’d just go shooting guns and riding motorcycles, ripping through the desert, and just tearing it up.”
Randy never really gravitated towards the racing aspect of riding. Rather, he enjoys using his bike technically, riding over jumps, around obstacles, and on varied surfaces such as slick rock. His riding kept him active, and out of trouble.
“I just think it’s a great way to grow up,” he said. “On my very first motorcycle, I put a sticker on the front of it that said, ‘adrenaline is my drug of choice.'”
Now his 8-year-old son Devin is following in his footsteps. However, he began riding much earlier in life than Randy: at 5 years old. Devin became interested in dirt bikes when he saw his cousins riding about, and he asked his father if he could try it as well. Being a seasoned rider himself, Randy was happy to help indulge his son’s interest in dirt bikes. Randy also has a 1-year-old son, Bode, and a 5-year-old daughter, Breann. Bode seems to be also gravitating towards dirt bikes like his older brother, but Randy knows that for all of his kids, dirt bikes could be a passing fancy.
“If Devin grows up and decides he doesn’t want motorcycles anymore, he wants to go snowshoeing or something, that’s great,” he said. “As long as he’s got a hobby and he loves it.”
When Randy’s not riding with his family, he works at Berg Mortuary in Provo as a funeral director.
“A lot of people think that I have this really weird dynamic about myself,” he explained. “Here I am a funeral director, then I do one of the most dangerous sports, as people perceive it. They look at it, and a lot of people are like, ‘well, don’t you see a lot of people that die in accidents? Aren’t you afraid of your kids or someone else doing it?’ You always have that little bit of fear, but I’m not going to cash that in for the memories.”
At peace while riding dirt bikes with his family, Randy stands by the motto that the family that plays together also stays together. He explained, “If it’s one thing I’ve learned in my business, it’s that life is short and fragile, and you better enjoy it while you have the chance.”