GMBV "Remembering Those Who Rode" Pics & Memories

[Tatonka]

Well, GMBV is in the books. I'm still not really sure what to say or how to say it. The purpose, the people, the whole deal was just a wonderful experience. I am hoping that someone who is a better wordsmith than I will step forward and write up an all encompassing report (with pictures). But then again, much of what we get from an event like this is so very personal and is unique to each of us.

Please share anything from this event that you would like. !=!

Here are a few of my pics (admittedly I'm terrible about even pulling out the camera & probably worse at actually taking the shot!)....

http://www.riderdown.org/forum/photopost/data/500/IMG_2755.JPG
http://www.riderdown.org/forum/photopost/data/500/IMG_2746.JPG
http://www.riderdown.org/forum/photopost/data/500/IMG_2725.JPG
http://www.riderdown.org/forum/photopost/data/500/IMG_2719.JPG

Anyone else have some to share?

[crfjedi393]

It's tough to really capture the GMB with words but I am appreciative of any and all efforts to do so. As a dad who has ridden and raced with his son, I was drawn to the pain of Mr. Berg when he lost Garrett. Through personal conversations with Mr. Berg and my involvement with ATM, I have learned to cherish the father/son relationship even through the teen years. Even when Clint does something incredibly STUPID, I just stay calm and appreciate the fact that he is here. (I remember one or two stupid things I did as a teenager.:roll: ) I have raised Clint on my own since he was three and we know each other pretty well. We made an agreement quite some time ago to "tape the crash".:lol: In other words, just keep the camera rolling if one of us goes down. Thankfully, none of them have been all that major. We have run to each other's side more than once. We have accompanied each other to the ER. We have helped each other get dressed when one or more body parts were incapacitated or in a cast. And to think about how tough it must be for the Berg's to live without the closeness they had with their son just breaks my heart.
Didn't mean to get all sappy but the GMB is an emotional event. It's where you find out what you stand for. It's where you check your priorities in life. It's where you see grown men not caring if someone sees them crying. Every single one of us would prefer not to even know each other if Garrett could still be here filling that void in the Berg's life. However, no man is in control of that life and death issue. What has happened canott be changed. I applaud the Berg's for allowing Garrett's passing to have such a positive impact on the mx community.
I have a few pics.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/crfjedi/GMBV/gmbv011.jpg?t=1169143658

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/crfjedi/GMBV/gmbv025.jpg?t=1169145072

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/crfjedi/GMBV/gmbv040.jpg?t=1169145118

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/crfjedi/GMBV/gmbv044.jpg?t=1169145148

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/crfjedi/GMBV/gmbv057.jpg?t=1169145187

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/crfjedi/GMBV/gmbv084.jpg?t=1169145246

[crfjedi393]

Hmmm........... I thought I was posting the pics right. I'll see what I can do. Maybe one of you guys can fix it for me if I can't figure it out.

[crdude]

This is a great thread, looking forward to more pics and storys!

here ya go jedi

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/crdude/gmbv057.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/crdude/gmbv044.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/crdude/gmbv040.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/crdude/gmbv025.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/crdude/gmbv011.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/crdude/gmbv084.jpg

[char393]

Great idea for a thread, Tatonka! I thought about just copying my post from ATM, but decided that was much too long.

Before I get all long-winded, here's a link to my GMBV gallery: GMB V (http://www.pbase.com/chignikchar/gmbv)
There's a good variety of pictures there - riding, pit shots, Saturday night at Howard's and a couple different galleries with pictures taken by my kids and other kids. I gave them free reign with our old digital camera because I thought it would be neat to see the event through their eyes. Those two galleries, are by far, my favorites.

The GMB weekend, for me, is a very special one. This was to be my third, for the first two, we made the trip down from Alaska. This time we were able to repay some of the kindness that has been shown to us in years past by letting people stay with us as well as sharing bikes. I can tell you it was an absolute pleasure and honor to be able to give back just a little bit.

I always look forward to this because it gives me the opportunity to hang out with friends that I "know" from an online forum. We get to experience in person the fellowship that we enjoy often times on a daily basis. It never ceases to amaze me how we can get together and it's like everyone has just seen each other the weekend before.

It's also a good time to reflect on the many blessing we have in life. I think often times we get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget how fortunate we are. For me, I look at my kids and though I am always thankful for them, the weekend is a reminder to cherish every single second I have with them, even if we're arguing about the right way to do math homework. :wink: Always, I am reminded that the very reason we have the GMB is because of Garrett, because the Berg family suffered a loss that I honestly hope I never experience. Like Jedi said, I would gladly give up the friendships I made in order for Garrett to be here today. That being said, I feel that we are his legacy. None of us would know each other had it not been for him. The many people that gather each year...those who've attended before and those attending for the first time... we've become like family. And as Macho says, in some cases, we've traded hearts.

It's always hard to explain how the GMB impacts me and I'm sure I've left out too many things once again. How do you explain something that touches your very soul? Something that really changes your life?

All I know is that the first weekend in October is the one weekend I look forward to all year long.

Ok..a couple of my favorite pictures:

Cody and Josh getting ready to hit the track. Meeting Cody was a huge inspiration. I am in total awe of this young man who has the spirit of a fighter. Just talking to him is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
http://i5.pbase.com/o5/91/261991/1/67938526.BvFkoQ3y.IMG_0563.JPG

Mr Berg and Macho's brother and sister in law (I believe?) headed over to Garrett's tree. I don't know what else to say here. It's a reminder of why we gather.
http://i5.pbase.com/o5/91/261991/1/67939050.HTFb0kew.IMG_0619.JPG

Two guys that are like big brothers to me, Macho and B-bike..I love the both of you. Get to know these two and you'll know what ATM and GMB are all about...they are perfect examples of the very spirit of both.
http://i5.pbase.com/o5/91/261991/1/67939174.rFEroAkn.IMG_0639.JPG

I'd better just stop there...I could post SOOOOO many pictures here.

[Tatonka]

Keep this going! There are some awesome pictures and stories out there......

:wink: