From: baxter@epcot.spdc.ti.com (Mike Baxter)
Subject: SRA
Summary: Are you a spode?
Keywords: SPODE
Organization: TI Semiconductor Process and Design Center
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 22:48:50 GMT

I am SPODE.  I grew up riding BMX.  I thought that it was harmless enough.
Then after a few years of riding and racing BMX, reality set in.  I was a 
Spode.  I practiced big leaps and suffered big crashes.  But did I stop there.
NO!, of coarse not.  I moved on to dirt motorcycles.  I started my motorized
spodliness on a 1975 Suzuki 75 bored way over.  I truly tried to be a smart 
rider, but couldn't stop my spode-self from taking over.   Before I knew it 
I was on a brand new 1979 KX80.  I was such a spode on that bike that I was
able to out run my older brother on a 125 out of sheer spodliness.  Two years
later after seizing the engine due to lack of maintainence, I got a 1979
RM100 with a 125 cylinder.  It was a good bike that I new my addiction would
soon remedy.  While riding at Crooms Motorcycle Park in Florida I tried racing 
a kid on a brand new 1986 CR80.  Being the spode that I was I crashed.  I true
spode fashon, I walked away with only bruises.  All the time I had ridden, my
safety gear consisted of a helmet and nothing else.  Also at the same time that
I had the RM100, my brother and I bought a 1985 Honda 200X 3-wheeler.  My spode
behavior was not much of a factor on the ATV.  Most my crashes were low speed 
which was very un-characteristic of a spode. Did this mean my addiction,
my disease if you will, was losing its grip.  No way!  At age 15 I rode a 
Suzuki TS125 until I turned 16.  Life on the pavement was not for me.  I may
have been 100% spode, but was not ready to take on the old blue haired ladies
from up north for more than a year.  I took short-cuts thru orange groves and
passed traffic on the medians.  Hey, I thought it was safer.  I jumped RR and
manhole covers and any other bumps in the road.  Not one ticket from a pig. 
	I gave up motorcycles for a few years to explore women, cars, and to 
futher my education.  I never stoped wanting another though.  After graduation
I moved to Dallas to work for TI.  I met Andy and he rode.  I soon was looking
for a bike and found a 1987 CR125 in good shape for a good price.  The very 
next day I was riding with Andy.  I had purchased a helmet, and jersey for 
riding.  I wore hiking/work boots and jeans with the stuff I bought and rode
the whole day without major problems.  Although the first thing I did was loop
it out like a spode.  The very next day I was riding dowm by Lake Ray Hubbard
and looped it out again.  This time I broke my Fibula in my right leg.  It was
not a bad bone to break, because it doesn't require a cast.  It was painfull.
	At this time I decided I had a problem and joined Spode Riders Anonymos
(SRA).  The SRA works like AA.  You have group sessions and all.  SRA has
helped me and they can help you to.  The first thing you must do is admit you 
have a problem.  I did and look where I am today.  I am a recovering Spode
Rider and have not done anything that would make people call me a spode since 
well, uuhhhmmm, since I took my bike apart!


_____________________________________________________________________________
DoD #359                    '91  CR250 |         Mike Baxter   
AMA #607249                      #P61  |              
TCCRA  #P61  "Team D."                 |      baxter@spdc.ti.com
Pro Class	                       |
Texas Cross-Country racing series      |   Texas Instruments, Dallas Tx.   
50 miles of off-road Hell (FUN)        |  
_______________________________________|_____________________________________
Disclaimer:  The opinions expressed above are my very own, becuase 
             if they were worth anything TI would patent them.