Saturday, August 19

Moons Over My Hammy: A day with Travis Pastrana

By Drew Stepek

SAN FRANCISCO -- Not many 16-year-olds will wake up and meet you at 8:30 in the morning. Then again, not many 16-year-olds have been fined ten grand for jumping into the San Fran Bay (1999 X Games) and have had their spinal column dislocated from their pelvis. As far as the fine goes, thank heavens he won the Freestyle Motocross event last year and the prize money was exactly enough to cover his tab with the S.F. police.

"If I jump in the water," he told us, "they're gonna throw me in jail for sure."

Speaking about his injury late last year, Travis said, "I was in a wheelchair for two months and after that, a lot of physical therapy." Apparently, his injury was a lot more serious then he makes it out to be. Most injuries of this magnitude -- the separation of the lower half of his body -- usually lead to the unfortunate victim never being able to walk again. Pastrana is a strong force however, and should be looked at as an inspiration to all of young America.

With the support of mom and dad.

Hailing from Annapolis, Md., Travis Pastrana is the young sensation of motocross. While spending a day in his life, we took him to a local diner for breakfast. To our dismay, the diner was holding a private party. Then, we decided to go to IHOP--which had a 45-minute wait. Finally, we took the young man to Denny's, where everyone set up shop with a tasty little dish called "Moons Over My Hammy." It wasn't exactly a surf and turf from Ruth's Chris, but Travis didn't seem to mind.

"You get used to eating at Denny's when you're on the road," he told us. As far as he's concerned, the only time he's not on the road during his yearly schedule is a measly two weeks.

After graduating two years early from high school last year, Pastrana is currently attending the University of Maryland, online. As he is with his studies, Travis is just as dedicated and disciplined to riding. Even on the first day of practice, he was there, bright and early, sizing up the course from every aspect. He was also the last rider to leave when the warm up was finished.

"I want something to fall back on," he told us humbly. "Who knows how much longer I can keep this up."

Check out these pics of a day in the life of one of today's standout young athletes and watch him compete tomorrow in Motocross Freestyle. He won the gold for last year before he decided to jump into the Bay.