Sivad Johnson - Flying High

 

 

When I regained consciousness, I recognized my mom, dad and a few friends standing over me, looking concerned. Someone asked, “Sivad, are you okay?” I didn't answer. I did, however, have one question on my mind. I was 12 years old, and my birthday had just passed and I received a new BMX bike. It was royal blue, it had gold decals, handbrakes and multi spoke wheels. I pictured that with the right pilot aboard, that bike could probably jump over the school up the street. I'm sure that wild imagination is what caused me to challenge my friends to a jumping contest. 

 

Now, the anti got up when one of them suggested jumping over a large bush, that for some odd reason was planted in the middle of his front lawn. Okay, challenge accepted. The following Saturday, five young daredevils assembled, ready to take flight. And the day was perfect. The ramp was constructed of the finest components. [audience laughter] We had two car ramps placed side by side with a couple of milk crates on top of that. [audience laughter] We had a slightly warped piece of plywood and a few bricks at the base to keep it all anchored. [audience laughter] I'm pretty sure Hollywood stuntmen were using the same materials back then. [audience laughter] 

 

We rolled up to the starting spot, and the first kid takes off for the ramp. He jumps, but goes off center and lands at the right, just clipping the bush. When the second kid takes off, he decides to abort his mission before even reaching the ramp. The third contestant goes and actually clears the bush. But when he lands, both of his feet slip off the pedals. He nut-crunches on that middle bar [audience laughter] so hard, lets out a blood curdling scream, and instantly becomes a spectator for the rest of the event. [audience laughter] We laughed at him too. [audience laughter] The fourth jumper goes, clears the bush easily and lands perfectly on the other side, but he can't stop fast enough and slams into a car in the driveway next door. [audience laughter] Amateurs. 

 

Last but not least is me. My parents are out front now, and the rest of the kids are parked and waiting. I'm in the zone. I picture a jump so epic that it should be on the front of a Wheaties cereal box. [audience laughter] I decided to build anticipation by going through a series of poses [audience laughter] and I end it all with the double biceps. I rocket off from two houses away in the middle of the street. Pedaling as fast as I can, I whip into the driveway, headed straight for the ramp. Perhaps a little too fast, because my right foot slips from the pedal and the bike wobbles. But I recovered. I recovered just in time to hit the ramp and it shifts. 

 

I tried to save it by pulling the front wheel up, but it clipped something and, oh shit, here we go. My bike is leaving me, the grass is above me and the sky is beneath me. How can this be? But then, the grass and the sky switch back and I violently splat and everything goes black. But I regained consciousness. My mom, dad and friends are standing over me. I'm laid out flat, probably similar to a murder scene, body sketch or something. They ask if I'm okay, and I don't answer. But I did have that one question on my mind, hey, how's my bike? [audience laughter] My dad nods and signals okay. My mom throws her arms up and walks away. [audience laughter] My friends are all laughing at me. 

 

But I learned three lessons that day. Lesson number one, if you're going to jump some bush, [audience laughter] don't prematurely celebrate. [audience laughter] Save it for a perfect dismount. [audience laughter] Lesson two, speed is nothing without control. [audience laughter] When you're riding, stay super focused and maintain your rhythm. [audience laughter] And three, if you're performing any physical feat and happen to blackout, and then wake up surrounded by your friends and parents, always, and I mean always, check your equipment first. [audience laughter] Thank you.