Texas Moto History

Richard Creed shot these great classic pics of Central Texas old school MXers.

Brief History Lesson: My Story-more or less...

I got my first start working at Cycle News Central, back in Austin, Texas in the mid seventies. I dropped by their offices, located on the posh, but low-brow, West side of Austin, near infamous Barton Springs (home of the coldest natural spring water anywhere).

I was there to hand deliver my first story and pics from a race I had attended that Sunday at "Rockheart" raceway in Lockhart, Texas. The race promoter had comped my race entry fee, let me in the gate for free, and as long as I got a story in the Central edition of Cycle News about the race, was happy as a clam.

This was my first foray into moto-journalism, and I would continue hand delivering my stories and pics to the then editor, Richard "Hogbody" Creed.

LEGEND OF HOGBODY…

"Hogbody," was, and in my opinion, still is, the king of action sports photographers. Richard also had that rare gift of being almost equally talented at writing, a rare combination.

Long Story short, I ended up getting a job there at Cycle News Central (hint: future job seekers-if possible hand-deliver stories to editors). I worked on the staff for several years at Central before moving out to the west coast offices of Cycle News when they shut Central branch down. I was the lab tech guy, who also covered races and wrote about it all. Suffice it to say, Cycle News meant a lot to me, and almost every other writer/racer/photographer of that era.

The Clayton (Chuck and Sharon) were the original owners of Cycle News. They took a local newsweekly to the dominant position in off-road motorsports within a few years. They were also among the first to make use of the internet and rapid news dissemination. Chuck and Sharon Clayton’s weekly motorcycle paper soon became one of the most progressive and loved institutions in our sport. Covering every aspect of motorcycling, including local events, on a national level.

After Cycle News I was asked by my fellow Texan, Jody Weisel to come to work at Motocross Action magazine. I jumped at the chance and never looked back. A career at Hi-Torque Publications (back then it was called Daisy/Hi-Torque) ensued. I did MXA for a few years and then was offered the opportunity to do another in-house book called MOTOcross magazine.

That was my big break at Hi-Torque and a labor of love for me for a couple of years. I moved from there to become the editor of our ATV mag, called Dirt Wheels. I loved the change to riding and reporting about the ATV industry and the emergence of the UTV industry as well. I did that job for close to 20 years and left Hi-Torque in 2009 to pursue other interests, including doing my own book, DIRT ILLustrated, a digital online magazine, which is where I am today.

SPECIAL THANKS TO CHUCK AND SHARON…

To Chuck Clayton, a spiritual mentor and all-around good guy, who, along with Sharon Clayton, gave me my first big break in journalism. Thanks! God-speed Chuck, and thanks for the opportunity to do what I love doing, then and now.

Also a nod to Sharon Clayton, who also passed away a few years back, for her legendary leadership and guidance (even though she was sometimes viewed as the… 'Wicked Witch of the West' when she would unexpectedly visit the Central offices).

I want to sincerely express my unending gratitude to Chuck and Sharon Clayton for giving me that first big break. They were the powerhouse force behind the enduring legacy that I have of Cycle News.

Sharon and Chuck, you gave untold numbers of people a voice and view of life that we all can be thankful for today! Your little Cycle News magazine that could, actually did, for many years now.

It continues today, as a digital online magazine with new owners, a new can-do attitude, and the original moxie that made it all work.