I gave birth to my son, Mason, on July 8, 2010 and was back to riding 9 days later.  Even though I missed all the other stops of the Sartso Cup Womens Series I was determined to attend the XDL Indy event to show my support for not only the event but my fellow female riders. They are killing it!!

I felt extremely unprepared which is the total opposite of my usual over-organized OCD self but tried to make the most of it.  The day of qualifying Todd and I spent our morning finding a front tire at a local salvage shop and then changing both my front and rear tires (like I said unprepared!) on a sidewalk in downtown Indianapolis, using borrowed tools and tire spoons. After a little delay in my first ever tech inspection I was finally ready to practice, or so I thought until I realized it was painfully necessary to spend the majority of my 2 min practice on scrubbing in my new tires and adjusting to the riding area.

After what seemed like hours of butterflies it was time to completely wing a qualifying run.  I played it safe and other than 2 near washed out stoppie attempts, some slow turn arounds and not even attempting a burnout it went pretty smooth. I pulled off a 3rd place qualifying run which I was pretty happy about all things considered.

After now spending 5 min total on the riding surface and my new tires I took some time and wrote a pretty competitive run up for the finals. On about my third pass I hear Thomas say something on the mic that caught my attention and when I look down I see my front brake resevoir laying on the ground. Thats something Ive definetly never experienced and wasnt even sure what outcome that would create. I decided between not knowing how that would affect my front brakes, brand new tires and a slippery spot I wouldnt attempt the 2nd stoppie or burnout set I had planned for my run.  I started feeling pretty confident again in my wheelies and how my run was going and as I clutch up into seatstander and step up into frogger I mousetrap! I did my best at trying to save it but flipped over the front of the bike tucking and rolling avoiding getting ran over. All I could think to myself is “Did that really just happen??” I jumped up, looked at the time clock and realized I had enough time for maybe one more pass. I picked up the bike, pulled off one more pass and saw the flag.

Even though at numerous times I felt like everything that could go wrong did, I made the most of it, had a blast riding, even more fun seeing my friends and proud to represent my sponsors and support the event.

I waant to give a huge thanks to everyone that made this experience possible starting with my husband Todd. Without his support this opportunity wouldnt have been possible.

My dad for watching our 2 year old daughter and newborn son. Im well aware that is no easy task.

Nick, Dena and Bob, Ken and Brandy for carting my bike around from point A B and C and everywhere in between! It felt like a disasterous mess to me but you all were so supportive and helpful I couldnt ask for better friends! Ken and Brandy, thanks for letting me borrow the tools, tire spoons, and air compressor.

Jen for crying when I wrecked, carting our butts around town, and just being my rock in general!

Cycle Re-Cycle of Indianapolis, IN for hooking me up with a front tire about an hour before XDL started.

XDL and Sartso Jeans for having a female freestyle competition and putting on a great event.

As always, all of my sponsors. Racing905, Auctionblockz.com, Vortex, TNTCycleSalvage.com, and Bikestyles.

All of the other females that competed in the series. You girls are stepping it up and I cant wait to be battling you all next year! Congrats to Dena for taking the series, you deserve it!

Im more determined than ever to step up my riding and give these girls a run for their money next year! Bring on XDL 2011!!

Tena Colbert is one of a very few number of female motorcycle freestyle riders.