Motocross racer Aaron Mathis gets a high-five from a youngster who enjoyed TMT Racing’s bike safety presentation at Coosa Valley Elementary.

Aaron Mathis had just completed a series of jumps and laps on his dirt bike for a delighted audience of students at Coosa Valley Elementary School.

“This is my rehab,” he explained to principal Tammy Stewart, who asked why the Pell City High School junior competes in motocross.  “On a bad day, it takes your focus off school problems or girl problems or whatever’s bothering you.”

At the school with the TMT Racing Team to present a bike safety program to the students, Mathis explained why safety is important when riding for competition or recreation, why “not just anybody” can compete in motocross, and why racers take the risks.

His history with motorsports:  The 16-year-old son of Johnny and Regina Mathis, he began riding dirt bikes at age 11.  He’s currently a member of TMT Racing, a local team owned by Joey Whitney that will tour the state as part of the Alabama Area Cross Series from November through March.

His favorite aspect of it:  “I love jumping.  It gets everything else in life off my mind.  It’s the most unusual feeling in the world.”

Does it take a lot of nerve?:  “You have to learn to trust yourself and stay calm when you’re going 60 miles per hour through the air.  It’s just like riding a roller coaster, except the roller coaster doesn’t have a seat belt.   It takes years of riding and training to be able to jump with confidence.”

About motocross:  “Everybody says their sport is the hardest in the world, but motocross is different because it’s half man, half machine.  Not just anybody can do it.  It’s one of the most physically demanding sports, and safety is the difference between life and death.”

Don’t try this at home:  “Even I don’t go out in my backyard and try to jump stuff.  If I do that, I’m going to find a way to hurt myself.  When I ride, I go to a professional track where there are trained professionals on hand, and that’s what we encourage kids to do if they’re interested in riding.”

In spite of safety precautions:  “I’ve been to the ER three times due to racing.  I shattered my collarbone in 2010.  That required surgery and a plate with five screws.  I’ve also had plenty of stitches from racing and plenty of concussions.”

Why take the risk?:  “It’s one of those loves you don’t understand.  The adrenaline and love of the sport completely outweigh the risks that go into it.”