Race Day 2015 feature: Bernadette Griffith
GREENE – The last time Bernadette Griffith appeared in these pages, she was hobbling around on crutches after shattering her ankle and breaking her fibula.
An admitted adrenaline junkie, the then-32-year-old was living life to the max participating in one of the many outdoors sports that occupy her free time. Griffith was also chomping at the bit to get back on her motocross bike.
"I had to get a doctor's note to go back (to racing)," Griffith said remembering the start of the 2011 season.
What the doctors didn't know is that Griffith was on the bike perhaps a smidge before she got the official okay. But we won't tell anyone about that slight indiscretion if you won't.
If you were as successful as Griffith, you would be eager, too, to get back to the track. In the seasons subsequent to that injury, Griffith has become a staple on the District 3 racing circuit.
And 2014 was her best season yet. She won not one, but two championships taking the women's class, while also claiming the 30-year-old-plus novice class.
Griffith said that the women's class is an open division that might include teen-aged girls, prospective professionals, and of course every-day working women like herself.
On the novice 30-plus side, any one of 200 riders in the district may take to the track, and Griffith was just one of a handful of women among that 200.
"Sometimes it's harder in the women's class because I might be racing against girls 20 years younger than me," Griffith said. "Against the men, I am pretty much the only woman. I ride better because I have to be tougher."
Growing up in the Binghamton area, Griffith was one of those kids who had her finger in a number of pies. She was involved in athletics, she played an instrument in the band, and even spent time as a cheerleader.
Watching from the sidelines, however, is not really part of Griffith's DNA. Aside from the motocross circuit, Griffith is an avid equestrian, she snowboards, and kayaks.
Any one of those activities might satisfy an outdoorsy type's need to feel that rush. While they all have their place and Griffith loves all of those activities, she said there is nothing like motocross.
"There's no way to really explain that feeling when the gate drops and you take off," Griffith said. "I haven't felt anything like that in any of those other sports."
By now, you might be wondering why a woman in her mid-30s is driving herself so hard in what is essentially a hobby. She already owns two businesses and makes extra money working part-time at the Sherwood Inn. She has suffered so many injuries, you could play a game of "Operation" with all of the parts that have been mended.
"There is always room for improvement," Griffith said.
Well, it might be hard to improve on the impressive statistics she posted last year. Riders in Griffith's class are rated nationally on a an RPV scale through the American Motocross Association. Of 1,100 rated riders last year, Griffith's 2014 results placed her sixth in the novice class.
"I would bet there were less than 10 women (among that 1,100)," Griffith said. "It's nice to know where you stand."
Where Griffith stands now is in a different racing class. While the women have a one-size-fits-all class, the men have a number of levels based on skill level and performance, and Griffith's 2014 season earned her a promotion from novice to amateur.
That may not sound like much of an increase to the layman, but Griffith knows better. All aspiring motocross riders with the goal of becoming a professional have the same climb up the ladder. So, it would be no surprise if Griffith is running against a 15-year-old boy this coming year who could be the next Ryan Villopoto.
"It's a whole new class with much better competition," Griffith said. "I'm hoping to learn a lot this year and get a lot of seat time."
Just like she did in the novice class, Griffith intends to succeed at her new level, although expectations - this year at least - are not as high as they were the past two years.
But at age 36, her window is closing, and she still has a few things to button up before she moves on to her next endeavor. "There are still a few things left to tick off (in racing) before I feel like I'm really good at it," she said. "I'll be 37 later this year, and my goal (long term) is to become the oldest woman to earn her pro card."
An admitted adrenaline junkie, the then-32-year-old was living life to the max participating in one of the many outdoors sports that occupy her free time. Griffith was also chomping at the bit to get back on her motocross bike.
"I had to get a doctor's note to go back (to racing)," Griffith said remembering the start of the 2011 season.
What the doctors didn't know is that Griffith was on the bike perhaps a smidge before she got the official okay. But we won't tell anyone about that slight indiscretion if you won't.
If you were as successful as Griffith, you would be eager, too, to get back to the track. In the seasons subsequent to that injury, Griffith has become a staple on the District 3 racing circuit.
And 2014 was her best season yet. She won not one, but two championships taking the women's class, while also claiming the 30-year-old-plus novice class.
Griffith said that the women's class is an open division that might include teen-aged girls, prospective professionals, and of course every-day working women like herself.
On the novice 30-plus side, any one of 200 riders in the district may take to the track, and Griffith was just one of a handful of women among that 200.
"Sometimes it's harder in the women's class because I might be racing against girls 20 years younger than me," Griffith said. "Against the men, I am pretty much the only woman. I ride better because I have to be tougher."
Growing up in the Binghamton area, Griffith was one of those kids who had her finger in a number of pies. She was involved in athletics, she played an instrument in the band, and even spent time as a cheerleader.
Watching from the sidelines, however, is not really part of Griffith's DNA. Aside from the motocross circuit, Griffith is an avid equestrian, she snowboards, and kayaks.
Any one of those activities might satisfy an outdoorsy type's need to feel that rush. While they all have their place and Griffith loves all of those activities, she said there is nothing like motocross.
"There's no way to really explain that feeling when the gate drops and you take off," Griffith said. "I haven't felt anything like that in any of those other sports."
By now, you might be wondering why a woman in her mid-30s is driving herself so hard in what is essentially a hobby. She already owns two businesses and makes extra money working part-time at the Sherwood Inn. She has suffered so many injuries, you could play a game of "Operation" with all of the parts that have been mended.
"There is always room for improvement," Griffith said.
Well, it might be hard to improve on the impressive statistics she posted last year. Riders in Griffith's class are rated nationally on a an RPV scale through the American Motocross Association. Of 1,100 rated riders last year, Griffith's 2014 results placed her sixth in the novice class.
"I would bet there were less than 10 women (among that 1,100)," Griffith said. "It's nice to know where you stand."
Where Griffith stands now is in a different racing class. While the women have a one-size-fits-all class, the men have a number of levels based on skill level and performance, and Griffith's 2014 season earned her a promotion from novice to amateur.
That may not sound like much of an increase to the layman, but Griffith knows better. All aspiring motocross riders with the goal of becoming a professional have the same climb up the ladder. So, it would be no surprise if Griffith is running against a 15-year-old boy this coming year who could be the next Ryan Villopoto.
"It's a whole new class with much better competition," Griffith said. "I'm hoping to learn a lot this year and get a lot of seat time."
Just like she did in the novice class, Griffith intends to succeed at her new level, although expectations - this year at least - are not as high as they were the past two years.
But at age 36, her window is closing, and she still has a few things to button up before she moves on to her next endeavor. "There are still a few things left to tick off (in racing) before I feel like I'm really good at it," she said. "I'll be 37 later this year, and my goal (long term) is to become the oldest woman to earn her pro card."
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