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LOS LUNAS — It has been an up and down ride for most of his life, but 14-year-old Ryan Jaramillo, of Los Lunas, wouldn’t have it any other way.
That is certainly logical for a motocross rider like Jaramillo, who is making a name for himself on the national circuit, competing on dirt courses with plenty of twists and turns, bumps and jumps.
Before beginning his freshman year in a few days at Valencia High School, Jaramillo is spending this week in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., competing in Loretta Lynn’s Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship.
“It’s the most prestigious amateur national event,” said Robert Jaramillo, Ryan’s father. “They only take 42 people,” for each class, with riders from across the United States and internationally.
To advance to Loretta Lynn’s, with the course on the family ranch of the country music legend, Ryan had to navigate area and regional qualifying onboard his 250cc bike. Ryan will race against many older riders in the modified and stock divisions.
“It’s just fun to compete against other riders,” Ryan said. “I enjoy it — you get to jump in the air. If you go through a corner really fast, it makes you feel good.”
The trip to Tennessee has been a long journey.
“I can’t remember the first time I was on a bike,” said Ryan, although his parents say his inaugural race was at 5 years old.
“Being that young, he was so good at it. He loved it,” said Yvette Jaramillo, Ryan’s mother.
“It turned into a lifestyle,” Yvette said, with Robert adding, “We didn’t know it would go this far, this serious.”
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How serious?
“This is a year-round sport,” explains Yvette, with races most weekends beginning in January running through much of the summer. “We’re pretty much at a race every weekend in Texas, Arizona, Colorado. We’ve been to California.”
The family also has spent plenty of time at the track in Moriarty, but the bigger and more competitive races are out of state. So is training.
Ryan is a regular at the 125-acre Underground Compound in Kemp, Texas, working with an expert on several goals.
“Ultimately, speed,” Ryan said, plus, “You want to work on your technique and how you handle the bike — I know I’m getting better when I’m over there, so I enjoy it.”
If all this sounds pricey, it is. In addition to travel expenses, “We pay a trainer his fee — we pay the facility,” Yvette said about Underground Compound.
Robert acknowledges that Ryan has “some really good sponsors.”
Motorcross is a dangerous sport, and Ryan says he takes safety seriously. That’s where the training comes in, including “cardio, weights,” and a diet that includes plenty of water and fruit.
“You are (racing) for 20, 30 minutes straight in 90-degree weather with humidity,” Ryan said. “You’re constantly using all your muscles, trying to throw a 150, 200-pound bike around.”
Despite all the training, accidents do happen. Several years ago, Ryan broke a wrist and both his legs in a crash.
“They (his parents) wanted me to quit, but I told them ‘No’ — it’s too much to give up.”
Despite the major commitment to the sport, Ryan has also wrestled and will go out for the Valencia football team when practice starts Aug. 5.
Competition is in Ryan’s genes. His father raced motorcycles. Sister Miranda attended Los Lunas High School and competed in volleyball and softball. Brother Robbie was the Valencia Male Athlete of the Year and a two-time state wrestling champion.
So, it’s no surprise there is a sibling rivalry, with “trash talking, all the time.” Ryan claims, “I’m winning, so far,” drawing laughter from his parents.
Where will this “winning” lead?
“I would like to see him on the pro level at some point,” Yvette says, with Robert interjecting, “The serious pro level. Not just the local pro level. Making a living, a decent living.”
Motocross riders can turn pro at 16 years old.
From Ryan’s perspective, “We just have to keep going to see where it gets us. Hopefully, it just gets better from here. That’s what I’m training and practicing for.”
Loretta Lynn’s Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship continues through Aug. 3.
