Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Riess.
Hi Jackie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
One day as a toddler, my father brought home a small dirt bike. Though I wasn’t quite old enough to ride it yet, I sat on it everyday just waiting to ride it the following summer. Once I turned 4, I was able to ride around my house all on my own! But that wasn’t exciting for long. So we ended up at the local motocross track, and ever since, that’s how I’ve spent my weekends. I’ve raced locally here in MN AMA District 23 ARMCA, regionally, and nationally in both the United States and Canada. About five years ago, one of my best friends through motocross was racing snow bikes. She invited me along for a trip to Utah, and the two of us took off on a cross country road trip. My initial expectations weren’t to ride, but she convinced me to give it a go. My first ride was also my first race! Here I am now, racing in the Snow Bike class of the Snocross Series, five years deep into racing a new sport.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Sports are never easy, especially when they span a lifetime. When I first started racing snow bikes I had a lot of help and support from friends. As those relationships outgrew the situation, I was left to support myself in racing. The first year on my own, I took out a loan on a bike, borrowed a truck and trailer, and went into debt to keep racing. Fast forward three years, I have valued partners that make racing less of a burden on my personal finances, something I never thought I’d achieve, and something I still believe I don’t fully deserve. But I am grateful nonetheless and wouldn’t be able to continue racing snow bikes if it weren’t for these people that believe in me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Ever since I was a kid, if I was bored, I would get into trouble, goof off, or just stop paying attention. To this day, I do a lot to keep myself busy and challenged. In the summer I work full-time as a gardener, and year-round I work other various part-time gigs to stay busy. Including podcasting, media and content creation, and working in my home bakery.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
There are so many memories at motocross tracks from decades of racing. But my first memory riding a dirt bike on my own is something I’ll never forget. I was instructed to ride to the tree in our front yard, turn around, and come back. Well, I accidentally grabbed a handful of throttle and ended up in my mom’s flower bed instead. I thought it was the end of my motorcycle riding, so I cried, “don’t tell mom,” but all along she was looking out the window. It wasn’t the end, it was truly the beginning.
Contact Info:
- Website: jackieriess.com
- Instagram: @jriess27
- Facebook: @jriess27
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtQib0nNxjzYOjbWk-f-pcg
