Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
Matthes
- January 01 2010
- 65 comments
Hi there. How’s everyone doing?
Anything new? Anything at all?
Well, yeah there are a few new things going on with me actually. Thanks for asking. For one, I got a haircut the other day because my dream of having Sammy Hagar-type hair (don’t laugh, it’s my life’s dream-ask my wife) has, once again, failed. When it gets a certain length it doesn’t look cool like Sammy’s, it just looks matted and greasy.
The other thing that’s new is I have a new home on this World Wide Web deal and its right here on Transworld Motocross.com! I’m excited to be here and hope that all of you guys that liked what I did over on Racer X will just follow me over here and we will continue our little magical mystery ride through professional motocross. In case you’re not sure what that ride consists of, it’s Observations from the races, Podcast shows, interviews, some magazine stuff, some Tim Ferry talk and so much more. Thanks for all of you that have sent me the cool emails telling me you enjoy my stuff. That guy that told me to “eat his pooh” a little while ago probably isn’t going to come here and I suppose that’s fine.
I want to thank Editor-in-Chief Donn Maeda for getting me over here, I just really wanted to continue to write about motorcycle racing for a living and he gave me that chance. The Observations and Podcast shows are both very popular and people seem to like those, so I’m going to keep doing that. I’m going to keep bringing you interviews with questions that I would like answered, there will be some magazine stories along the way and maybe, just maybe, Donn will get me a bike one day!
Maeda and I actually go way back, further back than I think people realize. The first year I was a mechanic on the pro circuit (1996) it so happened that was the time that this little thing called the internet was growing as well. There wasn’t much out there for moto people but there was one site called motocross.com which kind of filled the void.
They also had a chat room.
TWMX's Tim Ferry-ratio just went up big-time!
And that, my friends, is where I was when I first met Donn. I had known him from Cycle News by-lines and Dirt Rider but that was about it. He was mythical, imaginary and elusive. Think of him like an Asian Mr. Snuffuleupagus. I don’t think he had started MXRacer quite yet but there he was, talking moto with the rest of us fans. I was dropping my riders Shaun Kalos (11-11 at Unadilla) and Cory Keeny (14-17 at Red Bud) names like whodunit but he was making sure that no one was impressed. That was when I realized that we would become fast friends the very next time I saw him, he was funny and not above making light of himself first. That was perfect as I was already beginning to see that too many people on the circuit took packing the gate as serious as brain surgery.
And friends we became, from MXRacer to Transworld MX we always kept in touch and although years ago I asked him to write something and he turned me down (he probably just thought of me as a world class mechanic and not as the thespian I’ve become) but that was ok. Not everyone can see genius right away. Even when it’s wearing an apron while changing a tire, has grease on its face and sweating like a Sherpa going up Everest.
The motocross.com chatroom not only gave me a friend, it introduced me to my future wife. Yes, I’m serious.
When I was forced into getting married to stay in this wonderful country, I threw a wedding together in four days and although I got my lovely bride Angie (who probably can’t believe her luck to meet a grease monkey on-line and was now being forced to marry it) to skimp on the full wedding and the actual dress, she wasn’t having me trying to get out of pictures being taken. With no notice, I needed a photographer on a Tuesday morning out at Corona del Mar and thought of only one guy.
Donn said yes without hesitation and I have no clue if he ever shot a wedding before or since but there he was, in the surf and snapping photos away. Angie was pumped that she got her photos and to this day, I appreciate the fact that he made time to come out and make her happy in what had to be the complete opposite of what she grew up dreaming a wedding would be about.
So thanks Donn for that and for this opportunity. Everything’s come full circle it seems.
I also would be remiss if I didn’t thank DC, Bryan and the guys over there on Racer X for all that they have done. They (and Racer X Canada) gave me the platform, DC made sure I didn’t hang myself and they helped me become a better writer. Those guys are, and will remain, my friends even though I’m over here now. While all the cool guys are at the after-parties, The Weege and I will continue to seek out somewhere to go after the races where we can debate what would have happened had RJ not broken his wrist in ’89.
To all the guys at TWMX, I look forward to working alongside you all and learning from all of you.
Thanks to Vince and all the guys at BTOSports.com for stepping up and becoming the sponsor of both the Observations and the Podcast Shows (look for a new ITunes account soon as well) but most of all, thanks to you guys for reading and listening to what I have to say.
2010 is going to be fun, stick around and take the ride with TWMX and I. You won’t be disappointed.
To upload photos or videos, 
»
January 1st, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Right On Matthes! I look forward to your stuff! Jammer
January 1st, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Matthes, what are you thinking?
Have you ever played around on this poorly designed, slow, clunky, and malfunctioning site?
Run back an' BEG that RacerX will take you back!!!! I'm sure they will. Do it for us, so we don't have to suffer this garbage site to listen to you ramble on about the sport we love.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:00 pm
The website needs to be revamped, Matthes if your gonna stay here, please DO IT! Make it better
January 1st, 2010 at 11:16 pm
yeap man! good news… Welcome Matthes! We Appreciate a lot your job here in Brazil.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:19 pm
ditto … transworld is a step back for you.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Love mathes, do not like this website, hope he brings 'change'.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:34 pm
hey we understand … draw a paycheck from this miss-fit group / outfit, and do you thing with pulpmx and the motoshow, etc. Perfect!
January 1st, 2010 at 11:40 pm
i honestly do not see whats wrong whit this webite, i thinks its fine…
January 1st, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Welcome!
January 1st, 2010 at 11:49 pm
Hope things work for ya, no problems with Transworld MX but this web site is slow compared to RacerXill, com'on install a pipe or cam on it and lets let er rip
January 2nd, 2010 at 12:01 am
first april or first january (for “mx math” matthes) ?-it’s not negative!, I like twmx but it’s too slow now, GO J-LAW!!! sorry for my bad english
great comment from jake48… “” Oh and another thing. ‘Hater” is so lame. Have you noticed the use of the word ‘Hater” is generally thrown around by people who can’t come up with any thing intelligent to say. In fact ,the way “Hater’ is used by these people usually demonstrates the excess ‘Hate” the have toward the very people they are trying to flame. Hahahahahaha
“Hater” is so 2009. It’s 2010 - find a new word and grow up a little. “”
January 2nd, 2010 at 12:02 am
S.M. Maybe you can convince Donn and crew to dump this crappy website so something that works. IMO, wordpress wasn't meant for large websites like this.
Congrats on the new gig. I hope it allows TWMX to step up its content.
January 2nd, 2010 at 12:19 am
I'm sure you'll continue to be an ASS et while at TWMX
January 2nd, 2010 at 12:38 am
What!? With all the silly season reports of teams signing new riders and people switching colors this was the biggest bomb I've had drop on me. Did you guys do a trade for Garth and a player to be named later or what!? I only come to this site to see how long it's been since the LAST POST! (They do have that over Racer X) I also hardly ever comment on this site (third time here) because I feel I'm using too many words for this crowd. Matthes come ON! Did they offer Red a ride for A1 because that's the only reason to jump from a great site to a sinking one. (Sorry Don, you're doing your best here but a spade is a spade) Well we'll miss you over where the grass was truly greener and didn't have to disrobe itself as often to distract you from the inferior content.
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:20 am
this magazine is awsome…so waht if the website isnt the greatest….. buy the magazine
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:28 am
All you haters are a bunch of IDIOTS! If you hate this site so much why do you even bother commenting on here about how much you hate the site. Just go somewhere else!!! Glad to see you here Matthes. I think you will do an awesome job, and bring even more to an already kickass website.
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:38 am
Completey in agreement.
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:46 am
Congrats Steve. I will now be over here at TWMX more often.
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:49 am
meada and this group are kooks … matthes will be running the the thing in six months.
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:51 am
Hey Matthes, Thanks for bringing some class to TWMX hahahahahah (JK Swap…)
Anyway, TWMX is lucky to have you.
Oh and another thing. 'Hater" is so lame. Have you noticed the use of the word 'Hater" is generally thrown around by people who can't come up with any thing intelligent to say. In fact ,the way "Hater' is used by these people usually demonstrates the excess 'Hate" the have toward the very people they are trying to flame. Hahahahahaha
"Hater" is so 2009. It's 2010 - find a new word and grow up a little.
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:52 am
Yeah, finally someone with actual insight in the mx industry. Donn is a wananbe
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:59 am
Don, pack your stuff … haha. 2010, new word is get the FO
January 2nd, 2010 at 2:01 am
Is it true DC booted Matthes and is replacing him with Guyb over at Vitalmx? The industry seems to be playing musical chairs right now. Heard there were some conflicts with X brand googles and his new gig with Paul. The addition to Matthes will propel the Transworld site 10 fold.
January 2nd, 2010 at 2:10 am
so pumped on matthes getting big! keep at it, love your work
January 2nd, 2010 at 2:15 am
agree, one of the reasons I dont visit much
January 2nd, 2010 at 3:28 am
I can't believe I have to add TWMX to my browser favorites/bookmarks.
Twenty-ten is chaos. CHAOS, I'M TELLIN' YA!!!
Hopefully, there'll be some good racing in 'bout a week.
January 2nd, 2010 at 3:45 am
I'll give agreement as to the speed of this site and the many "quirks," it has.
January 2nd, 2010 at 3:47 am
why do you like ferry so much? I mean he is b a and all but damn your obsessed bro
January 2nd, 2010 at 4:35 am
Well, TWMX finally has figured out how to get me to come visit their website more frequently [despite how much it drives me crazy]. The content here is great, especially considering how J-Law seems to only want to talk to you guys (I wonder how this Matthes move will affect that!)
Just tell your lazy website designer to make this website not take forever to browse through. When I see a picture album, and I click the next picture, the entire website template doesn't need to reload. There is software out there for viewing pictures in galleries without having to reload the entire website template every time. Considering all the ads [not to mention the ones that have loud and obnoxious sound.. o m g] and pictures, it takes forever to browse through pictures on this website. And yes, I have quite a fast internet connection. I browse tons of websites, so the ones that aren't very fast get on my nerves.
As an amateur web designer, I know this is something very easy to do. I don't know why it hasn't been done.
Well, I got that off my chest.
January 2nd, 2010 at 5:15 am
CPM. It's all about CPM.
January 2nd, 2010 at 5:15 am
Completely agree, it would be nice for Swap to venture off of J-Law and Hill. I bet Ferry will be a new regular here at TWMX now
January 2nd, 2010 at 6:45 am
Gotta recharge 'dem batteries ala moving. Best Wishes.
January 2nd, 2010 at 7:45 am
matthes your awesome!!! love observations!!! i like racerx more than transworld but now ill be forced to check this site out more. keep it coming!!
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:51 am
i'll have to go on here a lot more often i guess,
good luck matthes
January 2nd, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Congrats Matthes… wish you would have stayed with Racer X, but maybe you cant help them update this site and see that there are better interview subjects than Lawrence (ie. Ferry, and about any other mx racer out there)
January 2nd, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Steve, I love your podcasts. I download them and listen in the car. Please tell me if you are still doing them and where we can download them now.
January 2nd, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Steve, I love your podcasts. I download them and listen to them in the car. Please tell us where we can download them now. Where will we find them.
January 2nd, 2010 at 5:54 pm
This is, mostly, for the management at TWMX:
Last year Matthes appeared on the Motoshow at Allisport. While on camera Steve sported a pretty worn t-shirt. Not that the t-shirt was an issue but it had apparently been used as a drop-cloth for the fried chicken (or some other cholesterol-laden food) he had been eating (probably throughout) the day.
Make sure the man is dressed decently if he's going to appear in any type of video.
The words are great. The image needs an assist.
By the way, your website is unusually slow. I often avoid it for just that reason. The addition of Matthes will not change my hesitancy to occasionally visit
January 2nd, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Yeah, this thing is a wreck.
January 2nd, 2010 at 7:15 pm
As for your greasy hair try washing it every once in a while!
January 2nd, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Matthes used to wrench for him dude…
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Some comments, Steve, nice to see you in a new home, although I will continue to read your entertaining blurbs wherever they are at. Nice job by the TWMX staff. I honestly think this is a fairly bold move, in that I think that Steve will bring a level of reporting that will increase your magazine and websites overall image, because he's a funny knowledgeable guy who calls it like he sees it and is mature enough to tell it like it is. I like that he's willing to take a poke at people when they deserve it. On the TWMX website, I used to visit it more than any other, then the change over to the new style really slowed it down. So, I concur, let's speed things up a bit. I browse from high end machines on connections all over the place, so yes, It could be quicker. I hope that you guys will do good work over here, and I'll now have to become a repatriated everyday TWMX browser. Good Luck.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:46 pm
very good post, thank you
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:12 am
Just what Xworld needed. Instead of catering to 13 year olds they can now move up to the post adolescent crowd…
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:38 am
Mathhes will be too bust suking Tim Ferry off.
January 3rd, 2010 at 7:50 am
I am pumped to see Matthes make the switch. I will be coming to transworld way more just because of him. I am a huge fan and really enjoy someone who tells the truth and says how they feel. I hate the poor comments about super steve, he is the man and will continue to do great work wherever he is at. - RJ
January 3rd, 2010 at 9:35 am
Too bust???
January 3rd, 2010 at 9:36 am
What do you mean by too bust???
January 3rd, 2010 at 9:56 am
Pot and kettle bud. Pot and kettle…
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Keep crapping on with what you know Matthes and I'll keep tuning in. i like the uneditted style and as a former racer and race mechanic from the otherside off the world, I like the industry insider tid bits too. You go fat boy!
January 3rd, 2010 at 5:45 pm
I get my TWMX the hard way - off the rack. I have for years. I've just never been able to commit.
The site is evil, so, while it may be in my little "favorites" list, I seldom come here.
I am here for Matthes. This is my first post. Good luck "Stevie"!! TWMX, you will benefit from this.
We can all follow Steve's other adventures at his holding-tank, (personal site) http://www.pulpmx.com/ and at the Canadian authority http://www.directmotocross.com/
Kick azz, Matthes!
January 4th, 2010 at 5:01 am
Love Donn! He is the new Jody!
January 4th, 2010 at 6:20 am
I am just waiting to have TWMX use the word beaucoup in every other sentence.
January 4th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
swap now that you signed matthes J-law wont talk to you anymore big guy? go matthes saw you on a espn 2 clip the other day you looked skinny dude !
January 4th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
at least you guys can comment anonymously without having to log in, hows that?
January 4th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
I don't care where you end up The Happening. I am a faithful follower. Keep it coming!!
January 5th, 2010 at 12:42 am
This is a great web site. can u imagine if all we had was racerx u losers would have nothing to do except get a job or go ride
January 5th, 2010 at 1:01 am
Mine takes no time get off the hodaka combat wombat and by a yamaha. This a great site for videos has been for years. Donn seems like a great guy, hope your brother is doing well Donn. O go Mathes, i love u r podcasts
January 5th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
That's awesome for TWMX to get him. Luv me some Observations and Podcasts. Now get to work and get some new ones up over here. Work is boring and I need a Pod Cast to get my fix.
Good Luck Mathes!
January 7th, 2010 at 1:21 am
I agree as well
January 7th, 2010 at 1:23 am
Listen to nunley steve!!
January 7th, 2010 at 5:11 am
Mathes, big fan here, good luck with the move and keep doing what you do best, great podcasts and articles, your getting more comments here than J laws interviews, the people like you man.
January 8th, 2010 at 2:51 am
Congrats! TWMX now gets a bookmark. Make this thing the Best there is, YOU CAN DO IT.
January 11th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Congrats on the gig, Matthes. The fans of MX/SX need your perspective… just keep it coming, regardless of where it's packaged and delivered.