Video: There’s a Reason Why I Race Motorcycles

Like a lot of young riders that have tasted success, Michael Gilbert wants to make roadracing his life. Unlike a lot of young riders, he's mature enough to know that he needs a backup plan in case racing professionally doesn't pan out. Lucky for him, his Plan B still entails motorcycles thanks to the fact that he landed a job as an associate editor at Motorcyclist's sister publication Sport Rider.

This video, shared with permission from Sport Rider, gives a glimpse into 20-year-old Gilbert's ultra-busy world and provides some insight into what makes one of the industry's youngest players tick. It also serves to make the rest of us feel like slackers as Gilbert kicks butt on two fronts as he tackles what are ostensibly two full-time and extremely demanding jobs.

I've known Gilbert for a few years and remember when he made the jump from our local race club to the national MotoAmerica level. I also remember when he started sniffing around for a job at Sport Rider. It's been great to see him experience success in both endeavors, and I wish him the best of luck heading into the 2017 publishing season and the 2017 race season.