Soup's new advice columnist, Ben Boz. image by wolf jay adams

Ben Bostrom is not from this world. He exists in a parallel universe. A different dimension. And he runs a completely different setup than the rest of us. You can't be Ben Bostrom, so don't even try.

What have you done to get through the plateaus in your riding? I've reached a point in my club racing where I can't seem to break through to improve upon my best times at various tracks. Can you give any advice on how to push through those barriers and progress? --Doug Cronkhite

Ben Bostrom: One would like to think you are at the limit of your machine and a click here of there on suspension will help. However, we know this is not the case or you would be in line to steal the seat next to Vale or Stoner. We all hit the wall riding while chasing a lap time at some point. The usual way to pull past the barrier is not so cool if you are paying for parts. You must ride out of your comfort zone. Brake just a little deeper than you want and get off the brakes a little earlier too. Just have to take that leap of faith and flick it in. Most of the time it works out and you find a new limit to your machine, and you as well. Always remember though, picking up that last second can cost you sleep at night as you lay there in pain or revel in self accomplishment. Either way, you will now have stepped out of the grey comfortable zone and into what life should be about. Triumph and defeat. Welcome. BB

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Ben Bostrom: Hi Shelby, this class gave me my start and I will always be grateful but, if you consider working 20 hour days, packing up, driving to the next venue, working on your bike all night to make practice the next day, maintaining rental bikes to pay for fuel to make to the next venue, running a 19" front tire vs a 16" rear (metzlers) mind you, rebuilding the motor between practice and qualifying, racing a machine that weighs 480lbs in race trim with 60hp, racing with virtually no brakes (EBC green pads), wondering when your motor or the guy in front of you is going to spit its tongue out, etc, etc, fun. Then in some masochistic way......yeah.

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I've heard of your granola recipe and would like to know what exactly it is you use in your concoction. A little advice on physical training would be cool too. Thanks and good luck the rest of the season! -- bayard michael

Ben Bostrom: BB's Goo........sprouted groats, agave, 1 finger banana, cinnamon, maca, rice protein power. This the simple version. I believe I can go head to head with John Rambo when it comes to eating. So, I get very creative on the occasion. The benefit to creative mixing is......you do not have to share when the concoction looks like puke and mentally you feel like all that is man. Training advice.....hmmm. I would start with cutting out all that crap you normally eat. The companies put more sh*t in american food these days. If you can not read the ingredients, do not eat it. Then, eat smaller meals several times a day to speed up the metabolism and keep the blood sugar up all day. Going through food coma is a total downer in the middle of the day. Less carbs in the afternoon than the am. Train outdoors if possible to stay motivated. Mix it up with different sports or routines everyday. This will work another muscle group while the others are on the repair. Most of all, make it fun. BB

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A few years ago we talked for 10 minutes at the Starbucks across the street from Daytona while we stood in line to order beverages. So... your coffee order was something like 3 paragraphs long... what the heck was that drink? It was a fun conversation and you are a fine lad indeed.

Ben Bostrom: Hi Michael, that drink was ..........extra hot double tall soy latte with a scoop of matcha powder and light cinnamon. I have modified it down to 2 shots of espresso, 1 scoop of matcha, half a shot of soy ( i hate soy, but that's all SB carries), cinnamon, and a drop of honey. This drink is tiny, but packs a punch, low calorie and does not fill you with semen, I mean soy. BB

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If You were to race your brother on identical machines, who would emerge the Victor? Do your riding styles complement certain machinery or certain track configurations?

Ben Bostrom: Hi Mike, E and I used to love to race each other on our dirt bikes on any and every kind of track possible. Purely because the bikes were equal and the track configuration, dirt conditions, etc. would always pick a different winner. We have really different styles, yet almost always agree upon a close bike setting. Then it comes down to what each individual chooses mentally to be his strong point. Racing with E all those years has made me the rider I am today. He is amazing on surfaces lacking grip or tracks so technical they require a robot to ride perfect lap after lap. I personally lacked the patience before and just wanted to grab a handful of throttle, this only worked on tracks with too much grip or ones you could get away with murder on. Thank E! BB

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Being a racer of 19 yrs. I have always struggled with front end confidence be it on the dirt or asphalt.

Ben Bostrom: Hi JT, sounds like you need to take Danny Walkers American Super Camp or Rich Oliver's Mystery School.

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I've read you dislike the gym for training. How do you keep or add muscle mass without pumping iron at a gym? You reside in LV, which is extremely hot in the summer. What is your training like when the weather is hot? As a rider with couple years experience racing a 600, should I slowly take my time with technique or at some point should I just try to hang with the fast guys even if I get over my head and crash? The reason being I think I hit a plateau with my riding skills/ confidence.

Ben Bostrom: Hi Trevor, I dislike the gym, but that is me. Why would you want more muscle mass for riding a blender(600). Stay light and fast! I live in Cali with the occasional visit to vegas. The hotter the better! You must train your body to delay the sweat glands as long as possible from excreting out all your precious salts and fluids. The temperature in your leather suit is gnarly for those 45 minute races. So, if you start to sweat too early due to not acclimating properly, the race is going to be a tough one. As far as hanging with the fast guys goes, you must race yourself until you are within striking distance of the big boys. Crashing will only destroy your confidence and set you back some coin. BB

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