In 2008, when I was a greenhorn editor during my first year at Rider, I attended the MotoVentures dirtbike school run by Gary LaPlante, along with my brother Paul and our friend Eric, to learn some off-road riding skills. Gary was patient with us. We were street riders and had never ridden off-road, and we were in our late 30s/early 40s. Teaching old dogs new tricks is never easy. He laid the foundation, and since then I’ve ridden thousands of miles off-road on dual-sports and adventure bikes.

Gary LaPlante is a motorcycle industry legend, and he needs our help. Please make a donation, and while you’re at it, buy Gary’s book How to Ride Off-Road Motorcycles. (Read our review here.) The following message was sent by his son, Andre. ? Greg Drevenstedt, Editor-in-Chief
Many people in the motorcycle world know Gary LaPlante ? lifelong rider ? trials champion ? key employee at Kawasaki, Honda, and others ? founder of the MotoVentures dirtbike training center ? and, of course, an original member of the infamous Southern California Professional Bench Racers Association (SCPBRA).

Many of you also know that Gary?s been hit with brain cancer. Even with health insurance, his medical bills are substantial. Now you can help and get yourself a first-class piece of art directly from the legendary Hector Cademartori.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Gary: https://gofund.me/832068ac

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