Neither the color pink nor the phrase "Fight like a Girl" are common sights on motocross circuits.
However, the local motocross race team known as Wendy's Warriors display them proudly on their bikes and uniforms.
"It is kind of hard to talk about," Tyler Blowers, a motocross rider in the 65cc 10- and 11-year-old class, said. "We did this for my mom because she had breast cancer."
Article Photos
The motorcycle of Clayton Blowers sports a Wendy’s Warriors logo in honor of his wife, Wendy, whose breast cancer is in remission. (The Leader-Herald/James A. Ellis)
His mother, Wendy Blowers, was diagnosed with breast cancer that is now in remission.
"I finished chemo on May 25 of last year and finished my radiation on August 23," she said. "Everything has been clear since then."
Last year, while undergoing treatments, Wendy and her friends organized a team to participate in a breast cancer awareness event.
"We were trying to come up with a name for our group for the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk that they do in Albany in October," Wendy said. "And I always liked the expression 'Fight like a girl.' It just all kind of carried forward."
However, the biggest surprise came this spring as WTC Racing (Wendy, Tyler and Clayton Racing) unveiled their new rides for the season.
"I designed the bike one night on the computer and did not tell her about it," Clayton, who competes in the Plus-40 Expert class, said. "Then I ordered it [the bike graphics] from Decal Works, who I am sponsored by, and talked to them about the idea a little bit. When they came in, I told her I had a surprise for her. She was scared to death. She opened the box and there they were."
The box was filled with the bright pink "Wendy's Warriors" graphics along with several other decals including "Fight like a Girl."
"I cried. I was overwhelmed and I still am," Wendy said. "I called Decal Works, the ones who did the graphics, and told them that I loved them and they did an awesome job. I felt like I had to tell somebody."
The graphics standout against the high gloss black paint on Clayton's bike and the white paint scheme on Tyler's rides.
The team also wears hot pink goggles along with pink being a dominant color on their riding jerseys.
"Probably 20 years ago I had a Thor motocross outfit that was multi-color with pink, greens, yellows and blues. I was never afraid to wear pink and Tyler has been wearing it since day one," Clayton said. ""Pink is not motocross, but we are finding out that more and more people know someone with cancer."
The bike has served its purpose of bringing attention to breast cancer awareness.
"I had no idea that he was going to do the bike like that," Wendy said. "I love looking at it and having people come up and say 'That is a sharp looking bike' or 'that's amazing.' Then we just kind of go from there."
Looking back at the past year. Clayton said. "It was a rough year we went through. You never know what is going to happen. She kept working through it all and was here [at Royal Mountain] for every race. I think that it helped her by keeping her mind going, but she kept it hush hush. It is all for her and we support her 100 percent. We wouldn't wish this on anybody."
With her cancer in remission, Wendy also has a new outlook on the future.
"Last year was zero fun so I think I am trying to make up for lost time," she laughed. "That Wendy is in the past and now I am going to continue moving forward."