FastMoto Ride Month - Discover Skye Minear's Story

FastMoto Launches "Ride Month" with Raw, Heartfelt Story from Skye Minear, Mother of Rising Aussie Star Kayden Minear

FastMoto is proud to launch "Ride Month" - a campaign that shines a light on the untold stories behind the gates. The ones who don't stand on podiums, but without whom the sport wouldn't exist. First up is Skye Minear, mother of Kayden Minear - a young Australian motocross rider currently taking the U.S. development scene by storm after dominating the recent SMX Combine at Hangtown.

In an emotional interview, Skye opens up about the sacrifices that come with chasing a dream overseas - from leaving behind family, to the grind of daily training, to learning how to hold the family together while apart.

"This lifestyle comes with sacrifices" she says. "But we make it work, because we believe in what Kayden's building for his future"

Ride Month is not just a celebration of riders, but of the entire ecosystem - the families, mechanics, flaggies, and forgotten heroes who make the ride possible.

Where are you currently in the world?

Currently in Florida, USA

When did you realise this wasn't just a hobby for Kayden, but a way of life?

Around the age of 13, it became clear that Kayden wasn't just riding for fun anymore, he was fully committed to making motocross his career. That level of dedication meant we had to make a big decision as a family, and ultimately, we chose to move him to the East Coast so he could pursue the sport properly. It wasn't an easy move, but it was the right one to give him the best chance to chase his dream at the highest level.

People see the race-day wins. But what's something no one sees that makes this life so intense? 

People don't see the daily grind that goes into it. Kayden left his friends and family behind at the age of 13 and dedicated his whole life to Motocross. Every single day is focused on training, on and off the bike, fitness, recovery. We do make time for fun but the Motocross schedule always comes first.

Can you describe a "day in the life" during a race weekend for you and your family? 

Our race weekends really depend on the event. For local or state-level races, Kayden and I pack up the motorhome, or our suitcases if we're flying and hit the road on Thursday. By now, we're pro travellers with a solid routine, and we work like a well-oiled machine. Once we arrive, Kayden usually gets in a cycle Thursday evening to shake off the travel. Friday's all about practice, and then it's race time on Saturday and Sunday.

We're lucky that his team and mechanic handle the bike logistics, so Kayden's only job is to make sure he's physically and mentally dialled. It's honestly not as glamorous as people might think, it's pretty structured: train, race, recover, eat, early to bed, then do it all again.

If there's a bit of downtime, we'll squeeze in a round of golf or hit up an X-Golf so Kayden can switch off and have some fun. For the bigger events like Worlds, the Combines, or his upcoming pro debut, Kayden's dad Dylan usually flies in, and sometimes his brothers do too.

What are the hardest sacrifices that don't make it to Instagram or the podium photos?

Being away from friends and family is definitely one of the hardest parts of this journey. Our family is incredibly close, and Kayden is absolutely best mates with his brothers. When we're home, his spare time is all about being surrounded by the people he loves, whether it's afternoons on the jetskis, 4WD adventures, or all three of them in the shed working on the drift car. Those moments are everything.

When we're away, it's a totally different world. We go from a full house to just the two of us, and at times it can feel pretty quiet and lonely. Even simple things, like sitting down for dinner together as a family, become something we really miss.

I always joke that I'm a FIFO (fly in, fly out) mum and wife, but in all honesty, I do miss having everyone close. This lifestyle comes with sacrifices, and being apart is one of the biggest, but we make it work, because we believe in what Kayden's building for his future.

Is there a moment that nearly broke you - but made you stronger as a family? 

Definitely, it was really difficult for my other two sons to give up having mum around all the time and also difficult for Kayden to not have dad by his side. This took time to adjust but we've made it work bye having everyone fly in and out occasionally to spend quality time together. When we get together it's always fun, first year we were living in Melbourne I had the boys fly in for a ski-ing weekend. When we moved to Gold Coast the boys flew in to come spend the week at the theme parks with us (Movie World, DreamWorld, Wet 'N' Wild etc) And this year they are planning to fly in to the US to come spend time with us.

How has moto shaped you as a person, not just as Kayden's mum?

Moto has shaped me in so many ways beyond just being Kayden's mum. It's taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of staying grounded through the highs and lows. I've learned to handle pressure, support big dreams, and trust the process, even when it's tough.  Kayden essentially feeds off me and my attitude so I always try to keep things positive, light hearted and fun. We laugh a lot. I live and breath health and fitness so being able to spend a lot of the time in the gym is a privilege, I get to live a very healthy lifestyle.  I also never take for granted that I get to enjoy traveling the world, going to places I probably never would have gone to without Motocross.

Has racing brought your family closer together in ways you never expected?

The sport has brought our family closer, built lifelong friendships, and given me a deep appreciation for the commitment and sacrifice it takes to chase a goal. It's not just about race days; it's about the growth, discipline, and passion that moto instils in everyone involved. 

If you want the raw honest truth though, sometimes it's tough on the family. Kaydens older brothers have success in their own lives, jobs and relationships, so unlike a lot of Motocross families who give up everything and go together, we as a family decided that it wasn't fair to expect them to give up their jobs & friends. It's not a bad thing it's just the sport, you're on the road a lot and you need to be where the best teams, coaches and facilities are, so this was necessary for Kayden. But it was in his brothers best interest to stay in Perth. 

What does it mean to you seeing Kayden carry the Australian flag in the U.S. development scene? 

Seeing Kayden carry the Australian flag in the U.S. development scene is an incredibly proud moment. It represents not just his hard work and dedication, but also the journey he's taken, from training at home in Australia to now standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the best young talent in the world. It means everything to see him represent our country with such determination, humility, and passion. He's not just chasing his dream, he's paving the way for other young Aussies to believe it's possible too.

Is there a moment recently that gave you goosebumps, like "this is really happening"? 

Absolutely, when Kayden signed with Monster Energy Star Yamaha, it was one of those surreal, goosebump moments where it really hit me: this is actually happening. Signing with the biggest 250 team in America isn't just a dream come true for him, it's the result of years of sacrifice, hard work, and unwavering belief. Watching him reach that level made everything we've been through feel so worth it. I'll never forget that moment, it was pure pride, disbelief, and overwhelming emotion all rolled into one.

What would you tell other mums and dads just starting this journey back home in Australia? 

I'd tell them to buckle up, it's a wild ride, but one of the most rewarding you'll ever take. Support your child's passion, but also help them understand the commitment it takes, both mentally and physically. There will be early mornings, long drives, setbacks, and sacrifices, but also incredible moments that make it all worth it. Trust your instincts, surround yourselves with good people, and most importantly, enjoy the journey. Stay grounded, stay grateful, and remember that your presence and belief mean the world to your child, especially when the road gets tough.

Don't get caught up in the 'moto parent' mentality - chasing results, comparing kids, or pushing too hard. Stay positive and be kind. They are already tough on themselves.  

What do you hope people really understand about this sport during "Ride Month"? 

I hope people really understand that motocross is so much more than just racing bikes, it's a lifestyle that demands discipline, resilience, and an incredible amount of hard work. Behind every rider is a family making sacrifices, long days at the track, and a commitment to health, fitness, and mental strength. It's not just about winning; it's about growing as a person, learning to handle pressure, and pushing through challenges. During Ride Month, I'd love for people to see the heart behind the sport, the community, the dedication, and the passion that drives it all.

If Kayden could only take one lesson from all of this, what would you want that to be? 

If Kayden could take only one lesson from all of this, I'd want it to be that who you are off the bike matters just as much as what you achieve on it. Success will come and go, but character, humility, and how you treat people will carry you through life. I also want him to know that being a true champion takes relentless hard work, discipline, and consistent effort. There are no shortcuts, what you put in is what you get out, and eventually, the results will reflect the work behind the scenes. Stay true to yourself, stay grateful, and never forget to appreciate the people who helped you get there. Most of all Enjoy the ride.