Carson Brown announced earlier this week his intention to stop riding dirt bikes and focus his future on graduating college with an eye on a Ph.D. in Astrophysics.

The beloved dirt bike rider, who has made a name for himself racing and riding 2-strokes along with social media videos and bike builds, realized during a recent excursion along snow covered trails on his 1996 CR250 that he could ride a lot better if he learned the laws of physics and chemistry. The 23-year-old said walking away from dirt bikes was a difficult choice but better now than later when he will be too old to compete professionally.

"I was braaaping along a trail when the sky just spoke to me," Brown said. "I came to realize just how small we really are in this world and studying the universe might actually make me a better rider."

The next thing he knew, his fiancé Claire Parker was standing over him pouring water on his face. His dirt bike lay about 10 feet away while Brown, seemingly unhurt, gathered his senses and checked for injuries. He has no recollection of crashing or if he even crashed at all, just the epiphany of going to college. The thought weighed heavily until he finally relented and announced his intention to break away from the track and join the ranks of higher education.

Brown plans on applying to various colleges for admission this fall where first he will get a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics or related field then move on to postgraduate studies. He dismisses the idea he will be too old to race professionally once he completes his course work.

"At best I'll be 31, I get it, that's even if I get into college this fall," Brown said who turns 24 in April. "But I'll be heads and tails above the field. Besides, look at (Justin) Brayton and (Chad) Reed. Both raced professionally well into their 30s. And do I need to mention Ryan Dungey who returned after five years?"

No more 2-strokes for Carson Brown!

He plans to slowly phase out his popular bike builds and riding videos that have garnered a massive following on YouTube and Instagram during the next few months. In their place, he will document dorm life, hanging out with his future roommate and friends, weekend parties and the rigors of school work.

"I can't wait to share my first all-nighter on social media. I bet no one has ever done that before," Brown said. "Swigging coffee and staring at 2-inch thick textbooks until three in the morning sounds like the stuff of dreams. I hope my dirt bike fans will join me in this near decade long journey."

Parker, who sometimes assists Brown on the bike build videos, sounded less than pleased with her future husband's new plans.

"I really think he hit his head in that crash," she said. "But there's no evidence. His helmet was pristine. It truly looked like he was just lying there in the snow daydreaming. I don't know why he'd throw away a wildly eclectic and successful riding career."

But Brown dismissed the concern and said the only drawback to this plan is if the industry fully shifts to electric dirt bikes in the coming years and 2-strokes become a thing of the past. He acknowledges by the time he returns to the Motocross track he might have to learn how to ride a whole new set up. A bit of a daunting task, he admitted.

"Hmm, maybe I should consider a degree in electrical engineering, instead," Brown said before strapping on that pristine helmet and riding off into the sunset.

On a 2-stroke, of course.

April Fools!