curious how many 40 yr olds vs 50 yr olds still ride or race

slotsquid
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slotsquid 10/25/2011 6:08pm
10/25/2011 6:08pm
49 and I race...RM125 and RM250...us old guys love two strokes!
Nothing like banging bars.
WhKnuckle
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WhKnuckle 10/25/2011 6:21pm
10/25/2011 6:21pm
I'm 56, race once or twice a year but ride almost every week with my 18 year old son. Physically I'm still OK, but my reflexes are just too slow for me to ride fast. When I start riding at what feels like a normal pace, I'm always just a little "behind" the bike, and that's way too risky for me. But I still love to ride as much as I did when I was 13 - in fact, I think I have more fun now than I did in my 20s when I rode the 250 and open expert classes. Back then I had something to prove, but now I'm back to just having fun. I want to ride until the day I die, seriously. Why not? I guess the bones won't take it beyond 70 or so, but I'm going to hang in there until then.
JOHN CHOATE
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JOHN CHOATE 10/25/2011 6:43pm
10/25/2011 6:43pm
I am still going strong approaching 45. I've been to LL's the past three years and feel like I still have really good speed but lack of endurance spoils my results. I only raced 4 times this year and three of those were LL related. I only get to practice several times a month if I am lucky but I really look forward to getting on the bike each and every time. I believe the bike keeps me going and don't know what I'd do without one.

RIDE ON !!!!!
ballinger19
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ballinger19 10/25/2011 6:52pm
10/25/2011 6:52pm
A wise man once said.
You don't stop riding because you get old,
You get old because you stop riding.

The Shop

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Spahnzuki
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Spahnzuki 10/25/2011 6:58pm
10/25/2011 6:58pm
41 and still riding...no more racing. Professional practice rider. I'm happy to get out twice a month...wish it were more.
JOHN CHOATE
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JOHN CHOATE 10/25/2011 6:59pm
10/25/2011 6:59pm
ballinger19 wrote:
A wise man once said.
You don't stop riding because you get old,
You get old because you stop riding.
I should have remembered that. I actually FEEL that way.
Highsider
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Highsider 10/25/2011 7:06pm
10/25/2011 7:06pm Edited Date/Time 10/25/2011 7:25pm
ballinger19 wrote:
I am Almost 65. My firrst race was in 1969. In 42 years since I have not missed a year. Have a 1800 goldwing, Harley roadglide...
I am Almost 65. My firrst race was in 1969. In 42 years since I have not missed a year. Have a 1800 goldwing, Harley roadglide, zuma , reflex, 2 ktm 450's , 83 yz 250, xr 200 xr100 , 77 250 husky ( original owner ) . Race about 10 races each year and ride 10,000 miles on the highway. I think I'm having fun. My advice would be KEEP ON KEEPIN ON.
Excellent advice! Watch out for those IDIOTS in cars!!
I will race even when they have to help me on the bike at the start line. By that time I will ride a lowered KTM300 two-stroke w/electric start and a Rekluse clutch.Laughing

PS- Thanks ak23 for starting this thread. Refreshing in comparison to recent Vital trends, imo.
mx-4-2
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mx-4-2 10/25/2011 7:13pm
10/25/2011 7:13pm
43 now and started when I was 41. Have done over 20 events this year. Having a great time supporting my son while also turning some laps myself.
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jimmie
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jimmie 10/25/2011 7:39pm
10/25/2011 7:39pm
52 years old

Any racing I did ended Oct. 16 2004

All MX track play-racing or riding ended Jan. 15 2006

Trail ride only, and thrilled I get to do that.Cool
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rocrac
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rocrac 10/25/2011 7:45pm
10/25/2011 7:45pm
47 and busted up riding Harley's and fat chicks. Kudos to all you old buggers still doing it in the dirt.
captmoto
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captmoto 10/25/2011 7:48pm
10/25/2011 7:48pm Edited Date/Time 10/25/2011 8:13pm
Highsider wrote:
In 11-months, I will be eligible for the 60+ Class....kick them old farts to-the-curb! :woohoo: As it is, I race 40B and 30B, as there is...
In 11-months, I will be eligible for the 60+ Class....kick them old farts to-the-curb!
Woohoo

As it is, I race 40B and 30B, as there is not enough participation in Iowa for more divisions.
Thats what I like, at 40, 50 and 60 you go back to being the kid in your class again.
I'm 54 and had to get out of it in 2008. I am playing around with post vintage bikes and have a really dialed in YZ465. I will be back in it in a year or so. I feel like I have some unfinished business having to get out for a while due to injury. I haven't seen anyone mention it but I like the guys I was racing with, good people to hang out with.
mxpunk
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mxpunk 10/25/2011 8:09pm
10/25/2011 8:09pm
nohing is more funny then seeing old dudes who shred at the track Silly

i remember some old dog on a yz426 used to come down to raceway and he would blow up berms all dayEvil Evil Evil
ak23
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ak23 10/25/2011 8:15pm
10/25/2011 8:15pm Edited Date/Time 10/25/2011 8:19pm
wow thx - i love that quote - i think i see the next tattoo- ha

You don't stop riding because you get old,
You get old because you stop riding.

what great inspiration!!!!!! I'm convinced - keep doin it- guess I'm goin to the track sunday, practice at least. I gotta get the 'feeling like a loser for not doubling' feeling out of my head. This crash my buddy had a couple weeks ago really got in my head, he was a fantastic rider jumping 40-50 dbles all day and slipped on a 20' tabletop and is now in a wheel chair and i happened to b behind him and saw the crash. i guess u just think about things differently when ur 49 and other people rely on u. thx for all the great inspiration!!!! and stories.


i gotta say now that i sold my crf450 and got a zy250 - the fun doubled when your just riding for fun
Suns_PSD
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Suns_PSD 10/25/2011 8:25pm
10/25/2011 8:25pm
40 years old here and I ride track often.

I was still advancing, pushing, getting faster, and was riding at a high level just 1 year ago when I broke my back. I'm still riding but I'm just not the same rider. YET!
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dirtbikemike 10/25/2011 8:37pm
10/25/2011 8:37pm
You are only as old as your body says you are. I'm coming up on 64 in January. Doesn't feel like it, but it seems like it came pretty fast. I've had a lot of things happen in 37 years of racing that could have told me to quit, but I'm glad I still race when I can. I'm not as fast as I used to think I was, but getting a holeshot makes it all worth the effort. Where I finish just doesn't seem as important anymore. It seems that I'm working at the track more than riding now, but that's okay too.

Ride with a smile on your face.

Dirtbikemike
OW38B
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OW38B 10/25/2011 9:21pm
10/25/2011 9:21pm
53 now, started racing in 1977 and have steadly raced since. Racing this weekend at Comp Edge.
motokid40
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motokid40 10/25/2011 9:27pm
10/25/2011 9:27pm
Check clubs like ;Over the hill gang and Old Timer MX, these clubs go 30+,40+,50+, 60+,70+,80+ at all classes. When I turned 50, it was like a breath of fresh air and a new class to rule! I'm 55 and looking forward to 60+ to kick azz! Loretta's has a 50+ class even!

This guy is 80+ and still race, mostly the race is to the first turn and then they cruise and was racing before they called it motocross!

1
jeffro503
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jeffro503 10/25/2011 9:53pm
10/25/2011 9:53pm
Me.....43yrs old , and still tearing it up. Took about 5.5 years off , and was never going to ride again from a bad wreck I had. I am really glad I started back up again. Although I'm going at things a little more cautious now days. At least i try to.

Tracks , offroad.....it doesn't matter man.........as long as it puts a smile on your face.
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Pit Row

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jeffro503
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jeffro503 10/25/2011 9:57pm
10/25/2011 9:57pm
Elbows wrote:
I'm 45 and I have been riding since I was 5. I have never been without a bike and still ride every weekend, I also ride...
I'm 45 and I have been riding since I was 5. I have never been without a bike and still ride every weekend, I also ride pitbikes and have a track at my house. I can't imagine not being able to ride, it's been my life. Lol, Here's a pic of my pitbike track.
Damn......now THAT right there is sweet! I'm coming over!
Whitey
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Whitey 10/25/2011 10:17pm
10/25/2011 10:17pm
I just turned 40 and just getting back into it after basically quitting racing when i was 22. I was burnt out since i started at 5.
Although now i am just hitting the Vintage scene.

Here is a guy who still rides all the time here in Perth, 83 year old Bill Watson

1
tapkawiman
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tapkawiman 10/25/2011 10:23pm
10/25/2011 10:23pm
43 still ride every chance I get best friend is 43 also we try to get to texas every chance we get. Also have a mx track at my house and just got into trials riding its a blast and it has helped my mx riding.

I will also say that the older I get the more it helps to stretch and do some training it has helped dramatically with the injurious and aches and pains that come with getting older.
1
plowboy
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plowboy 10/26/2011 12:56am
10/26/2011 12:56am
I'm 53 and like I've seen mentioned here already...I don't moto anymore unless it's a real old school track. I got into HS and GP racing and love it just as much mx. I'd ride all day every day if I could...stupid job and family...lol.
Motodude
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Motodude 10/26/2011 3:41am
10/26/2011 3:41am
48 last week...got a race at this place next weekend...thats me in the yellow JT's with the holeshot. Wont stop riding while I have breath. Tongue

PN27416
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PN27416 10/26/2011 4:06am
10/26/2011 4:06am
50 and have raced every year for 30 years now.
Best thing I can say is race with guys your age, were all in the same boat. Used to go out with the non age group classes to get more races in but those guys were going to hurt me. Not cause I was faster or better then them. But wiser and way more experienced. Race within your means. Guys like Feets Minert inspire me keep on going for at least another 25.
GILLETT
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GILLETT 10/26/2011 4:30am
10/26/2011 4:30am Edited Date/Time 10/26/2011 4:31am
I will be 40 next month. I haven't raced since 2002 when i broke my Femur and several other bones. The wife put an end to racing. Now she is having a mid-life change of heart and is divorcing me so guess what? There is a 2 stroke in my near future and racing again right around the corner.Cool
1
anniebertmojo
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anniebertmojo 10/26/2011 5:05am
10/26/2011 5:05am
In the over 40 crowd too... as a dare I took on a bet from some childhood moto friends (who never stopped racing/riding) that I wouldn't race the 2009 Vet Nationals at Glen Helen after a 10+ year layoff. Showed up on Thursday practice on a bowered bike and old gear. Couldn't walk for a week after that race LOL. Since that weekend though, been racing twice a month at REM regularly. Having a blast and it's more fun then ever. Funny thing is the starting line is filled with a bunch of guys I raced against at Saddleback back in the day as a teenager. The only difference is we are older, but the same rivalries are still the same Tongue If it puts a smile on your face and a hop in your step, it's worth doing.
baja
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baja 10/26/2011 5:42am
10/26/2011 5:42am
Thanks for the topic ...yes i just turn 45 last month, i realy enjoy time i spend at the track ( 73 days last summer in different mx track ) with my son and wife .... we start last year the mx , it' s a familly affair here
wife a 150 XC
Son crf150r
and for me 250F
and for the next Christmas we bring the bike in Florida for two week of Mx
and can't wait to do California in christmas 2012/13
we travel a lot .... and spend very good time
our maxim is
Families That Play Together, Stay Together!
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motophile365 10/26/2011 5:50am
10/26/2011 5:50am
It took me 42 years to finally win a championship but i did it in 2010 racing flat track CRA series. I took this year off from all forms of racing and I'm thinking I'll get back into HS / GNCC's in 2012. Now that I'm racing with my kids and just doing it for fun I find it to be much more rewarding.
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bents
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bents 10/26/2011 5:53am
10/26/2011 5:53am
Turning 49 this Jan, continue to ride and try to race-would like to do it more often than I get the chance to. 1st race was on a 1975 TM100, in 1975. The key is maintaining a level of fitness that allows you to be confident enough to hold on and twist the throttle, at least a little bit.
motomike894
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motomike894 10/26/2011 6:04am
10/26/2011 6:04am
My dad turned 50 this year probably race more this year then he has for 5 years, there is about 5-8 guys around here that are 50 or close to it that still haul ass, 30, 40, 50 plus are usually the biggest classes half time, that and the 125 class.
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