How many have "Quit for good" and

aFACEdismembered 2/16/2013 12:00pm
2/16/2013 12:00pm
plowboy wrote:
My sentiments exactly. I haven't raced in a couple of years due to lay offs and monetary restrictions (this sport ain't cheap for a poor man)...
My sentiments exactly. I haven't raced in a couple of years due to lay offs and monetary restrictions (this sport ain't cheap for a poor man). I'm looking forward to this summer and lining up again. I'm almost 55 and in the worst shape of my life but I've decided (with my families agreement) that if I die doing this thing I love...then so frickkin' be it. Better than dropping dead at work. On a side note, I've talked my wife and daughter into getting my granddaughter (6 yrs old) into racing this summer...50cc beginner here we come (hope she's not too old...lol).
It's interesting you bring up the "die doing this" part. I know everyone is different but having friends die on a moped, street bike and dirt bike it's to the point where it's all around me. All happened about 3-4 years apart. The older I have grown the more it doesn't scare me though. I am just at peace with myself when on my bike or near it. You know you've found something you love when the thought of death enters your mind and the only thing you can think is "Well, if that happens... it's been a good run." Not talking SX track riding or riding above my head to win here, just well within my means on the track or trail. While I still have plenty to look forward to in life I'm to the point where if I lose it all I'm proud enough of myself and accomplishments to this point to be OK with it.
plowboy
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plowboy 2/16/2013 1:13pm
2/16/2013 1:13pm
aFACEdismembered wrote:
It's interesting you bring up the "die doing this" part. I know everyone is different but having friends die on a moped, street bike and dirt...
It's interesting you bring up the "die doing this" part. I know everyone is different but having friends die on a moped, street bike and dirt bike it's to the point where it's all around me. All happened about 3-4 years apart. The older I have grown the more it doesn't scare me though. I am just at peace with myself when on my bike or near it. You know you've found something you love when the thought of death enters your mind and the only thing you can think is "Well, if that happens... it's been a good run." Not talking SX track riding or riding above my head to win here, just well within my means on the track or trail. While I still have plenty to look forward to in life I'm to the point where if I lose it all I'm proud enough of myself and accomplishments to this point to be OK with it.
I wish I could have said it so eloquently...my thoughts EXACTLY. Riding/racing are the "cherry" on top of my life. I consider myself lucky to have discovered and experienced it. I know every ride could be my last but so could my commute to work...you make your choices and take yer chances. Viva la moto...or whatever those feriners say.
Spahnzuki
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Spahnzuki 2/16/2013 2:09pm
2/16/2013 2:09pm
Been on the couch for a month now...OTB at Elsinore. 2 busted ribs (fuck those hurt), AC separation, left ACL, contusions everywhere, kidney, lung bruise, and a lot of scrapes that have at least healed by now. Bike fared better than me...and I said I was done 3 weeks ago. Well....I'm slowly getting better and looking forward to at least a trail ride. Cool

If I die riding....I guess it is better than dying in my sleep. Or watching 'Crashed Ice.' Blink
Saltybrad
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Saltybrad 5/12/2013 2:21pm
5/12/2013 2:21pm
Spahnzuki wrote:
Been on the couch for a month now...OTB at Elsinore. 2 busted ribs (fuck those hurt), AC separation, left ACL, contusions everywhere, kidney, lung bruise, and...
Been on the couch for a month now...OTB at Elsinore. 2 busted ribs (fuck those hurt), AC separation, left ACL, contusions everywhere, kidney, lung bruise, and a lot of scrapes that have at least healed by now. Bike fared better than me...and I said I was done 3 weeks ago. Well....I'm slowly getting better and looking forward to at least a trail ride. Cool

If I die riding....I guess it is better than dying in my sleep. Or watching 'Crashed Ice.' Blink
I just did something similar. OTB on an eighty foot double. Class three AC seperation. I have a big lump for life on my right shoulder...My son just started coming to speed on his 125 and there is no way he is letting me retire....

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Moto Soul Mag 5/12/2013 4:02pm
5/12/2013 4:02pm
I was forced to quit because of injuries. I am getting a new hip in a couple weeks and will spend the summer doing physical therapy.
It's hard to imagine riding after this, but I am already plotting what kind of bike to get once healed. But I am 45 and my back is fucked up too. Don't know what I'll do. I do know that having a properly functioning body is more important than riding dirt bikes, but then what?

Riding gets in your blood because of the freedom and intensity of roosting around a track as fast as you can go. Once you've experienced it, it's incredibly hard to let it go.
Blitz
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Blitz 5/12/2013 4:31pm
5/12/2013 4:31pm Edited Date/Time 5/12/2013 4:33pm
The problem for me is that the level of risk is matched by the level of fun and the thrill that you get from dirt bike riding (for me MX). If the risk was greater than the level of fun, I would give it up in a second....I'm scared every time before I get on the bike, forget about it when I'm riding and thankful when I'm done..but the part in the bike is just so much fun.

Had to edit this cause all of a sudden this post looks familiar and I think I said something similar before...but nevertheless....
c3011
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c3011 5/12/2013 4:47pm
5/12/2013 4:47pm
When I broke my neck I don't think I ever thought about quitting, when I was laying in traction the next day I already knew I was going to ride again. I told everyone what they wanted to hear, which was that I was done, but my riding buddies knew other wise. The following year I had another bad wreck (broken shoulder, torn acl, concusion) and I ended up taking most of a year off, but I still went to the track to bench race and I knew I would have to separate myself from my friends if I quit. I made the commitment to myself to tame down and it has served me well for 10+ years now.
mynewcr250
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mynewcr250 5/12/2013 5:10pm
5/12/2013 5:10pm
Frank wrote:
When life gives me happiness, satisfaction, self worth, pride, and a reason to stay ripped, I will give up riding and racing. Until then fuck you...
When life gives me happiness, satisfaction, self worth, pride, and a reason to stay ripped, I will give up riding and racing. Until then fuck you life. You suck.
lol, i agree. everything else pales in comparison.
LilZebb
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LilZebb 5/12/2013 6:20pm
5/12/2013 6:20pm
I quit cause I simply out grew my bike, just got back into it a few months ago after I got a new bike
BDOG
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BDOG 5/12/2013 7:05pm
5/12/2013 7:05pm
race through my Kid's now.... have no interest in getting back on one again.
BAMX
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BAMX 5/12/2013 7:14pm
5/12/2013 7:14pm
c3011 wrote:
When I broke my neck I don't think I ever thought about quitting, when I was laying in traction the next day I already knew I...
When I broke my neck I don't think I ever thought about quitting, when I was laying in traction the next day I already knew I was going to ride again. I told everyone what they wanted to hear, which was that I was done, but my riding buddies knew other wise. The following year I had another bad wreck (broken shoulder, torn acl, concusion) and I ended up taking most of a year off, but I still went to the track to bench race and I knew I would have to separate myself from my friends if I quit. I made the commitment to myself to tame down and it has served me well for 10+ years now.
I was asking my Mom to bring me CycleNews to ICU. I never even thought about not riding again.
rocketsocks26 5/12/2013 8:31pm
5/12/2013 8:31pm
Its crazy , im about as die hard mxer as it gets, but after breaking my leg the 3rd time (same leg) i lost the fun of racing. At that time in my life my son was just born , n im the sole provider for our family. Just killed me being laid up like that with my new born son. Along with the stresses of no $$$ coming in. We ll, i still moto, n follow the sport like a hawk, but dont have much interest in racing. For some reason, knock on would i only get hurt racing but never hurt out while im doing laps in our local " pit"
DanDunes818
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DanDunes818 5/12/2013 9:19pm
5/12/2013 9:19pm
Seems like every surgery since I turned 30 (3 of them) has had me say I quit for good. Last one was the longest lay off (back surgery in 2009), but I'm back at it again. I suppose each time it gets a little harder to keep going--now that I'm 41--but I never feel as physically and mentally fit as when I'm racing. I'm not holding my breath, but I hope this time I can stay injury free. I just wish riding around was enough for me. Seems like the only part of motocross I truly enjoy is racing.
Parris
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Parris 5/13/2013 12:44am
5/13/2013 12:44am
I thought I was finished racing after high school. I started A&P school in Fla. then transfer to another school in Atlanta. Unfortunately for my mom there was a year wait . Got the opportunity to race a 1982 rm 250. I raced the end of 1981 till the fall of 1982. I loved racing in the mid to late seventies but around 1978,1979 ish racing MX got dangerous for me. My dad went with me to my last race. Even though I won my last race not a word was said on the drive home. I could fill the sadness Dad was having about the end of something we got to share together.
HenryA
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HenryA 5/13/2013 3:45am
5/13/2013 3:45am Edited Date/Time 5/13/2013 3:46am
Decided in December to pick up a CRF and start doing some motos again, it lasted like 4 months untill I got rid of that bike. Feels like an injury is more likely to happen now when you're not 15 and hauling ass on a 125. I felt immortal back then, guess it will change over the years again though.
RobKacp
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RobKacp 5/13/2013 5:21am
5/13/2013 5:21am
I went OTB and fractured T8 in about 2003 - that hurt like nothing I have experienced. It put me off MX for about a year...but then

https://youtu.be/UPw-3e_pzqU
Crush
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Crush 5/13/2013 5:43am
5/13/2013 5:43am
HenryA wrote:
Decided in December to pick up a CRF and start doing some motos again, it lasted like 4 months untill I got rid of that bike...
Decided in December to pick up a CRF and start doing some motos again, it lasted like 4 months untill I got rid of that bike. Feels like an injury is more likely to happen now when you're not 15 and hauling ass on a 125. I felt immortal back then, guess it will change over the years again though.
My 03 CRF was me getting back on a bike after 4 or 5 years off, still in mid 20s, nearly killed me a few times...

Now i'm on a 300 and it's pretty smooth, feel better.

Going to something lighter feeling tho just for the fun... 450s are great on one hand, easy to ride, but also easy to make big mistakes on!
Gebken40
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Gebken40 5/13/2013 7:08am
5/13/2013 7:08am
In 2007 I was hurt bad at the age of 17 which included a life flight and all sorts of fun. At this time I was running all the amateur nationals in the B class and we had it all. 4 bikes a 5th wheel toy hauler... it was all we did. In this recovery i saw about 7 different doctors and finally found a surgeon to fix me. This all took over a year just to recover and enjoy normal day to day activites. In the year off we sold everything. All 4 bikes, the toy hauler, the pit bikes... everything but my Honda Ruckus. I was hurt, burnt out, and sick of motorcycles. I didnt want to see one, hear about one, or think about them for the next couple of years.... but then it happened.... I had the itch to ride. I got a bike from some family friends just to ride and play around on and to also see if i could still do it. I rode it for a few months and decided that i needed to be back on the bike and racing. Bought a new bike on Tuesday and raced the first state race that Sunday. From then on its been a move to the A class and all about moto just like before(except its on my own dime now).

We all know racing Arenacross is some sketchy shit well at the Witicha round in 2011, I got jumped into causing me to endo and destroy my collarbone. A week or so later had surgery with a plate and i dont even know how many screws. You could probably guess the first thing i said when i woke up and saw my mechanic and parents in the recovery room.. in a drug induced half awake mumble with my eyes closed... We have to buy that new bike by the end of the week before the rebate runs out and the cost changes...

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2T42
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2T42 5/13/2013 7:34am
5/13/2013 7:34am
It's not RIDING that makes you old.
It's NOT riding that makes you old!
Potts
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Potts 5/13/2013 7:56am
5/13/2013 7:56am Edited Date/Time 5/13/2013 10:37am
Great topic and I see this over and over again. My own story mirrors so many others. I stopped racing when I was 19 years old (1977) primarily due to financial reason. Working at a shop making $4.00 per hour didn't allow you to do much racing if you had to pay rent and eat. I focused on making a living and in the late 1980's I visited a friend who was a sales manager at a shop and walked out with a new Honda CR250 (I think 1986). Shortly there after I stopped riding again due to having kids and spending time with them as they grew up but did ride a few times a year and always kept a bike around. After the kids got old enough to not need Mom and Dad I started riding a little more seriously. The one thing I know is that riding will always be there for you!! I just turned 55 years old and if you told me I would still be riding at this age I would have laughed and said no way! I am having some of the best times of my life!!
Paul333
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Paul333 5/13/2013 8:49am
5/13/2013 8:49am
I was out for almost twenty years but bought a bike last year and got back into it.

I still watched every race on TV, and purchased every magazine printed in the last twenty years even though I was not riding at the time.

It's great to be back.
jtomasik
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jtomasik 5/13/2013 8:54am
5/13/2013 8:54am
I plan on quitting for good the day I die.
stantdm
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stantdm 5/13/2013 9:16am
5/13/2013 9:16am
I quit after a bad crash in 1992. Now, in my late sixties, I ride a dirt bike but no racing in my plans. There is a pacemaker in my chest and they warned me not to fall on it. My mind thinks I can still go pretty well but the rest of me can't keep up.
MT MX
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MT MX 5/13/2013 9:25am
5/13/2013 9:25am
I took a sabatical in the 1990's when I realized going to college would give me a better future than trying to get into the moto industry. Got out of college in 1998 and was pretty discouraged with the whole FMX scene and how it was portraying motocrossers, so I kind of lost interest in riding/racing. I picked up a bike back in the mid-2000's and have been trailriding and having a blast. I don't know if it's because I'm much older now, but I have whole different level of appreciation for moto now than before when I was racing hardcore. I religiously watch SX/MX when it's on TV though and I feel like a kid again (with gray hair).
bvm111
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bvm111 5/13/2013 9:57am
5/13/2013 9:57am
I did in 2002... sold everything! I was tired of getting hurt and finally broke my right wrist really bad and took over a year to heal and that was it for me. I always stayed with it as a fan, finally after saying for 2 years if I find a super clean KX250 05 or 06 i was going to buy it.... well there is a hardly ridden 06 in my garage with a bunch of parts ready to go on it!

Shit i don have any gear or a PU truck to haul it around with but who cares.... I am back!!!!
Barrett57
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Barrett57 5/13/2013 11:34am
5/13/2013 11:34am Edited Date/Time 5/13/2013 11:34am
I quit due to having some seriously big crashes and seeing a few people paralyzed and killed all within a few months. All of the ugly side of the sport.

My vans rear axle collapsed on the motorway at 70mph in the middle lane a few weeks ago, if there was a vehicle in the inside lane it would have been game over for us in the van, after that I decided i'm going to get a bike again.
KennyT
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KennyT 5/13/2013 4:37pm
5/13/2013 4:37pm Edited Date/Time 5/13/2013 4:38pm
Raced my first moto in 1971 at 12 yrs old and finally quit a few yrs ago at 50. Did the vintage bikes the last few yrs of riding, it was great fun but my knees were giving me trouble when it was time to head back to work on Mondays. Sold EVERYTHING ....even my helmet!

My retirement from riding lasted about 3 years. A few weeks ago, after feeling reeeaaallly old and worn out I figured out it was because of no bike in the garage. Cannot handle MX anymore so I opted for a dual sport bike. A street legal Yamaha WR250 that I can go hop on after work and cruise around the area to get my bike fix. I know it is not moto but at my age it gives me a thrill again that only a bike can offer.....with the twist of the throttle I am 20 again
scrubbin627 5/13/2013 7:10pm
5/13/2013 7:10pm Edited Date/Time 5/13/2013 7:11pm
Im 32 and recently retired from racing. Ive seriously injured myself twice in my adult life on a dirtbike and both times nearly sent me into financial ruin. I just cant afford to be off work injured anymore. Work, kids and house payments make it tough for me to even ride these days. If I do its usually pitbikes.

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