Amateur MX racers over 30

mx_563
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2225
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4/1/2008
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USA
mx_563 6/5/2014 12:27pm
6/5/2014 12:27pm
I'm 39. I stared riding at 14 but didn't race until I was 18. Between the ages of 18 and 30, I raced MX about 15 times total so my progression was very slow. When I turned 30, I joined the local vet racing club (OTHG) and started racing MX a handful of times per year. I ride MX and off-road so somtimes one skillset gets a bit neglected. But on average I've been riding about twice per month throughout my 30s. I'm a thoughtful rider and I've been able to make some significant strides in my riding in the last 10 years mainly from just consciously trying to ride like I'm "supposed to" (proper form, watching fast riders, etc). I don't think I ever got better by just pinning it and letting my skills catch up with my speed. I've always let my speed come from improving my technique. I don't think you need to take greater risks to improve. I've copied things that faster guys did that I didn't necessarily understand at first. Eventually it clicks though. One example is feet slightly off the pegs (and back toward the side panels) over jumps. I never understood it but I started trying it. Now I don't think about it, I just do it. The result? Fewer air wheelies and endos. Body stays neutral in the air. I'm in district 36 and we don't really have any AMA MX racing here. But last year I made it to +38 expert in my vet racing club (I'm the slowest guy in the class but I need to be there if I want to improve and i was winning races in the Intermediate class). My point is that you can indeed make strides during your 30s and you don't have to be on some crazy riding schedule to do it.

Sorry for being so long winded.
motoxxx599 6/5/2014 12:31pm
6/5/2014 12:31pm
Titan1 wrote:
As I look at my current series (desert series, for the record)...the most popular classes are the Vet class (30+, 35+, 40+, 45+)...Should this be concerning...
As I look at my current series (desert series, for the record)...the most popular classes are the Vet class (30+, 35+, 40+, 45+)...Should this be concerning that there just isn't a ton of "younger" kids racing? IS it because of cost? (Only us vet riders can afford to race any more), is it lack of interest in the younger generation?

Or is my series an anomaly?
Its the same here. Vet classes are full gates while the kids classes are far less. I asked a promoter recently why he was having a 2 day event and if it was because all of the minis and he said no it was because of all of the vets. It used to be that +30 A, B, and C would all run at the same time but now they are all separate motos! The same with + 25, +35, and +40. Thats 12 motos where there used to be 4. Add in the other big bike classes, vet beginner, +45, +50, and the damn 2-stroke classes (in 1984 if someone would have told me there was going to be a 2stroke class i would placed them under a citizens arrest for being an idiot) there isnt time to run the minis.

This sport is pricing itself out of the average family's wallet. When an 85 cost 5G OTD plus a grand in gear and other associated startup costs, what parent who sits in a cubical for 40 hours a week and makes $45000 a year is going to roll out that kind of cheese to take jr racing? They cant afford it.
Kartwheel84c
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895
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Location
Newnan, GA, USA
Kartwheel84c 6/5/2014 12:58pm
6/5/2014 12:58pm
How old? 46
How many years racing/riding? 42 years riding 38 years racing.
Current AMA class/speed? B class in MX/ A class in Enduro and Harescrambles
How has your speed changed over the years? I can still go as fast as I did 25 years ago but I choose not to crash that fast now.
How often do you get to ride/race these days? Once a week usually, sometimes twice.

My skills are the same as 25 years ago, but I cant handle crashing at those speeds now at age 46 so I back it down a little. I never ride "over my head" which is all I did back then and if I'm not feeling it on a particular day I load up and go home, where 25 years ago I'd keep pushing until I crashed. Another thing is even 15 years ago I'd unload and jump everything on the first lap without even doing a sighting lap. Now I'll roll a jump all day if I dont feel comfortable sending it. I am close to the point when older riders have sait they started to slow down (50-55) but as of right now I am confident I am just as fast as I ever was IF I have one of those days where I feel comfortable and can hang it out. In off road I think I am even faster now because it is so dependent on experience and making snap decisions on lines having never seen it before until you get to it.
honda907
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366
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Location
Chesterfield, SC, USA
honda907 6/5/2014 1:23pm
6/5/2014 1:23pm
Titan1 wrote:
As I look at my current series (desert series, for the record)...the most popular classes are the Vet class (30+, 35+, 40+, 45+)...Should this be concerning...
As I look at my current series (desert series, for the record)...the most popular classes are the Vet class (30+, 35+, 40+, 45+)...Should this be concerning that there just isn't a ton of "younger" kids racing? IS it because of cost? (Only us vet riders can afford to race any more), is it lack of interest in the younger generation?

Or is my series an anomaly?
motoxxx599 wrote:
Its the same here. Vet classes are full gates while the kids classes are far less. I asked a promoter recently why he was having a...
Its the same here. Vet classes are full gates while the kids classes are far less. I asked a promoter recently why he was having a 2 day event and if it was because all of the minis and he said no it was because of all of the vets. It used to be that +30 A, B, and C would all run at the same time but now they are all separate motos! The same with + 25, +35, and +40. Thats 12 motos where there used to be 4. Add in the other big bike classes, vet beginner, +45, +50, and the damn 2-stroke classes (in 1984 if someone would have told me there was going to be a 2stroke class i would placed them under a citizens arrest for being an idiot) there isnt time to run the minis.

This sport is pricing itself out of the average family's wallet. When an 85 cost 5G OTD plus a grand in gear and other associated startup costs, what parent who sits in a cubical for 40 hours a week and makes $45000 a year is going to roll out that kind of cheese to take jr racing? They cant afford it.
54

36

A speed in Vet classes at the local / national level. B speed at the local level with young kids

I feel I am the same "speed" as ever, but not A speed in the 250/open A classes like I once was. Those kids , with their balls on the crossbar and all the new styles of riding just plain go faster than I. If you count old guys like me, I can now run with former guys who ran at the top in the late 70's to mid 80's at the national level. So if you're counting it that way, my speed has increased, or , in other words, I am at the top of the pecking order.

I usually can do most, if not all the obstacles, but when I went to Michigan 2 seasons ago for vet fest, I wouldn't do Larroco's leap now, and back in 85 at the national, they had something similar, and I wouldn't do it then either.

The reason kids aren't involved more is a host of reasons, from cost to some of those 50cc riders haul but. Since they are hauling but and has been to LL like 3 times, those kids know what it takes. Someone just getting into it will be demoralized and do something else. And many don't have places to ride like we did back in the 60's and 70's and 80's. Paying to practice is hurting new kids to get in, because they don't first start on a dirtbike and ride the trails and progress to racing. That's the biggest hurdle to overcome.

The Shop

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Titan1
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Lehi, UT, USA
Titan1 6/5/2014 1:41pm
6/5/2014 1:41pm
Titan1 wrote:
As I look at my current series (desert series, for the record)...the most popular classes are the Vet class (30+, 35+, 40+, 45+)...Should this be concerning...
As I look at my current series (desert series, for the record)...the most popular classes are the Vet class (30+, 35+, 40+, 45+)...Should this be concerning that there just isn't a ton of "younger" kids racing? IS it because of cost? (Only us vet riders can afford to race any more), is it lack of interest in the younger generation?

Or is my series an anomaly?
motoxxx599 wrote:
Its the same here. Vet classes are full gates while the kids classes are far less. I asked a promoter recently why he was having a...
Its the same here. Vet classes are full gates while the kids classes are far less. I asked a promoter recently why he was having a 2 day event and if it was because all of the minis and he said no it was because of all of the vets. It used to be that +30 A, B, and C would all run at the same time but now they are all separate motos! The same with + 25, +35, and +40. Thats 12 motos where there used to be 4. Add in the other big bike classes, vet beginner, +45, +50, and the damn 2-stroke classes (in 1984 if someone would have told me there was going to be a 2stroke class i would placed them under a citizens arrest for being an idiot) there isnt time to run the minis.

This sport is pricing itself out of the average family's wallet. When an 85 cost 5G OTD plus a grand in gear and other associated startup costs, what parent who sits in a cubical for 40 hours a week and makes $45000 a year is going to roll out that kind of cheese to take jr racing? They cant afford it.
honda907 wrote:
54 36 A speed in Vet classes at the local / national level. B speed at the local level with young kids I feel I am...
54

36

A speed in Vet classes at the local / national level. B speed at the local level with young kids

I feel I am the same "speed" as ever, but not A speed in the 250/open A classes like I once was. Those kids , with their balls on the crossbar and all the new styles of riding just plain go faster than I. If you count old guys like me, I can now run with former guys who ran at the top in the late 70's to mid 80's at the national level. So if you're counting it that way, my speed has increased, or , in other words, I am at the top of the pecking order.

I usually can do most, if not all the obstacles, but when I went to Michigan 2 seasons ago for vet fest, I wouldn't do Larroco's leap now, and back in 85 at the national, they had something similar, and I wouldn't do it then either.

The reason kids aren't involved more is a host of reasons, from cost to some of those 50cc riders haul but. Since they are hauling but and has been to LL like 3 times, those kids know what it takes. Someone just getting into it will be demoralized and do something else. And many don't have places to ride like we did back in the 60's and 70's and 80's. Paying to practice is hurting new kids to get in, because they don't first start on a dirtbike and ride the trails and progress to racing. That's the biggest hurdle to overcome.
I see some wisdom in your last two sentences...I started riding in the desert up the street from my house...as did, I'm sure, A LOT of other riders...then progressed to racing...now days, those "desert riding areas up the street" are being closed...and with no where to ride, they never get bikes, and then never race.

That is why the entire industry needs to get involved in the public land debate and fight to keep public land open to riding...without it, our sport will shrivel up an die.

(Sorry for the tangent...)
GeorgiePorgie 6/5/2014 2:02pm
6/5/2014 2:02pm Edited Date/Time 6/5/2014 2:03pm
27 been racing since I was 5. Probably wouldn't qualify for 35+ if I faked a birth certy.

Hard to work and ride. But I don't care. Love the rush of full gates at qualifiers and regionals.
motomike137
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Fenton, MI, USA
motomike137 6/5/2014 4:59pm
6/5/2014 4:59pm
54
Been riding/racing off and on since I was 14.
Didn't have a bike between the ages of 21 and 30 because of starting a family and instead specialized in spectating at Red Bud, Mid Ohio, Unadilla, Pontiac, and a lot of other eastern U.S. races.
Ive been really slow and out of shape at times but when I have gotten my lazy butt halfway fit at times over the years I have been a very competitive Vet Expert in D14. Ive finished 2nd in the points a couple times over the years and had the luck last year of having the Loretta Lynn Regional at my home track Baja Acres. I managed to qualify for the first time at 53 years old and made it to the National! Now I'm working on 12 oz curls again for a while...lol
Wahtash
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74
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11/23/2010
Location
Bunnell, FL, USA
Wahtash 6/5/2014 5:28pm
6/5/2014 5:28pm
How old? 50
How many years racing/riding? Started riding at age 9, started racing at age 11
Current AMA class/speed? 50+, or whatever the track / series has (not too much consistency for the old guy classes it seems)
How has your speed changed over the years? Hard to say...bikes are different, tracks are different
How often do you get to ride/race these days? A couple times a week at the most.

Rode / raced every day for 9 years, anal about maintenance, drove up and down the east coast to race, crashed, got up, crashed again, cleaned gear, cleaned trailer, raced three classes, kept stuff nice because I wasn't getting new shit until stuff was wore out...way out. Got sick of it...went on to be a rock star. That was fun. Started riding again in 2011, promised I wasn't going to be aggressive, massive holeshot and two broken wrists (at the same time) and I still get to ride. I'm having the most fun I have ever had on a dirt bike

GarySemics
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435
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12/17/2012
Location
Lisbon, OH, USA
GarySemics 6/5/2014 6:15pm
6/5/2014 6:15pm
Just turned 60 (May 31). I started riding in 1965 on my dad's farm. Discovered motocross at 13 and have been addicted every since. Raced all the Nationals, and Trans Ams and later added SX when that started, from 1972 through 1981. Then went to Europe and raced the GPs in 82, 83 and 84. Then I was 30 and returned to SoCal and kept racing local and a few near by National and SXs through 1989. Then moved back to my home state of Ohio and kept racing pretty heavily until 1997. Stopped because I broke my elbow really bad on a bicycle. After that I keep riding but didn't race hardly at all until 2012 when I came out of retirement for Lorretta's where I won the 50 Masters Class. Since then I ride an average of once a week, sometimes more on my private MX School track.

I don't think about my age, I still really enjoy riding. There's no better feeling for me after putting in some good riding, being one with the bike and flowing with the track as fast as I can while being as smooth as possible. Some times I do motos and other times I work on technique drills and sections. It seems to be working for me so why stop?

Yesteryear:



2012



GeorgiePorgie 6/5/2014 7:00pm
6/5/2014 7:00pm
GarySemics wrote:
Just turned 60 (May 31). I started riding in 1965 on my dad's farm. Discovered motocross at 13 and have been addicted every since. Raced all...
Just turned 60 (May 31). I started riding in 1965 on my dad's farm. Discovered motocross at 13 and have been addicted every since. Raced all the Nationals, and Trans Ams and later added SX when that started, from 1972 through 1981. Then went to Europe and raced the GPs in 82, 83 and 84. Then I was 30 and returned to SoCal and kept racing local and a few near by National and SXs through 1989. Then moved back to my home state of Ohio and kept racing pretty heavily until 1997. Stopped because I broke my elbow really bad on a bicycle. After that I keep riding but didn't race hardly at all until 2012 when I came out of retirement for Lorretta's where I won the 50 Masters Class. Since then I ride an average of once a week, sometimes more on my private MX School track.

I don't think about my age, I still really enjoy riding. There's no better feeling for me after putting in some good riding, being one with the bike and flowing with the track as fast as I can while being as smooth as possible. Some times I do motos and other times I work on technique drills and sections. It seems to be working for me so why stop?

Yesteryear:



2012



Hell yea!!!
harescrambled 6/5/2014 7:13pm
6/5/2014 7:13pm
Niloz wrote:
I'll be 55 in a month. Raced a little bit as a kid/teenager then quit. Flash forward about 25 years and boys wanted dirt bikes so...
I'll be 55 in a month. Raced a little bit as a kid/teenager then quit. Flash forward about 25 years and boys wanted dirt bikes so I bought one too. Decided to race an AMRA desert race on my 40th birthday and was hooked again.

Raced AMRA and Whiplash in AZ for a few years in the Sr. (40+) class and peaked at 2nd overall in 2006. Then work forced a move to Ohio. Raced hare scrambles and GNCC's then decided to try moto again. Raced D12 (when it still existed), CRA and D5 Latrobe Arenacross series. Did ok.

Now living in the Philippines and still race almost every weekend. Here they call the 40+ class the "Executive" class. Sometimes I win sometimes I lose but at least I'm not playing golf!!!

There was a dude in Ohio that was still racing hare scrambles at 67. I wanna be that guy someday.
Lol...I know some Ohio guys like that.
Been racing CRA harescrambled off and on since '06, won my class in 2009 and finished 4th overall, presently beating myself back into shape racing 40+ B in GNCC. I'm 42
mdz537
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Scottsdale, AZ, USA
mdz537 6/6/2014 3:03am
6/6/2014 3:03am
43 - 3yrs ago my now 13 & 16 yr old daughters out of the blue said they wanted to start racing MX. They've always ridden snowmobiles, quads etc since they were very little. I had dirtbikes as a kid but just to drag around the woods. Always been a fan though.
This has been the best sport to spend family time together and my wife supports us all 100%.
We are now a motocross family and ride/race at least once a week during the summer. Started racing locally but have started to travel a bit more.
All of us are improving and getting faster, myself included.
Never thought I'd be mid 40s racing w my daughters but it's the best thing we ever started and I really think it's something well do for the rest of our lives. Met a lot of good friends and we have a blast.
Get your family involved and you'll see what a great experience it is. The sport gets a bad rap as a bunch of punk kids but it's totally the opposite.
"The family that rides together, stays together."
Crush
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Sydney, AU
Crush 6/6/2014 4:54am
6/6/2014 4:54am
Crazy how many older blokes are still racing!

I'm a professional (very) sporadic practice track guy. Wish I could get out there more but I don't think you could pay me to race again, I don't trust anyone except my very good riding buddies on a track.
Paw Paw 271
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Benton, LA, USA
Paw Paw 271 6/6/2014 4:57am
6/6/2014 4:57am
Age 68
Ride when I can.
Race only when I find an over 60 class event.
I am a lot slower now than I was when I stated racing, but I did not start riding until I was 30.
I have race and done well at all the major AMA, NMA & GNC national events over the years and have even doe the White Brothers Vet race at Glen Helen and did well there.
I ride for the exercise now. I don't care if I can or can't clear all the various obsticals or not I just want to keep up with three riding buddies. There ages are 66, 69 and 76....We have a ball riding together.
dl117
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Cambridge, MN, USA
dl117 6/6/2014 6:58am
6/6/2014 6:58am Edited Date/Time 6/6/2014 7:00am
40

started at 6 and went until 14. started racing again when I was 30, went to B class second season, raced 8-15 races per season until 11 or 12 then the injury list kept piling up, acl, achilese, 2 wrists, dislocated shoulders, broken arm......

then kids started racing BMX and that kinda put me on hold for a while, feels good to be healed up, I am thinking about trying a couple races again this year. Still ride as often as possible.


edit......I will never not have a bike or quit riding .......lifer
DirtDgr
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Lakeport, CA, USA
DirtDgr 6/6/2014 7:05am
6/6/2014 7:05am Edited Date/Time 6/6/2014 7:16am
How old? 45

How many years racing/riding? Riding since 10 years old. Started racing at 12 125 Nov!



Current AMA class/speed? Senior A

How has your speed changed over the years? Was way faster and brazen when younger! But crashed a lot more!

How often do you get to ride/race these days? Obama took my insurance so haven't been on a bike in awile. When I do race nowadays I enjoy beating the kids on my post vintage YZ's and racing Class 11 VW bugs!

mx617
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Kamloops, BC, CA
mx617 6/6/2014 7:57am
6/6/2014 7:57am
Cool thread! Nice to hear all the stories. I just turned 30 and have been on a surgery induced layoff since 2010. Had a run of six surgeries trying to put my knee back together, still not right but doc says it will have to be replaced at some point anyway and gave me the ok to start riding again. Getting married July 26 and will hit the practice track soon after that! Not sure which I'm more excited for....
sc961
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Hutchinson, MN, USA
sc961 6/6/2014 7:59am
6/6/2014 7:59am
Age 52
Racing since 1976
+45/+50 A class - Just not as impressed by jumping everything or going as fast as I used too.
3 kids that ride and race, or have in the past
Kids and youth classes locally are dropping in participation numbers
Vets are holding tough, but we won't be around forever.
$5000 50cc bikes and $9500 big bikes have put a strangle hold on the sport, amongst many other factors..

Pit Row

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mx617
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Kamloops, BC, CA
mx617 6/6/2014 8:04am
6/6/2014 8:04am
Oops premature submit. I raced intermediate mid pack when I got hurt, thinking I will come back in at junior to get back into it. Had bikes a bit growing up and took a few years off, got back into it in university. My business is getting well established now so things are looking good to get a lot of riding in next year.
jeff.cohen.923 6/6/2014 8:18am
6/6/2014 8:18am
30
race open c and vet 30 b/c
started riding when i was 26 racing when i was 27
speed i am finally in the top ten in most c class races and top five in 30+ b/c
every year have gotten a little faster but this year something finally clicked and i got some speed unfortunetly with speed comes harder crashes and i just broke my collarbone into three pieces at a llq two weeks ago.resulted in a plate and 8 screws. this is my first major injury other then scrapes and bruises, but it has made me more hungry to get back on the horse. hopefully by sept i will be back racing
i work fulltime as a mechanic
no kids
race 3 weekends a month usually and try to practice once during the week when not injured
Kartwheel84c
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Newnan, GA, USA
Kartwheel84c 6/6/2014 1:51pm
6/6/2014 1:51pm
honda907 wrote:
54 36 A speed in Vet classes at the local / national level. B speed at the local level with young kids I feel I am...
54

36

A speed in Vet classes at the local / national level. B speed at the local level with young kids

I feel I am the same "speed" as ever, but not A speed in the 250/open A classes like I once was. Those kids , with their balls on the crossbar and all the new styles of riding just plain go faster than I. If you count old guys like me, I can now run with former guys who ran at the top in the late 70's to mid 80's at the national level. So if you're counting it that way, my speed has increased, or , in other words, I am at the top of the pecking order.

I usually can do most, if not all the obstacles, but when I went to Michigan 2 seasons ago for vet fest, I wouldn't do Larroco's leap now, and back in 85 at the national, they had something similar, and I wouldn't do it then either.

The reason kids aren't involved more is a host of reasons, from cost to some of those 50cc riders haul but. Since they are hauling but and has been to LL like 3 times, those kids know what it takes. Someone just getting into it will be demoralized and do something else. And many don't have places to ride like we did back in the 60's and 70's and 80's. Paying to practice is hurting new kids to get in, because they don't first start on a dirtbike and ride the trails and progress to racing. That's the biggest hurdle to overcome.
No doubt on certain sections of tracks I am just as fast as the current local "balls on the crossbar" kids, but then there are jumps that I know I can make, but I just wont do it, I just dont care anymore if I leave a track and didnt jump everything. I have found that I can run with guys now who I could not even keep in sight back in the day. I know I am not any faster, but I dont believe I have lost any of what little "raw" speed I had and it seems like many others have. Last November at Rio Bravo I raced Andrew Short's father in law Tommy Hudson at the AHRMA vintage national. Admittedly, he is a bit older than me I think, but in his prime I would not even have seen him past the first corner. He beat me both motos, but it was a good close battle, and I led most of the second moto until I made a stupid mistake. I cant really explain it, but there is no doubt at 46 I enjoy riding and racing more than I ever have because it is purely for fun, I very rarely race modern bikes, almost all of my racing now is Vintage but I do still do the occasional local modern race.

Passing a lapper about half a lap before Tommy Hudson zapped me.

sumdood
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sumdood 6/6/2014 2:41pm
6/6/2014 2:41pm
55
Riding for 45
1st race age 34 Carlsbad REM,
Joined the OTHG, made it to..... novice..... yeah yeah yeah I know
Joined oldtimers at 40, made it to ... uuhh...novice...
Can't wait to start racing again in October. That's the 1 year point of 2nd hip replacement, (on the same side)
Usually race once a month and ride desert and mountains in winter between races.
Thought I was gonna be the oldest dude in here for a second there....pheewWoohoo
vet323
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Lead, SD, USA
vet323 6/6/2014 5:47pm
6/6/2014 5:47pm
sc961 wrote:
Age 52 Racing since 1976 +45/+50 A class - Just not as impressed by jumping everything or going as fast as I used too. 3 kids...
Age 52
Racing since 1976
+45/+50 A class - Just not as impressed by jumping everything or going as fast as I used too.
3 kids that ride and race, or have in the past
Kids and youth classes locally are dropping in participation numbers
Vets are holding tough, but we won't be around forever.
$5000 50cc bikes and $9500 big bikes have put a strangle hold on the sport, amongst many other factors..
Geeze, sc- You just posted word for word what I was going to. If I ever make to a race in MN, I'll look you up since our resumes and opinions about where the sport is going are so similar.
FWYT
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San Diego, CA, USA
FWYT 6/9/2014 10:21pm
6/9/2014 10:21pm Edited Date/Time 6/9/2014 10:23pm
Damn, meant to reply to this a while ago because it bugs me, too.

Just turned 50. Been riding/racing off and on since I was 10. Never too serious- just for fun at the local level. Maybe about upper mid-pack Vet Int when I was racing a lot at Carlsbad. Not fast but man, I have a shitload of fun.

These days I just try to hit the SRA GP at Glen Helen each month in the 40+ AM class. If I've been riding some before hand and am in shape, I might finish top 5. This year I've already missed a couple of those races due to funds and work commitments. It sucks ass but as The Dude said- "you gotta feed the monkey."

The biggest hassles are money and fitness. (the girlfriends that have gotten too time demanding don't remain girlfriends for long.) I'm lucky if I can afford to go ride twice a month. There's just no way to be in race shape riding that infrequently. Even though I get into the gym regularly, it's not the same as on a bike. So half the time when I go race, I know I'll have to back it down just so I don't get tired and do something silly that gets me hurt. Gotta go to work tomorrow!

But man it's fun. I love the feeling of finishing a race and just knowing I rode to the best of my ability and safely. I really don't even care that much (sorta) where I finish. It's a bitch as we get older but you know what's cool? Talking to other 50 year olds and telling them you race dirt bikes. They think you are INSANE. hhahahhahhahahhah Dirt bikes keep us YOUNG!!!!!!!!!

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