Bad idea to get back into riding/racing at the age of 37?

FWYT
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FWYT 12/27/2014 11:05am
12/27/2014 11:05am
Kawi4life wrote:
Been thinking about it a lot lately. I haven't entered a race since 2000 in which I got hurt (wasn't my fault, it was a mud...
Been thinking about it a lot lately. I haven't entered a race since 2000 in which I got hurt (wasn't my fault, it was a mud race and lappers crashed into me) - was racking in 1rst places before I got hurt. I really miss riding and being in "MX shape" and the rush of being in a race and ripping around a MX track. But is it a bad idea to get back into it at my age? Not to mention, it's nearly impossible to find places to ride anymore - that would be the main show stopper right there. So many bike dealers in the area has went out of business too. I miss the good old days where riding places where plentiful, the bike shops thrived, and I was a great rider in great shape! But for some strange reason I've had the itch pretty bad lately! Maybe I'm getting tired of my other hobbies...and I definitely love the physical fitness aspect of MX riding.
The riding areas being limited definitely sounds like a drag. But at 37 you are a pipsqueak.
Idaho747
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Idaho747 12/27/2014 1:40pm
12/27/2014 1:40pm
Not a bad idea at all. My dad is 54 and just started racing when he was 53. And he always tells me he is having the best time of his life. Even with a few bad get offs
Langhammx 12/27/2014 2:44pm
12/27/2014 2:44pm
machine wrote:
Yep..48 here..
Me too...
I quit riding/ racing for 12 years, while my son was racing every weekend. After he quit, I started riding single track/ off-road and eventually got back to the track. I still ride a lot of off-road in the winter, but I ride Motocross tracks all year long.
I've thrashed my shoulder and had it repaired (6 anchors/ 6 month rehab), broke my thumb and had it plated/ screwed back together (6 weeks off the bike), then broke 3 vertebrates in my back (lucky to not need surgery/ just 12 weeks off the bike) OK, I'm lying, I only took 6 weeks off the bike. Lol I actually rode the following 2 weeks after I broke it, not knowing it was fractured... Woohoo
Even with the injuries, I have never felt better. I don't plan on taking any breaks off the bike in my future, I ride with guys in their 70's and they ride pretty damn good for their age. I only hope I can ride like them when I'm 70. Cool
bvm111
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bvm111 12/27/2014 3:11pm
12/27/2014 3:11pm
Dude, im 41 stopped riding in 2001 after breaking wrist really bad.....really bad. Listened to everyone telling me its too dangerous... Blah blah blah!!! Gained 80 pounds and was miserable

Started riding last year again, bet decision i have ever made. I am almost back to race shape and feel awesome.

Seriously buy a bike and start riding again!

DO ITTTTT NOW!!!!!!

The Shop

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Brent
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Brent 12/27/2014 3:31pm
12/27/2014 3:31pm
Shit I wish I was getting back in at only 37!

Im over 50 and still racing, Stop being a pussy about it and start riding!!
MBR
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MBR 12/27/2014 4:11pm
12/27/2014 4:11pm
Don't do it. You'll end up loving it and you'll spend all of your time and money to it.
LoudLove
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LoudLove 12/27/2014 4:52pm
12/27/2014 4:52pm
Go into it with one assumption: you're going to get hurt. Could be as minor as an ankle sprain or as serious as a permanent disability. The power of today's bikes, coupled with aggressive track designs, lead to the inevitable accident. However, taking the risk is half the reward, so if your can afford time in an emergency room (and have the right health insurance), go for it.

Give consideration to off-road, as mentioned above. More seat time, a little less risk, and at 37 you can ride/race just about any make, model, and size.
TX24
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TX24 12/27/2014 5:19pm
12/27/2014 5:19pm
I am 52 also. I have ridden more in the last ten years than ever before. It's nice when you have a bit more $$ time and reasonable thinking, if you can call it that.
Zook333
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Zook333 12/27/2014 6:56pm
12/27/2014 6:56pm
Do it! I quit at 16 and started back at 43. Still lovin' it at 47. Just remember the only person you need to impress is you. Screw all the young'uns and just have fun. Live to ride another day... Roll the big doubles and head to the woods...
mumhra
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mumhra 12/27/2014 10:45pm
12/27/2014 10:45pm
Read my "about me"
Stopped motocross at the age of 19, restarted at 35. I'm 42 now and still having a blast. Nothing, really nothing compares to mx.
But, as most of the guys here say, ride your age. Don't overdo it. The moment i feel i can't hold on to the bike any longer i ride off.
Markee
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Markee 12/28/2014 6:11am
12/28/2014 6:11am Edited Date/Time 12/28/2014 6:12am
Sold my bike when I was 23. Had rode/raced since I was 7 until then. At 33 I got another bike, really really glad I did. Ride track mostly and I know what I'm capable of doing and what Isn't worth it. I practice technique and things I'm bad at, its awesome. I'll be 37 this year, time is flying buddy, go out there and get after it.

Get a bike.
harescrambled 12/28/2014 9:12am
12/28/2014 9:12am
Kawi4life wrote:
Been thinking about it a lot lately. I haven't entered a race since 2000 in which I got hurt (wasn't my fault, it was a mud...
Been thinking about it a lot lately. I haven't entered a race since 2000 in which I got hurt (wasn't my fault, it was a mud race and lappers crashed into me) - was racking in 1rst places before I got hurt. I really miss riding and being in "MX shape" and the rush of being in a race and ripping around a MX track. But is it a bad idea to get back into it at my age? Not to mention, it's nearly impossible to find places to ride anymore - that would be the main show stopper right there. So many bike dealers in the area has went out of business too. I miss the good old days where riding places where plentiful, the bike shops thrived, and I was a great rider in great shape! But for some strange reason I've had the itch pretty bad lately! Maybe I'm getting tired of my other hobbies...and I definitely love the physical fitness aspect of MX riding.
I quit riding from age 16 to age 31 due to injuries. Bought a bike and began trail riding at 31. Raced my first harescramble at 34, then, in 2009 at the age of 37, I won my class for the season (not an age class..raced against riders from 16 to 53), won two of three series and finished 2nd in the 3rd series, and finished 4th overall in harescrambles. I competed in 35 two hour races, and logged about 200 practice hours that season. I'm 42 now, and preparing to contest the GNCC series in 40+ B. 37 isn't old, and age doesn't really matter. Just don't ride outside your comfort zone. Good luck!
Bruce
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Bruce 1/2/2015 2:43pm
1/2/2015 2:43pm
I just started reading the blog and am amazed at the number of guys still riding after their 30's and 40's. I raced till my early 20's hung it up to go back to school and felt for 30 years that there was something missing, something I loved in my life that was no longer there. You ALL know that feeling. .I went to the funeral of a friend who was just 50 and we rode together till we were in our 20's. We both decided to start up again when he got his cancer diagnosis. I am now 55 and started back 18 months ago. Is it easy? NO . Is it dangerous? A LITTLE! Is it painful ?- YES, every ride takes days to for my muscles to stop aching. BUT is it worth it? HELL YES!!!
The way I looked at it was If not now, when? I can't go back and do it in another 20 years so we both started with baby steps. I Bought a 2005 RM 250 , re built it and looked for places to ride here in South western Ontario( which are frustratingly scarce) and I went slow. VERY slow for the first 5 rides. I progress from a crawl to a sprint over a day at the track and dont even try ot keep up with the young guys on their new 4 stroke tractors. My aim is to race next year with the old guys using my lap times as a yard stick for success. I will never be fast again but I will get faster.
Here's to doing what you love as long as you love it. I say ride > HELL at your age your a youngster.
hillbilly
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hillbilly 1/2/2015 3:07pm
1/2/2015 3:07pm
I've come back time after time,using up my body more each time. When i came back in 2000 at 37 I was a better rider than in my youth because of tools available.

I'd be racing now but the tib plateau injury from 09 has really bugger me up but this spring I'm going to do it even if I have to sit on the seat.

In 03 I broke my neck and was paralyzed from neck down,laying in the dirt of my sx track in the side yard all I could think about was not being able to ride again,nothing else.

I always figured I'd die on a mx bike and was fine with that.

I raced my first time in 74
wreckitrandy
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wreckitrandy 1/2/2015 3:30pm
1/2/2015 3:30pm
Let's get into some vintage racing Dave.

Pit Row

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