Posts
9079
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Afton, TN, USA
Edited Date/Time
1/2/2015 7:19am
I see posts about it from time to time.
When I went to my families x mas get to gather I realized something.
In my 35 plus years of the lifestyle I've heard it all as to why do it. Most of the time they saw me was when i was hurt,otherwise my butt would been at a race,so ,to them I was hurt all the time I guess.
But,this last get to gather I saw my cousins with all sorts of health issues. Fatasses with diabetes,heart problems from smoking,laying around eating cheetos,drinking to much. Many are younger,I'm 52,and they could easily die tomorrow.
Here I am,slim,still in good shape. I limp,have enuff metal in me to build a bicycle wheel but the comparison ain't even close.
The sport or lifestyle I'd rather call it has the potential to kill you at any time,but,so does driving.
The lifestyle demands a body in shape,even for the rider that just trail rides,and it builds cardio and mussel while doing it.
So,for me,I never planned on being able to run a mini marathon at 70 or live to 70 really,but,I sure as hell have a much better shot at it than my cousins who did nothing,no living,just watching others live.
It is a no brainer,riding is the best living you can do.
When I went to my families x mas get to gather I realized something.
In my 35 plus years of the lifestyle I've heard it all as to why do it. Most of the time they saw me was when i was hurt,otherwise my butt would been at a race,so ,to them I was hurt all the time I guess.
But,this last get to gather I saw my cousins with all sorts of health issues. Fatasses with diabetes,heart problems from smoking,laying around eating cheetos,drinking to much. Many are younger,I'm 52,and they could easily die tomorrow.
Here I am,slim,still in good shape. I limp,have enuff metal in me to build a bicycle wheel but the comparison ain't even close.
The sport or lifestyle I'd rather call it has the potential to kill you at any time,but,so does driving.
The lifestyle demands a body in shape,even for the rider that just trail rides,and it builds cardio and mussel while doing it.
So,for me,I never planned on being able to run a mini marathon at 70 or live to 70 really,but,I sure as hell have a much better shot at it than my cousins who did nothing,no living,just watching others live.
It is a no brainer,riding is the best living you can do.
While I am not one of them, some people may differ in opinion if you end up dying.
I still throw my leg over my bike, and every time acknowledge that I could potentially die.
It doesn't even have to be your fault.
I still do it because it is the one thing in life that challenges me mentally and physically while allowing me to be outdoors with a shot of adrenaline.
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Free shipping: VITALMX
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Andy Bowyer did a rev up that wasn't too different...
I also told them that when I die....I hope i go out on my bike and do it right! And when it happens....I'll be the first one there to witness it , because I'll be the first one on site at the crash scene.
It brought up a lot of good conversation and what you just wrote.....was a big part of what I had to say. I see a lot of people my age that are damn near handicapped because they have no desire , will , or use for being in shape. They have nothing that drives them enough to get to the gym and put in the work.
I work out because it makes me feel great , and perform better on the bike. And I ride because it's an awesome workout and it's damn near the funnest thing I've ever done. They go hand in hand with each other. It's also the glue that has helped me hang onto my riding buddies ( some of my best friends ) for damn near 35 + years.
How can you beat that? I'm not saying I'll do this forever. Hell this may be my last year.....I may go another 20yrs....I don't know. But at least I know I went out on my own terms....and not by having someone else make me quit.
Eff the VA and TRI Care!
Dad was screaming "why god, why" as the track owner was driving him back to the pits. He crashed on the smallest jump on the track and was struck by another rider.
The fact is this sport is dangerous. But if it is something a person is ok with, a risk they are willing to take; then no problem there at all. It is THE greatest sport ever.
As far as the fat thing, I have a friend who doesn't ride or do any sports. But is at the gym a lot and is great shape. I also know tons of obese MX riders. So the point is moot there.
Top post Hilly.
We have all been through some pretty tough times, some much tougher than others, but the bond between Moto brothers and sisters is a strong one that can't be broken.
Love your work mate, and all the best for 2015 and beyond.
Pit Row
They have no passion , nothing that gets them out of bed in the morning with a purpose , and that doesnt have to be MX , or even bikes at all , just something that identifies who you are and makes you what you are.
At a recent school reunion , i was confronted with guys my age with sticks, women who looked like my mother, and a whole swathe of people that just sat by the food and grazed all night cos its what they do.
As i said many times , you dont stop cos you get old, you get old cos you stop , putting on MX kit on turns you into a racer , and when you are a racer , there are no age boundaries , just fast guys and not so fast guys .
We may all die tommorow , but once you get home from a race , and hit he chair , that day is done , it isnt gonna be that day , but we take the risk knowing it might be, but for those who just bunt burgers and drink and smoke and think its never going to their day , are just waiting for the inevitable.
Keep it pinned for 2015
Since I had to quit riding a couple years back I realize how beneficial it is to have goals- racing goals, fitness goals, goals to win.
Life can be a grind so everybody has their "unhealthy" habit. Braaap on.
On the fat,I'm talking ride the scotter thru walmart fat,you mean carrying weight.
I have broken over 20 bones ,I'd really have to sit and think to get them all recalled. I always figured on one a year,onebig one that sends you to bed for days at least,hospital at most. I sawed off all my casts and did my own rehab except for the knee in 90,that one was big,8 months before i was walking again and that on a stick.
I'm trying to get back to riding now ,the tib plateau from 09 really wasted my leg. ,I'm thinking of building a flatrack here on the farm since it was my right leg.
I too have seen too many teens, adults get killed or take helicopter rides, the sport is dangerous plain & simple. It is totally ones choice to make & for me I was no longer willing to take the risk & put my family in jeopardy or assume any more surgery bills & the downtime. For me, riding slower & not jumping all the jumps I've hit a million times made it boring, I was no longer having fun so I made a choice for me to give it up, I have plenty of hobbies so as much as I miss riding, I am fine without it.
Nice post hillfighter.
You can stay busy living or you can sit around and wait to die, but your going no matter which.
And we all know we're never more alive than when we ride.
The point I was trying to get across was; because you have fat friends that ride and an inshape friend that does not, does not make the point moot...
Post a reply to: for those questioning being in the most dangerous sport there is