When did you quit?

The Rock
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The Rock 2/18/2016 9:59pm
2/18/2016 9:59pm Edited Date/Time 2/18/2016 10:01pm
Falcon wrote:
Sorry kid, you can't quit. You are only done "for now."

This motocross thing gets into your blood, you see.
Amen Falcon.

Like in the Sopranos when Christopher's one heroin dealer told his partner that Christopher had quit heroin the partner replied "hell he ain't quit. He's just freshening up!"

Most of us ultimately are really just freshening up when we are off those two wheel vixens for awhile.

Really like what some of you wrote about keeping racing in perspective and how that impacts the fun vs cost factor. A lot of civilians will never know the sacrifices riders make to pursue their passion either or even begin to understand why we do what we do.

That's cool though. Makes our cult even more unique. :-)
Sir Roostsalot 2/19/2016 4:54am
2/19/2016 4:54am
I never quit, now I just "refrain from riding and racing". After I tweaked my back for the 1000000th time I decided it was time to lay off it and haven't ridden in over 3 years. It helps that riding and racing now sucks where I live and is hardly worth doing anymore. Try to gradually wind down if you can't quit cold turkey.
fidiot
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fidiot 2/19/2016 5:07am
2/19/2016 5:07am
Injuries piled up and my friends slowly started getting out or riding when I reached my late 20's. Up until that point I rode every chance I got. My riding slowly started tapering off more and more from my late 20's into my mid 30's. I have not ridden since my mid 30's. I am 42 now. I think I will ride again one day, but would like to approach it with a more relaxed attitude and find some older guys to ride with who also are focused having but on self preservation too, LOL.
resetjet
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resetjet 2/19/2016 5:13am
2/19/2016 5:13am
TheGetFresh wrote:
Just stop taking it seriously. You're 18, nobody your age takes anything seriously. Focus on school and makes sure you actually learn the material. When you...
Just stop taking it seriously. You're 18, nobody your age takes anything seriously. Focus on school and makes sure you actually learn the material. When you hit your 20s, you and most of your friends will go out on the weekends and spend money on nothing. Set aside a few of those weekends to catch a few gates and just enjoy riding. Race for first, race for eight--who cares? Just have fun.
Good advice

The Shop

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stupidnslow 2/19/2016 5:35am
2/19/2016 5:35am
tbright80 wrote:
Ah man 2012 would be the year I decided to move on from racing. I was 22 years old at the time and in my sixth...
Ah man 2012 would be the year I decided to move on from racing. I was 22 years old at the time and in my sixth year of professional racing. My reason for stepping away was simply due to burnout. I was tired of dedicating my whole life to racing dirt bikes and not seeing the results I expected. The decision was tough as we all know, but I knew it was time to wake up and realize racing would not be my career. I stopped riding for almost two years until buying a bike at the end of 2014. I ride when I have time but going to school full time keeps me occupied for most of the year.The accomplishments and memories I experienced throughout my sixteen year journey will always be remembered. Racing will always be in my blood and I'm forever thankful to be given such an amazing opportunity to pursue a childhood dream.
TB, you need to give a GNCC a try sometime! We've actually got a race at the old Camp Coker and I want to try to use some of the old Moto track as part of the course. Only chance to ride Coker again!
motodriller
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motodriller 2/19/2016 7:40am
2/19/2016 7:40am
I made the mistake of keeping my wrist bands from the track in 2010. When I counted them and multiplied by $.30.00 I stopped.


shanes
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shanes 2/19/2016 8:11am
2/19/2016 8:11am
I retired at 40 from racing but still ride 2-3 times a week , just don't race anymore started racing at 11 currently 46
One Last Comeback 2/19/2016 8:40am
2/19/2016 8:40am
In my mind I am just a bike rebuild away from "One Last Comeback." Tongue
mimafia
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mimafia 2/19/2016 10:09am
2/19/2016 10:09am
Last few years I just go to open practice on non-race weekends. Get in a lot more riding for less money. And on the tracks that have timed sessions you can push yourself and kind of feel like you're racing.
mattman631
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mattman631 2/19/2016 2:24pm
2/19/2016 2:24pm
I raced MX from 11-21. When I finally decided to quit racing MX i was racing the A class and seemed to be hurt more than not. My last pro race I crashed and dis-located my shoulder, tore my rotator cuff, cracked my shoulder blade and finished off my ACL in a knee i had already had 3 surgeries on. At that time I was so burnt out I would cringe at the thought of being behind the gate. I stopped racing and focused on school. I had the opportunity during college to help out a local pro rider as a mechanic and was able to travel the entire AX series in 09 which was a dream come true other than driving coast to coast several times. My rider and I were having difficulties at the time so rather than going onto outdoors I moved back home and finished out school allowing me to get two fancy degrees and eventually leading into a career. In 2012 I bought a 05 YZ250 to play around on, built it up and started racing Hare Scrambles which was a blast. After a year back into the sport I sold my 250 and bought a sprint car...that lasted a year... and now im back racing hare scrambles and not looking back! I still race MX every now and again just for fun but my main focus is in the woods!
mark_swart
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mark_swart 2/21/2016 10:45am
2/21/2016 10:45am
I had to quit when I went to college too. It was an investment in my future that has probably allowed me to have a lot more cool moto toys later in my life. I also quit for a couple years when I first joined the Army, and of course during deployments. Tried to quit after I turned 40....that lasted all of six months haha! Bottom line, get the career on track and limit injuries and you can stay in this sport a long time. Im looking forward to +50 and I just started racing vintage this year as well. Enjoy the ride!!
mark_swart
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mark_swart 2/21/2016 10:49am
2/21/2016 10:49am
fidiot wrote:
Injuries piled up and my friends slowly started getting out or riding when I reached my late 20's. Up until that point I rode every chance...
Injuries piled up and my friends slowly started getting out or riding when I reached my late 20's. Up until that point I rode every chance I got. My riding slowly started tapering off more and more from my late 20's into my mid 30's. I have not ridden since my mid 30's. I am 42 now. I think I will ride again one day, but would like to approach it with a more relaxed attitude and find some older guys to ride with who also are focused having but on self preservation too, LOL.
Vintage is a very fun way to ease back into it : ) ! Its as much about being with a bunch of ulikenique old machines and minded people on race day as it is about the competition. Im two races in a d loving it!
plowboy
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plowboy 2/21/2016 10:52am
2/21/2016 10:52am
FWYT wrote:
I've had to stop several times for short or long periods over the years due to funds. That's life. Stay in shape, pick it back up...
I've had to stop several times for short or long periods over the years due to funds.
That's life. Stay in shape, pick it back up when you can.
X2. Racing is my hobby and sometimes I just can't afford it. When I can....I do.
plowboy
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plowboy 2/21/2016 11:00am
2/21/2016 11:00am
mattman631 wrote:
I raced MX from 11-21. When I finally decided to quit racing MX i was racing the A class and seemed to be hurt more than...
I raced MX from 11-21. When I finally decided to quit racing MX i was racing the A class and seemed to be hurt more than not. My last pro race I crashed and dis-located my shoulder, tore my rotator cuff, cracked my shoulder blade and finished off my ACL in a knee i had already had 3 surgeries on. At that time I was so burnt out I would cringe at the thought of being behind the gate. I stopped racing and focused on school. I had the opportunity during college to help out a local pro rider as a mechanic and was able to travel the entire AX series in 09 which was a dream come true other than driving coast to coast several times. My rider and I were having difficulties at the time so rather than going onto outdoors I moved back home and finished out school allowing me to get two fancy degrees and eventually leading into a career. In 2012 I bought a 05 YZ250 to play around on, built it up and started racing Hare Scrambles which was a blast. After a year back into the sport I sold my 250 and bought a sprint car...that lasted a year... and now im back racing hare scrambles and not looking back! I still race MX every now and again just for fun but my main focus is in the woods!
Couldn't agree more about the HS. Injuries and old age just slowed me down too much to be competative in 15/20 minute motos. But 2 to 3 hour races sort of lets me grind the lesser motivated folks down. Plus I've always been pretty good at cornering but can't jump for shit. So harescrambles suits me to a T.
The Rock
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The Rock 2/21/2016 11:18am
2/21/2016 11:18am
fidiot wrote:
Injuries piled up and my friends slowly started getting out or riding when I reached my late 20's. Up until that point I rode every chance...
Injuries piled up and my friends slowly started getting out or riding when I reached my late 20's. Up until that point I rode every chance I got. My riding slowly started tapering off more and more from my late 20's into my mid 30's. I have not ridden since my mid 30's. I am 42 now. I think I will ride again one day, but would like to approach it with a more relaxed attitude and find some older guys to ride with who also are focused having but on self preservation too, LOL.
mark_swart wrote:
Vintage is a very fun way to ease back into it : ) ! Its as much about being with a bunch of ulikenique old machines...
Vintage is a very fun way to ease back into it : ) ! Its as much about being with a bunch of ulikenique old machines and minded people on race day as it is about the competition. Im two races in a d loving it!
Glad you're having fun Mark. How fresh is the suspension on your mount? I jacked my back up only having my shocks recharged instead of rebuilt on my 450 Wheelsmith Maico before my first vintage race.

Damn it was a long flight to Montreal the next day.
beamer
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beamer 2/21/2016 11:21am
2/21/2016 11:21am
Very similar story here for me as well. Had a dirt bike for as long as I can remember growing up and it basically was all I wanted to do during the summer months. Then came college at 18 and I had to sell the bike at the time basically for spending money, 1993 KX 250 (which to this day is a bike I wish I still had around). Very depressing at the time without a doubt. Beyond college I picked up another bike and it was about another 8 years before I yet again took another side-step after the first kid came along. Gone back to a 2 stroke now for casual riding which is all I do anymore at 44 but I still love getting out when I can.

Pit Row

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