Gettin angry at motocross

nytsmaC
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Frig Off, CA
6/21/2018 1:02pm
Park it for a while, take a step away from it. Been there. No need to force it, you’ll know when you want it again.
Mx451
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Bozeman, MT, USA
6/21/2018 1:20pm
If it feels right take a break. Sell, don't sell, either way when\if the time is right motocross will still be there waiting for you.
psg119
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Menifee, CA, USA
6/21/2018 1:36pm
I understand both your brother's side and yours. I was in a bad crash that nearly took my life when I was 17 at a club race, just a month before my expect AMA Pro Road Racing debut. It never crossed my mind once that I would be done riding. I took one year off of racing. Rode moto and trained hard to get back in shape then went into the AMA Supersport West rounds at the start of 2010. I did well, getting 3 podium finishes out of 5 races. But after the season I was out at Milestone with my cousin when he cross-rutted off a jump, knocking himself out and aspirating. After sitting in the hospital with him for a few weeks I was able to see and feel what I had put my family through and decided to hang up the boots all together out of respect for them.

I was born and raised on it like yourself and I have found that its extremely difficult for me to find anything that replaces the feeling of being on a bike. Right now I have desperately been wanting a bike again (just wanting to have fun and be a vet track hero) but I am also engaged and about to start a new chapter in life. My parents and fiance obviously don't completely support my decision in getting a bike again so I am torn. But I feel God gave me my talent to ride a bike well for a reason as well and have also not felt anything to fill that void. So I will most likely end up getting a bike again after a long long break and be wearing every high quality piece of protection they sell and ride within my limits. I have a future family I am committed to now.

So I'd support your brother in whatever decisions he makes regarding riding again and as for yourself maybe you do need a break. It's natural to be angry. If it's in your blood like it is mine though the anger will pass and I am sure you find your way back to it. But maybe with a different mindset as to not having to hit every jump on the track and just enjoying being on the machine itself (if that's what mindset you have. I was overly competitive haha). And if you are spiritual maybe pray on it. God doesn't want you to live life fearing death, but if you have responsibilities that come first you probably know what's right and wrong.

Thoughts and prayers for your brother, you, and your family.

Scott Gilbert
jeffro503
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St Helens, OR, USA
6/21/2018 1:42pm
omalley wrote:
Good advice by the others. I had a similar experience with airplanes. From basically birth, I was around airplanes, both full scale and RC. I was...
Good advice by the others. I had a similar experience with airplanes. From basically birth, I was around airplanes, both full scale and RC. I was especially fascinated with WWII stuff, especially the modified warbirds that raced at Reno. I wanted to earn my pilots certificate and originally tried to go in the military to be a pilot (I had a medical issue that prevented it). Unfortunately the first time I got to go to the air races was 2011. That was the year the Galloping Ghost crashed into the spectator area, and it did it right in front of our seats. We were very close to being hit, and sadly watched many who were.
I went from being at the only place I’d like to be, to never wanting to see another airplane as long as I lived. It was weeks before I even looked at the photos I had taken that morning.
The moral is that over time, my love for airplanes returned. I went and earned my private certificate. I went back to Reno twice more and loved every minute.

Give yourself a breather. Keep your bike and gear. If you have to sell the bike, keep your gear. I learned that last one the hard way when I quit riding years ago, only to start again.

Ultimately, motocross (and motorcycles in general) can hurt and kill us. Sad but true. Each of us needs to make peace with that. If after a rest period, you cannot, then it might be time to re-evaluate.

Hope this helps, and good luck.
Omalley....I think I have met you. Riding one day at Riverdale , I met ( I think ) you and it was either your dad or your brother? We got onto the subject about RC , and you mentioned you were at the air races when that plane crashed. This was probably 4 - 5 years ago? I didn't put two and two together until you mentioned it above. Hope you guys are well.

Georgie........Like some other's have mentioned , don't sell your stuff. Clean everything up and put it all aside , and enjoy some other things in life. I have to much love for the sport to completely quit ( at least right now ) , but I totally get what you are saying. I'm at a certain point right now , that I may hang up my boots for a while too. My work beats me up pretty bad at times ( like it has been doing quite a bit lately ).....and even though I have the energy to go do something else , I may not have the energy or strength to go pound laps on my bikes. And lately.....I've felt like I was forcing myself to go riding. Being sore and tired " before " you even get to the track every time......starts to get old.

I'm hot and cold with this sport sometimes , and a lot of that center's around what I feel like from work. And FWIW.....in non-moto I started a thread about Bass fishing , and come to find out....quite a few on here do that as well. I'm totally new to it , but really want to learn. Not just for Bass , but a lot of different fish. It's exciting and fun and it isn't beating the crap out of my like my work and riding do sometimes.

You'll figure something out , but in the mean time....don't sell anything , just take an extended break.

The Shop

newmann
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6/21/2018 1:44pm
DoctorJD wrote:
I'm about to liquidate all of our bikes, but I'll probably keep my YZ250 just to trail ride and fart around on. My son is in...
I'm about to liquidate all of our bikes, but I'll probably keep my YZ250 just to trail ride and fart around on. My son is in college, and also is in a band that's doing pretty well right now. He said he couldn't afford another injury, so he isn't interested in riding. My main reason for riding was being able to ride with him, so if he isn't interested in it, then neither am I. I'm 55 and I spend more time thinking about what I'm going to do if I get hurt, instead of thinking about how cool it is to ride.

I find much more joy in mountain biking. So much less anxiety, and I have just as much fun ripping the trails. Yes, I crash in mountain biking, but most of the time it's just some skin abrasions, and in the rare case, some cracked ribs like I did back in February.

It's hard to imagine my life without a dirt bike in the garage, which is probably why I'm keeping my YZ, but I doubt she'll see much action. Like newmann said, I've walked away from moto several times in my life, but I've always come back. This time it just feels different, I'm more okay with it than I've ever been in the past.
Liquidate? Yep, I'm there too. I have sold off some of my really nice stuff over the past few years, and even given away a few projects and bikes that I would rather see go to good homes than to sell them on Craigslist or Ebay. I have a bunch of stuff that I plan to sell in the near future to try and get my stuff back to where it is manageable and "fun". When it gets to the point that you no longer own it, and it owns you...well it is time to cut back.

I got my kids into it and my brother and then one day it's like I didn't have any time for it. The kids and I each have a 79 or 80 CR125 as does my brother so the idea was that we could always make our own class regardless of who else showed up. Still plan on that so I can't give up the urge just yet. Besides, that Cycle Ranch trip last month was a frigging blast.
kkawboy14
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6/21/2018 2:11pm
GuyB wrote:
I think that everyone involved in it has an occasional love/hate relationship with it. Good bar-to-bar racing? Love. Two-stroke smell? Love. A freshly tilled track? Love...
I think that everyone involved in it has an occasional love/hate relationship with it.

Good bar-to-bar racing? Love. Two-stroke smell? Love. A freshly tilled track? Love.

Injuries? Hate. Friends in wheelchairs? Hate. Having to ask on the status of a rider after a big crash? Hate.
You hit on a couple of my highs and lows pretty well!
Lastander
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SE
6/21/2018 2:21pm Edited Date/Time 6/21/2018 2:22pm
I quit mx for a year in 2012, best thing i have ever done.
Played golf for a year, and then i had the motivation to get back to racing.
Went from being a mid-pack c/b class rider to a mid pack rider in the swedish nationals
Bramlett321
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Texarkana, TX, USA
6/21/2018 2:27pm
I am going through this very same thing, so much so that your words freaked my ass out. Every time I go to ride or got to do anything moto related I flake out at the last minute. In October I broke my back for the second time and I was racing moto like an idiot when I said at 47 years old I was done with it. So at Greenville MX Park I over shoot a big table to flat and destroy my L2 vertebrae. I knew better to ride moto, all of my recent racing and riding has been in the woods and I love it but breaking my back brought out relapse (which is another story) and the marriage after 23 years is about to end. Lol, damn I’ve depressed the forum... I think we go through these things sometimes but God always has a greater plan !! Don’t give up on your love for the bike, take a nap from it as you and your family have been through something very hurtful.
Kdunkin
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Mundelein, IL, USA
Fantasy
6/21/2018 2:40pm
Most if not all people who devote there lives to this sport go through these emotions, so just keep that in mind and let time decide your next steps regardless if that means riding again or finding a new passion. .
6/21/2018 2:53pm
Hate to break it to you but nothing else compares, I have tried.

Easy solution just take a break from it until you want to do it again, I'm guessing you not trying to become a pro so take a rest from the saddle and the buzz will come back.
6/21/2018 2:57pm
I stepped away from it for a few yrs (riding) because I mainly got into guns and was a little bit burned out with MX. Now I find myself completely re-energised with the wanting to fix-up and ride/race the older bikes. It's slower, and I just think the atmosphere and goal of the riders is a little bit different and more fun orientated for me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zQ1Ekx-1Yc

My advice would be to not force it - take some time out of the sport for a while (months, perhaps yrs if necessary) and basically change it up a bit. Whether that be something like the niche ^ I'm getting into, or trail riding or whatever; riding's riding. You'll always have the bug and it'll always be there waiting for you when you want to return.
6/21/2018 3:31pm Edited Date/Time 6/21/2018 4:07pm
I was reading this post & watching Fox news this evening. I though this quote is not only fitting for this post, but for me too...

“It is fate, destiny, nemesis. Perhaps the dawning of knowledge, the coming of sin. Or more prosaically, the catastrophe that awaits everyone from a single false move, wrong turn, fatal encounter. Every life has such a moment. What distinguishes us is whether—and how—we ever come back.”

― Charles Krauthammer, Things That Matter: Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes, and Politics 1950-2018

Dont know why I am feeling so philosophical at the moment. Here is another quote from a poster I had hanging up in my room when I was a youngster. Some of the truest words ever spoken...

"I think it is better to risk my life
and to be a "has been"
than to never have been at all.
Even though crippled and busted in half,
it has been better to take a chance
to win a victory
or suffer a defeat
than to live like others do
who will never know
a victory or a defeat
because they have had not the guts to try either."

Evel Knievel

My best to you and your brother.
Hcallz5
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6/21/2018 3:37pm Edited Date/Time 6/21/2018 3:38pm
You ought to give single track riding a try, you may find it's a helluva lot more fun than riding around in circles trying to be the fastest guy. Plus you don't have to fall 25ft out of the sky doing 30 mph and land on your head.

Not saying you can't still get hurt but at least you can chill out and just go for an enjoyable ride rather than having to clear doubles and triples at speed and risk going down like you mentioned.
6/21/2018 3:54pm
hope all is well with him. as others I have been down this road. put my knee on backwards. sold everything. pissed I didn't even crash lol. major reconstruction blah blah. 6 months later I was riding Silly a new bike. I ride at a level I can control. If I get 1st or 10th fun is the goal. I cant get into anything else. boring or cant afford an off road truck haaa. I have played every sport every hobby. the other day it was 96 degrees I was beat after work. thinking im not going riding tonight. after the 1st session, I felt better. I think being uncomfortable and challenged is good for humans. I love the wrenching in shop.. I love the sweat. I love how hard it is. never miss a pro race. im addicted. I would keep the bike and chill. time will tell.
NorCal 50+
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6/21/2018 4:43pm
I am coming up on 40 years of riding, and I have both the physical and mental scars. I have seen it all, including death right in front of my eyes, that in an instant turned a fun, sunny afternoon into a horror movie. A million times I have asked the question "why?"
It's a very tough question that can only be answered from deep within. Nothing about this sport makes any sense. There is nothing logical about it, so I don't pretend that it is logical. It comes from emotion and spirit and a place that none of us can really understand. But I am still getting on that bike.
sandman768
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Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
6/21/2018 5:14pm
Angry? I just destroyed my good knee last weekend at Unadilla....it's so swollen they can't even operate on it yet... I can't walk and can barely get dressed. 50 years old, looking at full knee reconstruction.....rehab is fucking brutal...had my other knee done 8 years ago. It's not life or death but without riding/ working on the bikes/ training, I"m a lost soul... I don't know how guys walk away from moto, I couldn't do it if I tried........hope your brother gets well....
tempura
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JP
6/21/2018 5:35pm
I spent 5 weeks in hospital at the start of the year.
Haven’t been back on the bikes since (doctors orders). I’ve rolled them out and started them up a few times, but to be honest I feel it may be time to move on from it all. Not getting any younger, and recovery gets longer and more doubtful. There comes a point where the risk and expenses just don’t add up.
ledger
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6/21/2018 5:48pm
Lot of good peeps here with good advice, we all have to hit the reset button at some point. I say...go with your gut feeling and do what you have to do. I've thrown the towel in quite a few times through almost forty five years of passion for this sport, but always felt like a kid at Christmas time when I would pull out my old gear or STUFF that us Moto Head's tend to collect. So, with saying that... store away things that you know will put a smile on your face... When You Return. Anyway, thoughts and prayers to your brother, and... do what makes you happy.
usafwx
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Trussville, AL, USA
6/22/2018 7:12am
First prayers, thoughts and best wishes for your brother. I'm currently in this emotional rollercoaster with moto. I got orders from NJ to AZ and a month later sold my bike due to a lack of track options, lack of friends to ride with, work interfering, cost, etc. It was a total spur of the moment thing and somehow thought life would be easier without moto, it was worse. As others mentioned selling my bike, gear, tools, etc. have made it even more impossible getting back into moto from a financial stand point. I tried mountain biking, gaming, nothing worked. Focused on getting into grad school and now that that's done. I'm bored, depressed and longing to be back on the bike. But then the financial side, injury side, responsible adult side reminds my heart it's not a feasible option. Jump on here, watch a race, hang out with friends at their races and I'm thrown back into the emotional turmoil. Good luck with whatever you do but I would say don't act rashly and let it sit for a bit.
honda341
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6/22/2018 7:55am
Was at a local race and was knocked into a coma for two weeks. 364 days later was my first ride back. Try to ride when I can, but being a new father to be, working, honey-dos, moto-poor, and everything else that comes up, it is a once a month hobby. Love it though and have ridden since I was 5 and hope to keep going for a long time. I'd keep the bike because once it is gone, so is the hobby.
Brap!
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Campbellsville, KY, USA
6/22/2018 8:05am
I went from Moto to woods riding and racing. I actually like woods riding more and only occasionally miss motocross. You can still get hurt, but I do think it’s a bit safer, especially if you just joy ride.

I love riding, it’s always been my main sport/hobby since I was 7 years old. I’m 30 now with two boys and a baby girl on the way. My wife is a stay at home mom. My family depends on me. I just make it a point not to push past my riding ability and have fun. If I had to, I would step away and sell it all in a heart beat. It will always be there when I’m ready.
KennyT
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Vista, CA, USA
Fantasy
6/22/2018 8:07am
We lost a family friend years ago...Brandon Layton. When that happened I went from MX on my mind constantly to not wanting to follow it or ride anymore. I saw what it did to his parents and wanted nothing to do with it any longer. Other times when I had it with MX was whenever a rider was seriously injured. Like Bailey, Fonseca etc....those times def put a damper on my enthusiasm

After a couple years I eased back into it and have been with it ever since. It’s perfectly normal for you to go through this. Get angry with it and move away from it for awhile and come back when you’re ready....or stay away. Whatever makes you happy
omalley
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Snohomish, WA, USA
6/22/2018 8:10am
jeffro503 wrote:
Omalley....I think I have met you. Riding one day at Riverdale , I met ( I think ) you and it was either your dad or...
Omalley....I think I have met you. Riding one day at Riverdale , I met ( I think ) you and it was either your dad or your brother? We got onto the subject about RC , and you mentioned you were at the air races when that plane crashed. This was probably 4 - 5 years ago? I didn't put two and two together until you mentioned it above. Hope you guys are well.

Georgie........Like some other's have mentioned , don't sell your stuff. Clean everything up and put it all aside , and enjoy some other things in life. I have to much love for the sport to completely quit ( at least right now ) , but I totally get what you are saying. I'm at a certain point right now , that I may hang up my boots for a while too. My work beats me up pretty bad at times ( like it has been doing quite a bit lately ).....and even though I have the energy to go do something else , I may not have the energy or strength to go pound laps on my bikes. And lately.....I've felt like I was forcing myself to go riding. Being sore and tired " before " you even get to the track every time......starts to get old.

I'm hot and cold with this sport sometimes , and a lot of that center's around what I feel like from work. And FWIW.....in non-moto I started a thread about Bass fishing , and come to find out....quite a few on here do that as well. I'm totally new to it , but really want to learn. Not just for Bass , but a lot of different fish. It's exciting and fun and it isn't beating the crap out of my like my work and riding do sometimes.

You'll figure something out , but in the mean time....don't sell anything , just take an extended break.
Small world...yep, that would’ve been my dad and I. Doing well and (ironically for this thread) back riding after about 4 years off. Likewise on the best wishes.
mark_swart
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Chapin, SC, USA
6/22/2018 9:18am
I've taken a few breaks over the years, but I think when you see someone close to you get hurt, it just deflates you a bit. Last month I ended up racing two days in a row (not really my thing, but I am in a vintage series and a modern series and this is how the calendar worked out). Anyway, the vintage race on Saturday was emotional because our club president made his return to visit the races after a serious spinal cord injury in March. The club contacted David Bailey, and he was willing to come to the PNW, spend some time with Jan, and hang out at the races. Very cool, but pretty emotional.
Then on Sunday a really good friend went down in a first lap traffic crash, breaking his wrist and shoulder. I was out on the track helping after the fall and ride his bike back and loaded his stuff so his parents could focus on getting him out of there.
All of that to say...the downside of our sport can take a toll, even when we aren't the ones who are hurt. I have had very little motivation to train or ride since then. I feel like it's coming back now. I can't say I feel angry with the sport, but I could see where you would.
Maybe take a step back, pick up a project, pick up a goofy vintage bike, something like that to put the fun back in it.
stone881
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Fruita, CO, USA
6/22/2018 9:34am Edited Date/Time 6/22/2018 9:35am
Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your brother, a positive attitude makes all the difference. That being said, don't be mad at moto, these things happen in all areas of life. Take a break and listen to your heart, it may lead you to moto again and it may not.

I broke my femur for the second time about 10 days ago, but neither time was on a dirt bike. I had similar thoughts about changing my life for about 2 days, but in the end I am a rider, period.

To me it is important to take the steps that you can prior to an event, so that you have some piece of mind while riding. Obviously health insurance is important, disability insurance is a pretty great idea too. Then dress for the crash, there is some great gear out there that can help, but of course we know gear can't prevent everything. Often times it seems like things happen in the most benign situations.

Life is random, you just never know what is coming your way. But as long as you get up again, it doesn't matter. Don't let this keep you down man!

Broken femur - skiing
Broken femur- mtb
broken arm- moto
broken collarbone- moto
broken collarbone- football
broken collarbone- mtb
broken collarbone- moto
broken ribs- moto
broken ribs- moto
torn ligaments foot- bar fight
broken thumb- skiing
broken thumb-skiing
partial tear mcl- moto
partial tear mcl- moto
amputated finger- work accident

Counting the days until I can go ride!
6/22/2018 10:53am
currently, I am on the mend and taking a break from moto. over the past 5 years Ive racked up multiple concussions, ACL replacement in one knee, ligament damage in the other, dislocated hip and 3 separated shoulders.

Each time something happens I have a two week period of frustration and hating that this all comes "having fun, not racing" type of riding, and that It is not getting me anything in life.

after that period, I reflect on how gratifying it is to throw my leg over a bike and be out doing something I've been passionate about as a kid, something that not many "normal" people will ever get to experience. I then start to crave that feeling again, and it usually helps keep me motivated through physical therapy to not only make a recovery but come back even stronger!

I would suggest maybe selling some stuff, but be sure to keep atleast one bike. maybe set it up for something a little different like dual sporting, or better yet throw some bark busters on and go hit the trails. I used to be a moto guy only, but getting into trail riding and harescrambles has shown me an entirely new side to moto. great people, awesome scenery and i find it alot easier to work towards personal bests and not feel so defeated when I am not the fastest lap of the day or whatever.

I have a dream of being able to eventually get into physical therapy or personal training to help other athletes and moto people... maybe then I will be able to step away and live vicariously through others while still enjoying the sport!

IWreckALot
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6/22/2018 11:37am
Angry seems like an odd emotion to have at a sport. Is that the word you're looking for? Or maybe a different emotion? Maybe I'm unnecessarily caught up on semantics.

The guys suggesting cross country or harescrambles, that stuff has it's own set of risks. I'd agree that it's a lower risk, but it's much higher than other sports still. Seen plenty of life changing injuries.

The sport carries risk and that's what is attractive to it. If you can't accept that it might be you, for a reason that is often beyond your control, then its time to put the bike up for a bit.

Been struggling to find the motivation to go ride lately. Injuries are in the list of reasons I'm personally trying to weigh whether its worth it still.
Kyle_McNab
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Crofton, MD, USA
6/22/2018 12:11pm
Try mtb its really fun. But wait till your actually over your situation your attitude will probably change
6/22/2018 12:21pm
^^^ this or I know I am gong to get grilled for even suggesting it but get a street bike (maybe dual sport?). Nothing like taking a country ride to clear your mind after a hard day at work etc..... not the same as moto but still get some of the effects of riding 2 wheels.
Mr. Info
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6/22/2018 12:29pm
Life is about pain, suffering and joy and happiness and how each person dealt with it is different. If it overwhelms you maybe it’s time to talk to someone who can help. To me time on my bike is healing me from day to day issues. I have had riders die in my arm and in different stages of paralysis and it hurts but it’s Gods plan not mine. If you believe and understand it’s easier. I can be there for anybody but I can’t change Gods plans for me or anyone else.

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