Why do you ride?

MudPup545
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MudPup545 3/19/2020 8:09pm
3/19/2020 8:09pm
To escape the crap that causes the stress of day to day life. And to challenge myself. I’m pretty much a trail rider and not good but, every so often I conquer an obstacle that makes me feel pretty proud of myself.
snackfedbear
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snackfedbear 3/19/2020 8:27pm
3/19/2020 8:27pm
Because climbing a mountain is waaaaaay harder on foot
BobbyM
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BobbyM 3/19/2020 8:33pm
3/19/2020 8:33pm
GuyB wrote:
It's a simple enough question, but hard to answer. What's your reason for riding?

Let's keep this on topic (I can help). Smile
To take the Old Town road til I can't no mo.
Yukyuk...

Fact is it is FUN. That's why most people start riding anyways.
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Dropbear
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Dropbear 3/19/2020 8:45pm
3/19/2020 8:45pm
One of the few things I’m reasonably good at. 😀

The Shop

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wisey
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wisey 3/19/2020 8:53pm
3/19/2020 8:53pm
Only a rider knows the feeling.
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G-man
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G-man 3/19/2020 9:03pm
3/19/2020 9:03pm
My Bike takes me to places I would have never dreamt of going to.
Used to be all about Moto, now it's just about being on my Bike and the thrill it provides street or
dirt. 👍




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ConnorD11
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ConnorD11 3/19/2020 9:05pm
3/19/2020 9:05pm
I love to geek out over gear, I always have a ‘wishlist’ open on my computer of awesome parts and gear. And riding is by far the funnest thing you can do in the world!
Indian_Dunes_4ever
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Indian_Dunes_4ever 3/19/2020 11:33pm
3/19/2020 11:33pm
newmann wrote:
Because you never see a motorcycle parked outside of a psychiatrists office.
Unless the psychiatrist rides.... Wink
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Wildeye511
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Wildeye511 3/20/2020 1:47am
3/20/2020 1:47am
I love the challenge and adrenaline of riding moto. I may not be that fast, but when I rail a berm, find a new line, or clear a jump I have been nervous to try, its such an amazing feeling. The smell, the sounds, and just being out there makes the day perfect. Walking around the pits at the track, everyone seems to be happy. Must be the riding......
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Motofinne
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Motofinne 3/20/2020 2:53am
3/20/2020 2:53am Edited Date/Time 3/20/2020 4:30am
Psychedelics is still illegal in Finland so i spend my money on moto.

A joke ofc. Moto is the best way to completely forget the everyday life and escape to a place that is pure happiness (until you get injured but that's a part of it).
Bultaco
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Bultaco 3/20/2020 3:03am
3/20/2020 3:03am
Because it (riding a dirt bike) called to me. It’s what I wanted, and still want, to do.

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brocster
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brocster 3/20/2020 7:12am
3/20/2020 7:12am Edited Date/Time 3/20/2020 3:25pm
From a young boy it did something to me chemically and I have been “chasing the dragon” ever since...

Guess it’s the endorphin release that I am addicted to but also feel that escapism is tied in there somewhere along with the drive to be as perfect with my lines and get around the track as smooth and as fast as I can. (Within my limitations of course)

See below:

Endorphin production can also be triggered by vigorous aerobic exercise. β-endorphin release contributes to a phenomenon known as a "runner's high."[19][20] Endorphins may contribute to the positive effect of exercise on anxiety and depression.[21] The same phenomenon may also play a role in exercise addiction. Regular intense exercise may cause the brain to downregulate the production of endorphins in periods of rest to maintain homeostasis, causing a person to exercise more intensely in order to receive the same feeling.[22]
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peltier626 3/20/2020 8:34am
3/20/2020 8:34am
brocster wrote:
From a young boy it did something to me chemically and I have been “chasing the dragon” ever since... Guess it’s the endorphin release that I...
From a young boy it did something to me chemically and I have been “chasing the dragon” ever since...

Guess it’s the endorphin release that I am addicted to but also feel that escapism is tied in there somewhere along with the drive to be as perfect with my lines and get around the track as smooth and as fast as I can. (Within my limitations of course)

See below:

Endorphin production can also be triggered by vigorous aerobic exercise. β-endorphin release contributes to a phenomenon known as a "runner's high."[19][20] Endorphins may contribute to the positive effect of exercise on anxiety and depression.[21] The same phenomenon may also play a role in exercise addiction. Regular intense exercise may cause the brain to downregulate the production of endorphins in periods of rest to maintain homeostasis, causing a person to exercise more intensely in order to receive the same feeling.[22]
I can vouch for you being smooth around the track, you've always had an effortless looking riding style and pretty damn fast for an old fart. Can't wait to get this mess behind us. We just built a kids track at michael's house and have about 9 kids between us friends but gonna wait till this virus crap subsides to hit it up.
davis1650
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Leo, IN, USA
davis1650 3/20/2020 8:50am
3/20/2020 8:50am
Adrenaline, Friends, Bench Racing!!!
Premix4Life
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Premix4Life 3/20/2020 9:19am
3/20/2020 9:19am
I ride for my health. I ride as it is my hobby of passion. I ride because a kid on a z50 walk past my childhood home and all I knew was I WANTED ONE. Paper route as a 5th grader help me afford first bike ('89 XR100). Hooked ever since on every aspect of moto; gear, hard parts, performance parts, cleaning/tinkering, shopping moto, talking moto.

Now at 39 I'm more focused on my sons, wife and extended family but moto is right there in 2nd place, still to this day.
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gt80rider
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gt80rider 3/20/2020 9:39am
3/20/2020 9:39am
I ride because it is my nirvana.... I ride because I might not come back afterwards.... I ride because it is the one, and only, true love of my life......
Bramlett321
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Bramlett321 3/20/2020 1:37pm
3/20/2020 1:37pm
When I was a kid and watched Ricky Johnson, Jeff Ward and the like from that era my jaw just dropped watching what they could do on a motorcycle. From that point on I would go to the dealers and pick up all the brochures and sit on the bikes, to me there was NOTHING that compared to dirtbikes. The new smell, the smell of the exhaust, and just barely being able to touch the ground on the 80's put the biggest grin on my face. At the point when I could eventually afford my first bike and the feeling of the power and that front wheel lifting....shoot, that was Heaven on earth to me!!
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Rabbit Run 41 3/20/2020 1:59pm
3/20/2020 1:59pm
It’s a disease. Can’t shake it. I got off the track in late 2017. Thought I was done. My wife suggested I could ride a track for my birthday (58) last month. I rode like a beginner, rode my RM250 and realized I forgot how to ride a 2-stroke after too many years on my RMZ. Now I have rebuilt my RMZ top end! 35 years of Moto and I always get the same feeling rolling up to the gate. Nothing compares. The difference now is finding people that I know to ride with. Not so easy.
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brocster
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brocster 3/20/2020 3:31pm
3/20/2020 3:31pm
brocster wrote:
From a young boy it did something to me chemically and I have been “chasing the dragon” ever since... Guess it’s the endorphin release that I...
From a young boy it did something to me chemically and I have been “chasing the dragon” ever since...

Guess it’s the endorphin release that I am addicted to but also feel that escapism is tied in there somewhere along with the drive to be as perfect with my lines and get around the track as smooth and as fast as I can. (Within my limitations of course)

See below:

Endorphin production can also be triggered by vigorous aerobic exercise. β-endorphin release contributes to a phenomenon known as a "runner's high."[19][20] Endorphins may contribute to the positive effect of exercise on anxiety and depression.[21] The same phenomenon may also play a role in exercise addiction. Regular intense exercise may cause the brain to downregulate the production of endorphins in periods of rest to maintain homeostasis, causing a person to exercise more intensely in order to receive the same feeling.[22]
peltier626 wrote:
I can vouch for you being smooth around the track, you've always had an effortless looking riding style and pretty damn fast for an old fart...
I can vouch for you being smooth around the track, you've always had an effortless looking riding style and pretty damn fast for an old fart. Can't wait to get this mess behind us. We just built a kids track at michael's house and have about 9 kids between us friends but gonna wait till this virus crap subsides to hit it up.
Thanks for the kind words and I have backed it down since my accident but the same applies.

Happy for you guys getting to share this with your sons. My boy just caught the “disease that is motocross” about 4 years ago and after getting a late start he can’t get enough as well

Tell everyone hello. Dino, Fat McGrath and Michael
Shiftfaced
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Ruby Ridge, ID, USA
Shiftfaced 3/20/2020 3:36pm
3/20/2020 3:36pm
For me, it is the practice of becoming one with the machine. Poetry in motion. A form of dancing. It is amazing, as your skills progress, on how many “situations” are solved by applying more throttle. What was once impossible becomes routine. It truly is the practice of something that will never be perfected.
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bents
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bents 3/20/2020 5:37pm
3/20/2020 5:37pm
So many good answers on here, I will just add that I loved it from my first ride on the classic Honda Mini Trail, then got a 1975 Suzuki TM 100 under the Christmas Tree at 12 yrs old and it has been a huge part of my life ever since. Once my helmet goes on, my age disappears along with with my stress.
Gworm
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Gworm 3/20/2020 6:09pm
3/20/2020 6:09pm Edited Date/Time 3/20/2020 6:11pm
See all the above except the smoking a bowl comment ... I’ve got nothing to add.
spimx
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spimx 3/21/2020 9:34am
3/21/2020 9:34am Edited Date/Time 3/21/2020 9:36am
Just grew up on a dirt bike, that's all
NvHermit
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NvHermit 3/21/2020 10:01am
3/21/2020 10:01am
Everybody rode dirt bikes in the early 70's and it just stays with you. My dad bought me a mini trail 50 and after I out grew it I bought a TM125 by bagging groceries
Moens_Andy 3/21/2020 10:31am
3/21/2020 10:31am
It's the only thing that makes me truly happy. I hate the place where I'm born, I hate the place where I live, I hate the entire situation our government puts us in, I hate that there is no real option to get me to the place I do love the USA.

Don't get me wrong I love life, I love my wife, I love my kids but I've been struggling for over 15 years to find a way to get me out of this hell hole and into the USA. That little piece of machinery makes all those things disappear for a few minutes/hours when I ride when I see races AMA SX AMA Outdoors MXGP you name it I freaking love everything about it, even this place Vital MX is a huge thing that helps me to get that fix I desperately need to keep pushing keep fighting and keep looking for options.
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KennyT
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KennyT 3/21/2020 10:36am
3/21/2020 10:36am
I turned 60 a few months ago. Quit riding moto about 5 years ago but still ride ADV and street. I go out every single weekend, year round, rain or shine. To this day, at the age of 60, when I get on a bike it makes me feel like a teenager. Fantastic stress release. I started riding around 5 so it’s been 55 years now 👍
1
KennyT
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KennyT 3/21/2020 10:39am
3/21/2020 10:39am Edited Date/Time 3/21/2020 10:40am
Moens_Andy wrote:
It's the only thing that makes me truly happy. I hate the place where I'm born, I hate the place where I live, I hate the...
It's the only thing that makes me truly happy. I hate the place where I'm born, I hate the place where I live, I hate the entire situation our government puts us in, I hate that there is no real option to get me to the place I do love the USA.

Don't get me wrong I love life, I love my wife, I love my kids but I've been struggling for over 15 years to find a way to get me out of this hell hole and into the USA. That little piece of machinery makes all those things disappear for a few minutes/hours when I ride when I see races AMA SX AMA Outdoors MXGP you name it I freaking love everything about it, even this place Vital MX is a huge thing that helps me to get that fix I desperately need to keep pushing keep fighting and keep looking for options.
I hate to hear you are not happy in Belgium. Growing up with Decoster and Robert my hero’s made me think that Belgium must be some magical place where great motocrossers were born. Sorry to hear it’s not where you want to be. Best of luck to someday realize your dream and getting out of there
Moens_Andy 3/21/2020 10:49am
3/21/2020 10:49am Edited Date/Time 3/21/2020 10:52am
Moens_Andy wrote:
It's the only thing that makes me truly happy. I hate the place where I'm born, I hate the place where I live, I hate the...
It's the only thing that makes me truly happy. I hate the place where I'm born, I hate the place where I live, I hate the entire situation our government puts us in, I hate that there is no real option to get me to the place I do love the USA.

Don't get me wrong I love life, I love my wife, I love my kids but I've been struggling for over 15 years to find a way to get me out of this hell hole and into the USA. That little piece of machinery makes all those things disappear for a few minutes/hours when I ride when I see races AMA SX AMA Outdoors MXGP you name it I freaking love everything about it, even this place Vital MX is a huge thing that helps me to get that fix I desperately need to keep pushing keep fighting and keep looking for options.
KennyT wrote:
I hate to hear you are not happy in Belgium. Growing up with Decoster and Robert my hero’s made me think that Belgium must be some...
I hate to hear you are not happy in Belgium. Growing up with Decoster and Robert my hero’s made me think that Belgium must be some magical place where great motocrossers were born. Sorry to hear it’s not where you want to be. Best of luck to someday realize your dream and getting out of there
Thanks, well maybe someday I'll get there, but with a family, it's not that easy to just make the leap everything needs to be planned out I need to find a job there (green card sponsorship) or save up enough money(minimum 0.5million$) to continue my own business there it will be a huge gamble, either way, the people there must trust me too as a business owner and tradesman it's just something you can't predict upfront, so having a good amount of cash too begin with is necessary so you can ease into the transition and do not have to push for work.

and there is a reason why The man is staying there it's not for the money or the riders. It's the mentality and the work arrangement you have. You work for you and not for anyone else. HUGE difference here I give about 70% of what I make to the government for people that cant pay their insurance for people that are too lazy to work ETC ETC all for benefits for those that do NOTHING
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walent215
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walent215 3/21/2020 11:09am
3/21/2020 11:09am
To get flat on the triple
1
c0ncEpT
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c0ncEpT 3/21/2020 2:31pm
3/21/2020 2:31pm
After I rode a PW50 for the first time at 4 years old I haven't been able to stop thinking about riding. I love it.
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