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You're only ever one ice cold monster a way from glory (and sleep deprivation at work)
I was amazed at how much of riding was intuitive, and how my mind/body still did things (on the bike) so instinctively after 15 years off the bike. The biggest hurdle for me was the mental side. Something about having two kids, a mortgage, a job, a wife, that limits the "send it" response in your brain. Not saying that I didn't still enjoy riding, but it was frustrating at times when I couldn't find the courage to do some jumps that I used to do so casually earlier in my life.
You'll be okay. Find another passion in the meantime. Mountain biking was/is mine.
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I think it’s easier for guys to get slower when they were never really fast to begin with!
Just my 2 cents, but it's coming from a place of brotherly love and experience!
Hobby #1 BBQ
I step away from riding every summer, the heat is brutal so we do the lake thing as a family, tube, wakesurf, fish, chill. Wife/kids always enjoy the water and being on the boat means were all there together.
I'm not so worried about the speed anymore and more into proper technique, well rounded skills, developing how I can within or not as far outside of my comfort zone, and having a reason to build then maintain fitness and whatnot.
My girlfriend has hurt herself worse playing basketball than she has on her 125 and personally I've hurt myself worse on DH and Jump bikes and BMXs than stuff with engines, however again I believe that is because I've never been fast enough or hit stuff I wasn't pretty sure I was ready for.
Either way, I'm probably digressing, but for sure make sure you do something to keep yourself healthy and keep yourself sane even if it's just chasing the kids around while they do their thing 👍
Thankfully, my home life is awesome, otherwise I don't know what I would do.
I hooked right back up with my old riding buddies at 25 years old and had a blast until I had a "big one" at about 32 years old. I was deep into my career and had two young kids at home by that time and was kind of over it. Sold the bikes and really got into cycling and chasing my kids' activities. Nothing could ever scratch the itch though, and after a few years or more I got another bike. I don't get to ride often but it's nice to still have a bike in the garage as an option.
I will say this, I sacrificed a lot of weekends with the boys to be a part of or at least present at my kids' activities. We just dropped my oldest off at college last weekend, and I wouldn't trade the time spent with her growing up for anything. I still feel young and I'll have plenty of time to play in a couple of years when we're empty nesters.
Does your son ride at the track or on the trail?
Definitely not selling any of my stuff since it’s way to expensive to replace once it’s gone, haha! Tools and all that stuff aren’t going either as I’ll have my sons 50 and 65 to keep up on. As much as I’d love to keep the 450 around, it’s up for sale anyways as it’s my dads bike that was going to go towards a 23 for him and I’d be inheriting his 20, but I just can’t justify having a bike of his sitting in my garage decreasing in value and not being ridden. I just can’t do that to him. There is another bike there that I can ride if we somehow find any extra time and money, but for now I’ve accepted that it may be a while before that happens lol.
Thanks again everyone
Pit Row
How did I deal with it? I honestly didn’t. It’s was eating away at me pretty good and depressing.
My last big crash resulted in stepping away for about 4 years now .
I’m threatening a return but at tracks like rem etc.
The competitive spirit is very much alive so I need to stay away from the tracks with larger jumps .
Having a bike, kept the fire alive, even if I wasn't riding much.
If you choose to keep it and ride occasionally, my suggestion is to make sure BOTH your expectations, and your Focus are in line. In my opinion, many crashes are caused simply from not being 100% in the moment.
Riding occasionally can either help or hurt focus. If you're having a day where focus is not there, take it easy, or better yet, skip riding for another day. And if riding once every few months, don't expect to be as fast as you are now. Just take the day as it comes.
Another option I used when raising my family was to find a track with lights, and ride an evening during the week. That left the entire weekend for the family. It worked out well.
Also, mountain biking is incredibly fun. It's not the same adrenaline (or jumps) as MX, but it is very satisfying.
Riding keeps you young.
What bikes you got in the garage now?
My dad *started* riding dirt bikes when I was about 6 years old. He's still riding 40+ years later, and never stopped during that time. He just found ways to get his riding in and make time for our activities.
until i have a good health care plan like i did when i was a child, im not doing it.
not afraid of getting hurt, afraid of medical debt!
i miss it alot though
2013.5 KTM450 Factory Edition
1974 Ossa Phantom
1972 Maico 400 Radial
1979 Maico 440
1975 Honda CR125
1974 Yamaha YZ80
1976 Yamaha YZ80
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