Taking MX racing serious in your 30s

What a motivator. I'll think about you on the rower or on the last mile for the next few months. It's only over when you call it quits in my opinion.

Now you're on the right track. So much fun.

Bottom line, do it for fun. Fitness helps fun. I was doing a 5k a day before Daytona. Might not seem like much but for a fat ass working alot, it wasn't easy lol..

Another buddy got his pro card for last year in his mid 30s. Totally bad ass that guys can do that. I'm not one of them lol.

I also started riding at 14. I'm 34 now and just did my first race last weekend. It was hands down the most fun thing I have ever done and is absolutely something I'm going to continue doing.  I wouldn't let your age hold you back.  31 is still young. I mean hell, there was a 65+ age group at my race and some of those dudes were still pretty fast considering. 

So yes, I'd say go for it...I see no reason not to. 

That’s awesome!! My mother use to race, hasn’t ridden in years but loves the track stories.  Had family over today for Easter, was putting around on the bike with the nieces (first thing they did when they got here was ask me to take them for a ride) and was trying to talk my mom into riding it, haha. 

DO:

Set realistic goals, apply yourself, train hard, improve your technique, have a blast

DON'T:

Take excessive risks, neglect your family or career, put yourself in bad financial position, take yourself too seriously

I started racing more in my 30s and it gave me good goals and events to look forward to. It gives me a reason to eat well and be healthy.

But like many said, it’s up to you to decide if it worth it or not.

this is the best advice of the thread

I’m the same age, in the same boat. Expert in a few other sports but not great at MX. Fast B offroad, but C rider MX

I want to be good. I’ve put a decent amount of time in on a bike, but obviously I need more time on the track. I’d like a lesson with a good teacher to be honest.
 

I don’t care about making money with it obviously, but it’s been a personal goal my whole life to be good at MX. 

This is the hardest sport in my opinion. I ride downhill mtb, used to race enduro style, ski big mountain terrain, and do many other sports. MX is harder than all, by far. You gotta do everything the same as those other sports, except also wrastle around a 200-250lb machine underneath you while jumping huge. All of you that are good at MX, be very proud. It’s awesome. I wish I was good on the track. 
 

Maybe I just need bigger balls.

I’m going to get good. Idc about my age, Idc about my previous major injuries. 

I’m 65 and tell all my similar age buddy to not do anything stupid, that’s for when you were in your thirties. LOL

I took around 9 years off and started back at age 29. Took about 60 riding hours to get comfortable again and about 100 hours plus going to the gym to get in shape. I race local around my house races in 25 and 450 expert.

My friends like to give me shit that I take it too serious. There just jealous they can't buy a good work ethic.

Best advice is don't listen to the lazy ass haters who are jealous. 

I started racing at 12 and went from back of the pack to A grade by the time i turned 18. Quit for 10 years while doing the whole university/ career/ family thing. At 28 I just started riding again for fun. As the speed came back the competitive streak came back and i started taking it more serious again. 

Now at 38 i cycle 4 days a week to the gym, hot weights and then cycle home plus mtb 2 days a week when work allows. 

If you want to take it more serious I can only see it as a positive as long as you keep everything in perspective. Take some riding schools and get your fitness and nutrition dialled and enjoy the progress. 

Also one thing i haven't seen mentioned, the wife will really enjoy your improved fitness/physique 

Spot on!

Hell, at 64 I still take MX racing seriously...but my body doesn't show the same enthusiasm! 

If its important to you, do it. 

However stay realistic in that its not going to be a career, in which case, dont sacrifice other aspects of your life. Don't get in to debt for it, dont sacrifice family and loved ones, put your money making job before sport and have that bloody burger and beer if you fancy it. 

After all these things are taken care of, ride and train like a pro if its that important to you. Its never wasted effort if its making you happy. But dont forget, the day it makes you unhappy, back it down.

I started at age 13 on a YZ85 for '03. Then 125C in '04, 125B in '05, 125A/250A in '06-'15. I gained speed fast I'd say, but never got to my full potential to turn pro. I ran out of money to get my Pro/Am points for my license.. But I'm in a similar boat. Now @ 34 I haven't ridden for nearly 10 years and have a 2 year old son I want to ride with in a few years. But I think we'll end up on the same weekend warrior path most families do if the kid is interested in moto like I was. So I'm looking at getting a bike again, YZ250 for fun and racing again. Have to be able to show up Jr. once he gets big enough to ride with. haha

You're a family man. The answer is unequivocally no. 

Ditch the family and the job and move to a training facility. Make a run at 450 B at LL next year and SX futures in 25'.

For real though try and practice with faster guys during the week if it's available to you. Watch your diet and work on your strength and endurance off the bike. 

Ride twice a week, gym/cycle as much as possible, watch AJ Catanzaro vids.

I did exactly what youre talking about, got out of racing around 19/20 and didnt do much until a couple years ago, bought some bikes, got the itch to race and decided to go back after the old goal of being a fast local B guy. First year I raced 30+ beg/nov, and tried 250c, moved up to B last year even though the pace wasnt there but I knew it would really show where I was weak, I have a new fitness plan for this year and I made friends with the local fast kids who I have as riding partners this year and its starting to come together. I would say I am faster now than when I was younger, and definitely in more control at pace than what I used to be. 

do you know who mike brown is?

I am kinda in the same boat. I took 11 years off and im currently 34. Talked about getting another bike for the last 3 years. Finally went to the bike shop with my wife and she told me to just buy it. So im 10 hours into it after taking all all the years and I can't believe I went this long with out riding. I feel like im faster now than ever for 2 laps, I really need to work on my cardio. I honestly think it's easier for me now because im more present on the bike and I can see the whole track. So im not just following someone around. 

I’ll throw in another angle on this. This is a dangerous ass sport. No way around it. Keep in mind to race B class, even locally is fucking nuts. Have your finances in check before racing. Make sure your family is covered should the worst happen. I had 6 friends get into riding the last few years. I’m the only one still going as they all got hurt and the bikes got sold. 
 

I’m similar to you, 33 didn’t start riding until I was 18, and raced until I was 21 22. I got to where I could win local c races fairly quick. Some of the guys I raced with a good bit got on the podium at LL. Then I hit I hit a speed wall and life happened and I lost interest. 
 

I got a bike a couple years back, went to a moto academy class, and watch a lot of mx factory videos. It’s helped tremendously. Even when I was younger and in better shape my arms would blow up in 3 hard laps. Now with proper riding technique I can run b class speed on a turn track for 20 mins. 
 

You also have to ride A LOT to get faster. Riding once every other weekend will be tough to build speed. As soon as I get on a big track, with big jumps I get uncomfortable, tense up, blow up, and slow down. I’m just not use to riding that stuff. 
 

Hammer down and get in shape so that you can live a happy, healthy life with your family. Ride your dirtbike to have some fun. Whether your first or last, riding/racing dirtbikes is all for fun at this level.