Yesterday, on my last ride out with my cousin. We were doing some single track. It started raining getting slick. On the downhill back to the truck, though we were taking it slow, there really wasn’t much stopping in this slick bs. I ended up bouncing off a tree. Tearing ligaments and, tendons in my shoulder, all I could ponder on while driving home to unload the bikes ( I’m not leaving my bikes in a parking lot) and, head to the hospital was, when I start working for myself, I can’t risk this anymore.
When everything is on the line regarding income, when do you call it quits? I’ll be 46 Friday. I’m sitting here at home watching (kinda) a movie with my wife wearing a sling, full of pain killers debating all this. My plan was to start a business after the new year. I’m going to be down while. That can’t be in the cards while doing everything on my own in my opinion.
I know it’s the way riding goes. My knees are shot from years of riding in Mojave, I have hardware and, a previous life flight out of the desert on my resume as well.
My question isn’t so much looking for validation of a possible choice I have to make but, what were your reasons to have hung up your helmets. Bills, finances, tally of injuries? What was your reason aside from crashing.
I look forward to your responses.
Mods. I’m not sure if this belongs here but, figured it’s more about actual choices to leave MX rather than, moto itself.
Brother I can’t hit like on that one… I tore all tendons in my left shoulder 8 years ago said that was it but I’m 50 next year and still ride the itch. An get to big.
heal up well my friend sorry to see you laid up like this…
I stopped when I started thinking about what could happen more than just going out and doing laps . I would have an uneasy feeling while unloading that didn't go away when I started riding . It wasn't fun anymore.
A lot of reasons, for me.
For a while a few years ago I didn't have insurance. Once I got that back, I realized that I didn't have many buddies to ride with.
My kid sold his stuff, and the guys who were still riding were mx only.
I just kinda quit.
I won't go into damage because everyone is there, but that matters too.
Just a quick note about your business plan:
Don’t go into it with the main focus being you doing most, or practically any, of the physical work. Try to get enough funds to be able to hire a crew, even a small crew initially, and train them to do at least your standard of quality work.
As a business owner, the key is maximizing your number of income producing units (employees) to match your work load. As the owner, you should focus on quality, scheduling, presales, and administration. Or have a partner who is very good at those things.
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To me, it's when you put that helmet and gear on, whether it's a motorcycle, bike, car, truck, boat, whatever and you're not mentally committed to whatever the end result could be, hang it up.
I was 25 when I reached that plateau, your mileage may vary.
Get well soon.
Heal up my friend. Was wondering how the ride with your cousin went. You mentioned it on another thread. Bet you had fun up until you hit the tree. I got bad news for you. If it’s in your blood , and it is , you will be back on the bike. But actually that is good news. The bad news is you may have to stay away for a while if that’s what you decide. Fishing seems to keep you busy enough. I’ve never hung up the boots , just took a few long periods of time off. Hang in there man.
Hope you heal up soon chance. If you decide to start up a contracting businesses and keep riding, take my advice and don’t bid jobs on pain killers after an injury. Go ahead and ask me why 😝
Ill tell you what I told the older fellar at the OHV park today.
Get a KLX140 and just enjoy the ride. Don't have to hit the biggest jumps or rail all the berms, just enjoy swinging a leg over a bike that won't destroy your knees or blow out your shoulders.
All I try to quit is making so many bad decisions
This is why I gravitated toward trail riding at a younger age. Even as I was an adolescent and my dad would take me to tracks some days and trails on others, I knew early on that trails were my thing. Stress free. Enjoying nature. And of course accidents can still happen, but much easier on your body. Plus at the races you spend about 90% of the time waiting to race. Trail riding, you unload, ride 90% of the time with a few breaks sprinkled in, then go home however many hours later. Easy choice.
After I shattered my tib plateau I second guessed myself when riding. It ruined a lot of plans I’d had for my future. Sold off the bikes after some time, but the itch always comes back. Every other year or so I end up buying a new bike, riding a couple of times then selling it. Being self-employed in a physical trade I can’t afford to be injured, especially with 3 little ones. With that being said it’s about time, I’m gettin itchy…
Even though I gave up dirt bike riding for about 20 years (I always knew I'd be back) I had that thought for the first time yesterday.
I'm 56 years old and 2 weeks ago I was riding my mountain bike and it started raining on me. My glasses started fogging up so I slid them down my nose to finish the lap. Because it was getting slick, I swung wide in a corner to hit a root ledge straight on, unfortunately the way my glasses were slid down they were blocking my view of the stump that sent me to Endonesia. I went OTB fast enough that I didn't even get my hands off the bars before my chest hit the dirt. We all crash so that shouldn't be any big deal, the thing that gave me pause was my reaction. The first thing I did before even standing up or taking inventory was to hit the pause button on my watch. Even though I'm not racing my mtb I'm so unbelievably competitive that I couldn't stand to have a time on my Garmin/Strava that was not indicative of my actual speed. There is something seriously misswired in my brain and at 56 years old maybe it's time to protect myself from myself.
I posted this way back in 04'. Pretty sure it was Motodrive back then.
Sunday, April 18, 2004
Lakewood, CA
Ivan, the famous motocross vet track rider, is calling it quits. He made the announcement to a small group of friends (his dog Mollie) at 5:00 local time. He stated that the desire was no longer there. "I was never any damn good at it anyway" was his comment as he folded his familiar Yamaha blue riding gear for the last time. He then added, "I would like to thank all of my sponsors for their support over the years, but I don't have any." Johnson & Johnson, manufaturers of Ace bandage and ibuprofin, would be the hardest hit by his decision.
Ivan broke on to the scene in 1998 when he became bored watching his son and daughter ride, so he bought a bike. He quickly became proficient on his Yamaha 125 and moved up to the 250 class in 2000. "I had to get another bike. I couldn't get any seat time on the 125 because of my daughter. I went with the 250 because my riding buds were calling me girlyman and stuff." He soon became aware of the substantial power increase that the 250 provided. The 4 week layup gave him time to reflect on how far he had come and where he was going. He went on to become a familiar feature on the spode circuit in SoCal. Speculation of his retirement has been at a fever pitch in Lakewood. "I told him that dirtbiking was a real dumbass thing to do for a self employed 51 year old man and he finally agreed." said his Cousin and longtime friend Paul. His plans now are to be fulltime wrench and obnoxious race Dad for his son David who actually knows how to ride.
When I got home from the hospital, I decided that MX tracks were not for me anymore. I had just started a new position at work, and knew that I would be missing a few weeks of it, and the risk just wasn't worth it. I have insurance through work, but it isn't stellar, so I also knew i'd be paying hospital bills forever. Lastly, my son was about 6 at that time, and when he came into the hospital room and saw me connected to all of the tubes he was visibly effected by it, and it was a strong reminder that it wasn't worth it.
Is the risk worth the reward? That’s a personal decision.
I think there are other enjoyable things in life that are less risky.
And with old age, stuff breaks just doing normal life things lol
We low key ride mtn bikes as a family from time to time. That seems to be enough.
My son broke his foot playing football on the second day of practice. He will miss the whole year now. And it’s messed up his other activities like band, dance, and just basic life stuff because he has to be on crutches for 4-6 weeks.
I don’t think he will try football again. Maybe tennis or cross country.
But that will be his choice.
Man im sorry to hear that. Hope you heal up fast. Give me a shout and let me know if you want to take a trip to the farm and fish the Big O for 10 pound bass on one side and some monster snook , reds and tarpon on the other side while you recover. Have a guest room with your name on it. I have been off the longest ever for me because of an injury but also got really out of shape and a bit of depression due to back to back to back bad luck. Two different C words and hurricanes. All I ever dreamed of is my own property and tractor to build my own track. I got the tractor and land but can't catch up on my responsibilities to fulfill my dream and time clock is ticking fast. One of my best friends just called and said he bought 74family fun Park and made me a sticker. We used to ride there to design it before it ever opened and could have the run of the place again but I can't even imagine I can find the time at this point. When I was younger every time I got hurt I went back to Seaschool and upgraded my license. I was either in a wheelchair or crutches and casts each time I was there. I have my Masters license with every endorsement. Lol I was always able to hire my friend to throw the bait net and pull the anchor on trips where I was hurt luckily though which I understand is not in the cards for most. I turn 50 in a month but still plan on hitting any 150
footer in my path again and as soon as winter arrives and water table drops we are digging my lakes and building a track with the dirt and still dream of huge landings for my ramp. I'd be happy with a small loop and a 25' table. My buddy in his 80s still rips 3 days a week every week so he is inspiration. Hope you are better soon and can get out on the river where you love and deserve to be.
O man, heal up fast my friend! This is a tough one and it's so subjective. I have a hard time with what is worth it and it's all due to my daughter. I've never cared if I got hurt and always accepted it as part of the game. That said, is it worth it if I can't interact with my kid properly, sitting there recovering from an injury? It's hard to figure out the right thing to do but at this point I can't bring myself to quit stuff that I enjoy this much.
A stroke
I quit full time riding in my mid 20's.
There was nobody to do the work for me and i had a responsibility to family to not put myself in unnecessary risk of getting hurt. I did continue to ride a bit in the fall when the work season would end however and I could afford to take some time off if i got hurt.
Pit Row
I only play advisor when I’m loaded on pain meds. Take a look at the F^%# me thread 😂.
Chance...I've got a "few" more years on the odo than you. It's hard to quit riding all together. Perhaps pick up ADV riding (thats what I'm into these days). Sure, the possibility of getting hurt is still there, but not like mx or hardcore trail running. Most of the guys I ride with are older than me.
...but yeah, throwing a business into the mix brings out a whole other dimension.
Good luck to you with whatever you decide. ...and heal up quick.
Dual sporting is another option. That is my main focus now. Lots of cool trails in the mountains around here. Exploring dirt roads is cool too.
A bad day at the races , is better than a good day anywhere else.
58 years old, ride 250 hours or so a year, for the past 20 years or so. Just trails and dual sport though, tracks not very often, and ride well within my means. I am also a business owner with a pretty physical job, that is partly why I went into the type of business I am in, I love that part of it. I watch my diet, excercise regularly, keep up with my stretches, and am careful and calculated at all that I do. I'll be damned if I quit riding, I enjoy it too much. I suppose you are the only one who can answer the question, how important is riding to me? Perhaps kick down your intensity level a click or two, not all rides have to be scooter abuse.
Sorry to hear about your injury Chance, hope you heal up fine.
I know as you get older the voice in your head to slow down and NOT take risks gets louder. I just turned 65 so I try my best to keep it within reason when I ride.
I no longer track ride and need to sell my CRF450 to make the final cut from the track, haven't crossed that bridge yet.
The e bike I bought has been a new avenue of excitement for me and I am enjoying it right now up in the mountains. Riding alone though brings its own level of precarious moments and I try my best not to take chances....
Sorry to hear that chance I hope you’re getting better each day. It just had to fucking rain right ? Oh well not much you can do about it now hindsight’s 2020, just like every crash... it happens and it’s gonna happen again. It sounds like right now the good news is financially as much as it sucks sitting at home hurt and dealing with the pain there’s still money coming in ? You’re absolutely right about getting hurt being self-employed, you’re financially on your own. I think you can get AFLAC or something that pays a couple hundred bucks a day if you get hurt I’m not sure how that works, I know a couple friends who have it.
Being self-employed is freaking pretty cool dude I gotta say I like it and you’ll do great but make a business goal to get to a point where you can make money from the couch (if you had to) because sooner or later you’re gonna want to ride dirt bikes again we know that, sorry for the long ramble heal up quick !
If you get yourself in a position where you’re gonna financially absolutely just fuck yourself if you get hurt then you’d have to be dumb as a box of rocks to keep riding.
I agree with APPL29 about becoming self-employed. When you start out and it’s just you, you can’t really go out to do stupid fun shit. You need to get a guy and somehow pay him enough to stick around and then bust your ass to keep him busy because you’ll be swamped doing all the other business owner shit. You’ll wish you could go put pipes together one day and not have to deal with all the office horseshit. I’m 64 and there’s no way in hell I could clean pools right now no fucking way. If I didn’t have two guys cleaning pools and another guy fixing shit I’d be fucked fucked double fucked. You need to get yourself set up to where you can get hurt, I know that sounds fucked up
I hope you feel better and heal up quick! As for me, my last moto was just on a practice day, I 10 yrs. Ago. I hit a square edge hole in a monster g-out swail while sitting down and proceeded to feel my spine tingle from my tailbone to the mid section of my back. I said to myself, you just rode your last moto and took her back to the pits. Needed help loading and sold it that week. Scariest moment of life. Changed EVERY outlook on life. 33 yrs. in the saddle.
What started my exit from riding was bending my foot in half back in 2007. Green stick 3 bones in my foot ,probably the worst pain I've ever felt. I did race a couple more times the next year and got banged up again, I remember thinking I couldn't get past the crashing phase to take the next step at getting faster. Also my boss was very accommodating when I broke my foot and I didn't want to take advantage of that with continues injuries and time off.
Not so sure about that…
A few guys locally here in San Diego are ripping around the mountains on these. They may look sorta "dorky"....but holy cow, the places they go are amazing. Low and slow...and crawl over all sorts of stuff.
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