When is it time to call it?

First off - you are all tough MFers.  This sport kind of demands it.

For me at 62 - I cant stop just yet.  I have had a many average injuries over time but have been able to bounce back decently.  Actually getting more into it with working out more, riding every week and trying to get competitive.  My goal is to do about 10 races in 2025.  Not sure how long I will go - depends on how I feel.

I applaud all of you and am proud to be part of the this MX community.

Essentialy they replace the ball and socket joint with metal. In a reverse replacement they put the ball on the scapula and the socket on the humerus. opposite of normal anatomy.  it allows a deeper tighter fit. which I need cause of all 4 rotator cuffs being torn. also common remedy for people with arthritis in the shoulder joint. 

i'm 65 been riding since 1971 & racing since 1974 raced at least once a year until 2020 then raced 2021/2022/2023 my son rides & races my grandsons ride & race. i want to ride until my body tells me no you can't do this i have had my injuries collarbone, femur & small stuff during the years the hardest part was my son breaking his femur in 2008 & i wasn't there it worked on me but he was racing again in 10 weeks & qualified for loretta's went on to get his pro license, we never could afford to do this as a full time gig but we had a really good time. but back to the when do you know when it's time if you truly enjoy riding there is no age limit!! i have always worked in the motorcyle industry & want to ride until my time comes Like i said i'm 65 been riding the same brand of bike 46 yrs. i ride & ocassionly race in the dirt & ride my kawasaki zx14 on the street (smokie Mountains) as much as i can. & yes i have been all over riding & racing numerous trips to Loretta's 250a mod/+30/+45  don't let age tell you what you really want. Stay in the wing spann & keep riding

Um .., uh, .. oh my. ____  Where does one even begin. 

Ok then. 
Our posse stopped racing moto decades ago as what were once our terrific natural terrain tracks transitioned into poorly designed wanna-be supercross tracks on the heels of SX's popularity.
Ambulance runs went from being a rare occurrence to once or twice per event. 

Started racing enduros & riding off-road, initially a sufferfest of falling over in technical terrain but eventually as skills developed, it became apparent that we got to ride 4-5 hours instead of just 2 - 12 to15 min motos, every event was like an adventure & it was not only more fun, but lots safer.
Few if any get landed on off a jump or destroyed in the 1st turn in an enduro. 

Now we are all pushing up against seventy & don't race events any longer .. but we're still chasing each other around in the woods on dirt bikes five decades later & other than a visit or two to an ortho surgeon, relatively healthy.
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54 now racing Hare Scrambles and absolutely love it - grew up in MX and called it at 35.  I took 15 yrs off bikes and got back in at 50.  I wish I could get those 15 yrs back and had started racing off road.  I know this is predominantly a MX group but I’ll tell you off road racing is pretty bad ass and there is so much that transfers from MX.   If you simply love to ride and like competing it’s worth a look.   I’m honestly probably riding better than I ever had - working my way up to 50A.  Don’t be fooled there are some super fast older off road racers.  Don’t quit - re-invent…

When you know you know. 
For me? My knees have been giving me fits a long time now. Got to where I couldn't work as well for a couple weeks after a race . Arthritis. I backed off bikes about 5-6 years ago. Feeding the family comes first. SO started racing other things and having a blast. Nothing is like racing bikes. But it will have to do. 

If you feel sketchy about moto, maybe try an enduro. Theres alot of varied terrain and a few hrs of ride time. Go as fast or slow as you want. Lots of fun and laid back atmosphere. 

I turn 65 next March.  Got my Medicare card in the mail last week.🙄  Pissed me off because I'm not old...in my mind.😂  But I CAN tell a distinct difference in my skills vs when I was in my 40's and early 50's.  My days of lining up on my modern bike are probably over but I'll continue to vintage race.  I've been at it for 54 years now.  As long as I ride within MY limits and stay away from spodes who won't I'll continue to have fun.

Everyone is different. Most people hang it up because of injury, age, or other health related factors. 

My decision to call it was completely emotional. I finished a race 3 years ago, started loading up, and started thinking about the 2 kids and beautiful wife that I had at home waiting on me. My kids were about to start getting into their own sports and my wife had recently made the decision to go back to school, so they all needed me to support with my complete presence. 

The kids are now in sports 6 days a week, I’m present for everything as long as I’m not traveling for work, they are learning valuable lessons, getting better at what the love, and my wife is about to graduate. It’s been rewarding watching them all grow. 

I love moto, but I really don’t miss it. I had my time and I’m thankful for every bit of it. 

Honorable decision my man.  I would have done the same but my kid wanted to ride/race too.  We do all the stick and ball stuff but squeeze in 1-2 race weekends a month.  One thing I like about the off-road racing scene is there is a real sense of community esp around the kids program.  All the parents help out and hang out.  There is no pressure to “get a ride” so it just a great family weekend with dirtbikes.   I am sure that is why GNCCs are so popular.  Our local Central TX  series has 300-400 entrants every month with another series 4 hrs away getting similar numbers.  

Tell it. Happened to me in 2004. White hot pain all over but the worst part was trying to crawl off the track and my legs not working properly. It took the salt out of me. I raced twice more to prove to myself I wasn't scared. But I was. Two years ago I wadded up and busted a disc in my neck. One jump on the whole track and it bit me. Relegated to trail riding and dual sporting until recently. Have to see how things go from here. 53 years of wreckin'. You'd think it would all be beat out of me. I might have one more left in there, though. 

Praying for y’all, I’m 62 my 15 yrs old grandson wants to start racing, but it scares me to death to think about him getting hurt!  I’ve been racing since 15 , yes I’ve had some injuries but nothing I would consider major until this year, I cross rutted on the face of a jump went down hard knock myself out for a couple minutes, that was a wake-up moment for me, I really thought I was done at that point, but I’m just not ready to stop!  So I’m dropping my 450, for a 250, and probably going to start just track days , going off road like cross country stuff is another option,  

I understand- I had my only kid at 45 so I think I’m probably more cautious than my parents where with me - raising kids in their 20s.  We started on the track and did some races but I backed off.  He absolutely loves it but I just put him in that situation - so I have slowly transitioned to off-road.  Honestly he just loves to ride so I don’t think he really cares one way or the other.   I will say it doesn’t matter if it’s a MX track or off-road the actual riding with your kid is an amazing experience - one that makes it less selfish I suppose.

I feel your pain but not sure about the “safer” part. Kids can find ways to get broken in many of ways.  Yes, it totally sucks and makes you think long and hard about things when you see your kid laid up in a hospital bed. However, as much as we want to we can’t always keep them safe or in bubble wrap.  

For example

Dad jumped off a boat dock on to a boat at 35 and tore his ACL

One brother hit with a baseball bat in the head at a bantam league game

Other brother, brain surgery in 10th grade from a miss diagnosed concussion from football

Me many bmx, skateboard, pit bike and Mx related injuries

Worst was my son face planting at a BMX contest in Toronto breaking his nose and knocking his front teeth out. I was first to him and he didn’t know where he was and looked like he lost a MMA fight.  Funny though, medics had to respond to me as I almost passed out just seeing him in that condition.  Tough road but he’s been back at it for many years and is at the top of his game, but I can honestly say my stomach hurts lots of times watching some of the things he does and sometimes I’d like to think he’d be safer on a dirt bike…

I’m almost 63 with 2 artificial hips, c4-c5 fused and still have fun racing Ahrma. Just can’t give it up yet. Started in 1971.

Did you gain range of motion with your hips ?

Started riding in '76 and had first race in '78.  Had two long layoffs ('84-'94 college/establishing career/marriage & '10-"17 second kid and following both around to their hockey and lacrosse). Coming back was tough both times and while I'd like to have those years back MXwise , was the right thing to do.  Have had shoulder, concussion, and ACL injuries over the years.  Pushing 60 and still ride 4-5X month at local tracks with a club.  No racing and wheels are closer to the ground than ever.  Still have 4-5 guys from the beginning out there as well.  The time at the truck busting balls and traveling to tracks is as important as the actual riding.  Keeps me motivated to hit the weights and stay in some semblance of condition.  

Severe armpump and hand cramps pretty much stopped my riding and racing in my late 20s, riding just lost it's fun when I can't hang one to the bike after just 1 lap, when I was 17 I broke my arm and broke and dislocated my wrist and was diagnosed with compartment syndrome so I often wonder if that injury back then has contributed to the Severe arm and hand cramps now

Yes, and still can kickstart a yz465

If your on a bball team in hs. It’s like being in a National.  All the best r there no body on the team is a good player . There Great & then you hv the stars , like myself.  I had numerous  ko,s hitting the concrete tile floor, ripped my head open on the rim, broken , jammed fingers, etc.  other kids blown acL,s.  Bball is yr round now with tournaments .  That’s why most quit at 15 from burn out.  

Wow! I have to climb on my bikes moving. 

When you weigh considerably more than the bike

I don’t think he cares. Look at his # 332 in his head he’s 522 Marty Smith.  I don’t get people that quit because of a injury. You get hurt doing anything . The injury probably made you broke. When you don’t hv money you work not ride. 

I still trail ride on my YZ250 and do a lot of dual sport rides. I totally get quitting racing or riding because of an injury. Or the fear of a future injury being a BIG problem. I've had 3 hip replacements, pelvis broken in half and screwed back together, femur all swiss cheesed. Cracked vertebrae and one inch shorter leg causing back issues now. Left shoulder and knee are both shot. I will "ride" until I physically can't, but I'm done with racing (especially on modern jump filled tracks) The jarring from mx makes my hips leg and lower back ache for weeks, which equals not fun anymore.  Trails and exploring around on dual sports is my riding from here on. I totally miss racing but the last crash was a 2 year + 7 surgery clusterfuck that I can't put my family through again. Looking forward to a desert trip to Ocotillo next month, then we have a trip in the works to travel around with the camper and dual sports and hit a few nationals next summer. We camped at Washougal last year and had a blast exploring around on the dual sports. (even though it was hot af) Luckily my wife loves to ride too so that makes it easy.  Heres some of my aftermarket parts collection lol.   

So haven't quit quite yet but concentrating on more of this kind of riding.