When did you guys know you were done with riding ?

After we had our fourth kid, I had a few thoughts that might be done riding. I felt guilty taking that much time away. But after about an eight month break, I couldn’t take it anymore. I’ll ride as long as I can safely and still have fun, it’s the best way to stay in shape.
 

For me it was illness related when I realized I got too fatigued too quickly, like within a lap, which risked getting it wrong in a bad way.  I also on long rides did not want to be that dude who screwed it up for everyone by having an issue, or a fall from being fatigued.  Can still roll around in a low key setting.

This thread has motivated me to get back out there. Reading all of your very valid reasons has made me realize that I have no reason to not be riding…. Heading out Sunday to atleast go through the motions and dust some of the cob webs off 

I'm 54, 2 years from my second retirement and just started riding again after 15 years. Yeh, I'm a big 2 stroke guy so a new 300 was the only answer. Riding sandy tracks is gonna be a no go for me but fast trails is still very fun and challenging as well as a great workout.

Money. Went to college and was broke. Had to focus on career and buying a house afterwards. Got married and have a daughter now. Would love nothing more than to get a new bike, but I have had the conversation as to how much time I would actually dedicate to riding. 

We gave it all we had and I was not going to be a James Stewart, went to collage, started working, bought a house, got married, had a kid. I couldn’t justify spending $12,000 to get back into it for my fun, which would eat up an entire day. My time is better spent doing other things. I did it full blown amateur nationals, rode 3-4 days a week. I just say that tank is full, been there done that. Still a fan of the sport. 

I found MTB to be more fulfilling and social, and I was better at it because strength and endurance. I could be in great shape and still be slow on a dirtbike 😂 

Plus MTB is convenient to throw the bike in the truck and go, and way more places to ride..and way cheaper!

Back in my "single digit" days, riding dirt bikes was a completely different thing. Fear and healing were much different.  I couldn't ride enough  When that transitioned to racing, it was full weekend, go the the track, compete, regroup/recover and come back and do it again next weekend until the snow came.  When that transitioned into dream chasing, driving, practice, racing, practice, training, racing, practice, driving, etc. it became tedious and not as much fun. it was shortly after that I QUIT and tried to do other things.  

But much like the Corleone family, "they pull me back in" and I start driving, racing, practicing, driving, racing again.  I have personal issues / changes in attitude and latitude, and I am done again.  Then, you guessed it, the opportunity is there again, and I take what little ADHD accumulation of stuff is lerft and start over, riding, relaxing, riding, driving, racing, recovering, riding again. Things change, health issues arise, this is silly, I walk away for the third time.

In my mid 60's, chapter 4 looks like this - my wife and I "Pre-tire" to FL, i move within walking distance to an amazing track, sometimes I ride on a Saturday or Sunday for a few hours, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I jump stuff, sometimes....who am I kidding, I don't jump that stuff, but I am having fun, doing what I want, when I want, and how I want.  I have some friends from the 1980's that I cross paths with, and we have fun, laugh, drink beer, ride like stiff fat old guys.

At this point, what sense would it make for me to even think about stopping.  I think I will keep this 2021 model until I can't remember my name.   I dipped my toe into the woods ridding thing, and would rather play golf, just not for me. I can't grow a decent beard, and my worst medical experiences were from asphalt so no leather cosplay for me.

When I was 12 years old, my dad used to scream at me and smack me on the helmet so hard while sitting behind the giant rubber band, my ears would ring. Those days are the stuff therapy sessions were made for, and I wouldn't change a thing, I have chose to live with emotional scars, scar scars, screws and plates, and really really really sore and stiff joints, and very little retirement funding.  But have also chose to not live with regret.

Stop putting pressure on yourself.  Ride, don't ride. Race, don't race. Jump, don't jump. New bike, old bike. Don't loose sight of the fact that brings us all here, having fun on a dirt bike. Clean the filter, lube the chain, gear up and go ride! Or don't...your choice.