Parked the dirt bike?

Kyle978 wrote:

I read through this thread and had to address some things. So first and foremost, I can’t help but laugh at you clowns who say “I...

I read through this thread and had to address some things.

So first and foremost, I can’t help but laugh at you clowns who say “I don’t get how you sissies get your jollies riding around in spandex” and “you can ride 6 mph down a trail or fly down it doing a wheelie on a dirt bike”. Most who think that are the same out of shape, slow MF’ers that you see barhumping their way around the vet track 1-2 laps at a time before they gas out and need to go back to the pits and talk about what parts they need to buy for their bike next as if it’s the reason they ride like shit.

I’ve raced and been in and around the industry since I was a kid, I’m 28 now (still a kid for some of you old farts). I am currently making a push in my career as an insurance broker, and have decided to park the dirt bike for a bit while I focus and put proper attention in to a new career. I find myself working quite a bit, and the thought of getting hurt too bad to go to work is enough to keep me from owning a MX bike currently. Most of my friends are current pros or in the industry, so I have access to bikes, I just can’t help but feel guilty when I go ride that I don’t have my priorities straight.

Mountain biking has given me a lot. It’s given me a new challenge, gotten me in phenomenal shape, aligned me with great people that I call friends, and given me access to ride areas I never would be able to on a dirt bike. I live in southern Orange County in California. Without loading up my truck, I can ride to 3 different trails systems that have miles of single track littered with jumps, berms and ocean views. Within 3 hours I can have a great ride, be home and ready to go to brunch or hang by the beach for the rest of the day, while I would have just barely made it to the track and unloaded in those 3 hours.

The ignorance involved with the cost a mountain bike from some of you surprises me, as well. Comparing it to an OEM dirt bike is laughable. When I buy a $8k mountain bike, I’m getting the equivalent of a factory bike. The entire bike is carbon fiber, including the wheels. The forks and shock are Kashima coated, the bearings are ceramic, there’s a seat post that lifts and lowers so you can get your butt over the back more etc. the pros truly race the same bicycle you can buy.

When you buy a new MX bike, it takes 10’s of thousands on top of the 10 grand purchase price to get the bike even close to pro-level race ready like a mountain bike is straight from the bicycle shop. Then you factor in that your wear parts on my bicycle are simply tires and brakes, I don’t usually need to drive my truck to go ride, and no track fees...it truly isn’t even on the same planet as MX cost wise.

I’ve really gotten into the XC scene these last couple years. I started racing the Over the Hump series here I. SoCal, and that’s blommosed to much more for me. It’s fun, a new challenge, and much more laid back than Moto, and frankly a much more established crowd of racers I prefer to be around. Not to mention the OTH series pulls 600-800 racers on any given Tuesday night. I can’t think of the last time I saw a local MX race with a turnout like that.

Moral of the story, there is no replacing the feeling of ripping a rut and laying it over on the face of a jump, but sometimes all the hassle of the process isn’t worth it. I’ll be back into MX some day, but for now MTB is a great replacement!

Mx746 wrote:

BMX is a great way to get the moto fix in on a bicycle. The tracks need riders of all ages, and they also could use...

BMX is a great way to get the moto fix in on a bicycle. The tracks need riders of all ages, and they also could use parent volunteers etc. You get some good exercise, sharpen the skills and help keep a positive place for kids alive and well. Win win.

Bry145 wrote:

Hasn't BMX greatly declined in popularity since the 90s? If ever in Cleveland, hit the XC loop at Ray's MTB Park. It is a mix of...

Hasn't BMX greatly declined in popularity since the 90s?

If ever in Cleveland, hit the XC loop at Ray's MTB Park. It is a mix of BMX obstacles and a mellow mountain bike loop. It is great exercise and quite stimulating. Just don't try to do it for more than two hours, as dropping with a leg cramp and trying to drive home isn't pleasant.

Bry145 wrote:

I live near South Park BMX if you have heard of that place. I think the demographics in Charlotte compared to Pittsburgh are better for BMX...

I live near South Park BMX if you have heard of that place.

I think the demographics in Charlotte compared to Pittsburgh are better for BMX. We are an aging community.

If I lived that close to Club MX I'd moto down a lot more!

TJMX947 wrote:

I'll be honest, until Club MX opened the public practice facility I struggled to find good places to consistently ride without driving really far. I'm about...

I'll be honest, until Club MX opened the public practice facility I struggled to find good places to consistently ride without driving really far. I'm about 45 minutes away from Club MX, and now that the I485 loop is complete I can get to the tracks up I77 a lot easier.

The Club MX PF has been closed since Loretta's and TBH I've been lost without it

Bry145 wrote:

I stopped at the Chic Fil A in Indian Trail on the way to Club MX. It must be a blessing to have such a challenging...

I stopped at the Chic Fil A in Indian Trail on the way to Club MX.

It must be a blessing to have such a challenging sand track close-by to ride on the regular!

I really enjoy that place, and it is my favorite vacation spot. It's also a cheap vacation sleeping in a tent at the track and eating Bojangles.