Vet Rider Thoughts?

I'm 35 and in the same boat. When riding Moto, it's an accepted thing that you're going to tweak or break an arm, leg, knee, shoulder, etc and that's totally acceptable to most all of us or we wouldn't do it. The other stuff (more serious and permanent injuries) we just block out and pretend they're not on the table of possibilities.

I had a bad getoff while practicing last October and busted up some ribs, a kidney, and lacerated my liver. Pissing blood that looked more like Pino Noir convinced me to get a buddy to drive me to the hospital. On the way, I started feeling like I was going to black out, so I start handing him my wallet, writing down my wife's phone number, showing him where to find my insurance card, etc. The kicker was that my 7 year old son was in the truck with us and I was trying to reassure him that I was going to be okay even though I wasn't sure what was up.

Once we got to the hospital, I was back at myself so I sent my friend on to take my son and our bikes home and I walked myself into the ER. (Let's see a stick and ball athlete do that!)

After getting settled into a room, my wife arrives and I'm like, "sorry honey; I just made a little mistake." She was totally cool albeit worried. 4 CT scans and a few XRays later, the doctor comes in and explains my liver is lacerated in a bad spot next to a bunch of arteries, and the spot it's in is hard to get to if they have to operate, and that they're going to put me in ICU. I was like, "what?!? ICU?!? You're kidding, right?" He then explained that I was bleeding internally and this was a life threatening situation. I was still in total disbelief and was kind of expecting Ashton Kutcher to pop out and tell me I'd been punked or something (kids, it's a 90s thing). After that, my blood pressure started crashing, I kissed my wife bye, told her I loved her, and they rushed me to ICU.

While being rolled down the hall rather quickly, my brain was in overdrive. "Wow, this chick is sprinting!" "Is this going to be it?" But really, all I could think about was my son. I thought to myself, "if you keep doing this, this will be him one day and it could possibly be worse and it'd be all your fault. He doesn't love Moto as much as you, he just wants to be like you." That hit me in the feels! It was the truth.

Anyway, thankfully I made a quick and speedy recovery with no surgery, mostly due to lots of prayer and a good hospital staff. During those 4 days in the hospital, I decided that I had to give it up. I didn't want to, but I felt I had to. I'm the primary breadwinner and we're like everyone else with responsibilities. I'm risking my family's livelihood for something that's fun...for ME. Only ME. I love MX, but it was time. I can't do the woods thing either; just ride a trail 5-6 times a year and leave it at that. I'm a little obsessive so I'm a guy that wants to ride all the time, plus who the heck WANTS to intentionally ride slow? That's no fun! I decided I had to sell my bike ASAP before I got released to ride again or I'd just go right back to it, so I did....with a whopping 6 hours on a brand new KTM450. Sad day. Sad sad sad day. After selling mine, I sold my son's bikes. I made sure mine went before his.

Do I miss it? You bet! Do I regret it? Not really. I still watch it on TV, cruise the web, and have even been to the track (once!) to watch some guys rip. Nothing will ever fully replace it, but I've gained a lot more quality time with my family as a result of not being at the track. I also know I'm taking care of them by taking care of me.

Bottom line, there's a lot of us in the same boat! Whatever you decide, you're not alone. Chin up!

I'll throw my opinion in. Like many have posted, in my 40's (43) and a serious moto junky all my life. Actually, I just have a serious love affair with 2 wheels in general- BMX, XC/ End/DH MTB, Flat track, Desert, super moto, Moto, GP's, etc. I've ridden/raced it all and just love it! I too have had big breaks in there for kids, school, job, etc.. But even when I'm off, I'm thinking about it.

My two sons are old enough now(15 and 19) where we can go together and Moto, and I don't have to prep their equipment. Some of the best memories I have are days spent with them at the track. We've been back at the moto game for 3 or so years now.

Last year I decided to make my life long goal of qualifying and racing LL's, and I did it! One of the things I'm most proud of in my life on a strictly personal level. I can honestly say that I probably ride better now than anytime in my life. I guess the discipline you develope from being a grown man with responsibilities helps even with your hobbies.

Like everyone I've had my injuries- ACL, collarbones, wrist, ankles, metatarsal dislocations, ribs, etc. over the years. It's never been much of a deterrent for me. I always considered it part of the territory, and even a small badge of honor knowing I've been through some stuff, and I'm tougher than the average dude.

Well I got a wake up call March 13 of this year. I crashed at the GH 6 hour and fractured the spinous process of my C6 and C7. I was actually laying on the track paralyzed for 15-20 seconds. The only thing I could think about the whole time was "oh no, what have I done? This is gonna crush my wife and kids". I actually had zero concern for my own future, I was purely concerned with how it would affect them. To say it was SCARY would be an understatement. You can also imagine the flood of relief I felt when my toes started to tingle, and then the feeling returned to my legs. It was the first time in 30 years of moto that I actually felt scared, and contemplated quitting. Fortunately, everything turned out okay. 14 weeks in a C collar, and I'm still working through my therapy.

You can imagine the amount of soul searching I have done since this accident considering I'm stil not even cleared for all activities yet. Here are my conclusions:
1) I love this sport, and the amount of positives it has brought and brings my life is massive. I've pretty much decided on a personal level, I can't let fear keep me from my favorite thing to do. My wife gave me her blessing, and I will return to riding when I'm ready. That being said- I have many shifts in view point.
2) I won't ride unless I'm prepared. It's dangerous, and it not worth the risk to be riding when I'm out of shape, over weight, and poorly rested. This may sound kind of lame to some, but I took a look at it, and most of my injuries have occurred when I have tried to over ride my level of preparation. Never again. I think the older you get, the more important this is.
3) I won't ride without a clear head. Again, probably sounds strange, but hear me out. I'm not talking about normal everyday typical stress and drama- moto is the perfect remedy for this. I'm talking about those big situations in the back ground that sap your focus. Both times I've had big injuries in my life, it was right after a big blow out with a family member.
4)if your gonna race- ALWAYS remind yourself it's for a good time. Another theme for me is racing. I can get too tied up in the result, and that's when bad things happen(I start taking chances). If I do race again(and I will), the focus will be on having fun, riding well, sharing time with buddies,, and having fun.
5) always access where you're at and ride according. Obviously, the above things can't always be perfect. So take a look at them and ride accordingly.
6) keep the focus on the fun. I couldn't ride the last 4 months, so I'm restoring an '87 CR250. I figure the vintage scene will be right up my alley when I'm ready to get back riding. Well we're gonna find out!

I know these things are pretty much personal to me, but that's my take and I think it fits the topic. All great perspectives so far!

I'm 47 and just last year bought a ktm 300 for singletrack as moto is slowly dying around here. Fell while trying to get in shape for an ironman series I thought I'd try and cracked three ribs and cracked a shoulder blade. Took a summer off and am riding again but realistically after 35 years of racing/riding my body is rebelling.....Knee's/elbows? joints in general. I still despise losing to anyone.....(but I am a little more mature and reasonable about it now), so its still very hard for me to have a faster-younger guy go around me and not feel the need to drop in behind him and rail for a few laps.

What has been working for me is to go out on the track and ride a full 8 lap moto from gate to finish line by myself with the guys that are out on the track then go in and rest for 30 minutes.....I treat it like a moto at 85% and its been working for me. I don't pull off for anything and have to pace myself a little and really try to put in consistent laps and hit all my lines. That works better than going out and hammering for 2 or three laps at mach 1 then pulling off waiting for the feeling to come back to my hands arms and legs. I'm too out of shape for that type of riding and thats when I eat shit and limp for a while I plan to slow way down, but never want to quit totally.

After reading all these "testamonials", and we all understand what we're going through as Vet riders, (a lot of us wih families to consider) it's pretty neat to know other riders feel the same things.
I know I can't explain it to some family and friends who just don't understand, when I've been hurt from moto, and I refuse to give it up.
Wish we could all have a ride together. That would be cool. Of course, it would probably turn a little competitive. LOL

I'm 47 .. Taking a break from moto for about last year and half while wife is in nursing school. Got 2 bikes in garage gathering dust right now ..Told the wife a soon as you take the last final I'm going to pick up my new bike ..

I am soon to be 53, just getting back into it after decades...

I have invested in good protective gear and have great health insurance. I am joining a nearby local club and will NOT ride over my head.

I chose a 2005 CR125 to rebuild... Not terrifying by any means, but I know I can get whacked pretty badly, even on a 125. Respect, not fear.

I just finished the initial heat cycles last weekend and took a brisk spin around the yard today. That alone made me happy.

Ya gotta come to terms with reality and separate hobby from lifestyle. This to me is a hobby.