Posts
150
Joined
4/16/2014
Location
CA
Edited Date/Time
2/21/2016 11:21am
When did you choose to quit racing if you did (on any level), what caused it and how did you get past it?
I'm 18 and just plain can't afford it. I've done everything possible to make it as cheap as possible but just can't afford it and school, wondering if I really should hang it up.
I'm 18 and just plain can't afford it. I've done everything possible to make it as cheap as possible but just can't afford it and school, wondering if I really should hang it up.
I'm 26 now and think about racing everyday. Mountain biking is a poor substitute but it's all I've got
The Shop
That's life. Stay in shape, pick it back up when you can.
Good advise Jeffro, I guess I keep thinking in my mind once I quit I'm out for good. I'm taking agriculture so my career won't change a bit from what it is now, which is a blessing as I'll always have a job.
Long story short, I ended up signing to play football in college. I'm 38 now and haven't been on a bike since unfortunately.
I bounced around NYC but then moved to NJ for family after getting a "real" job. After buying a house in NJ, I got a bike a few months later (@~40) and can't wait until Englishtown opens again as I type. But I no longer race people: I race the track on my 125 and I love it. And I am fine with that but YMMV. The only question I have now is how long can I go, and am I being greedy. I love my family, my job but I really love riding too.
I raced MX from age 14-20. Gave it up for Uni. Got back in at age 24 but only lasted a year - it wasn't the right time. Did some road racing, but couldn't afford to crash. Started MX again at 40 and haven't looked back (I'm 50 now). What would I do differently? Nothing. If circumstances permitted I would have got back in at 35. You'll know when its the right time.
Hope this helps.
Pit Row
4th at Mammoth.
I knew I couldn't have trained any harder nor could I have rode better. I left literally nothing on the table...it was at that point I knew that I found my limit, and I was able to let go with a smile.
And to the OP, understand there is no shame in calling it square. If you did everything possible to make it happen, then be done with your head held high and move on to the next stage....
Welcome to the weekend rider club, its pretty friendly over here.
Cheers buddy.
most of the time i kept a bike in the shed, even if it did not get ridden for months at a time,
After a bad injury, big crash resulting in broken bones in my kneck, left shoulder, left side ribs and ripped my thumb off my right hand, just hanging loose now plated and screwed on with limited movement I had 18 months off a bike, it was tough for my wife having to look after our 5 year old and me... I thought I was done.... Then I rode a sidecar messing about... Then one popped up forsale at the right price.... Now my brother and I are in our 5th season of racing it.... I'm 38 in April and not done yet.... And I'm slowly building an 89 KX125.....
Throughout the next 10 years I got through uni, bought and bought a house. I got into sports bikes but one close call nearly being taken out by a car with the then fiance on the back put a holt to that.
In 2012 I bought an RM 250 to ride for fun, about a month later I was racing again. End of 2012 I picked up a leftover 2012 250sx. I managed to put 12 hours on it before getting run over in a first corner tip over and breaking my hand and having the ligaments messed up.
Six weeks later I sold my bike and the missus bike and bought a skiboat. We can wakeboard all year round where we live and the river is 10 minutes from my place vs 2 hours each way to ride/race
I miss riding and racing and I don't think anything can compare to the rush but for me the injury plus the travel just wasn't worth it
You're very young! 18yrs old and you don't even realize how many more years you have left. Whyen I was 18 , I tried to ride as much as I could and my parents could only afford so much. I went a little crazy in my life between the ages of 18 - 25yrs old. I got in some trouble and was basically pissed off at the world. I found myself getting back into the sport seriously around the age of 25.
And I can tell you right now , your strongest years are still ahead of you. You get smarter about your riding , pick and chose your spots and you will have an awesome time. I found that between the ages of 25 - about 36yrs old....were my strongest years ever. Physically , mentally and financially. I came to peace with myself and found out just how much I love this sport and all the friends I had made over the years. Priceless! And even with the injuries.....I wouldn't take one second of it back!
Like I said....you're really young. Your best years are ahead of you. Trust me!
I dunno , I look back on you and Jimmy's career both , and think you guys left some things on the table. Did you ever try the big bikes? And how competitive did you feel? I imagine you and Jimmy both would of been very competitive with time , as you guys rode the wheels off them 125's. Your career would be nothing to be ashamed of , that's for sure.
That's the key of course - seat time. You need the time and money to be able to spend a huge number hrs practising, even before the racing. Most people just don't have that.
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