Posts
5543
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA
US
Fantasy
1282nd
Edited Date/Time
1/17/2021 12:46am
I’ll always be a fan of motocross, it’s been part of my whole life. I’ll be at every local national or super cross , will go watch races at local tracks, will support the sport every way I can. I’ll still ride my dual sport and go camping and desert riding with family and friends. I love dirt bikes, always have, always will. I raised my kids riding and racing motorcycles from pw50’s on up. My wife rides, we dual sport all over and will continue to do so. In 2019 I turned 60 and made almost every so cal otmx race that year and got my lowest overall club position ever (9th overall) This year I was the club secretary and made almost every race this year. Two Sundays ago at Perris I launched off a third gear easy double And came down right on top of another racers down bike. Boom, Life changer. That race was on the 13th, I am writing this from the hospital hoping to be home by Christmas. 2021 Will be a year of healing. 4 to 6 months of non-weight bearing with a fairly full recovery hopefully at a year. The laundry list of injuries from this one stupid crash is so long I can’t even hardly believe it. Anyways I will still be around checking in and posting and following everything related to motocross, and as far as waking up at four in the morning and getting to tracks and showing up and “having” to be at some race or another ? I think that ship has sailed. You guys all be safe out there, then some good time with your families over the holidays and take care of yourselves. This is not a good time to be in a hospital, they are overworked and understaffed and you are not allowed any family member in to give you any hand. This one has been hard on the wife, hard on the business, and to be honest with you just not really worth that stupid $10 trophy. Take care be safe hug your loved ones I’ll be seeing you
I came to my realization about 6 years ago (62 now) at the AZOTMX International event. Racing the Master class there were ONLY 5 of us and two were ex-National racers like Eric McKenna. Needless to say I was beat before the gate dropped. About halfway through the 30 min moto (extended for these events) it came to me "why am I racing balls out trying to hang with two guys!!!??
Not a good way to race and haven't done so since.
Now I just trail ride, but that also has it's own sets of precarious moments but not quite as bad.
Hope you Heal Up fine sumdood.
I’m getting to the point you’re at as well. I’m sure we’ve all laid in the dirt, swearing that Monday our bike will be for sale and golf clubs will be on order...but for the first time in my life of riding, my crash this fall was different. It not only hurt, but actually scared me as to just how wrong it could’ve gone (and honestly I’m not sure why it didn’t). Sold my bike shortly after to help with some $$$ to get my house ready to sell. Took a long time to think about whether to be done. I’ll be getting one more bike this spring, but if I’m not feeling it, I’m done.
The Shop
My god I just can’t imagine going through that at our age....I’m 61.
I stepped away from dirt bikes at 50 after racing since I was 10 years old. It got to the point where all I was thinking about was “don’t crash don’t crash” while I’m racing around the track. Not a good mindset to be in at all. My last race, my older brother was in a gate that went off before me and when I came around a blind corner he was laying n the middle of my line on the outside and my
momentum took me right over him. Thank god it was just his legs that I ran over and not his head. He was already messed up (tore his knee up terribly) so I’m glad I didn’t do any damage. I stopped and ran back to him and he’s yelling at me to get back in the race so I took back off down the track. The corner workers were taking care of him.
Anyway after dealing with that and seeing how long he was laid up with surgery, I decided no more. Since then I’ve spent all my spare time on dual sport/street bikes. I ride over 10,000 miles a year and have a great time. I know people cringe at the thought of street riding but with years of moto skills I think we all have a advantage over those who never raced moto. I feel pretty safe out there.
I hope you recover quickly and get out n time for Christmas. Best wishes to you and once again I am so sorry you are going through this. I’m 30 miles south and if I can ever do anything for you give me a holler. I ride up to San Clemente and beyond almost every week and would be glad to swing by and help with anything if needed.
Kenny - 760/207/9371
Racing days are over but maybe just some play riding with them. Hope you get to feeling better
All the prayers for you to get the "miracle" healing and shock everyone by gettin out of there very very soon!!
Once I got my business going the first thing that ran through my head as I was three wide in the first corner for a +50 holeshot was ... "hey dumbass what the hell are you doing ? ain't nobody going to drive your truck for you .... !!"
Since that epiphany I'm mr hang out in back and cruize the track. Risk vs reward isn't even an option. Hell I feel like I'm there for the comradery more than anything.
Anyway keep your eyes to the horizon, chin up, and check out the hot nurses.
(I never get them😠)
Kevin
Pit Row
Ironic, since my "walk away moment" involved a major concussion (no other injuries) on a blind 4th gear jump / obstructed landing. That was ten years ago. Have raced moto here and there and have done a decent amount of off-road / hare scrambles since then, but it's different now and I'm ok with it.
Completely understand where you're at. My half-glass statement is it could have been worse, but I know I'm preaching to the choir because I know you know that. Glad you're recovering and here to share your story and receive that positive healing feedback that only moto doods could understand. Prayers / thoughts / vibes your way for a good recovery, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
You’ll heal up brother. Gonna be long road but it’ll pass.
I can only say try your best to look to the positives and pass your knowledge along, I look up to you head strong and if there is anything we as a community, myself can do to help I am and we are here ..
Old injuries, bad knees and herniated vertebrae in my neck took me off the MX track a few years ago. Still have lots of bikes to tinker on and restore to keep me going and close to the sport.
All the best to you in your recovery, moto-bro. Sorry you can't be with your family this Christmas. Please keep us posted on how you are getting along!
I’m almost 50 and every time I get the itch to pickup another bike - that 21 Honda 450r is so damn sexy - I end up reminding myself that I’m not the man I used to be. You’re in a very elite group. I know it’s painful to walk away from the sport but It’s been a damn fine run I’d say.
Heal up quick Sir.
We all eventually come to that crossroad deciding what’s next. I have hardware, been life flighted out of Mojave and still keep bouncing myself off trees in the PNW. I guess I’m hard headed. But, eventually I’ll have to find something to replace a passion so dear to me. We all do. When that time comes, it’ll be something I can include my friends and family with. That’s what riding has always been about for me.
I hope your recovery goes quickly. I look forward to continually seeing your posts here on Vital.
Also, make sure to ask all the hot nurses for sponge baths. I did every time I was in the hospital. My wife still brings that up. Smile n wave.
Take care mister.
I’ll take a shirt or two if you decide to sell them also.
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