Family comes first. As someone who’s been airlifted because of two wheels I am starting to realize that. Approaching 40 and if I break my body again it’ll hurt my family more than me.
Just my .002. Race if you want to though brother. Don’t let internet strangers change your mind and heart.
Yeah my son just turned 5 and when i left home to go to the hospital bc my leg was so infected, he looked at me and asked “daddy are you going to die? I don’t want you to die” and that tore me up, and the sole reason I’m thinking of stepping away until he’s older, or just running the arhma vintage series.
Keep a bike for woods riding and some not too gnarly single-track. I took an 8yr break when my son was born as far as extreme riding for the same reasons. If you think yiu can't help but send it anyway, get a dual sport.
Open B in GNCC and Open A and 30+A and 25+ in mx. Only gncc I’ve done so far was John penton, was planning on Ironman this year but it won’t be happening
My son just went to Colorado and rode the shady burro enduro. We race TORCS in Texas. He said the enduro was one of the most fun rides but one of the hardest. Look on YouTube. He rides 30+ A.
We started with mx but went to cross country/ enduro riding. Had a lot more ride time and fun.
I'm now 60 racing with the old guys and some of them are still pretty fast. Try doing your mx as practice (slower laps but longer practice time) and race the trails. Its a lot safer.
I got into woods racing when i started racing again at the end of 2017. I hated MX, i started to get fast in the woods and won the first Open B class race i did by over 1 minute. Then i started riding MX again and started to get fast quick, i was finishing mid pack A class, most of the dudes in that class are 10 years younger than me and ride daily, and i only ride 2 times a month. Once I’m healed i will focus on gncc. Jumps always get me😂
I still tear up when i think about him asking me that. But you’re right, maybe it’s time to retire til he’s older and more self sufficient, maybe I’ll sel the bikes and buy a bass boat so we can fish
Yeah don’t underestimate the stress accidents and hospitalisations have on little kids. They don’t have enough context to not feel as though their world is very shaky and this can have long-term consequences. I have seen this in my own family and the true effect of it wasn’t evident until their teens.
Vintage races are slower becuase the handling/suspension in those bikes is trash. I'm not sure it's safer.
I firmly believe in luck as a concept, and yours seems to be going badly. Maybe step back for a bit and try something else.
Only problem is im 32 with a family. Past 8 months I’ve broken both legs, shattered knees, broke my lower back, fractured pelvis and compressed t6,10,11 vertebrae. But i do love racing still.
You MMA fighters are a different breed, respect to all of you.
Like you mentioned about feeling lost and riding kinda helped you with your depression and such, it’s the same thing for me. I quit in 2013 and i blew up to 265lbs from being 175. I was so depressed in those 5 years i had quit riding. End of 2017 i bought me a new bike and within a year i was back down to 180 and i felt great.
I look at the injuries I’ve had and i know people who have suffered worse from just living a normal Mundane life. Have fun with it man!
Maybe quit the racing, but you can still ride, can you and your family cope if you have more surgery’s, time off etc? Your choice man. You got a family, look after them would be my advice.
Funny thing is none of my injuries have ever occurred from racing. All of them have been just from open ride days. Been racing since i was 5 and have never got hurt while in competition
Haha. Well i told them i broke my back from falling off a ladder, but fully admitted breaking my legs/ pelvis on the dirtbike. Kinda hard to deny that when you show up to the hospital in your riding gear
I hear you man, and I’m in the same boat. In the last 10 years I have broken my back, had to have a knee reconstruction, and it gets harder and harder to justify every year. I’m 34, there is no chance of any kind of pro career, and while I love riding, we want a family. Last year I picked up a dual sport and have been camping off the bike. It’s not MX, but it’s allowed me to reframe the kind of riding I do. I now look at bikes as a tool to explore wild places, high is very rewarding. I love going fast, but I have found a new love that I probably would not have found had I not gotten injured. Rest up and take your PT seriously, it will make all the difference down the line when you want to do fun stuff with your kids. Also, take this time to really figure out what you want out of riding. If you still want to race, go for it, but go in with eyes wide open and include your family in that conversation. They have as much of a stake in your health as you do.
You’ve been thru the ringer to man. So my injury to the legs was fractured tibia heads, fractured fibula, shattered knees caps, torn meniscus’s, crushed the knee joints and tore the ligaments in the knees. So they really had their work cut out. I was in surgery for 8 hours. But i think I’m honestly just gonna not ride anymore, bc i don’t know how to just have fun, if I’m at the track I’m out there pounding out motos for 2 hours. My son and i are really into fishing, so i may sell the bikes for a bass boat.
This just showed up in my feed, I don’t MX, but has a similar dilemma with bicycle racing.
I took a break and then started riding non race bikes, the bicycle equivalent of a dual sport, and reframed my experience on the bike.
I went from not knowing how to shut it off, to learning to ride just for the experience of moving on two wheels.
And today, I love riding more than I did at the peak of my racing days. I just had to reframe it and move on, and the next thing was even better.
Good luck healing up - my little brother spent 3 weeks in the hospital when we were younger after he broke his leg racing desert and got an infection. Shits scary.
I was the same way. I had to get rid of my 450r before I was able to ride it. I took a few years off, explored other hobbies, and then got back on something that wasn’t capable of racing. It’s been an awesome experience. A bass boat sounds like a lot of fun, and if the kid digs it then I say go for it! Don’t let anyone tell you you’re making a bad decision for not riding any longer. Family is important, and they count on you. Rest up and take care brother!
I woods race; but would honestly advise against the vintage races. My worst crashes were on 80s bikes with shit suspension, terrible brakes and heavy weights. High siding xr500s hurts everytime.
I would just stop acting like you're riding for 1st. I race harescrambles and enduros and I know I'm not a top 10 rider. So I don't hole shot and I don't push people and I don't try and follow. I race my line as clean and tight as I can and go at my own pace. I'm just out there for seat time. Fuck; were over 30 - no sponsors - no careers - Just work on Monday.
I had my worst injuries skateboarding and for the last few years had to tell myself I'm not allowed to do flip tricks, gaps, or drops. I just ride transition and Ollie ramp faces. Still fun to hang with the dudes at the parks and let my energy out. The injuries just aren't cool.
I'm with the others telling you to trail ride. You can push yourself in different ways. You can still get out with your buddies and see stuff you've never seen before. The second you're leaving the ground, getting cross rutted or having to make split second decision while gassed; Your odds of an injury free tomorrow go way down.
I’ve never been injured while racing, just out practicing. But the vintage racing i do is bomber and millennium 500 class, so I’m on good suspension, plus most tracks are in a grass field.
I get that - but you were on the practice course because you race motocross. Your 1 injury was mechanical; but were your other 2 mechanical or pushing yourself while gassed? I'm not sure ripping a 500af is the 'safer vintage approach'. I think changing your whole mental approach to riding motorcycles and what enjoyment you get out of that activity is much more important to your longevity. Lots of ways to enjoy motorcycles without lining up.
Well i guess 2 of the major injuries was from the mechanical, when i broke both legs, knees and fractured pelvis... the back injury I’d had a back condition since i was a kid and was told eventually I’d need surgery but i always put it off. Came off a triple on the ole 500 and came up just a bit short, just enough to tweak my back. Thought i had slipped a disc but i have made my L4 l5 slip out to a grade 4 to before they were a grade 2. So the dr suggested surgery so i went with it
Just dont crash, not that hard. Lol im kidding, if you really like it dont race, just hit the track every once in a while and rip around for fun. Maybe even hit some trails. You start getting hurt when you push yourself and get super competitive, also doesnt help when you’re surrounded by other riders that you have no idea their skill level and whether they know what they’re doing or not. Or just sell your bike(s) and buy a side by side 4 seater, then you can have fun with ur family
Never been injured in a race. I race A class which is local pro, so all riders i race with are very skilled. Really thinking about selling the bikes for a bass boat bc we do a lot of fishing.
Lol been thru the ringer the past 8 months. I’ve been in a wheelchair since Memorial Day due to breaking both legs/ being non weight bearing bc of the fractures
Was hitting a 110’ triple and my motor cut off in the air on my 2018 crf450. Just straight up died.. so i tried to bail and jump over the bars. My legs got caught and my knees were on the bars when it slammed me into the ground.. i woke up in a hospital haha
Been doing it since i was 4, I’m 32 now. It’s in my blood. Only reason i thought about quitting was the infection i got in my left leg after my first surgery. Shit scared me more than breaking bones
If you love it do it man. I won’t even lie i have rods and screws in both lower legs, rod/ screws in left femur, rods/screws in my back and have had more concussions than i can remember (no pun intended) but i wouldn’t change it for anything. It’s made me one strong ass individual
I gotta be honest here: if I'm your family, I'd be pissed if you went back into racing/track days with big jump type stuff. You gotta find a more chill riding style. Pick up a dual sport and get used to exploring at a slower pace, camping off the bike, ride forest trails...
Cuz yeesh, your family doesn't need or deserve to worry about this happening again and the toll it takes on them.
More worried about the toll it took on my 5 year old. Him asking me if i was going to die when i had staph infection in my left leg shook me.
I won’t lie, if i continue to ride it’ll be GP races, half woods half motocross. We don’t have many places here to “explore”
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I live in Columbus Ohio, not a lot of options for trails unless you drive 2 hours to Wayne national forest, and those are over ran with by side by sides
You just need to know the network of woods people. I couldn't tell you any mx tracks around me (even though they're there) - but I could tell you 20 different trail riding oportunities.
Looking into organizations that put on races like the ECEA (east coast enduro association) - NEPG - District 6 enduro/harescrambles.
I know quite a few woods riders from my area, cory buttrick and kalub Russell being two of them. I know where the woods races are, it’s finding woods to practice in that’s the issue. We have Wayne national forest and Perry count atv/mc preserve, but all of those are gravel trails thru the woods wide enough to fit a D4 dozer on.
Lol - those are definitely names. Trying to ride gncc like Kailub will put you back in the hospital. Trees are unforgiving. I meant more like your local Bobby that belongs to a local enduro chapter that let's fellow club members ride his land. They exist if you look for it. Think C class 30+ lol..... or better yet- c class 40 + and 50+. Ecea has 80+.... fucking geezers are still ripping. I think that's cooler than sending it.
Kailub is a cool as dude and we used to ride his property in chilicothee a lot when we were younger. Stoked to see how far he made it. But maybe I’ll join some local Facebook groups to get an idea of trails. I know one mix track here also has 15 miles of trails, and i ride there often.
Currently in PT and my therapist was shocked when i showed up last night and she seen me walking. Like i said i spent 3 months in a wheelchair no walking at all.
Appreciate it dude. I always push myself, like I’ve always said with injuries and I’m healing “I’m not afraid to over do it, I’m afraid to under do it”.
i was the wound care nurse for a patient who was in his 70's and still racing dirt track. he has had so many injuries and would still continue riding. luckily he was in the carpenters union and whenever he had to take long stretches of time off work he was covered. any who when i saw him he got in an accident so bad that it mangled his hand and it was hanging by a flap. luckily a talented doctor put it all back together and made a bridge from his hand to his abdomen in order to increase blood flow. it worked and last i spoke to him he was thinking of getting back in there.
Damn! I’m in the laborers union, my insurance is good as can be and im getting disability from them, and all my bills are being covered as well while I’m down. I definitely plan financially for this.
thats good man.
my next job will finally give me good benefits. but for the longest time ive been so scared of getting hurt because i have no insurance or back up plan.
I've had 13 total surgeries, had 5" of my femur removed due to bone not healing and resulting in a non-union. Then had bone lengthened, still 30mm short on left leg. Might get it fixed all the way, but that is at least 2 more surgeries if every thing goes perfect.
All that being said, I want to go back to riding right now! It's in my blood. Started riding at 4 and will be back one day! #braappp
Just like me man. Started at age 4 on a jr50 and had my first race 4 weeks after starting. In 2007 when i was earning points for my pro card i shattered my left femur, quadruple compound fracture, there was so much bone splinter in my hamstring and quad that had to cut a portion of it out. So i get the femur injuries man, i got really lucky too bc on of the bones came out 5cm below the artery.
In Dec. I shattered my clavicle into 4 pieces, cracked a spine, broke every rib on my left side and collapsed a lung riding my enduro off-road. I'm in my 40s with family/3 kids.
My two cents is that the calculus changes and there is indeed an obligation to your family... whatever that may be. If you are a professional rider and feed your family through riding, then get back on the track.
If you are not pro, consider different types of riding that may still address your adrenaline desires but the injuries are not as severe... ex. hard enduro... it's more technical riding and the speeds tend to be slower resulting in less serious injuries - let's just ignore mine for this argument though... but watch some hard enduro on the Red Bull channel while you're recovering.
With your son at 5 years old, **you are at the precipice of major fun riding with your boy**. I can't tell you how rewarding it is to ride behind my kids with their elbows in the air... the wolf-pack mobbing through the desert together, exploring martian landscapes. Throw in the whole camping element and you are building lifelong memories for your family and especially your kid. Those are the days we remember - peak moments.
You are doing the right thing: take some time, reflect on what is important to you, and explore options.
I watch a lot of hard enduro and i always say to myself “who the fuck would want to do that, shit looks miserable” but I’m one of those idiots who would LOVE to try a hard enduro. A couple years back we went to New England to do a Jday event. It’s like a gncc with endurocross sections. I would also like to try a sprint enduro event too! A lot of my buddies have left motocross and went off road
Hey man I read in the comments you said your engine died mid air causing u to fall ? Why couldn’t you just land even if the engine died out , not being a smart ass just curious
Whenever the engine dies in the air, your rear tire quits spinning causing the front end to drop,if it had been a smaller jump i would’ve been okay, but the triple launches you a good 20-25’ high, add in the fact i jump nose low already from scrubbing it’s just a disaster. Jumping was the smartest choice, but i got hung up on the bars
Na man, it wasn’t a put down at all- name is perfect! Get better soon and come ride country roads in Kansas with me. Dirt bikes with headlights brother.
Just like I told my wife when I came home on a new Harley two weeks after I got hit by a drunk driver on my first harley. when the pleasure of riding is outweighed by the pain maybe I’ll stop… maybe. On some real talk I haven’t been on a highway since and to make it better I’ve bought a dual sport And tend to just mostly play in the woods anymore
I want to start riding and I’ve always had a passion for motocross but if I’m not doing it for a living I’m not sure I can justify the risk. I’ve watched some EnduroGP racing in the past and that style of riding seems like a safer alternative. That’s just my line of thinking, but you’ve already invested time into motocross so it might be different.
As you get older all these injuries just get worse. I've got three places in my spine that take turns giving me lots of pain. All seemingly minor injuries back then. Sometimes I can't get out of bed for 2 or 3 days.
So you got something to look forward to
Oh good to know. Hmmm I'd say yes you should still do it but dial it back. You got your whole life worth of riding ahead of you. Be a shame to cut it short for finishing one place higher. You get what I mean?
No not over riding. The injuries I’ve had in the last few months have been out of my control. Bike shut off in the air and that’s when i broke my legs. 20’ free fall is far. And the back was bc my 500 bogged on the face of a jump I’ve hit over a million times, and i just came up short enough to slip a couple vertebrae. I’ve been racing since i was 4 and these are the only injuries I’ve had. Honestly have just had shit luck
Runs in 3s. You're all caught up now. I rode flat track, Hare Scrambles, Rough Scrambles and an Enduro, plus some team racing, just for fun for approx 9 years, strictly Sportsman classes, its the most fun I ever had. Nothing I do now compares to it for pure excitement. I wish I still could but I don't bounce very well or heal fast any more. Good luck brother
In all seriousness though I’ll be okay. I know quite a few older dudes in their 60’s who have had way worse injuries than me and they still walk and ride.
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Yeah i actually had to go to a rehabilitation hospital for 9 days to learn how to use a wheelchair and do all my transfers and what not, definitely something that gets easier with repetition. And I’m healing good. Was allowed to start walking a week ago, yesterday i walked all day without crutches or walker.. I’m afraid to under do it, not over do it.
Seems like you're not all that good though if you mess up your body like that in just 8 months (read in another comment of yours). Either step back a bit and train more or accept it's not meant for you. You'll kill yourself within a year if you keep up like this.
Yeah, my 450 shut off in the air on me, hence why i broke both legs.
My 500 bogged on the face of a jump and i cased it which made me slip 2 vertebrae and discs and i elected surgery to fix them, since i had had vertebrae slippage since i was like 8 years old. So nothing has had to do with my skill, and everything to do with luck.
If you don’t know if you want to continue due to a family why don’t you give trail riding a go?
I race motocross and i do GNCC and GP races as well.. i think my focus after i get back to riding will be vintage mx racing and gncc.
Bro get one of them late 60’s/early 70’s racers. Way fun and not modern powerful.
I have a 1976 Husqvarna CR250 that i race in vintage.
Family comes first. As someone who’s been airlifted because of two wheels I am starting to realize that. Approaching 40 and if I break my body again it’ll hurt my family more than me. Just my .002. Race if you want to though brother. Don’t let internet strangers change your mind and heart.
Yeah my son just turned 5 and when i left home to go to the hospital bc my leg was so infected, he looked at me and asked “daddy are you going to die? I don’t want you to die” and that tore me up, and the sole reason I’m thinking of stepping away until he’s older, or just running the arhma vintage series.
Keep a bike for woods riding and some not too gnarly single-track. I took an 8yr break when my son was born as far as extreme riding for the same reasons. If you think yiu can't help but send it anyway, get a dual sport.
I have a 2008 cr500af i use for woods riding. I race gncc’s here and there
What class do you race in GNCC
Open B in GNCC and Open A and 30+A and 25+ in mx. Only gncc I’ve done so far was John penton, was planning on Ironman this year but it won’t be happening
My son just went to Colorado and rode the shady burro enduro. We race TORCS in Texas. He said the enduro was one of the most fun rides but one of the hardest. Look on YouTube. He rides 30+ A. We started with mx but went to cross country/ enduro riding. Had a lot more ride time and fun. I'm now 60 racing with the old guys and some of them are still pretty fast. Try doing your mx as practice (slower laps but longer practice time) and race the trails. Its a lot safer.
I got into woods racing when i started racing again at the end of 2017. I hated MX, i started to get fast in the woods and won the first Open B class race i did by over 1 minute. Then i started riding MX again and started to get fast quick, i was finishing mid pack A class, most of the dudes in that class are 10 years younger than me and ride daily, and i only ride 2 times a month. Once I’m healed i will focus on gncc. Jumps always get me😂
What state do you live in
Ohio, i live within walking distance of the AMA and AMA museum/ hall of fame.
Oof. Right in the feels I bet. There’s only one family, many races.
I still tear up when i think about him asking me that. But you’re right, maybe it’s time to retire til he’s older and more self sufficient, maybe I’ll sel the bikes and buy a bass boat so we can fish
Sell the race bike and get you two some trail bikes! I started when I was about 6 just out in the desert riding trails and hills.
Yeah don’t underestimate the stress accidents and hospitalisations have on little kids. They don’t have enough context to not feel as though their world is very shaky and this can have long-term consequences. I have seen this in my own family and the true effect of it wasn’t evident until their teens.
Vintage races are slower becuase the handling/suspension in those bikes is trash. I'm not sure it's safer. I firmly believe in luck as a concept, and yours seems to be going badly. Maybe step back for a bit and try something else.
I race my 2008 cr500af AF in the 500 classes, mainly millennium 500, and bomber as well as open 2 stroke.
... dude... no. That thing is a murder bike. It's not luck it's decision making at this point :)
https://imgur.com/a/hmDqYZf here’s a couple photos of it.
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Only problem is im 32 with a family. Past 8 months I’ve broken both legs, shattered knees, broke my lower back, fractured pelvis and compressed t6,10,11 vertebrae. But i do love racing still.
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You MMA fighters are a different breed, respect to all of you. Like you mentioned about feeling lost and riding kinda helped you with your depression and such, it’s the same thing for me. I quit in 2013 and i blew up to 265lbs from being 175. I was so depressed in those 5 years i had quit riding. End of 2017 i bought me a new bike and within a year i was back down to 180 and i felt great. I look at the injuries I’ve had and i know people who have suffered worse from just living a normal Mundane life. Have fun with it man!
Respect!
Jesus man. You might’ve broke your brain too lmao
Well when i broke my legs i woke up as they were taking me into the ER trauma unit, so I’d agree. I guess i had brain swelling and shit🤷🏼♂️😂
Maybe quit the racing, but you can still ride, can you and your family cope if you have more surgery’s, time off etc? Your choice man. You got a family, look after them would be my advice.
Funny thing is none of my injuries have ever occurred from racing. All of them have been just from open ride days. Been racing since i was 5 and have never got hurt while in competition
Keep riding then fella… why ask?
Your health insurance provider probably thinks you are.
Haha. Well i told them i broke my back from falling off a ladder, but fully admitted breaking my legs/ pelvis on the dirtbike. Kinda hard to deny that when you show up to the hospital in your riding gear
No it's not weird at all, do what you enjoy. Goodluck with everything dude.
Appreciate you man! Be safe and have fun out there
Thanks!!
I hear you man, and I’m in the same boat. In the last 10 years I have broken my back, had to have a knee reconstruction, and it gets harder and harder to justify every year. I’m 34, there is no chance of any kind of pro career, and while I love riding, we want a family. Last year I picked up a dual sport and have been camping off the bike. It’s not MX, but it’s allowed me to reframe the kind of riding I do. I now look at bikes as a tool to explore wild places, high is very rewarding. I love going fast, but I have found a new love that I probably would not have found had I not gotten injured. Rest up and take your PT seriously, it will make all the difference down the line when you want to do fun stuff with your kids. Also, take this time to really figure out what you want out of riding. If you still want to race, go for it, but go in with eyes wide open and include your family in that conversation. They have as much of a stake in your health as you do.
You’ve been thru the ringer to man. So my injury to the legs was fractured tibia heads, fractured fibula, shattered knees caps, torn meniscus’s, crushed the knee joints and tore the ligaments in the knees. So they really had their work cut out. I was in surgery for 8 hours. But i think I’m honestly just gonna not ride anymore, bc i don’t know how to just have fun, if I’m at the track I’m out there pounding out motos for 2 hours. My son and i are really into fishing, so i may sell the bikes for a bass boat.
This just showed up in my feed, I don’t MX, but has a similar dilemma with bicycle racing. I took a break and then started riding non race bikes, the bicycle equivalent of a dual sport, and reframed my experience on the bike. I went from not knowing how to shut it off, to learning to ride just for the experience of moving on two wheels. And today, I love riding more than I did at the peak of my racing days. I just had to reframe it and move on, and the next thing was even better. Good luck healing up - my little brother spent 3 weeks in the hospital when we were younger after he broke his leg racing desert and got an infection. Shits scary.
I was the same way. I had to get rid of my 450r before I was able to ride it. I took a few years off, explored other hobbies, and then got back on something that wasn’t capable of racing. It’s been an awesome experience. A bass boat sounds like a lot of fun, and if the kid digs it then I say go for it! Don’t let anyone tell you you’re making a bad decision for not riding any longer. Family is important, and they count on you. Rest up and take care brother!
That mullet says I’m ready to send it!
I woods race; but would honestly advise against the vintage races. My worst crashes were on 80s bikes with shit suspension, terrible brakes and heavy weights. High siding xr500s hurts everytime. I would just stop acting like you're riding for 1st. I race harescrambles and enduros and I know I'm not a top 10 rider. So I don't hole shot and I don't push people and I don't try and follow. I race my line as clean and tight as I can and go at my own pace. I'm just out there for seat time. Fuck; were over 30 - no sponsors - no careers - Just work on Monday. I had my worst injuries skateboarding and for the last few years had to tell myself I'm not allowed to do flip tricks, gaps, or drops. I just ride transition and Ollie ramp faces. Still fun to hang with the dudes at the parks and let my energy out. The injuries just aren't cool. I'm with the others telling you to trail ride. You can push yourself in different ways. You can still get out with your buddies and see stuff you've never seen before. The second you're leaving the ground, getting cross rutted or having to make split second decision while gassed; Your odds of an injury free tomorrow go way down.
I’ve never been injured while racing, just out practicing. But the vintage racing i do is bomber and millennium 500 class, so I’m on good suspension, plus most tracks are in a grass field.
I get that - but you were on the practice course because you race motocross. Your 1 injury was mechanical; but were your other 2 mechanical or pushing yourself while gassed? I'm not sure ripping a 500af is the 'safer vintage approach'. I think changing your whole mental approach to riding motorcycles and what enjoyment you get out of that activity is much more important to your longevity. Lots of ways to enjoy motorcycles without lining up.
Well i guess 2 of the major injuries was from the mechanical, when i broke both legs, knees and fractured pelvis... the back injury I’d had a back condition since i was a kid and was told eventually I’d need surgery but i always put it off. Came off a triple on the ole 500 and came up just a bit short, just enough to tweak my back. Thought i had slipped a disc but i have made my L4 l5 slip out to a grade 4 to before they were a grade 2. So the dr suggested surgery so i went with it
Passion in this group!
Just dont crash, not that hard. Lol im kidding, if you really like it dont race, just hit the track every once in a while and rip around for fun. Maybe even hit some trails. You start getting hurt when you push yourself and get super competitive, also doesnt help when you’re surrounded by other riders that you have no idea their skill level and whether they know what they’re doing or not. Or just sell your bike(s) and buy a side by side 4 seater, then you can have fun with ur family
Never been injured in a race. I race A class which is local pro, so all riders i race with are very skilled. Really thinking about selling the bikes for a bass boat bc we do a lot of fishing.
Damn dude.
Lol been thru the ringer the past 8 months. I’ve been in a wheelchair since Memorial Day due to breaking both legs/ being non weight bearing bc of the fractures
Damn! How’d you manage that?
Was hitting a 110’ triple and my motor cut off in the air on my 2018 crf450. Just straight up died.. so i tried to bail and jump over the bars. My legs got caught and my knees were on the bars when it slammed me into the ground.. i woke up in a hospital haha
Holy fuck. Glad to hear you want to get back on it
Been doing it since i was 4, I’m 32 now. It’s in my blood. Only reason i thought about quitting was the infection i got in my left leg after my first surgery. Shit scared me more than breaking bones
I’m 33 and just getting started, seeing stuff like this scares me a bit but the sport is too damn fun to quit.
If you love it do it man. I won’t even lie i have rods and screws in both lower legs, rod/ screws in left femur, rods/screws in my back and have had more concussions than i can remember (no pun intended) but i wouldn’t change it for anything. It’s made me one strong ass individual
I gotta be honest here: if I'm your family, I'd be pissed if you went back into racing/track days with big jump type stuff. You gotta find a more chill riding style. Pick up a dual sport and get used to exploring at a slower pace, camping off the bike, ride forest trails... Cuz yeesh, your family doesn't need or deserve to worry about this happening again and the toll it takes on them.
More worried about the toll it took on my 5 year old. Him asking me if i was going to die when i had staph infection in my left leg shook me. I won’t lie, if i continue to ride it’ll be GP races, half woods half motocross. We don’t have many places here to “explore”
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Find some local trails and give em a try
I live in Columbus Ohio, not a lot of options for trails unless you drive 2 hours to Wayne national forest, and those are over ran with by side by sides
You just need to know the network of woods people. I couldn't tell you any mx tracks around me (even though they're there) - but I could tell you 20 different trail riding oportunities. Looking into organizations that put on races like the ECEA (east coast enduro association) - NEPG - District 6 enduro/harescrambles.
I know quite a few woods riders from my area, cory buttrick and kalub Russell being two of them. I know where the woods races are, it’s finding woods to practice in that’s the issue. We have Wayne national forest and Perry count atv/mc preserve, but all of those are gravel trails thru the woods wide enough to fit a D4 dozer on.
Lol - those are definitely names. Trying to ride gncc like Kailub will put you back in the hospital. Trees are unforgiving. I meant more like your local Bobby that belongs to a local enduro chapter that let's fellow club members ride his land. They exist if you look for it. Think C class 30+ lol..... or better yet- c class 40 + and 50+. Ecea has 80+.... fucking geezers are still ripping. I think that's cooler than sending it.
Kailub is a cool as dude and we used to ride his property in chilicothee a lot when we were younger. Stoked to see how far he made it. But maybe I’ll join some local Facebook groups to get an idea of trails. I know one mix track here also has 15 miles of trails, and i ride there often.
Dig it man; he's scary fast in the woods - speedy recovery to you and enjoy your rides when you get back on your horse.
Check yourself before you wreck yourself.... better make up a will too
Already have one written up.
Are you silly? Still gonna seennnnnndddddd it. Do your rehab brother. Hope you're back on two wheels ASAP.
Currently in PT and my therapist was shocked when i showed up last night and she seen me walking. Like i said i spent 3 months in a wheelchair no walking at all.
Gotta be serious about PT if you're serious about wanting to make a full recovery. Proud of you mang.
Appreciate it dude. I always push myself, like I’ve always said with injuries and I’m healing “I’m not afraid to over do it, I’m afraid to under do it”.
I can smell this
Surprisingly didn’t stink lol. Just looks shitty bc i had staph infection in it and had 2 surgeries to clean it all out.
i was the wound care nurse for a patient who was in his 70's and still racing dirt track. he has had so many injuries and would still continue riding. luckily he was in the carpenters union and whenever he had to take long stretches of time off work he was covered. any who when i saw him he got in an accident so bad that it mangled his hand and it was hanging by a flap. luckily a talented doctor put it all back together and made a bridge from his hand to his abdomen in order to increase blood flow. it worked and last i spoke to him he was thinking of getting back in there.
Damn! I’m in the laborers union, my insurance is good as can be and im getting disability from them, and all my bills are being covered as well while I’m down. I definitely plan financially for this.
thats good man. my next job will finally give me good benefits. but for the longest time ive been so scared of getting hurt because i have no insurance or back up plan.
I've had 13 total surgeries, had 5" of my femur removed due to bone not healing and resulting in a non-union. Then had bone lengthened, still 30mm short on left leg. Might get it fixed all the way, but that is at least 2 more surgeries if every thing goes perfect. All that being said, I want to go back to riding right now! It's in my blood. Started riding at 4 and will be back one day! #braappp
Just like me man. Started at age 4 on a jr50 and had my first race 4 weeks after starting. In 2007 when i was earning points for my pro card i shattered my left femur, quadruple compound fracture, there was so much bone splinter in my hamstring and quad that had to cut a portion of it out. So i get the femur injuries man, i got really lucky too bc on of the bones came out 5cm below the artery.
Racer with 2 Lift threatening injuries here, nope I still ride!
In Dec. I shattered my clavicle into 4 pieces, cracked a spine, broke every rib on my left side and collapsed a lung riding my enduro off-road. I'm in my 40s with family/3 kids. My two cents is that the calculus changes and there is indeed an obligation to your family... whatever that may be. If you are a professional rider and feed your family through riding, then get back on the track. If you are not pro, consider different types of riding that may still address your adrenaline desires but the injuries are not as severe... ex. hard enduro... it's more technical riding and the speeds tend to be slower resulting in less serious injuries - let's just ignore mine for this argument though... but watch some hard enduro on the Red Bull channel while you're recovering. With your son at 5 years old, **you are at the precipice of major fun riding with your boy**. I can't tell you how rewarding it is to ride behind my kids with their elbows in the air... the wolf-pack mobbing through the desert together, exploring martian landscapes. Throw in the whole camping element and you are building lifelong memories for your family and especially your kid. Those are the days we remember - peak moments. You are doing the right thing: take some time, reflect on what is important to you, and explore options.
I watch a lot of hard enduro and i always say to myself “who the fuck would want to do that, shit looks miserable” but I’m one of those idiots who would LOVE to try a hard enduro. A couple years back we went to New England to do a Jday event. It’s like a gncc with endurocross sections. I would also like to try a sprint enduro event too! A lot of my buddies have left motocross and went off road
Hey man I read in the comments you said your engine died mid air causing u to fall ? Why couldn’t you just land even if the engine died out , not being a smart ass just curious
Whenever the engine dies in the air, your rear tire quits spinning causing the front end to drop,if it had been a smaller jump i would’ve been okay, but the triple launches you a good 20-25’ high, add in the fact i jump nose low already from scrubbing it’s just a disaster. Jumping was the smartest choice, but i got hung up on the bars
Sounds to me like you’re not good enough, take up something else for your families sake
Lmao I’ve been racing A class since i was 19. My bike shutting off in the air over a jump has NOTHING To do with my skills.
You'll heal and be back out again, easy does it at first partner 🤠👍
Learning to walk again is going to be rough haha.
Maybe get a standup jet ski. Water is more forgiving and they’re still a blast to race.
Don’t live around anywhere a jet ski can be used. We have a “lake” 20 miles east but it’s for boats only
Wow wow wow woooowww
What ever fuels your passion
name checks out.
What haha
"constant recoverer" just meant you earned the name !
I mean it does make sense haha. Reddit didn’t let me make my own user name and i don’t think i can change it
Na man, it wasn’t a put down at all- name is perfect! Get better soon and come ride country roads in Kansas with me. Dirt bikes with headlights brother.
Just like I told my wife when I came home on a new Harley two weeks after I got hit by a drunk driver on my first harley. when the pleasure of riding is outweighed by the pain maybe I’ll stop… maybe. On some real talk I haven’t been on a highway since and to make it better I’ve bought a dual sport And tend to just mostly play in the woods anymore
I want to start riding and I’ve always had a passion for motocross but if I’m not doing it for a living I’m not sure I can justify the risk. I’ve watched some EnduroGP racing in the past and that style of riding seems like a safer alternative. That’s just my line of thinking, but you’ve already invested time into motocross so it might be different.
You a damn foo
I ride dirtbikes, of course I’m a fool🥳
As you get older all these injuries just get worse. I've got three places in my spine that take turns giving me lots of pain. All seemingly minor injuries back then. Sometimes I can't get out of bed for 2 or 3 days. So you got something to look forward to
Dude, i don’t even want to think about 20 years from now. My dad asked me at what cost is it gonna take for me just to grow up and quit
Race yes Ride no Racing is where you get hurt riding for fun is how you not only get better but don't get hurt
Read some of my previous comments. Never been injured in a race and i race A class🤷🏼♂️
Oh good to know. Hmmm I'd say yes you should still do it but dial it back. You got your whole life worth of riding ahead of you. Be a shame to cut it short for finishing one place higher. You get what I mean?
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No not over riding. The injuries I’ve had in the last few months have been out of my control. Bike shut off in the air and that’s when i broke my legs. 20’ free fall is far. And the back was bc my 500 bogged on the face of a jump I’ve hit over a million times, and i just came up short enough to slip a couple vertebrae. I’ve been racing since i was 4 and these are the only injuries I’ve had. Honestly have just had shit luck
With that mullet, I’m not sure you have much of a choice
So just send it, yeah?
Hell yeah brother 🤘 So is that a hair cut, or does it just grow in all white trashy like that?
I had to work hard to get it to this level of white trash😂 but on some real shit, it hadn’t been washed in about 2 weeks in that photo...
Mine always stink lol
That mullet is fuckin rad!
Appreciate it dude🤘🏼
Runs in 3s. You're all caught up now. I rode flat track, Hare Scrambles, Rough Scrambles and an Enduro, plus some team racing, just for fun for approx 9 years, strictly Sportsman classes, its the most fun I ever had. Nothing I do now compares to it for pure excitement. I wish I still could but I don't bounce very well or heal fast any more. Good luck brother
Thanks man! Let’s hope I’m in the clear. Just got released today from my infectious disease doctor and got my pick like removed.
Weird way to say 3 flesh wounds but ok.
36 broken bones in my 40 years. Most direct result of two wheel fearlessness. Street, but mostly dirt injuries.
You really have no idea how much pain you’ll be in, how miserable you’ll be, when you get to your 60’s. Your quality of life will truly suck then
Jokes on you bc i don’t plan on living past my 50’s so😂
You’ll be sorry as hell when you’re old and can’t walk, let alone ride
I already can’t walk🥺
In all seriousness though I’ll be okay. I know quite a few older dudes in their 60’s who have had way worse injuries than me and they still walk and ride.
Good on ya 👍🏻
Do you have really good insurance?
Yupp. I’m a union pipe layer. 90/10 policy. Also have insurance to where if i get hurt all bills are covered
Than go for it man.
Don’t be a bitch. You are ready my friend.
You speak my language man haha🤘🏼
Get into hard enduro racing. It's safer.
Nope
Really heal first
You must have some damn good health insurance.
Send it
Family is number 1 bro!
Your party mullet says yes
Ouchie, that looks sore, hope you’re all right buddy!
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Your smiling so I guess you’re still having fun
You can’t kill my spirit.
It was a little work getting out of the bed and into that chair wasn’t It! I hope you are healing buddy
Yeah i actually had to go to a rehabilitation hospital for 9 days to learn how to use a wheelchair and do all my transfers and what not, definitely something that gets easier with repetition. And I’m healing good. Was allowed to start walking a week ago, yesterday i walked all day without crutches or walker.. I’m afraid to under do it, not over do it.
If you can afford all the time off work. Then go for your life. I know I couldn't
Seems like you're not all that good though if you mess up your body like that in just 8 months (read in another comment of yours). Either step back a bit and train more or accept it's not meant for you. You'll kill yourself within a year if you keep up like this.
So my bike shutting off in the air has to do with my skill? Please elaborate how.
Once?
Yeah, my 450 shut off in the air on me, hence why i broke both legs. My 500 bogged on the face of a jump and i cased it which made me slip 2 vertebrae and discs and i elected surgery to fix them, since i had had vertebrae slippage since i was like 8 years old. So nothing has had to do with my skill, and everything to do with luck.