non-rider disapproval

[OKKX'er]

Along with the excitement of our sport comes, alas, danger.
Whatever it is that makes us riders, to a certain degree separates
us from a lot of society. I cannot begin to understand how they
are content without riding, and many of them cannot understand
what makes it worthwhile for us. I would be interested in hearing
what people have said to you out there when you were hurt, and
how you handled it.

 

[oldguy]

A lot of the guys I work with say I am crazy to ride at my age and completely insane to let my 13 yr old son race MX. A few of them eagerly await Monday morning to see if one of us got hurt so they can get their I told you so's in.
Much to their dismay all my injuries are the result of riding or working on my lawn tractor lately (for 3 weeks before DW01 I refrained from going anywhere near it just to be safe).
Last year when thekid got hurt I was subjected to weeks of Being told that I should have learned my lesson but thankfully all you unbalanced, reckless, insane types here at DRN understand...........Don't you:eek: ?

 

[YZandrew]

i started riding about 5 months ago. i asked all of my friends if they wanted to come ride, but they all said they didn't want to get hurt. on my second or third time out, i went down and hit the peg with my leg just above the boot. left a VERY ugly bump. they all gave me the "i told you so." they really thought i was crazy when i told them that even if it happend every time i rode, i'd still do it. i don't think they get it. buncha freaks.

 

[JMD]

It's a mistake to discount the feelings of people who would just as soon not get hurt. I have seen a couple of things that nearly made me quit. I recently saw a little girl die after hitting a metal fence post on a borrowed ATV. The sight of her little feet in tennis shoes and her legs protruding from the circle of people giving her CPR still haunts me. I couldn't help but think about how I would feel if it were one of my kids there. I seriously considered hanging it up right there. I don't know why I didn't, honestly. I think the answer is denial.

Sure, we all wear as much gear as we can, and I never let my kids ride without me. I lead, and they follow, most of the time, especially in crowded areas. We go back into the woods, where there are fewer riders and the speeds are slower, and we take it very easy on the fast trails with blind corners. But there's no denying that something very bad could happen. I don't know. I guess I try not to think about it most of the time.

I'm sorry. I know this isn't why people read this site, to get depressed.

 

[KTMKyd]

oldguy- Most of your injuries come from your lawn tractor????:scream:
I'm guessing you're one of those Tim Allen/Tool Time/ More Power/ "Argh, Argh ARGH!!!!" types :confused:

Seriously though, a rider with well developed skill doesn't risk any more danger than doing things people do all the time. Like putting lights on the roof, you do it alot in your life time, but you hardly ever fall off the roof, but if you do, it's gonna hurt. Well, I guess that's not a good example, and I'm not sure how to explain right, but we all take risks doing something we love, and if I'm gonna get hurt seriously, I might as well be doing what I love when it happens.

 

[R White]

guys it comes down to IF
I HAVE TO EXPLAIN YOU WONT UNDERSTAND
I've tried and they don't

 

[bake]

Hmmmm, I also like to hanglide, windsurf, ski and sail.... they all come with calculated risks but along with dirtybiking I don't think for a minute they are dangerous or that we are elitists.

I just like to ride and at age 46 realize the sponsors went home a long time ago. Ride within your limits and everything should be just fine besides what a way to get your Ya Ya's out :D

 

[BCR-Bob]

A couple years ago I busted up my ribs pretty bad at a race in Utah. While in the hospital I was forced to listen to a nurse give me a sermon (I couldn't leave, she was doing the X-Ray). I was told in depth about the evils of "murdercycles". I guess some people just think that they need to take of us huh? Oh well, I just listen with a smile, because I know that the sights and feelings that I have experienced on a bike make up some of my most favorite memories.

 

[Chugger]

My In-Laws were appalled, and my wife actually cried when I decided to get back into trail riding at the ripe old age of 30. What I saw as the most innocuous little dirt bike, an XR400, they saw as a death wish.

My Father-In-Law called it irresponsible and stupid. My brother-in-law, a Princeton trained Presbyterian minister, could not fathom why exactly I would put my very life at risk.

Now keep in mind that these are the same two guys that go skiing together at least twice a year. I feel pretty sure that snow skiing keeps orthpaedic surgeons in business. Of course that doesn't count, Sonny Bono aside, skiing is not certain death in their eyes.

There's a thing called perception, and perception is affected by outside sources like upbringing and the media. My In-Laws instilled a fear in my wife in brother-in-law. They fear everything from Lawn Mowers to Bats (not baseball). I, on the other hand, was raised with motorcycles and guns and fireworks and street rods and dangerous machine shop equipment.

I have suffered my fair share of injuries, luckily nothing serious. My worst physical injury actually occurred in a basketball game (I turned, foot didn't) But I'd never blame a machine for this, I choose to take that chance. It's basically impossible for me to understand the true fear they have of motorcycles. I've given up trying to understand but I have come up with a few things to change my perspective-

• Crocodile Hunter - I think he's crazy, but obviously he doesn't.
• Sharks - Jesus, I hate sharks. Irrational, probably.
• Sushi - Style over substance. Can't stand it.

Anyway, I personally would rather get hurt on a motorcycle than end up a highway statistic. I'd also rather get hurt on a motorcycle than obsess over some dumb TV show. It's all about perspective. :confused:

 

[YZThumper]

My father in Law attempted to give me a lecture on how I have a family and house that I need to worry about, and riding Dirt Bike was an express ticket to jeopardizing both. But my co-workers think it's fantastic that I have such an interesting hobby. Sure I come in every Monday with some bumps and bruises, but that's part of the sport. There is some inherent danger in every single activity we do. I would wager that the percentage of injuries an individual sustains playing sports is very close to that of a person who rides Dirt Bikes, but you won't see people condemning Basketball, Football, Baseball or Hockey.

Chugger hit the proverbial nail on the head when he said that "Perception" is what causes such a reaction. The media will only show the most fascinating angle on a subject and they will blow that angle out of proportion to make the story sell. So many people only see how "Dangerous" the sport is, and of course the media will then show the most horrific crashes. For those people who have no other exposure to the sport, this is all they see and thus their perception is negative.

When I ride, I don't attempt any monster triples, and I don't attempt to jump the grand canyon. I merely ride trails and I don't ride over my head. I can honestly say that riding my bike(s) is the most fun and stress relieving activity I've ever done and I don't see myself stopping until I physically can't throw a leg over my bike. When I'm banging through a trail, I'm not thinking about Bills, or Work or any other problems I may have in life, I'm just having fun. But, you will never see our sport portrayed in this light because that doesn't make an interesting story.

People who will condemn what we do, do so out of ignorance.

 

[OKKX'er]

GREAT REPLIES, the people who really care for you will see how much you get out of riding. When ESPN2 started showing so much more MX & SX a few years ago, non-riders could see what we were talking about and many were amazed and thought it was cool. I feel that a lot of the thrill of riding is
very similar to riding a roller coaster (which everyone likes) but you have control ( well some) over how fast and wild the ride is.
BTW, DRN is so cool, being able to share in such enthusiasm and knowledge!

 

[BSWIFT]

OKKxer, your sign. line says it all.

Unlike other sports, when we crash, our first thought is "how's my bike". Unless we are really hurt bad, we always think of the bike. I tell my coworkers and boss on Monday, this is just gratuitous aches and pains from all the fun that I had over the weekend. They may think I'm crazy but they all listen intently about my stories. Plus they all ask me how my riding went while not asking anyone else about their weekend. I guess it's kinda like a car wreck, you just have to look.

 

[cweingartz]

Ive been hurt more playing backyard baseball, football, and vollyball than riding my dirtbike,mountainbike, or my deathtrap(quad).
I almost died when a fly ball fractured my skull in my front yard!. Sure I'm afraid of flying objects now but I still ride everything that I love. Truth is we're probably more likely to be killed in our cars than on our murdercycles.

 

[fmfkx125372]

You know, I was wanting to start this same kind of thread also. This is great to see everyone's view. I too have the same problem at work. Last year I crushed a vertebrae in my back and was down for a while. As soon as I healed, I was right back out there. Everyone said I was insane. This year I blew my ACL and I think I want to ride more now than ever. I just bought my first brand new bike. I was so pumped to get her. It was so huge for me, but every time I try to talk about it to someone at work, they all roll their eyes and tell me that there's something wrong with me.

I agree, I really do believe that there are just as many injuries in Football, Hockey etc. That is my one argument that kinda backs them off a bit, but I still get the nasty eye rolling look:silly:

 

[Slipknot]

If they say that your crazy for letting your 13yr. old son race, ask them what they think about the parents of the kids that race PW and Cobra.

 

[BikeDstroyer]

I think they (non-riders) are just jealous because they don't have the guts to go out and enjoy what we do!!!

 

[LWilson250]

Originally posted by BikeDstroyer
I think they (non-riders) are just jealous because they don't have the guts to go out and enjoy what we do!!!

I think that’s the reason some of my friends hate my bike so much. And all the girls I meet and talk to hate the fact that I would rather spend my time and money on my bike! It’s sad really. I wish people could feel the rush of the air, the dusty trails, the biting roost and all the other things that go with riding. It’s what makes us happy so leave us be.

Lee W.

 

[Big Tuna]

It always seems that the negative people are the ones that do nothing more active than change channels and use the fly-swatter at the same time.
I think that they are inadvertently making an excuse not to do anything that raises their heart rate from their "just above coma" mode.
These same people will sit there munching on a bacon and mayo sandwich washing it down with Super Big Gulp, and tell me I'm going to kill myself.
Yeah right!
Sure there are risks, but you just have to try and minimize them the best you can, and live your life doing what makes you happy.

 

[yz250-effer]

I read a quote somewhere . . .

but I am not sure where. Anyhow it reads, " To play it safe is not to play".
It is hard to explain to family/co-workers why I ride MX, so I don't really try any more. My girlfriends mom ( who is an RN ) calls them donorcycles , and assumes the same risks apply to off-road as on. Which is certainly not true!

That is the biggest frustration when talking about off-road riding. You always seem to get back a response like, " I / my husband / my brother used to have a harley/honda/etc and a car/truck pulled out in front of him and . . . etc, etc." I tell people that is why I ride off-road because I know I can't compete with a vehicle in a contest like that. My girlfriend understands my addiction, and that is all that matters.

Even when I hit a front -end loader last year ( track owners extreme negligence, 2 broken legs, acl etc,no flaggers, etc. long story but NOT my fault in any way )
my dad asks me, " Are you really going to get back on a bike - you have to be kidding!"

From the Credo of Jack London,
"I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them, I shall use my time":)

 

[MikeT]

All I can say, is after 18 years of riding, I've had just about everyone tell me atleast once to stop riding, except my Mom. Infact, she used to take us riding because at that time we couldn't drive. I took my TS100 and my RM125. That day she asked us to show her how to ride one, my Mom was 41 at the time, we said no. She then informed us that if we didn't let her ride one that she would leave us stranded at the pit and have to walk home. She took out the TS100 and rode slowly across the whole pit and just laid it down at the end of the pit. The nice thing was that she was going so slow she didn't even hit the ground, only the bike did. After that she said "Now I want to ride the yellow one",........ I ended her riding day at that point (didn't want to explain what a power band was). I then gave her a ride back to the car on the "yellow one" and after that, she agreed. Needless to say my Mom doesn't give me any flak about riding.

My wife on the other hand nearly begged me to stop riding when I broke my ankle 3 years ago and needed surgery. I told her no way, ever would I stop. I also told her you can get hurt badly doing just about anything........

Case in point, I broke my other foot on the stairs earlier this year. I made the post "I broke my foot doing nothing" because of that.

There is no sport that gives me the thrill that riding does. Unbelieveable speed, weightlessness, one on one racing, etc. So until somebody lets me drive a Formula one car and fly the Space Shuttle, I'll keep riding. :D

 

[michigan]

i look at this from a different perspective. i really wish i could enjoy sitting in front of the television. some people really enjoy doing nothing. they don't care if they get fat and weak as long as they get to do NOTHING! they spend all week long looking forward to a weekend of watching tv and eating.
that would be great. all you have to do is buy a tv and a couch! and they last for years without upgrades and maintenance! after they spend an entire weekend watching tv, they don't need to spend three nights wrenching on their tv, they can just keep on watching! think of the money they save!
unfortunately, all i can think about is riding motorcycles.

 

[KaTooMer]

I like to use the downhill skiing parallel, because most people have done it (yes, even in the Midwest...we just drive farther to find the slopes). Here's how it goes:

Disapproving Person (DP): I'll never understand...why do you do it?
Me: Ever been downhill snow skiing?
DP: Of course.
Me: When you ski, do expect to fall?
DP: Probably.
Me: When you fall, do you expect to feel pain?
DP: Maybe.
Me: Do you ever expect to get hurt, like sprain an ankle, twist a knee, etc.?
DP: It's always a possibility.
Me: Do you think you could get hurt bad enough to end up in the hospital?
DP: It's never happened....
Me: ...but you know someone who got banged up that bad?
DP: Well, yes.
Me: Do you expect to die while skiing?
DP: Oh, please....
Me: Hey, it happened to Sonny Bono.
DP: I don't ever think about that consciously, but yes, it's a remote possibility.
Me: So every time you hit the slopes, there's a chance that you could get hurt, or even die. Why do you do it?

Now, here's where you'll get any number of responses, but they're usually along the lines of "Because it's fun." To that you can say, "Ditto."

 

[henkholland]

since my hair is grey enough to not look like a wild, young rebel, my simple remark is ususally like this: "Hey, you know, most people die in bed; now that is really a dangerous place".
Started offroad riding at 38 and started club level motocross and enduro competition at the age of 45; better late than never.

 

[AlynB]

I've used the argument several times that driving down the road is far more dangerous, statistically, than riding a motorcycle.
I've worked as a paramedic for 13+ years and have pulled dozens of dead bodies, and countless injured people, from cars. I have never picked up a dead motorcycle rider, injured yes.
Ask the co-workers, who chastise you for riding, how they got to work. They probably drove down the road at 55+mph, sometimes less than 5ft. away from another vehicle going the same speed in the opposite direction. Is there any way anyone can consider this safe? Your life is in the hands of every driver you meet. Some are drunk, some are high, some aren't paying attention, and some are just plain stupid. Safe? It's insane. But we all do it every day. At least when you're riding, you're in control.
IMO, being a couch potato is far more harmful to your health than riding.

 

[Redbird]

I have been riding since I was 8 years old. I raced MX and enduros through the 80s. Worst injury I ever had was scrapes and bruises. I never had a negative comment until 6 years ago when I bought bikes for my 2 sons. My mother in law just thought it was horrible and the boys would be injured. I reminded her of one of her other grand sons that spent 2 weeks in the hospital with a major concussion from falling off of his bicycle on to the concrete and that my boys were not permitted to ride without proper equipment. That was the last negative comment I got from her. Most people can not understand the feeling of freedom and exhilaration you get when your bustin the trails or catching air on a big double. When I am on my bike I feel alive and free. You cant put a price tag on that.