Riding while old

[High Lord Gomer]

Just be careful if you run into any of them that look like this:

<img src="http://themxtrack.com/89R_Walker.jpg">

If so, RUN, do not walk, the other way as fast as possible. DO NOT under any circumstances follow them if they offer to take you on a "little trail ride".

I have done my duty. I can sleep with a clear(er) conscience, now.

 

[Red 250]

dirt bike dave.. Middle Creek is a great spot to ride. i really like going up to Deer Valley campground. You can ride up there all day and not ride the same trail twice. I only live about 15 minutes from Cow Mountain so I ride there in the evenings or on days I don't have time to pack up for a longer ride at Middle Creek.
Thanks for the heads up on the district 36 info Ill check it out.
Is that you in the picture Gomer..... LOL looking a bit long in the tooth.. Coarse you might have just been having a bad hair day :yikes: jk jk

 

[dirt bike dave]

At Middle Creek, I would usually stage at Penny Pines. Lots of fun trails and good memories. Stonyford is just as good or better, IMO, though I have not ridden either in like 7 years.

I believe that's Ol89r in the photo. Word has it he was a factory rider for a British flat track team back when there was such a thing, and that is him in his icon. I don't think he will argue with you about being long in the tooth, lol. ;)

Never had the pleasure of riding with 89r, but I can verify that there are some 50+ riders out there who can still get down a trail plenty fast (not me, just talking about guys I know!). Many former A level racers don't race much anymore, but their fast trail pace will test most all of the young bucks. In the D-36 cross country series, there are several guys in the SR A 40+ class that are capable of top 10 overall finishes, and those guys are flying.

 

[Red 250]

At Middle Creek, I would usually stage at Penny Pines. Lots of fun trails and good memories. Stonyford is just as good or better, IMO, though I have not ridden either in like 7 years.

I believe that's Ol89r in the photo. Word has it he was a factory rider for a British flat track team back when there was such a thing, and that is him in his icon. I don't think he will argue with you about being long in the tooth, lol. ;)

Oops my bad sorry about the misidentification. LOL yeah I want to go check out Penny pines soon. Sounds like you have spent some time up here in the past. Anytime you get back up this way look me up. I'm long in the tooth as well so it like the pot calling the kettle black LOL .........................Red

 

[dirt bike dave]

I lived in the east bay from 1977 to 2002, and rode mostly Stonyford from 1987 - 2002. Usually staged at Digger Pine, now known as Little Stony.

At Middle Creek, Penny Pines is very central to many good trails, including some at the north of the riding area that are a long haul from Deer Valley. PP is easy to get to for day trips in a pick up - just head up Elk Mountain Road about 3 miles+- past the turn off for Lower Deer Valley Road. It's a bit of a climb in a big rig. Camping is probably not as good as Deer Valley, and not as much level area. I think driving time is pretty similar between the two if you are in a pick up or are only pulling a motorcycle trailer.

 

[Ol'89r]

If so, RUN, do not walk, the other way as fast as possible. DO NOT under any circumstances follow them if they offer to take you on a "little trail ride".
.

What a wuss. :fft: Let me know when you are coming out again Gomer. I found a new trail that you're gonna' love. :p

Red. No worries. :cool: Not sure how long my tooth is. I'll take it out and measure it for ya. ;)

 

[High Lord Gomer]

I'm not scared, I'm just....just...um, I'm.... OK, I'm scared.

Next time I want to hit that Perris place and learn how to ride sideways.

 

[Red 250]

I'm not scared, I'm just....just...um, I'm.... OK, I'm scared.

Next time I want to hit that Perris place and learn how to ride sideways.

Don't you mean slideways LOL Thats how I do it and I have the scars to prove it .......... Red

 

[Scooterb]

Good Info guys...I'm back to riding after 20 some years I'm 45 and riding a KX125...I did a couple of hare scrambles this year and plan on doing 5 next season. I just keep telling myself to be consistent and the speed will come. I'm not gonna win any events, I just like to ride.

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

How big can you "legally" bore the motor?

 

[490Dave]

It sure would be cool to have an OVER 40/50 forum so us old and slow guys (with big- uh....hearts) could have a place to
hang out and post without getting roosted on!

ANYBODY?

 

[Red 250]

It sure would be cool to have an OVER 40/50 forum so us old and slow guys (with big- uh....hearts) could have a place to
hang out and post without getting roosted on!

ANYBODY?

I'M IN.... LOL damn young whippersnappers anyway. Who needs em.....
I say they just make a thread here that you cant be under 35 to enter. Sound good???

 

[_JOE_]

Geez, it is true! You old dirt bikers do get a bit senile in your old age. :nener:

I gues I'd be crabby too if I was gettin roosted by whippersnappers all day! :laugh:

 

[Ol'89r]

Hey! Get outta here JOE. You don't even qualify to be in this thread. :yell: Damn kids anyway. :fft: ;)

 

[Redrodent]

I found that feeling of "one with the bike" came back with simple exercise. I didn't realize at 45 that the equilibrium and balance needed was gone. Example - go jump rope. Easy right? You'll fall all over the place. In two weeks you'll be smooth as a boxer. Anything that requires complex muscle coordination. Wheelie a bicycle, juggle a soccer ball on your knee, do back flips into a pool, etc :rotfl:
You'll be shocked at how much coordination you've lost. The groove will come right back.

 

[Red 250]

I found that feeling of "one with the bike" came back with simple exercise. I didn't realize at 45 that the equilibrium and balance needed was gone. Example - go jump rope. Easy right? You'll fall all over the place. In two weeks you'll be smooth as a boxer. Anything that requires complex muscle coordination. Wheelie a bicycle, juggle a soccer ball on your knee, do back flips into a pool, etc :rotfl:
You'll be shocked at how much coordination you've lost. The groove will come right back.

It is truly amazing how much we lose to age. Remember riding like your hair was on fire and not having a thought about getting hurt. I do and it sucks to not still be able to ride like you hadn't a care in the world. I keep hoping that it will come back and some of it has but always in the back of your mind is that little A****** saying "WATCH OUT you'll hurt yourself you old fool". LOL I'm not giving up and I hope to keep improving I just hope it happens sooner rather than later........................Red

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

We did not get fast over night before. Actually we can get back some decent speed quicker than the first time. Until a hairy obstacle. For me, I truly feel its the "gotta be to work Monday" thing, as opposed to the "that may hurt". The more I ride the less hairy jumps seem. And it is still about bike set up!

 

[2strokerfun]

I'm 47 and also took about 30 years off from riding before getting back into four years ago. I also have never ridden a modern dirt bike (OK, except the pit bike my son-in-law stores in my shed). I say this with embarrassment, as I've worked on many for friends and I would love to buy a modern bike, but wife keeps telling me I can't afford it until we get another kid out of the house. Alas, I'm stuck on the bike I wanted as a 15-year-old but couldn't afford then.
So, the old bouncy, fades-after-30-minutes, seven-inches-of-travel-if-your-lucky suspension is all I've ever experienced.
I sometimes get to riding where I think I'm going pretty darned fast, but then I see some youngster (or even oldster) zipping along the same trail at barely subsonic speed and I just shake my head in amazement.
But I have a whole lot of fun and I absolutely love my old steed. Despite its shortcomings (and there are many), it has never let me down.
And I have finally given up trying to change my jumping technique which consists of keeping as little air as possible between my tires and the ground. I've actually gained ground a time or two on people in the air by doing that. But let's face it, I'd never win a race against someone jumping a double or triple anyway.
My injuries from riding consist solely of a few bruised ribs, severely sprained (but pretty much healed in six months) knee that was already messed up, and scraped and bruised elbows/forearms. I hope to not increase that list.
But the most important thing: I've had a lot more fun since I stopped trying to push myself beyond what I was comfortable doing!