Scared to Death

[Patti]

I would like to know how other parents feel when watching their child in a motocross race. My son is new at motocross, he's had his CR80 for 2 months, previous to this bike he had a XR80 and went into trials (beginners), even though this was not a trials bike he has a shelf full of trophies. When our motorcycle club made a small motocross track he came in 2nd on his XR in his first race, he was hooked - He Loves It. We went up island for his 2nd motocross, he did okay but had a scary wipeout in the last race of the day. Thank God they have paramedics at these races. We paid for him to have a lesson with a pro. Next weekend he's going into a provincial race and I'm scared to death. I don't want to put my fears on him (we've bought him all the safety equipment possible), but I can't let go of the fear. I'm happiest when we're loading his bike up at the end of the day. I'm just wondering if other parents feel this way. My husband says perhaps I should stay at home, but that would even be worse waiting and not knowing. I will have to learn some more relaxation techniques, I
do a lot of deep breathing, between screams.

 

[Jaybird]

Mom,
Jr. is enjoying a very physical sport and in the company of caring parents. He could be doing much worse.

 

[Jake T]

I think it's pretty normal to be worried about you're kid. Overtime you'll probably
get more into it and not be worried about him as much. I suggest getting involved with pitting I.E mixing gas
helping wash the bike etc. You know, normal mom stuff ;)

 

[a454elk]

DON'T KISS HIM AT THE TRACK!! :) Other than that, just being there is good enough, the other stuff will fall in place as time goes on.;) You're not XRPredator's Mom are ya?

 

[oldguy]

Scared to death- yes I have been there. Last June 8th I watched my son crash and was first to him to find him knocked out cold, not breathing and a broken collarbone. Once his airway was open he gasped in a breath then slowly came to. The medics loaded him up to haul him to the ambo when I turned to pick up his bike- next I knew I was in the ambo. Seems the stress had triggerred a medical reaction Vegas Vagel (sic) which stopped my heart for about 45 seconds.
You have started on the right track by letting him go at his pace, preparing him with good equipment and lessons, and your support.
This experience aside my wife and I have the same fears at every race even after watching him race for 4 years now. My wife missed this last Sundays race and she said she was even more nervous all day waiting for us to call with the results then when she is there. I have a hard time watching his starts while she fears the jumps.
End result yes he has had injuries and probably will have more but as long as he wants to keep racing and keeps up his end of the bargain we will be there and shaking in our boots. Motocross has so many rewards to offer- great friends, physical fitness, and competitive accomplishments just to name a few. BTW elk is right Do not kiss him at the track;)

 

[Chili]

Dave I would think history would make going to the track relaxing for you compared to when the kid pulls out the snowboard :scream:

 

[Green Horn]

Pretty much what all the others said. I'd also like to add that you get involved in MX to the point that you truly UNDERSTAND what it's all about. I am not saying you have to race or ride too, but that you learn all you can about the sport. One big thing that popped in my mind was the handfull of kids that have been seriously injured or killed due to unknowledgeable parents. ie. (and you may have already heard this) DON'T put your kid on the track with adults. I don't care if he's faster than McGrath. Being that he's physically smaller will put at a higher risk of serious injury should he collide with a full grown adult. He needs to ride with kids his own age and skill level. Sorry if I harped too much on this point but I'd hate to see another news article like some of the ones I've read. Good luck to you and him. Remember to have fun and be safe. :thumb:

 

[Patti]

Thank you so much for all your replies.
Oldguy/Dave that was a very scary story I sure hope your son is okay.

Yikes...I did the "K' thing at the track. When my son had his wipe out one of his racing buddies, who was just finishing the race, roared over to us to say that the yellow flag was for our son and the emergency crew was with him.
After what seemed like an eternity he hadn't come out, we couldn't see him. They were about to start the next race with the big boys w/250s. My husband ran one way I went the other trying to find him. Then a friend came running up to tell me the he was at the truck. Once I reached the truck and seen him with his muddy tear stained face all I could do was put my arms around him and kiss him on the forehead. I could not talk I had a lump the size of a baseball in my throat. At least the teen aged riders in the pit next to ours were kind eneogh to look away. I will take your advise to heart and no more of the "K" thing at the track. XOX

 

[Chili]

Patti it sounds to me like you are preparing your son well i.e. protective gear and lessons. Hopefully it will get easier for you over time to be at the track.

Here is a LINK to a thread that while not completely similar to yours offers questions and answers along the same lines.

Best of luck!

 

[gwcrim]

I've got a similar situation. My 6 yr old wants to try racing and I think he'd do well. He's got lots of determination and skill for his age.

Here's my concern. I look around at guys that are in their 30's that have raced for years and year and I see parts that are wearing out before their time. Hips, knees, shoulders, etc. I'm a bit reluctant to promote racing when I fear he'll pay a high price later in life. How do you rationalize this?

I'm considering buying him a racing kart instead.

 

[Patti]

Good Morning,
In response to gwcrim’s question “how do you rationalize this”?

I want to share this story with you, it helps me when I have to let my son go and do things that seem too scary to me.

My brother was a daredevil – stock car racing; off road 4X4 racing etc. – he loved the adrenalin rush. When he was 29 he had a freak work place accident that took his life. He left a wife and 2 small boys. As his son’s grew it became evident that they had his “daredevil” gene. My sister-in-law was very protective of the boys; she kept all my brothers old toys (dirt bike, go-kart etc.) locked in the shed. I had seen tears more than once when they were not allowed to ride dirt bikes with their cousins. They longed for excitement, but my sister-in-law kept them tucked under her wings to protect them. One day the youngest son was playing in the backyard he jumped off a log and was impaled by a stick, he spent a few months in the Children’s Hospital almost losing his life due to infection. This seemed to be a wake-up call for her; she couldn’t protect them from everything 24/7. They could be hurt or killed doing everyday menial things and she really wanted them to be happy and enjoy their childhood. She got them all the protective gear, reliable bikes and lessons. They have grown into wonderful self-assured, HAPPY young men, the youngest is 17.

 

[gwcrim]

It's not really that one catastrophic accident I'm worried about. It's the higher than normal wear and tear that catches up with one when they hit about 35 years of age. Heck, even though I didn't race bikes nor play much football, at 41 I have plenty of aches and pains for no reason at all. My buddies who beat themselves up in their teens now have BIG aches and pains.

 

[Neil Wig]

There may be more wear and tear, but at least they aren't killing time with some skids on the street corner, or knocking off the local liquor store for drug money.
I don't really want my kid racing MX, but I would rather encourage racing, than have him loose interest in a great, social, fun sport only to get caught up in the teenage angst that kids are prone to.

gwcrim - Those aren't aches and pains, thems be memories and reminders of fun gone by. I would rather wake up stiff and sore from some handlebar-yoga, than a hangover. :thumb:
YMMV

 

[Senior KX Rider]

Originally posted by Neil Wig
I would rather wake up stiff and sore from some handlebar-yoga, than a hangover. :thumb:
YMMV

Absolutely!!!and I would rather my kids experience that type of pain too :)

 

[Patman]

What Niel said :thumb:

Some mornings I sound like popcorn getting out of bed (more often than not). Sometimes I go to the sawbones to get needles jammed into my knees so he can drain them and then inject some cortizone (sp?) and xylacane. I've already had the discussion of getting pieces replaced with man made joints because of the damage. I still wouldn't have not done it and won't hold my son back from it either. It's good clean fun no matter if your riding or racing and it beats the heck out of wondering what your kid is doing and why they don't talk to ya'.

 

[gwcrim]

I would never consider trying to dissuade my kids from off road riding. It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on. And a wonderful way to bond with the younguns. I guess I'm just a bit hesitant to promote premature wear from the rigors of racing. Prior to age 20 (or 30 for that matter) many folks don't really grasp the consequences for their actions.

(GEEZE am I sounding like my parents! That's frightening.)

 

[oldguy]

GWcrim I also have the snap, crackle, and pop mornings without the bowl of ricecrispys:think:. Mine are the result of football, competitive downhill skiing, dirtbiking, falling off swingsets, working in my garage, mowing the lawn, playing softball, training dogs, hunting, driving a car, waterskiing, going to work, volleyball, bicycling, and many more activities I don't recall. I have had injuries in all of these activities many that have left lasting effects which I still feel today. Narrowing it down I think there are very few bones I have not broken (included vertebrae at the top and the bottom of the spine) but I wouldn't change a thing from the past.

My point no matter what you do if you do it hard you will probably feel the effects later. I do what I can to ensure thekid is physically and mentally prepared as well as properly equipped to help avoid as much wear and tear as we can.

 

[Moto Squid]

When I first started racing my mom was a nervous wreck...actually I'm amazed my mom even allowed that first race, lol thanks dad :laugh: Anyways she'd always be screaming and doing all of that "mom" stuff ya know, like screaming, screaming and did I mention screaming?!?! I could always tell where she was watching from, unfortunately. I was always like MOMMMMMMM after the races and now shes' calmed down a little. It's so embarassing when your mom is screaming during the race and all huggy and XOXO after the race...while you're at it could you please hand me my purse, mom, so everyone that's now watching can see??? :silly: I guess moms will be moms :)

 

[Patman]

LOL! Oldguy let's not forget getting attacked by the lawn mower too! :)

Come to think of it I got a nice pop between my shoulder blades going ever since the hang glider that quit gliding incident :laugh:

Creaks and groans, wear and tear are all signs of having lived a fun life. Heck my dad is 68 and it was his idea to hang glide! You can live a long healthly life watching the world go by or you can be a participant and live with great memories and a few "reminders".

 

[Jaybird]

Those we see who have been competitors for years in grueling events and are not all stoved up and sore probably did some sort of training that would stengthen the muscles needed to support such activity.

Just food for thought...if that's what thought eats.

 

[jmics19067]

With the way people drive around here I am worried sick about my kid walking to school. But she has a good head on her shoulders and always stops and looks before crossings streets.


Lets see motox. the best way to win is to be smooth< not exerting unnessecary energy fighting yourself>, assertive and yet try to avoid unnessecary contact. Not bad things for life if you ask me.

Football, Hockey.... hit em hard, drive there a$$ into the ground or into the boards. Baseball? infielders block the way to the bases so they can get ran over or spiked. catchers with bad knees pitchers with blown out shoulders every sport including the "NON" contact ones has their inhereted risks.

Kids are kids , let them have fun. As long as you the parent believe they have the right to < after doing their homework chores what have yous> let them have fun, support them, make sure they are doing it at no unnessecary risk to themselves or others and let them be kids . They will have the rest of their lives to be old,worrisome and wondering if they did the right thing.