OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: TooFastTim on March 21, 2011, 09:23:24 pm

Title: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: TooFastTim on March 21, 2011, 09:23:24 pm: Now we're (mostly) a bunch of guys who've been around the block once or twice, but and maybe it's because I have the big 5-0 looming, it seems that people are much more active now and that "fifty is the new thirty". Thirty years ago when a bloke reached 40-50 he'd hang up his leathers and skid lid and concern himself with officiating. But now we see guys competing well into their 60's. We (many of us) are also faced with the prospect of having to work until we drop thanks to the avaricious bastards in New York or London. People living into their nineties is not unusual.

So, are we getting younger as we get older? Discuss. Extra marks will be awarded for originality and humour.
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: brent j on March 21, 2011, 09:55:02 pm: Two things come to mind right away

A saying I read somewhere
"We don't stop playing becuase we get old, we get old because we stop playing"

Secondly, when I picked up my XT500 in about 98 I told my sister what I was going to do, She said "aren't you a bit young to be starting your second childhood?"
I told her I haven't finished with the first one yet!

51 years on and proud to be still riding

Brent
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: TooFastTim on March 21, 2011, 10:00:24 pm: Yeah, but why the change of attitude in the last 30 years Brent? Our fathers/parents seemed to be resigned to old age at 50 whereas we're certainly not "going gently into that good night", quite the opposite in fact.
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: Curly3 on March 21, 2011, 10:03:27 pm: I'm with you guy's.
You have to feed the child within or wither on the vine.
Brent, a good year 1960.
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: TooFastTim on March 21, 2011, 10:12:44 pm: Quote from: SlideRulz on March 21, 2011, 10:03:27 pm
You have to feed the child within or wither on the vine.

Now there's a mixed metaphor if I ever saw one ;D
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: Iain Cameron on March 21, 2011, 10:29:49 pm: As a 1960 model I agree ,I can now afford the toys I want . no kids ,no wife, 18 bikes thats life !!!!
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: Nathan S on March 21, 2011, 10:57:00 pm: Speaking as a relative youngster, these are my observations:

1. Better protective gear reduces the chances of a 'career' ending injury before you get old.
2. People having kids later means they only have time to return to the fun stuff later.
3. People are actively encouraged to stay active.
4. The Boomer mentality says "why should I stop riding?" rather than conforming to an expectation.
5. Better protective gear increases confidence levels, so the fear of being hurt is reduced.
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: brent j on March 21, 2011, 11:26:31 pm: I don't have kids but I do have an understanding wife.

Nathan I agree most with your No 4 point. When I tried to race in the 70's I felt pressure to do well, mostly self imposed. Now I only feel pressure to enjoy myself. I figure I have the perfect excuse for not winning. Even my bike is older than most of my competitors.
As much as I like to ride I also enjoy tinkering with my bikes.

And I do pretty well pad up these days. The 70's was a pair of SIDI's (if you were really lucky) jeans, a rugby jersey, gloves with those rubber ribs on the back and a helmet. An injury was usually a few days or a week off work.

Now I've got mortgages (ok self imposed) so the emphasis shifts to self preservation with padding and armor to meet an ever hardening ground. I enjoy finding someone my speed to race with and the banter in the pits afterwards adds to the enjoyment of the day.

Toofast, I find there are two distinct attitudes of people our age. Ours, go out there and do it because we enjoy it. Then there's the excuses as to why they can't, don't, won't!

I've had young guys at race meetings ask me about the old days of MX and why I still ride. I've had a lot of those same guys say they wish their fathers had a simillar attitude to us.

I have two inspirations to not stop. First is my dad, 78 years and still fit and active and,

In an early issue of VMX magazine there is a photo of a guy standing with his bike at the "Old Thumpers" meeting in NZ.
The caption reads to the effect of "84 year old Syd Harrison has owned and raced his TM250 since 1973" I believe he is dead now but that's inspiration!!!
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: GMC on March 21, 2011, 11:49:58 pm: Personally I refuse to grow up. Still looking for adventure.
My head still says to do things although my wallet and fitness level say other wise.
Riding a Vinduro yesterday I felt like I still had good pace although I couldn’t keep it up for long due to my current lack of fitness.
I’m sort of surprised how I can still push it despite being on the wrong side of 50, my old man never did anything remotely like this at this age.

Protective gear?
My body armor started cracking and falling apart years ago so I threw it out, haven’t gotten around to replacing it yet.
You don’t need it if you don’t fall off ::)
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: VMX247 on March 22, 2011, 12:01:01 am: Quote from: GMC on March 21, 2011, 11:49:58 pm
Personally I refuse to grow up. Still looking for adventure.

With like minded people of the same age !!
Isn't it a lifestyle --geez reads like a HD owner :-X
I reckon we do its cause we have "choices" now and just cause we "can" :P
cheers A
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: DR on March 22, 2011, 01:20:25 am: except for the fact I don't ride as much I'm still doing much the same things as I was doing in my 20's, playing with bikes ;) only difference is my bikes that were once relatively new are now vintage and I don't ride near as much as I'd like to ;) I don't feel much different but when I look in the mirror I now see some old bloke looking back at me. Scary stuff!! lol Time buys money but no amount of money can buy time so live it up while you can :)
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: brent j on March 22, 2011, 10:34:18 am: One of Docs comments on this has given me some food for thought.

In my mind I still think much the same way I did when I was younger, much younger. Some parts have grown up luckily, in terms of responsibility and the need to work to food, house and look after my self and my wife.

As Doc says, when I look in the mirror the old guy looking back is not the person looking in. I’m walking around today on sore shaky legs from the weekend MX but these legs really aren’t mine, not in my mind anyway.

I watched some friends a few years ago when they had a child. Funnily enough when I looked at them I didn’t see grown up people, I saw kids acting like grown ups. I still see these friends and the guy is a real armchair footy critic. He played back in his teens with me (talking Union here) he was no better than me but now will give a rundown on the faults of every player on the field ( in any code) from the comfort of his recliner chair. I constantly hear that is it wasn’t for his ankle and knee injury (and about 40 extra kg!) he’d still be playing 1st grade footy (he never played 1st grade at his best!). Most of us have injuries too but we see them as inconveniences not excuses.

I’m 51 “officially” because that’s how long I’ve been here, that’s the label that identifies me in society. This brings to mind a saying I read somewhere

“I reject your reality and substitute my own”

I’ll accept society’s reality when they put me in a box and feed me to the worms!
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: worms on March 22, 2011, 10:42:27 am: no pun intended I hope! ;D

Worms
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: Bitten on March 22, 2011, 10:45:02 am: Written by Dylan Thomas in the early 20th century....

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

PS written in a time when gay meant cheerful!!
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: number8 on March 22, 2011, 10:47:25 am: This is interesting you know when we were all younger and there were situations were you mite say "some old guy" you know what, now were all that "some old guy" it seems like as you get older you get more irrelevant and to a degree invisible you become,

The bikes and everything around them are a comfortable "place to be" while all this is happening(getting older),it sure helps to keep the body moving,and it puts you in an environment that is familiar and enjoyable,

#8
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: Stankflapper on March 22, 2011, 11:09:16 am: I am 53 and went to a bitumen track day yesterday at Warwick. I feel that I punt around fairly quick on my Ducati, till I went out with this 59yo guy who ran rings around me!
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: brent j on March 22, 2011, 11:20:13 am: Quote from: worms on March 22, 2011, 10:42:27 am
no pun intended I hope! ;D

Worms

Oh Sh*t, never thought of it that way :-[
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: TeeBone on March 22, 2011, 12:15:45 pm: I'm hitting the 5-0 in November and am buggered if I can see why society has almost made it a mandate that I give up my riding, don some Grosbies and a comfortable cardigan and sit back and watch the world pass me by.
You have to grow old, you DON'T have to grow up!
Riding in the bush a few years ago, I spotted some other riders who were quite keen to inspect my bike and licence so I lead them on a merry chase through some single track, popping up onto an old road. When they caught up and asked me to pull over, the plods were quite amazed to see a "grey haired old bastard" aboard. We then chatted and talked about the merits of riding past your supposed prime and I told them that as far as fun factor is involved, I'm just beginning to hit my straps.
I saw my Dad dwindle away (when he was much younger than I am now) and now that he's well into his 70's, is enjoying what life is all about - getting out and doing it, not reading about it....
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: 500Fool on March 22, 2011, 01:26:05 pm: A quote I've seen recently "Don't count your days.......Make your days count"
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: supersenior 50 on March 22, 2011, 02:47:37 pm: Tried to let this one slide by--but have obviously weakened. All you 50 something boys are just becoming of age.I was driving pro speedway [speedcar] before anyone under 52 was born,my Dad competes in aerobatics at 96, BillWatson,vmx most senior racer, son races "over 50" class, Two of us have sons riding 40-49, Don Newell has raced continuously for over 60 years, and there are many others. The height of ambition for you young whippersnappers should be to compete as a Supersenior in the 2030 Nats.
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: crash n bern on March 22, 2011, 04:26:44 pm: Quote from: brent j on March 21, 2011, 11:26:31 pm
I don't have kids but I do have an understanding wife.

Now's a good time to start having kids. That will keep you young in mind and body. You'll have to run after them on their bicycle, there's your fitness training. They'll start racing in 5-10 years time so you have to keep involved with bikes.
You'll get so used to surviving on 4 hours sleep you'll get more living in.
You'll be mixing with all the parents of their friends who will be half your age so you will be up on all the latest technology that your philistine mates are clueless about. So you will be switched on about what your kids are into and can communicate with them. (on facebook via iphone.)
You'll realise that by the time you finnish raising them you'll be to old or dead to do anything you put off. So there are no more tommorrow's, it's NOW

Then by the time your old they will have to look after you because they'll still be living at home.

The best part is you never wasted your youth on raising children like everyone else did.

It's a win win situation.
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: lukeb1961 on March 22, 2011, 07:57:30 pm: I went roller skating with my 6-yr-old on Sunday.
Was surprised & pleased to find a few heavily tatooed chaps in their late 40's also skating :-)

I might also point out the interesting number of fit and trim mothers with their kiddies... ;D
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: suzuki27 on March 23, 2011, 08:51:08 pm: Sometimes I think it might be time to look at something more sedate as a pastime but I just don't enjoy the options as much. I have ridden since I was ten and the last 38yrs have gone quick- partly I reckon because I have been enjoying what I do.
I agree with crash n bern about the kids- I just got back from the pool with my 6 yr old ;they help keep you young and the yummie mummies are a bonus. Now got a 3 week old boy at home, so won't be retiring anytime soon. Plus the riding motivates me to keep a little bit fit- without the riding I would struggle to do much fitness stuff at all.
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: TM BILL on March 24, 2011, 08:12:29 am: Your only as old as the woman you feel ;)
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: Gerard De Ruyter (Twistandshout) on March 24, 2011, 04:35:14 pm: I never raced when I rode dirt bikes when a young guy. Now 51, I know for sure I'm way fitter and stronger than I was at 30, have a ball racing vintage and modern mx and grasstrack, plus have found some competitive drive that I never had before (and which is quite handy in other areas of my life).

When I started doing this stuff (blame McElligott for that), I thought it'd be good if I could if it went on for two, three years. But its been six so far and still not tired of it (but don't ask the day after race day). It definitely helps keep a spring in my step! And at this stage, I can see me still doing this stuff into my sixties - why not?

Mind, it could be dirt track and vmx only by then - somethings got to give sometime.....
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: FAT-TOY on March 24, 2011, 09:26:00 pm: Never thought about being old till my grandkids informed me that I was born in the first half of last century.
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: Graeme M on March 24, 2011, 10:28:06 pm: Old blokes not growing up? 50 is the new 30? I blame the Internet.
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: brent j on March 24, 2011, 10:32:31 pm: Quote from: Graeme M on March 24, 2011, 10:28:06 pm
Old blokes not growing up? 50 is the new 30? I blame the Internet.

Blame?

I blame Firko for starting it and you for perpetuating it.

Actually change blame to THANK! ;D
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: Graeme M on March 24, 2011, 10:49:32 pm: You're right Brent, it IS Firko's fault. Just think, all us VMXing blokes can deflect the blame when our wives complain. "It's all Firko's fault" will be the chorus across the land.
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: brent j on March 24, 2011, 10:55:48 pm: You've done it now Graeme, we've seen the "who the hell is TM Bill" T shirts, the next big one could be "It's all Firko's fault"

CD8 lookout!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: jimson on March 25, 2011, 10:14:42 pm: You think about a bloke mowing the lawn in the 50s or 60s he would of had a mower, rake,shears or a edger that you ran along the edge of the concret. :o A bloke mowing the lawn now. mower, petrol edger,petrol vac blower. ;D If you look back the men and woman did it a lot harder and it made them better people. I think the younger generation will be very different in the later years in there life ::) jimson
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: TooFastTim on March 26, 2011, 08:34:20 am: Quote from: brent j on March 24, 2011, 10:55:48 pm
You've done it now Graeme, we've seen the "who the hell is TM Bill" T shirts, the next big one could be "It's all Firko's fault"

CD8 lookout!!!!!!!!

My contribution to VMX in Aus <pride>
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: lyle2212 on March 26, 2011, 04:53:51 pm: "Used To"..the two sadest words in the English language. I used to do this or that when I was younger, never ceases to amaze. If you think that you are past it and can,t do it any more (apart from physical impairment) then why don,t you just go and beat yourself on the head with a Ballpein hammer and be done with it. I,m nudging 50 and I keep myself reasonably fit by jogging with my 3 teenage sons along the beach,they all play league and Soccer so I have to show them the old boy can still keep up, we usually sprint the last 300 metres. I also surf and snowboard every year with my sons and I,ve just taken up kite surfing, I also like to go for a Blat on my rego,d Bultaco Frontera every chance I get. It really annoys the heck out of me when I hear people in their 40,s and older say "I used to when I was younger". Most peoples bodies break down because of a lifetime diet of processed food. I have an uncle who has never been sick in his life, is 89 and has never had arthritis. "Oh he,s lucky" they say, crap!!, lucks got nothing to do with ,he lives on Organic food grown in his own back yard. I was talking to a guy on the phone a while back who was selling his 1978 dirt bike because he reckons at the age of 55 he was getting "to long in the tooth", another sad individual. Eat right, stay fit, and keep doing what you love the most........cheers lyle
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: Curly3 on March 26, 2011, 05:06:58 pm: Injuries have a big say in the matter, whether they are old war wounds or more recent.
I had a 30 year retirement until last year, because of injuries, at the momment I'm loving being back on the track and realising what has been missing from my life for so long.
At the end of the day it doesn't matter how well you look after yourself, everyone has a use by date and you have to sensible about it, for your twighlight years.
Title: Re: Age? Sort of VMX related..
Post by: FAT-TOY on March 26, 2011, 07:44:34 pm: Keeping fit might be half the battle but how well you have picked your parents is the other half. For me I have decided that I suffer from anorexia, because every time I look in the mirror I see an over weight person looking back at me.
Zane