Age? Sort of VMX related..

[Stankflapper]

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!

[brent j]

no pun intended I hope!

Worms

Oh Sh*t, never thought of it that way

[TeeBone]

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....

[500Fool]

A quote I've seen recently  "Don't count your days.......Make your days count"

[supersenior 50]

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.

[crash n bern]

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.

[lukeb1961]

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... 

[suzuki27]

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.

[TM BILL]

Your only as old as the woman you feel 

[Gerard De Ruyter (Twistandshout)]

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.....

[FAT-TOY]

Never thought about being old till my grandkids informed me that I was born in the first half of last century.

[Graeme M]

Old blokes not growing up? 50 is the new 30? I blame the Internet.

[brent j]

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!

[Graeme M]

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.

[brent j]

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!!!!!!!!