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And Who Is 40 And Still Racing?
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Posted by: duke---------------------

To capitialize the "Who is 40?" posting, I am wanting to see who amongst the middle age crowd is still competing in sanctioned events, regardless of type, on their KDX's?. I plan on doing a few District 37 (Southern California) events next year. Even with a busy home life, 2 year old to raise and the general hassles of urban life, I am willing to devote some time in preparing for 3 or 4 events on 2005. Based on what I have seen of those who compete in the 40 beg/novice class, I am of the opinion that a my slighlty updraded '99 KDX 200 will serve as well as an 05 what ever; especially in thse events where some technical terrian is thrown in. I also make a monthly practice jaunt to the local MX track. My being frugile is another reason for trying to get another year out of the bike

Posted by: billc---------------------

I'm 49 yrs old and I have too much to lose and not much to gain .

Posted by: DirtRoller---------------------

Duke, have you picked any races that you want to do yet?
If you find something that sounds like it would be fun let me know.
Thanks,
Fred

Posted by: karlp---------------------

I'm 41 and run three or four enduros a year.
I start getting in shape at the end of February and the last one is in August.
The best thing for me was actually finishing that damn Clanton AL enduro after the third attemt; first try was on an XR400, second it rained and rained and rained and the cleanup riders caught me, third try was perfect on the KDX. Came in 5th in my class, C-Intermediate.

Karl

Posted by: velosapiens---------------------

i'm 43, and race 6-10 times a year. mostly mran desert series, plus the idaho qualifier and 1-2 other enduros as time allows. of course, i'm not doing it on a kdx, but that's no biggie.

if your kdx has good suspension, you should be able to run with any bike in just about any off-road race.

mw

Posted by: duke---------------------

Dirt Roller

I plan on doing some of the District 37 GP's and maybe a European scramble. The reason being is that thse events last an hour, allowing me time to still do other things that Saturday or Sunday (read honey do list). Those GP's I like are the one where the terrian is tighter and less reliant on high speed courses. Those held at Gorman and Glen Helen feature these characteristics. The euro-scrambles courses vary in accordance to club tastes.

Posted by: gn83tm---------------------

I'll be 40 in June and still run a few hare scrambles each year. I'll probably be doing more now that the kids are getting into it. Went down to Gilmer TX in January last year and ran the GNCC race on my 1990 KDX. Accomplished my goal and finished the race but it was brutal. I stripped the bike down after that and built the hybrid bike. I ran a couple of district 22 races and a couple of the Kansas series races with it and did quite well.

I've learned that I'm not in as good of shape as I used to be and end up finishing a lot better if I just ride a steady, consistant race and not try to be the fastest guy out there. If I crash or get stuck in a creek it takes too much energy I don't have to get going again. I'm also fighting a bum wrist that I broke almost 2 years ago. The addition of the steering damper has really helped to keep some of the strain off of it.

There's some pretty good riders around here in the old guy classes. I guess to still be running you have to be fairly good. Although I am usually racing against a bunch of pumpkins, I feel that the KDX is a great bike for this. It's very easy to ride and the motor is great for riding a gear high and keeping a steady pace. Above all - have fun!

Posted by: kx200---------------------

I’m 50 and have been racing hare scrambles and some enduros and few MXs for a long time. The 40+ A is getting harder every year. The first 4 years I was 1st in the district 22 hare scrambles series. The next 2 years I was 2nd and have been working my way down each year. This was my last year and I got 5th. The biggest problem of getting old is the lack of desire to win and the harder it is to stay in shape. I hope to be racing when I’m 60. The neat thing is I have been racing the same KX200 for most of all those years. 2002 I was on a Gas Gas 250 and in 2003 was on a WR250 thumper and for my last year I thought I might as well finish out on what I started on.

Posted by: kiwi55---------------------

Am I too late here? I'm *only* 49, so I'm doing a few NZ GNCC events [one coming up on Sunday as it happens], and am planning for a couple of rounds of the National Enduro Champs later in the year.

Have been off a bike for a couple of years so am re-starting at a fairly modest level, but...we've got to get out there...don't we?

Saw a T-shirt a few years ago that said it for me: "We don't stop riding coz we get old; we get old coz we stop riding."

Regards from the Summery South Pacific

Posted by: duke---------------------

Too late? Not at all. As for being 49 and racing, I have a buddy who is what...55 or so, and he races MX all the time. he never quit. He never had kids and got married late in life, thereby allowing him much free time. He recently abandoned the CR250 and replaced it with with a CRF250. Less is more he says. I am not a big fan of the 250 thumpers, and I am not wanting to start a debate on this forum as to their pros and cons. But I think with a sensible attitude and training and the right bike, riding into your sixties is quite plausible. I am surprised that the monthly magazines haven't devoted a column to senior riders and their needs. The demographics are there, just ask any dealer or promoter. What applies to the average 20 something, isn't always applicable for the working middle aged rider, short of them being former factory material. Rick-Super Hunky-Siemen did a great article on riding tips for vet riders, offering sane advice on tactics and bike selection. BTW, what is the off road scene like in NZ? Beautiful country according to all those who have visited. Country has produced a great many MX, speedway and car racing motor champions.

Posted by: JAY ALLEN---------------------

Hey Guys .jay Here 45 Years Young And Still Race/riding Here In Sunny Florida Hare Scrambles In The Florida Trail Riders F.t.r . Matter Of Fact We Are Having 1 This Weekend In North Florida . I Have Been Doing This Since 1983 . I Ride A Kdx 220 1999 With A Few Engine Mods And Full Suspension From Jeff Fredette . Now That Is The Ticket Thanks

Posted by: craig_enid---------------------

The Blackjack Enduro Circuit is splitting the C-Senior (40-50 years old) into 2 classes due to the numbers of entrants.
I'm 48, so maybe I'll pick up a trophy next year.... (nah...)
I ended up in 7th place for the '04 season.

Posted by: duke---------------------

Isnt Arkansas included as part of the Black Jack circuit?

Posted by: Fred T---------------------

I'm going to be 50 in Feb. I started racing again last year in 2003 - rode 2 enduros. Then in 2004 I rode the D 14 series and placed 5 OA in my class. Senior B Enduro. I used to ride and race Enduro back when I was younger but retired at the ripe ol age of 26. Never rode a dirt bike until I bought a new left over KDX 220 in 2001.That was 20 years later -man did the bikes ever change in those 20 years! I rode that KDX for 2 years and started buying KTM 250 EXC's. I just got my 3rd one -I love them. Last year I rode 6 enduros and 3 hare scrambles. This season I will probably ride 9 enduros and a couple hare scrambles. I also started bicycleing and moutain biking to build up endurance - I now own 3 bikes and a motorcycle, plus both my kids got dirt bikes too. They ride the family series of enduros - they both started riding in 2003. It's a family thing for us now.

Posted by: KTM Mike---------------------

What Fred T does, I would call real racing...what I do? Well, I pay my entry fee to a few events each year, and have a ball! I will be 42 in the spring, did my first race (err..paid my first entry fee) at 38. My wife and kids trail ride with me and my youngest is doing the same family series Fred mentioned.

Now, you need to hear from Inca (aka Young Ted). He is 76 or 77 years young. Finished the Jackpine enduro last year without houring out on a 77 Penton! Fred and I (and others) are planning to ride with him this weekend in fact. He will leave his house at 5 am, drive 5 hours for a trail ride for say 4 hours, then head back home..and chances are he has ride plans for the next day! He da man in my book!

Posted by: BRush---------------------

46 here. Yes, there is racing after 40. I had not owned a dirtbike since my early 20’s and got back into the game in 2000. In 2001 I was foolishly talked into entering an enduro on my 96 KDX without an odometer or water bottle and only a vague notion of what I was supposed to be doing. I got stuck, I got lost, I was pulled over by a cop (did I mention I was lost?) , and I houred out at first gas in a state of utter exhaustion. The next year I did two more (with odometer this time) and actually had fun. In 2003 I decided to try to do the whole NETRA series and I somehow managed to end up with the overall C class win. This year I finished in 4th place B Senior. Rode my KDX until mid-2003 when I moved to a KTM 250 (still have the KDX). It’s a bit of a surprise at how many over 40 guys there are doing enduros. The A, B & C Senior Classes always seem to get a healthy number of entrants.

Posted by: craig_enid---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke

Isnt Arkansas included as part of the Black Jack circuit?

Here's a link to the Black Jack event map for '05.

http://www.blackjackenduro.com/misc/2005BJECMap.GIF

Posted by: kiwi55---------------------

Off-road is strong here, as is the older age group. In fact, in this year's Nat. Enduro Champs, there are classes for Vets, Experts 35+, Intermediates 40-49 and Inter. 50+. Brad Lackey was here last year for VMX event, passing thru to/from Australia. ISDE is here in 2006 [I think?]

Lots of guys who rode in the 70's, 80's returning to riding via off-road bikes - some BIG tummies on display! Clubs are getting into it by organising natural terrain MX [or Scrambles] tracks, which attract casual riders through a lack of double jumps, table-tops etc.

Heaps of participation in organised but non-sanctioned trail-rides. Possible to go on extended tours through the South Island [Lord of the Rings terrain] on your own or a rented dual-sporter [often BMW].[try a search including nzadventures for a sample]

We are lucky not to have too much regulation [yet], and a good deal of natural devil-may-care in our genetic make-up - pioneering spirit and all that.

Lots of access to land, esp. when organised by a club. Some rural communities using trail-rides as fund-raisers for schools etc, so local farmers must be obliging too. Many of the events I ride are in managed pine forests [tree farms] where the crop is not threatened by a hundred or so bikes stumbling amongst the roots and stumps.

Pop. is only around 4 mill, in a country 1/2 the size of France, so we're not tripping over one another constantly. We're also pretty well served for bikes - Japan is not so far, and we have our summer ahead of you guys, so may see some models here earlier. Strong presence for KTM, too, with Gas Gas, Husky and Husaberg on a smaller scale.

Our long line of m'sport champs continues with Ben Townley and Josh Coppins in MXGP, Stefan Merriman, Paul Whibley in World Enduro [Merriman has Australian flag of convenience, but is one of OURS].

Posted by: duke---------------------

As for Kiwi 55.....what a concept, an off road club that has managed sound public relations principles to gain the embracement of the local community. Fund raisers for local charities etc.. is another wise endeavor both for the good of those entities receivng the charities and the image of the sport. Natural terrian MX for casual racers? Again, what genius, lol!. Were I to be in the MX promotion business, I would activly promote just such a series. There are tons of people, young and old who are wanting to compete in MX but without the do or die jumps. Some of the local vintage clubs offer a modern support class. But in many instances you have to have a vntage bike entered as well. As for other race Kiwi race champions dont forget speedway mega stars Barry Briggs and Ivan Mauger. I got to see them both in the early to mid seventies.

As Craig Enid, thanks for the URL to BlackJack. My mom used to live in Arkansas, and I always wanted to race/ride off road there. It real departure ffrom the desert. Just to watch out for hunters and poisen ivey

Posted by: razrbakcrzy---------------------

If you are looking to really ride races in Arkansas try this link
http://www.ahscs.com/ahscs/ to the Arkansas hare scrambles championship series. You will find that there are many Great classes & races all over Arkansas.

Jim

Posted by: duke---------------------

Thanks for the info. I wish I had access to it while she was still residing there. My type of terrian

Posted by: mlz---------------------

46 here - started racing again last july after a 30 year break - and having a BLAST!!!!!

Racing the Whiplash desert series and the AMRA series in Arizona an a 1997 KDX200.

Posted by: Sherby24501---------------------

I'm 42 this year and about to start my 2nd season of Hare Scrambles (District 14), I am really quite crap, but enjoy them greatly and last year started the season hoping to finish a single 2 hr race, and actually finished 6 out of 10! My wife found the drop in weight of 20+ lbs over the season very nice (its all back on now). My kids ride also and it is a great way to enjoy the 10 or so weekends we compete each year. This year the plan is to learn to jump the bike (KDX220) without castrating myself, not fall off too much (<2 x race), not get run over when I do fall off and finish in the top 50% of the points table. I would like to race/compete until my kids decide they don't want to do it any more (daughter is 11, son 9) or I decide I am too old (my wife has been very supportive of this regression into childhood activities).

Good Luck !

Posted by: kmccune---------------------

43 here. Started racing this fall again after a few years off.

Posted by: ridejunky---------------------

I rode in a enduro last fall with a friend of mine. On the way there we were commenting on how we thought we'd be the oldest ones there. After the race when they were handing out prizes and everyone had their helmets off, I was surprised to see almost everyone was in our age bracket
(mid 40s-50). There were a few youngins and a 65er that was fast as *&$#

Posted by: NM_KDX200---------------------

I'll be 44 in March. I don't race regularly for financial reasons, but I did a 2-hour hare scramble back in Nov and might do another one in Feb. I've been toying with the idea of MX'ing the KX125 just for fun, but mostly, I just ride and play-race. It keeps me in shape and keeps me motivated to stay in shape.

Posted by: crimecleaner---------------------

Turned 42 last October. Got back into MX after 17 years out. Go to the local MX track every week now and can hold my own with the youngsters in my 250 beginner practice group. Doing my first race since 1989 next month. I'm totally stoked. Has really gotten me back in shape cardio wise. Mornings are a bit more sore however

Posted by: jeba6208---------------------

46 and just riding again after 20 years off. I refuse to accept anything considered to be "normal" behavior. Raced a 65 mile enduro this past fall. Have my eye on a national enduro in March. Yeah, I get sore, but it's too much fun to quit.............. If you can walk you can ride.

Posted by: Red_Chili---------------------

I'm 49 and have not [yet] raced an enduro, though I've ridden for 35+ years. Came close a few years ago, but as I was riding an XR650R at that time, and the enduro my friend almost hoodwinked me into was the toughest in Colorado (and the *easiest* is darn tough I hear), it's probably a good thing I backed out!

Now I ride a KDX 220, am getting back into riding, and recently met a 60+ Katoom-riding electrical engineer from Texas who is just sure I'd love an enduro in the panhandle.

I'll just need a little Slime in my tubes for the mesquite thorns. He assures me that my legs have a self-sealing system that works pretty good once the pliers are used.

Ah dunno 'bout that guy...

You folks are giving me hope though!

Posted by: kmccune---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeba6208

If you can walk you can ride.

Not true, I screwd up my lower back a few years ago right before a riding trip to the UP, I could barly stand, but I did ride about 150 miles of trials that weekend

Posted by: zeerx---------------------

I'm 54. Started riding in 1981 and have been ever since. And always on a KDX (250,200,220). I've run a few enduros but much perfer Turkey Runs. Usually about 8 per year. Some can get pretty long and nasty (100+ miles). I use to hit every "hero" section, but it's taking a little longer to recover from these so I take it easy and bypass the really hard stuff. It's the most fun you can have with your pants on.
RS

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And Who Is 40 And Still Racing?

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