Tired of being a target this season (was taking out for no reason by a Vet rider again at Brighton, hence why I lost a radiator fin and met an old friend called Mr Oak)) and really don't have the desire to race anymore (other than Mx since its been a while). Won't even do Gatorback and possibly not even Chipley but will go see my folks then in P-cola..
Maybe I'll just tool around the USA and ride places (tracks and trails).
Don

btw, I've been going at it hard for 8.5 yrs (minus the 6 months for ACL in '05 and collarbone break/hip muscle rip in '07)

Edited by DonO, 06 February 2012 - 04:23 AM.

Damn, sorry to hear about the lousy luck......


maybe its your new gear......





does it look anything like this.......









Uploaded with ImageShack.us





Hope you are ready for a trip soon!!!!

It's about time! It was getting expensive paying those guys to hit you.

Brother do whatever makes you happy. I found racing (road racing) took away from the fun of riding.

Good luck no matter what you decide.

We ride these crazy contraptions because the're fun! Do what you need to, to make that (fun) happen! I like the idea of traveling around and trying new places. Enjoy the ride!

Jason

Sorry to hear Don, hope to ride with you again soon.

GW2,
I've checked my gear and bike and there ain't no bullseye anywhere!!!! (maybe they just don't like old guys being in front of them)

I think these guys behind me feel the only way to pass is too take out the guy in front of you, even when that guy gives you a "wide" open lane to pass. It just shows a lack of talent in my opinion.

Don

DonO - Check out http://forum.dixiedualsport.com/ . . . . . it's where old racers go to die.. . .

I had the same problem at Brighton.  Only mine was the young guns pushing the old lady into a tree.
Radiator and shroud damage.  Scott fixed and ready to ride another day.

Need to ride with you again, soon.  Talk care.

Unreal, makes me think twice about wanting to enter a race.

sponsored by Target by chance....  

that is the sucky part of racing, but it goes with the territory.  Come visit if you get tired of riding the flat ground, you can hug some of our oak trees. .

QuietFlight, on 08 February 2012 - 01:59 PM, said:

Same here, maybe the enduro's are a little more laid back? I cant say since I've never raced either one. I've kind of been kicking around idea of racing but after hearing about people getting punted into trees I think I'm gonna pass. I do that well enough without help.

DonO hydrate on some cheerwine, I think we need a florida thumpertalk croom get together for a day of riding. No competition just go out have some fun and throw some dirt around.

Jason

Come ride Tennesssee with us in June.

QuietFlight, on 08 February 2012 - 01:59 PM, said:

camaroguy327, on 08 February 2012 - 06:38 PM, said:

Even as DonO currently feels.....mad, letting off some stream.....He did race, at a pretty high level, for the past 8 and half years....I'm sure he would encourage you guys to try it!!!

Its a lot of fun and much more challenging than a trail ride!  You meet new riders, get to ride cool places you would never get to ride....and have cool stories too tell!  I think beginners have the most fun, just a bundle of nerves with a bunch of horsepower!

MM62,
dual sport..... I did that when I was married "years" ago and I'll save that for when I really get old!!!

gmoss,
I ain't afraid of those NC trees, its them dam frikkin' hard things you got all around there (I think they are called rocks/boulders )

MS,
probably will join you guys, just gotta see what my vacation plan is like this summer.

B3W,
Yes KT we need to ride again, what is status of BC trails?

For the rest of you (QF, CG, etc.) do not be put off (thinking of racing) by this, its great when your at the B or C level because you have the "drive" to improve or even just beat one guy on the trail (any accomplishment is a good feeling then). When your in an A class it's a whole new level of racing and usually everyone behind you is an A rider in some class (it's like your a dog and there is only one bone at the finish line and you haven't eaten in like a week, you're "real" hungry). I just feel that a lot of guys,, even in my class, are just crazy about "trying" to win and don't care what happens on the trail and will do whatever to get ahead of you. I've never taken somebody out just to get ahead.

Don

_{The BC trails have been very quiet.  Scott has slipped back there in the dual sport but haven't done much lately.
Now that Brighton is done we may try again back in there.  Will let you know what we find out.}

Don - Sorry to hear about that but I understand how you feel.

Quiet and Camaro - C'mon and go racin' ! Goodwood is right. It's all what you make of it. You'll make some new friends and ride some cool places. I had a blast in the C classes. Lotsa good guys just out there having fun.

OK Don, I finally got the 450 going now($1100 later) and had really been looking forward to seeing you at Gatorback. Can't believe how fast it is compared to the 250. You can give me some numbers and I'll do a Ricky on them and love it. Have been riding at MX tracks to get the 450 ready. If you come to GB we can do the track and turn around in the woods to keep riding the MX track.
Dan
Master B #101

Sorry you had a bad experience at Brighton.  I hope most of all you change your mind, but if not, I hope I get to ride with you at Croom.

I understand Don, I've basically stopped racing but for different reasons. Florida racing is boring. Racing in a field does nothing for me. That's why the only races I've done in the past few years has been Gatorback and once Brooksville. Do what you feel makes you happy. For me that's 3-4 out of state really good trail rides a year. I may try and get into the TKO race in TN but to me, great trails and great friends are where it's at.

DonO - you will be missed.

The racing definitely motivates you to get better.  However I think once you reach the A level it becomes a different game.  There are some very talented/fast guys who have been at this a long time in the A class.  It is kind of like when I got promoted to B class.  No longer was I running up front.  I was racing in the back for about a season and a half.

Just this season have I made some good progress.  In fact the last 2 races I have been "feeling it".  Todays race was really sandy and whopped out.  My training/conditioning is making a difference.  Also the 2 stroke is so much easier to ride in the tight single track and even in the sand.  There were many times today that if I were on the heavy 4t I would have been in trouble.  The 300 is an animal in a drag/field race if you want it to be or can easily zip through the trees without having to "wrestle" the bike to turn.  I find I can bake later because of the lighter weight the bike slows quicker.  Slide braking into turns is so much easier and fun.

I know it can be tough when some racers get impatient and think they have to win the race on the first lap.  One of my friends got taken out at Brighton by another rider in a different class who could not hold his line.  Today he got taken down when we went into a tight turn and the guy in front stalled and then as he tried to restart he tipped over taking my friend with him.  Sometimes it is just bad luck and it tends to come all at once.

I am in my 4th season of racing and am starting to think maybe I need to take a break and recharge once this season is done.  I like the idea of epic riding trips with good friends.  That is really the fun part.

Mark C