Originally Posted by Vinokurtov
My wife accepts that:
a) I'm not going to live forever and
b) People should do things that make them happy.
She doesn't LET me race because we don't have to ask each other's permission to do things. We're BOTH adults.
Tell her that the number one cause of accidental death in the US is from auto accidents and that you'd like her to stop driving, because YOU worry. Then ask her to please wave her magic wand so you'll be protected from the myriad of ways people can get hurt. Ask her to wave it again so you won't be diagnosed with cancer next week. And tell her to shrink wrap the kids, if you have any, so they'll never get a boo boo like you.
Don't tell her you're much more likely, statistically, to be killed or seriously injured just riding along minding your own business on the streets and roads. She'll probably make you stop riding altogether.
Then show her the "I hate Cancer" thread on this Forum and maybe she'll get that she's being completely stupid and selfish.
What he said. You're an adult. And the risks are pretty small compared to daily driving/commuting.
Personally, I crashed in 4 of my first 7 races last year. I haven't crashed since Collegiate regionals last year. And, as I was able to keep it upright through some semblance of skill (both my own and that of the friend in front of me) this past weekend that mean's I've done Cat 4, Cat3 and now Pro/1/2/3 races without crashing since then.