LowCel 

Well Mr. Smashy did one, I might as well do the same. I just wish my reason was as simple as his.

I've decided to take an early retirement from racing. It could end up being a short or long break but right now it is a retirement. Racing and training just took up way too much of my life. I have decided to dedicate more of my time to my wife and the rest of my family. I am going to continue to ride, racing and training are just going on hold for a while. I've already proven to myself that I can do alright racing. I have nothing left to prove.

In the mean time I am going to spend more time with my wife, parents, and the rest of my family. I am also going to spend more time working with the family business so I can get a few small bills paid off so we can buy a house in the near future.

On top of the other things I am considering going back to school in the fall. In order to do that I need to get a few things taken care of first. I'm not sure where that is going to go but that is what I am thinking about.

Another reason I haven't been riding much is because I am now doing most of my commuting to work on my new motorcycle. Its nice getting 45 miles per gallon. Since I don't have my bike with me in the evenings it is sort of hard to ride. Then I don't really like to ride when I get home. We have quite a few rednecks in my area so it isn't particularly safe.

Oh, here is my new toy. Sorry if you have already seen a picture of it over in foo.

dminor 

I wondered if something was up when I reading between the lines in an earlier post of yours on the Racing subforum, LowCel.

I always marveled at your intense race schedule and wondered how you did it along with everything else. Priorities, and realizing the true ones, are good. Does the schooling have anything to do with that certification thing, or is this a new direction completely?

Anyway, I'm sure your competitors won't miss you - - haha. Hug your wife an extra one and enjoy the good things. There'll always be more racing but there won't always be more time.

LowCel 

Nope, this doesn't have anything to do with the certification. However, I do take two college courses (online) a semester for the certification as well. The returning to school will be in addition to those courses and won't be online. I have actually been putting off going back to school for a couple of years now, I couldn't figure out how to fit it in with my training.

salsa

i wish a had a ninja its a nice bike. Are you planing on selling any parts or bikes?

cryptid01

And now the true journey begins. /kungfumaster

LowCel 

I am going to take my truth apart and sell it. Other than that I plan on keeping everything.

mtnbiker66

Does this mean we'll see you in Pisgah for a "fun" little camping/riding trip?

salsa

what wheels are on your truth? can i put a lefty hub on them? and how much do you want for them?

LowCel 

Not selling any of my wheels. Just the frame, fork, crankset, and brakes.

LowCel 

That would be great!!!

Quick_Torch C5

Sweet ZX-10R, lowcel, I have a ZX-9R. Good luck on your new path in life. Opposite to you,
I got away from bicycling for a long time,and got into motorcycles and cars. However, if it's meant to be, your path will circle full back to your bicycles

LowCel 

Thanks. It's the new ZX-6R though.

mtnbiker66

That's killer.

Flak

Best of luck with your new path. Im sure you'll find it equally rewarding.

born2bahick

Good luck on the new trail your riding on Bruce!
P.S. with Salsa getting stronger all the time, this is probably a good time for this descision also!

LowCel 

Absolutely, no way I'm letting that kid beat me......I'd quit first!!!

C Law

I can't imgaine driving to races every weekend. A couple of my buds do it and I don't know why.

I like to pick a couple of events out a year and train for them. Like 24 hour races, Exterra Races and long MTB races. 3 events is plenty, especially if you want to see your family and work.

It gives me a little flexibility with family, etc.

I am not saying that would work for you, just sharing my personal (temporary) solution

LowCel 

So far this year I have done 10 races. Last year I did 23 races. It gets old and very expensive. I can't believe how much I have drained my bank account already this year. Race fees, maintenance, food, and hotels add up!

taylor p

wow you've been a busy man

KrisA

That's a crazy racing schedule, leading your burn out. I don't want to sound like a jerk here, but it will likely come across that way... You raced in sport right? Unless things are much different in the USA than Canada, sport should be laid back, very few of the sport racers I know actually train. They just ride their bikes and have fun. Those that win are those with the natural tallent. When they want to start training, they move to Expert. Why not just stick it out in sport, do a handful (5?) of close races and have FUN as a mid pack racer?

Your story reminds me of a friend of mine who raced hard in road and mtb last year (cat 3, Senior Expert) and did EVERY provincial race in both. By the end of the year he was cooked, and his performance was way down, after racing just about every weekend for 4 months. This year, he's focusing on mtb, only using road for training. He's faster on the mtb, less stressed, has more time, and is having more FUN.

Whatever you decide, best of luck! Oh yeah, spending time with the fam is always a great decision.

wheelhot

Well just keep on riding and enjoy nature , thats what I do when Im bored haha or you could do some evening jogs just to keep stuff refreshing. My sis is back from the States and I have been jogging with her everyday, I MISS CYCLING!!! . I beat her everyday, hehe

highrevs

beat her.... like, with a stick or something?

dminor 

That's another thing that varies here by geography and discpline, I think. When we had a full-fledge PNW series in DH, the 40-49 Sport class was pretty competitive. There were about five of us who were pretty equally matched and decently fast - - but in no way were we ready for Expert yet. We all trained and put in our time; we just weren't Expert-fast yet. There were quite a few races with 5-6 minute runs that the separation between us came down to hundredths of a second.

C Law

I think so. that's pretty commonplace in Malaysian culture.

It is a sacred Silat Seni Gayong ritual