I grew up a city girl, parents believed any vehicle more than 5 yrs old needed to be traded in, 50,000 miles was high mileage, motorcycles were taboo (my Dad had one briefly, my mom swore she'd leave him if she ever caught him giving me a ride), and dirt bikes were what boys from the country, nothing but trouble, rode. Then I grew up, fell in love with motorcycles and a boy from Alaska (yeah, we're pretty close to that "Ladies love country boys" song), and now spend way too much disposable income and free time getting muddy. So how does a 30 year old, who didn't grow up rallying dirt bikes, get into hare scrambles? Is there some track day equivalent? Some trails that are a good benchmark for how successful I'd be? Some recommended school for beginners? I feel pretty confident in my dirt riding, but also pretty confident that if I just enter a hare scramble I'll be totally schooled by a pack of three and a half foot tall 8 year olds on 80cc bikes. What's proper protocol? Just do it? Thanks, Leigh
Yup, just do it. Go spectate a couple and maybe talk to some racers at the events. As for getting schooled by a bunch of anklebiters, well they start out young and fearless. Older people have more fear and common sense. I started out slow, got fairly proficient and quick in the middle and now I'm old and I get schooled by the anklebiters again.
I say go for it and ride at your own pace till you feel comfortable with advancing. Don't be afraid of starting or riding in the beginners class and don't even feel embarassed by what you want to do or how you start riding. I have alot of friends that started that way and are glad that they did. My motto in life is this: When we are all in the nursing home some day, we're not saying that I wish I did this! It is too late then. Good luck and you have all of our support. Typpyt
if you do be prepared, have bark busters ad a camel pack and have fun. a skid plate and radiator guards are other good add ons. once you get all that stuff put on, go have some fun!
And don't worry about the late start. A friend of mine named Christi Evers started racing after she was in her 30s and ended up being a #1 desert racer for a few seasons out here. Now, she's moved on to trying motocross and having a great time at that.
I'm in the same boat as you. Egghead parents. Didn't grow up around motorcycles, and I started riding after college. I think its a lot harder to get over the fears (like of hurting one's self) when you start at an older age. I'm convinced that the fears can be overcome, though. I'm 30 right now, and I started racing this year in our local cross-country series. I don't know about these hare scrambles, but our organization has all kinds of classes geared towards everyone from advanced riders to absolute beginners (first year riders). I say, just go sign up and try it! The hardest part of racing, to me, is learning how to pass others and be passed by faster riders.
Since you are from Virginia I sugest you get in touch with the Virginia championship hare scrambles series their A great group with events throughout Virginia and I'd be suprised if your not made to feel welcome right away. www.vchss.org A bit further north you will find the East Cost enduro Assn. they have both A hare scrambles series and an enduro series also A terific group. www.ecea.org
Is it possible to go to a club race and help out by riding sweep? Maybe the 2 sweep riders can get a little enthusiastic
I started riding in my early 20's and won the first real enduro I ever entered when I was 35. It can be done How long have you been riding in the dirt and what kind of ridng do you like to do? WoodsChick
Another one for just enter and have fun and pace yourself. My first Harescramble was in the Vintage class at our local harescramble 3 years ago, only 25 miles. This year I just decided to do the whole series, had never done one on a modern bike, but what the hey, I went for it. First race pushed way too hard at the beginning, but the last few learned what my pace is.
PIck a race, sign up and have fun.... doesn't matter where you end up placing as long as you have fun.... dead last is better than a DNF and a DNF is better than not entering..... 1st , 2nd or 3rd are really sweet though The 8 year olds will school you as well... learn from them... when they are twelve they will be even faster.... COngrats and good luck... post up after your first race and let us know how it went.... Also: wear a Leatt or any form of neck brace.....especially if you are racing JMO T
I live in Maryland and you have the VCHSS series, ECEA and District 7. Also if you just want to help out at a race to see what it's all about and maybe ride course marshall. A friend that is hosting the VCHSS King George round on June 14th is looking for help. So maybe you and your significant other could contact him and try that and check it all out. The VCHSS and ECEA actually run women and beginners in the morning race separate from the AA, A & B classes. If you want more info. drop me a PM
Thanks for the encouragement everyone! It is indeed the VCHSS I've been eyeing. Sounds as though I should pick a race and just sign up. So any of you Virginians who participate in that series, I'll be the very, very slow girl on the TE450. Thanks
You should check out the VCHSS on June 14th in King George. The course there is awesome and there is no mx just grass track and woods. Also not a whole lot of rocks if any, but a few tree roots. So I say go for it and give it a shot
im guessing you have friends that ride too, get them to come along and take turns chasing eachother. thats the most fun way to do a race. even if its someone you dont know, if they are the same speed just chase them around for a while (without running them over).
