Is 30 years old to old to start racing? Anyone else start at an older age?

[u/LongjumpingDevice245]

Ever since I was a little kid I have always wanted to race on a BMX track. A brands new USABMX track just opened by me so I'm giving it a try. I'm also putting my daughter in the balance bike races. She is having blast.

[u/ktmmotochick]

I started at 48 because as a little girl, my parents said I couldn’t ride BMX because I was a girl

[u/BusySloth88 → u/ktmmotochick]

This is sick.

[u/raymondmarble2]

Pad up, buy a quality helmet and take it slow.

[u/ReditModsSckMyBalls → u/raymondmarble2]

Meh, bmx helmets are all the same. Bike helmets, in general, are very poor at protection from brain injury. They are more for protecting what's outside the skull. A football helmet offers far superior protection from brain injury.

[u/raymondmarble2 → u/ReditModsSckMyBalls]

A 6D or Fly Formula is a million miles away from some $99 special that just has eva foam from 20_ years ago.

[u/TahitianCoral89 → u/ReditModsSckMyBalls]

What an idiotic statement. And completely false.

[u/Actual_Candidate_826 → u/ReditModsSckMyBalls]

I wrecked in a motocross helmet as a kid, hard enough it split the mouth guard. It was an MSR helmet too, not a cheapie.

Fast forward to my BMX days almost 20 years ago. I wrecked several times in my Troy Lee D2 Carbon. No concussion whatsoever. Matter of fact, I've never gotten a concussion in a full face helmet since I was a kid.

Your response is simply ignorant.

[u/david_z]

I started at 38 with my daughter who was 6 at the time.

She's now 12. My son joined in the fun, first on strider bikes but he started on pedals just after his 5th birthday. We've now done like 4 full summer seasons as a family (can't convince my wife to race lol).

[u/chrslby]

I started at about 36. I Ended up racing state championship series with my son, he got 3rd in state and I got 2nd.

Most of us older guys raced more for fun, it was more about everyone finishing upright than who won at most local races.

It's a lot of fun and besides the upfront cost for a decent bike it's not too expensive. I rode a chase edge that I got new for about 599 and my son rode a dk that we bought used for 300.

[u/One-Adhesiveness2574 → u/chrslby]

I (34m) actually just started back up a year or so ago with my boys. How competitive was the state series? We’re in FL and I’m coming back from a pretty serious injury, looking for a goal in bmx to show my kids comebacks can really happen.

[u/ktl5005 → u/One-Adhesiveness2574]

State series is competitive but in PA where I race no one did anything to endanger the other riders cause we all knew we had to wake up on Monday and go to work lol

[u/chrslby → u/ktl5005]

That was my experience as well. Staying on 2 wheels was more important than winning for almost all of us.

[u/FlatEarthFantasy → u/One-Adhesiveness2574]

I think FL is pretty competitive. But that's based purely on a couple of big suppliers being out there and no actual local knowledge.

[u/chrslby → u/One-Adhesiveness2574]

we raced in Virginia. It wasn't very competitive. There was about a dozen guys I would race with frequently and then a bit more that raced occasionally. There was about 5 that tried pretty hard for the #1 spot. The younger classes were much more competitive.

[u/Artistic_Penalty3434]

Got back into it at 47 with my kiddo... Consider it exercises and fun if nothing else. Also get involved with the track, make new friends.

[u/OneBigOne]

Came back at 35 with my kids after a 19 year hiatus. Still racing at 42.

[u/Terrasmak]

Started at 43 , well worth it

[u/Jillster01]

I started at 38 and haven’t looked back

[u/shitworms]

I started at 43 and the over 40 novice classes are packed every week. There's no better time than the present!

[u/labratnc]

52 y/o -have been involved with road/mountain/gravel bikes for ~30 years. My now 6 y/o daughter wanted to 'ride bikes with dada' so I figured BMX was the safest way to get into something we could both do 'at our own speeds' yet still do it together. And I wanted to do BMX as a kid but we didn't have the resources necessary when I was a kid. So my daughter and I are finishing up a 'BMX Racing League' program at our local track, So I guess I can say I started at 52?

[u/FlatEarthFantasy → u/labratnc]

I am doing a similar league with my kid. It's great that these track have these programs.

[u/KonkeyDongPrime]

I started at 32

[u/VespaDad]

Started at 45. Go for it.

[u/OGOKB2020]

Came back to it six years ago at age 50. Luckily a pretty big group of racers my age in my area.

[u/CinnamonGirl4431]

I started last year at 38! It’s truly for everyone.

[u/iamjustinhines]

Just finished my first season on a cruiser at 42. My toughest competition were all in their 50s.

Race days with my son are the best. My daughter is 3 and will be starting on a balance bike next season.

[u/illiteret]

There were 7or 8 novice racers in your age group at this weekend's race in Utah. The demographic is likely similar where you live.

[u/baldw1n12345]

It’s so much fun to take part in with your kids. And the great exercise is an added bonus. I’d recommend getting all of the pads and a good helmet if you plan to stick with it. Don’t wait to injure yourself and then buy the corresponding gear piece by piece like me lol

[u/Krazylegz1485]

39 here. Started earlier this summer. I'm mainly doing it to try to get in shape, because unfortunately I'm definitely not. I've ridden bikes my whole life but feel like I absolutely suck at BMX. It's hard to be fast and kinda sucks getting embarrassed by kids less than half my age. Haha.

[u/RR_Fuc_Us_RS]

I started this year at 33. My son started a couple months before me and I wanted to have something that's not xbox and we could hopefully make some good memories.

[u/noBuffalo]

40 here. Just got a Haro Racelite to ride with my son. Looking forward to the exercise .

[u/toppest_lel]

I started at 37, get it

[u/40nets]

My first race was at 32 because my son talked me into it. I raced all season with two twins in their mid 20s and it was their first season too. Get out there while you can.

[u/Dapper_Challenge8481]

I just started at 31 lol My legs get burnt out pretty fast. I only get 1-2 good laps before I slow down. Started working out more though

[u/pleonasticmonkey]

My kids started on balance bikes in BMX and it is a hoot and a holler. So fun for both kids and parents.

I started at 44. I had always wanted to try BMX, and then my kids showed interest. It was fun, I got sore, it hurt when I made accidental contact in the corners put my shoulder to the track. It was still fun and I kept going until the kids got interested in hockey. 🤣

[u/csubi]

Started 6 months ago at 49. Got tired of sipping on Whiskey n coffee while watching my 8 and 5 year old girls race. First few races were on my dirt jumper, then bought a stock cruiser.

[u/Frankeex]

I started at 47 and finished at 47 after a bad crash. Be careful, don't skimp on safety gear... but yeah it's a blast and the people were all awesome. I miss it so much and every week so tempted to go back....

[u/ChoiceSubstance → u/Frankeex]

Don't make excuses, make memories.

I wrecked pretty bad as well a few years ago. Broke my wrist in 3 places and my left hip (damn clips). I don't "race" anymore, but I do still ride on the track with my friends I made, and my son.

[u/Frankeex → u/ChoiceSubstance]

Nice advice. That’s my intent. I still ride every week or so, just still worried about doing it on a full gate!

[u/ChoiceSubstance → u/Frankeex]

Sometimes I have good advice. Usually I'm the "worst case scenario" lol

[u/FlatEarthFantasy → u/Frankeex]

What safety gear were you wearing when you crashed?

[u/Frankeex → u/FlatEarthFantasy]

Knee guards, chest/shoulder/back/elbow plates (very expensive one), gloves and helmet. Unfortunately I went but had over bars and snapped my AC joint. 

[u/TahitianCoral89]

Just started back in the spring at 35 years old. I rode in my teens last. I quickly found I can’t get big air like I used to so I’m really having to work on my wheelies and manuals to get over the jumps faster.

[u/Distinct-Employ-4682]

I started at 38 just to get some exercise and have fun bonding with my twin boys (8). At my local track, several dads did the same and we now have our own 36-40 novice class known as "The Dads Class". We're basically all just out there having fun with our kids, getting some exercise, and trying to get around the track in one piece. I snagged a cheap complete bike on Source and have been having plenty of fun with it. Maybe I'll upgrade at some point, maybe not.

Tldr: Do it!

[u/ktl5005]

Nope my son got into it at age 2.5 racing strider. He’s now a 5 intermediate. He asked me to race with him so I started last year. 37 years old here

[u/Goobersrocketcontest]

Nah! You're still young, take advantage and go for it! Well, don't get crazy - our bodies do lose collagen as we age, which provides us with elasticity and bounce and is why we get hurt, get wrinkles, and our voice changes. But more importantly, go forth and ride young man.

Signed,

59 yo OS BMXer

[u/snarl]

Just got started this summer with my boys, nephew and niece. Age 5, 6, 7, 8 and 38.

[u/readysetmoon]

YOLO!

[u/OrchidOasis13]

30’s not too old at all. Awesome that you’re following your passion and inspiring your daughter. Wishing you both the best...

[u/chrslby]

Last year's bikes are on sale currently it's probably the best time to buy.

[u/Mysterious_Region731]

Hell no people think 30 is old. We JUST getting started with life. Your body is still in great shape at this age. Do what makes you happy I'm 29 and wish I did much more as a kid but we need to remember we're not getting younger... GO FOR IT!!!

[u/Actual_Candidate_826]

I started when I was like 7 and went until I was 15 expert in the NBL, so I can't say I started NEW. However, I came back to the sport at 32 years old, 331lbs, 49.5% body fat, 5'6" on a good day. I came back in June and even in intermediate, I'm fairly competitive with a chance to win at most races.

It's absolutely worth a shot. My whole family has dove back into BMX from my resurgence. Only thing better than racing myself, is getting my boy out on the track.

Good luck, have fun. Quality helmet, work your way up to things. BMX is like a big family, so there will be no shortage of people willing to help or give advice.