The hobby that replaced skiing

[Tolz]

Greetings, NS.

It's been a long while since I've posted. It seems once you're married, have a job, and have too many responsibilities to count, an internet forum that once took up many hours of your time falls pretty low on the priority list. Any ways, I've had to find a new hobby. My knees and fairly messed-up shoulder just can't take the pounding they used to. Apparently, if you abuse your joints for the better part of twenty years, they eventually begin to scream "STOP!" incessantly. I've learned a lot in the decade spent perusing this board; how to find Chad's from the bottom of Alta and "bang me like a hammer" are two topics of many that stand out. With that being said, I've found a new hobby that replaces the rush I used to get from spinning 720 tail grabs and this hobby has a lot less impact on my knees (though the risk of severe physical injury has gone up). And I know you're thinking "How could he give up skiing?" because I used to think the same things when I saw a post like this. Just wait. Life changes. You'll understand eventually. Here I am enjoying myself on my adrenaline-giver.

I've found nothing that replaces the rush of dragging your knee on the ground at triple-digit speeds. Maybe someday, some of you will give this a try.

I'll still ski the deep and steep in the mountains but the terrain park life I used to live is unfortunately coming to an end. I guess this is goodbye. Knowing I've been on this board before some of you could even talk is kind of cool. I wish you all the best of luck. Thanks for the laughs, Newschoolers.

 

[JGWI]

I've watched the CRA races at BIR for years. You people have balls of steal is all I can say.

Wide open 190mph around turn 1.

Fuck that!

 

[DrZoidberg]

A: keep doing 360s outside the park.

B: Are motorcycles difficult? I don't wanna race, but I'm sorta interested in buying something slow and light. To be honest I'm more interested in modifying it, making fiberglass parts and that sort of stuff. But riding it looks fun too. I figure if some recently retired 60 year old dude can grab a 1200cc harley and not kill himself, I could probably do the same on something smaller. I think like most people on here, 55mph+ (according to gps) on skis doesn't bother me. And I've been 35-40 on longboards, so pretty close to pavement. I think I'm a paranoid enough driver to not get killed by some idiot who's on his phone.

Obviously it's dangerous, but I feel like sometimes it's overblown because you don't hear about the people who commute by motorcycle every day and don't die.

 

[sellinger]

Fellow racer here, except, I've sort of done the opposite of what you've done. Postponed my racing and track days to focus more on skiing. I still ride on occasion, but not anywhere near the amount I used to.

There really isn't anything like pushing triple digit speeds in less than 5 seconds and dragging your elbow at angles you think you're going to fall at. I'm glad you found racing to suit your adrenaline need. It will definitely suffice. Just don't try and ride out of your league and you should be fine.

 

[CheddarJack]

A: keep doing 360s outside the park.

B: Are motorcycles difficult? I don't wanna race, but I'm sorta interested in buying something slow and light. To be honest I'm more interested in modifying it, making fiberglass parts and that sort of stuff. But riding it looks fun too. I figure if some recently retired 60 year old dude can grab a 1200cc harley and not kill himself, I could probably do the same on something smaller. I think like most people on here, 55mph+ (according to gps) on skis doesn't bother me. And I've been 35-40 on longboards, so pretty close to pavement. I think I'm a paranoid enough driver to not get killed by some idiot who's on his phone.

Obviously it's dangerous, but I feel like sometimes it's overblown because you don't hear about the people who commute by motorcycle every day and don't die.

Of course it's dangerous. But so is driving your car. You just have to be 10x more aware of your surroundings on a bike than in a car because the majority of motorcycle accidents are the car driver's fault. Like you need to be constantly analyzing your situation and where and how you could be hit in order to avoid it. Bikers tend to drive more aggressively too which puts them at a higher danger.

Disclaimer: I don't own a motorcycle and am speaking out of secondhand experience and boredom.

 

[John18_6]

A lot of people like mountain biking... A better life is just being a badass bachelor at the age of 45 giving no fucks stylin on the children.

 

[PaleCelery]

I build racecars

 

[Tolz]

i smoke weed and fuck chicks

And this kind of crap I won't miss.

I've watched the CRA races at BIR for years. You people have balls of steal is all I can say.

Wide open 190mph around turn 1.

Fuck that!

I'll never forget my first time tipping into T1 on the long course; I came back into the paddock and my hands were shaking uncontrollably. What a feeling!

A: keep doing 360s outside the park.

B: Are motorcycles difficult? I don't wanna race, but I'm sorta interested in buying something slow and light. To be honest I'm more interested in modifying it, making fiberglass parts and that sort of stuff. But riding it looks fun too. I figure if some recently retired 60 year old dude can grab a 1200cc harley and not kill himself, I could probably do the same on something smaller. I think like most people on here, 55mph+ (according to gps) on skis doesn't bother me. And I've been 35-40 on longboards, so pretty close to pavement. I think I'm a paranoid enough driver to not get killed by some idiot who's on his phone.

Obviously it's dangerous, but I feel like sometimes it's overblown because you don't hear about the people who commute by motorcycle every day and don't die.

A. I will. Can't help myself.

B. Motorcycles are great fun. But the street riding has only become more dangerous over the years. You literally have to ride like everyone is out to kill you. Take a safety course; you'll walk away with your endorsement and your insurance will likely be cheaper, too.

Fellow racer here, except, I've sort of done the opposite of what you've done. Postponed my racing and track days to focus more on skiing. I still ride on occasion, but not anywhere near the amount I used to.

There really isn't anything like pushing triple digit speeds in less than 5 seconds and dragging your elbow at angles you think you're going to fall at. I'm glad you found racing to suit your adrenaline need. It will definitely suffice. Just don't try and ride out of your league and you should be fine.

There is NOTHING like it.

 

[brov1]

thanks for the update i guess... have fun doing what you love man no one here will get in the way of that just be careful for your own sake i've seen far too many crashes in that sport to ever consider doing it but if you love go balls to the wall man, sad to see ya go

 

[Tolz]

thanks for the update i guess... have fun doing what you love man no one here will get in the way of that just be careful for your own sake i've seen far too many crashes in that sport to ever consider doing it but if you love go balls to the wall man, sad to see ya go

I spend the majority of my time in the saddle on the track. As mentioned above, the street is dangerous. I get my kicks in a controlled environment and dragging knee around clover-leaf interchanges is not one of those environments. Last year, I tucked the front end at about 120 mph on the track and walked away. Do that on the street and you're dead.

 

[ABskier]

here in alberta we don't have to choose between the two. except maybe a few late spring days.

 

[Jaybrtn]

I still absolutely love skiing, but there are other things that I spend time doing as well.

I ride motorcycles, a lot. Dirtbikes, trail riding, supermoto, motocross, and my streetbike around town. Building race cars is also a big thing I do. Just finished up my fully built wrx.

Mountaineering, rock climbing, biking, hiking, traveling, photography, etc. I really want to get into downhill mtb, but that price tag tho

I'm also a helicopter pilot, which takes up a bit of time these days.

I just actually tried skating and bmx again, after not doing either since highschool.

 

[DrZoidberg]

And this kind of crap I won't miss.

B. Motorcycles are great fun. But the street riding has only become more dangerous over the years. You literally have to ride like everyone is out to kill you. Take a safety course; you'll walk away with your endorsement and your insurance will likely be cheaper, too.

I tend to drive and assume everybody will hit me or do something stupid anyway. I know they do safety courses not too far from where I live too. Now I just need one of those job things for money...