When thinking about the people that leave the sport though, I go back to the exact reasons. Many leave in their early 20s after graduation. They go to college, mom and dad stop paying for the racing, so then it cost too much. I know MANY like that. Once the parents were not paying for the racing, they were gone. Then there are the ones that leave after injury, and the ones that thought they were going big time, and once they don't make Lorettas, they leave. I can think of about 3 kids that Matthew raced, that were HARD core for 3 or 4 years. The practice every week, race every weekend type people. 3 or 4 years of that, still don't make Lorettas, and have not seen from them again, boom.....gone.
I've been around forever. But I have never been one of those ride every week, race every weekend racers. Me personally, I believe that keeps you from the burn out. It is a lot of work to go ride and race (at least for me). I get home, the trucks cleaned, the trailers are cleaned, the bikes are maintained, all to turn around and do it again and again! So riding and racing like I do, keeps the burn out down. Matthew and I raced 4 out of 5 weeks. He had no idea why I did not want to go ride last week! Needed a break.