69-year-old motocross rider is young at heart

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – Motocross is a sport that attracts a younger crowd, but one man says it’s for those who are young at heart.

A man just shy of 70 years old rides dirt bikes like a kid and competes in about 40 races a year.

The sport is definitely for the adrenaline junkies, and Barry Mayo is without a doubt one of them, but he’s also 69 years old!

“I’m thinking, ‘This guy? I better watch him. He might get hurt or something.'” said Mayo’s friend, Kurt Traulsen. “Then he gets out there and he’s faster than me!”

Mayo has been racing bikes in some form his whole life; he just never quit.

“The guys in my class are no competition.,” Mayo said, “I hate to say that but people over 60s usually don’t do this and when they do, they just kind of put around the track.”

So he often races with the youngins, sometimes 50 years his junior.

“They just think I’m crazy, how do I do it?” Mayo said with a laugh.

Once he hops on his bike, however, everyone realizes just how good he is. And yes, an orthopedic surgeon is his number one fan.

“Tons of injuries,” Mayo said, “all kinds of broken bones and pins and nuts and bolts.”

Doctors say he’s healthy as a horse! Mayo has kids, grand kids and one great-grandchild.

“I’m in better shape than all of them,” Mayo said, “I’m in better shape than all of my kids. It’s, like, ridiculous.”

His fellow riders agree.

“He’s inspired me,” said Kurt Traulsen, another older rider, “I didn’t know how much longer I could ride. I figured I have to hold the candle at least as long as he does.”

We did verify Barry Mayo’s age by looking at his driver’s license, born on December 14, 1945. We also verified that motocross isn’t as easy as it looks!

Mayo said he has a very strict diet. He doesn’t eat processed food; he said he’s essentially a strict vegan, which could be the secret to his young-looking physique.

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