I was a roadracer, then got a dirt bike to learn how to slide and be a better roadracer. I then realized how much cheaper dirt racing was, and I haven't been on a road course since.

The amusing thing is that I thought HS racing would be safer, since a 100mph crash pretty much can't happen. Guess the trees have proven me wrong.

Anyway, I know roadracers who have raced for decades with basically no injuries and I know roadracers who each pavement regularly. The key is to increase speed in very small increments and to judge risks intelligently.

One goal I had in roadracing was tomake it to Expert without a notable injury. I ran out of money before that happened, but the idea is the same in HS or MX. Take your time getting fast, ride using your brains, not your balls.