What to Do After a Moto Ride: Motocross Post-Ride Checklist

The last moto's done, you're cooked, and all you want is a cold drink and the drive home. Fair enough. But ten minutes of post-ride routine saves you a lot of grief next weekend. This is the motocross post ride checklist we run through after every ride, whether it's a race day or a Sunday arvo at the local track.

It's the other half of our motocross race day checklist. That one gets you to the track with everything. This one gets you home and ready to go again.

At the track: before you load up

Do a few things while you're still in the pits. It's way easier now than at home in the dark.

• Quick bike once-over: look for loose bolts, bent levers, leaks or anything that copped a hit. Make a note on your phone so you don't forget.
• Fuel off: turn the fuel tap off if your bike has one.
• Strap it down properly: you're tired, and that's when tie-downs get rushed.
• Dirty gear in one spot: a tub or a separate bag for wet, muddy gear, away from your clean stuff.
• Take your socks out of your boots: more on this below. It matters more than you'd think.

Your gear

Gear that gets put away dirty and damp wears out faster and smells like a wet dog. Here's the after motocross ride routine for your kit:

• Jersey and pants: check the care label, wash them cold, and hang them to dry. Most riding gear doesn't love the dryer.
• Boots: knock off the mud, wipe them down, and open them right up so they can dry. Stuff some newspaper in if they're soaked. Don't park them next to a heater.
• Gloves: turn them right side out and let them air dry. Wet gloves in a bag get stiff and gross.
• Helmet: pull out the liner if it comes out and give it a wash or at least an air out. Wipe the shell and clean the visor.
• Goggles: rinse the mud off, let them dry, and clean the lens gently with a soft cloth so you don't scratch it.
• Knee braces: wipe off the dirt, check the straps and hinges, and let any padding dry out.

The moto bag sock crime scene

Every rider has done this. You peel off your socks, ball them up, chuck them in the moto bag and zip it shut. Then you forget about them until next weekend.

Here's what happens in there while you're not looking:

• Day one: they're damp, warm and sealed in the dark. Basically a five-star resort for bacteria.
• Day two: the bacteria have moved in and invited their mates. That's where the smell comes from.
• Day four: you open the bag and it hits you like roost to the face. Your dog leaves the room.
• Day seven: if they're still wet, there's a fair chance of mould. Now they're not socks, they're a science project.

It's not just the smell either. Sitting wet and balled up is hard on the fabric. The elastic gets tired, the fibres start breaking down, and the socks lose their grip and shape a lot sooner than they should. Then on your next ride you pull on a pair that's stiff, stinky and sagging under your braces. That's a miserable way to start a day, and a good way to end up with rubbing or blisters.

The fix takes about two minutes.

Simple sock care

• Get them out of the bag: as soon as you're home. Or at the track, if you can hang them somewhere.
• Rinse or wash soon: the same day is best. If you can't wash them straight away, at least rinse them and hang them up.
• Inside out: turn them inside out before washing. That's where the sweat and grime actually is.
• Cold wash: hot water is hard on the elastic and the print.
• Air dry: hang them on the line or a rack.
• No dryer: dryer heat cooks the elastic. Skip it.

Look after them and your socks will last a lot longer. If you want to know what to expect, have a read of how long motocross socks should last.

Bike wash and check

Wash the bike the same day if you can. Dried mud is a lot harder to shift.

• Plug the exhaust and cover the airbox: before you get the hose out.
• Go easy with the pressure washer: keep it off bearings, seals, the radiator fins and anything electrical.
• Dry it off: a quick run or a blow with a leaf blower gets the water out.
• Chain: clean and lube it once it's dry.
• Air filter: check it, and clean or swap it if it's dirty.
• Check the list: go through that note you made at the track. Order parts now, not the night before the next ride.

Always follow your bike's manual for service intervals. Every bike's a bit different.

Your body

You're not a pro with a team physio, but you can still look after yourself.

• Cool down: walk around a bit before you sit in the car for two hours.
• Stretch: a few minutes on your legs, hips, back and forearms.
• Check your skin: look for rubbing behind the knee or blisters on your feet and heels. If you find any, our guides on knee brace rubbing and blisters in motocross boots are worth a read.
• Shower: get the dust and sweat off.
• Sleep: a proper night's sleep does more for recovery than anything else on this list.

We're not doctors. If something hurts more than the normal post-ride ache, get it checked by a physio or GP.

Hydration and food

• Keep drinking water: you sweat a lot more in gear than you think, especially in an Aussie summer.
• Electrolytes: handy on a hot day.
• Eat a proper meal: something with some protein and carbs. A servo pie counts as a start, not a finish.
• Pack food for the drive home: you'll thank yourself.

Post-ride checklist: the short version

• At the track: bike once-over, fuel off, strap down, dirty gear in the tub, socks out of the boots
• Gear: wash jersey and pants, dry boots and gloves, clean helmet and goggles
• Socks: out of the bag, inside out, cold wash, air dry
• Bike: wash, dry, chain, air filter, parts list
• You: stretch, check for rubbing, water, food, sleep

FAQ

How soon should I wash my MX socks after riding?

The same day if you can. The longer they sit damp, the more they smell and the faster they wear out.

Can I put motocross socks in the dryer?

Best not to. The heat is hard on the elastic. Hang them up and let them air dry.

Why do my socks stink even after washing?

Usually because they sat wet for a few days first. Wash them inside out in cold water, dry them fully, and don't leave them balled up in your bag.

How many pairs of MX socks should I own?

At least two or three, so you've always got a clean, dry pair ready while the others are in the wash. Not sure what size to get? Check our motocross sock size guide.

Ready for the next one

That's it. Ten minutes after the ride and your gear lasts longer, your bike runs better, and your next ride starts with fresh socks instead of a nasty surprise in the moto bag. If your current pairs have already been through the bag of doom, have a look at our Goatbrand MX knee brace socks. See you at the track.