not sure its my age or motivation, but i just dont get the urge any more to get out and ride, 2 years back I was out at the drop of a hat, out of intrest what is your age, and is 43 over hill,
Only if [b][u]you think[/u][/b] it is.
the best bit about being over the hill is that it's all DH from now on!
Everyone feels like that occasionaly! Nowt to do with your age.
Get a road bike, or an xbox, or play football, or just go for a good old fashioned walk.
No way you're over the hill. I sometimes find it a bit tough after three or four months of cold and mud. Try and get out somewhere new with some new folks. I was riding somewhere new today and can't wait to go back when it's a bit drier and faster. It's a good time of year to do a bit of work on the trails, clearing away wind damage and overgrown stuff, get it all ready for when the weather improves.
40. Every now and then get bored of mtb and do a different sport. It's not like I'm paid to do it and don't have a choice.
If you're really concerned about it, sign up for a race or something that you need to train for, a target is a pretty good motivator.
I'm 39 - I find it hard to get motivated over the winter, and can't be arsed with night riding anymore.. as soon as its light/warm enough for an after work weekday ride i'll be well happy..
45,
No.
33, been riding bikes for more than 30 years, never been more excited about bikes, riding bikes, tinkering with bikes, talking about bikes than i am now.
bikes are ace.
but, if i'm honest, i know how this person feels:
...I find it hard to get motivated over the winter...
now, go and practise your wheelies.
Be careful... Winter is almost over..
Well one of my good friends is in his 60s and rides more regular than me, at least 3 times a week.
Buy a new bike.
Its wrong and unnecessary, but definitely a shortcut to motivation I reckon.
Its the winter that makes you feel like that, light evenings and nicer temps will change your outlook. I know because i am the same during Jan/Feb time for some reason.
Too old ? 53... Tried the road bike thing, "good for miles covered" but very boring and Bloody Dangerous !!
Night rides have been good when it was cold and dry, but do find it hard to get motivated when it's Pishing Down. Do agree about getting out and riding somewhere different tho...
Still, soon be summer !! 8)
I dunno, kids these days. I'd give my left leg to be 43 again 🙂is 43 over hill
I took a [b]15 year[/b] break from bikes, came back keener than ever. A bit slower, but very keen.
I feel a bit like that at the moment, mostly the weather I think, but I need to get training for the Alps in the Summer. I want a new frame too 🙁
I didn't take up mountain biking until I was in my 40's and not long now till the next milestone, my 62 year old neighbour is still fitter than me. I also tend to ride more in the winter an summer as often too busy with other things then.
The issue is you are bored with mountain biking, so do something else for a bit or perhaps try some different riding venues and types. Have you toured the various uk location plus of course there are lots of holiday options in Europe and further afield.
im 43 and love every ride like its the first time 🙂
46 here and sometimes struggle with motivation. Just bought a nice road bike to widen the horizon a bit.
When I am feeling a need for some motivational boost I tend to think of the STW'ers that would love to be out riding but can't - ton, angelis and others.... that works for me 🙁
50 and perfectly happy still, but...
It's only a hobby, not nirvana/a wife or kids/ a job.
No harm in just walking away from it for a bit, or the rest of your life, if it's not floating your boat.
Force yourself to go at some point. I hadn't been for a few weeks until today. Didn't really fancy it this morning, but forced myself to go anyway. Thoroughly enjoyed myself and looking forward to getting out again...soon!
40.
I hit the lack of motivation about 4yrs ago now. Decided to give road riding a go. Now I'm a full time rider of the black top, never looked back. It gave me a new found passion. I've never swung my leg over a mountain bike, never mind ride one since. Don't miss it one bit. Can't stop hanging around here though, why's that?
I will be having a go at mountain biking again, in May. But that's only because I'm treating my (now ex) riding buddy to a 4 wheeled mountain bike Taster day in the Lakes, following his motorbike accident last summer (sadly he's now paralysed). He can't wait, but only wants to do it if I go riding with him so I can't say no. Otherwise I don't think I'd be back on a mountain bike.
My regular riding mate is 64. His background is motor bikes; MX, enduro etc., mine is road racing and time trials. I wait for him at the top, he waits for me at the bottom. I have a secret suspiscion that he enjoys himself more than I do. Bastid!my 62 year old neighbour is still fitter than me
my riding buddy lost his mojo a year or so ago (admittedly after a bit of a fall). He went road riding for a while but has recently come back to the light. He goes downhill like a mincer now but he's bloody fit! He is loving night riding at Gisburn again and can't wait to get to the Big Summer riding again.
Keep pedaling your a long time dead
I'm quite young at 26 and find it difficult to get motivated. Especially after a 12 hour night shifts, were you just want to sit down and relax on your days off.
However come spring time when it gets a bit warmer and drier I know the motivation will come flooding back and I'll be out for a few hours every night/day after work or before work and on my days off.
Not been for a proper ride since January, been on local flat routes and thats it.
Same goes for the motorbike, these cold wet days really makes me want to chop it in for a car, but a bit of warm sun and flys hitting my visor and it puts a smile on my face.
Stick with it, do something different over these last few weeks of dark winter and you'll be fine.
Try a different style of riding for a while. Road or bmx is good to break up days on the mtb.
35 this year. Still love my bikes, but the British winter is a real slog. Rain, rain, mud, ice and snow are enough to put anyone off. Just take a break from it for a while. As soon as the sun starts to shine, and everything starts to dry out, you'll find your mojo again. November through to March is always hard.
44 here. Three stacks and a cracked rib so far this winter. Missed one night ride. Sometimes it is hard to get yourself out there, but as soon as you do, it's always better than not riding. Buying a road bike ended up being way more fun than I expected. And new cross bike is going to be a blast.
Not riding makes me grumpy. But if I REALLY didn't want to go, I'd just leave it until I do. Go see Tony (Jedi), he'll make you want to ride!
its just that time of year when winter really seems to be dragging on and on... however in 6 weeks or so (or maybe sooner) when the sun is out and the temprature rises and the trails are drying out there is nowhere else id rather be!
key is to just maintain some level of fitness, either on turbo road bike or gym so you can have a great summer, even an hour a week is better than nothing - the motivation and fitness will come back
just think of those dusty trails 😀
Two different bike shop owners have recently told me that mountain bike sales are flatlining while road, hybrid and others are doing well.
I mountain bikes for 23 years and three years ago was getting bored and stale. Then I got a carbon road bike and now I'm as addicted to road cycling as I was to mountain biking. The difference is that I'm much much fitter now and spending less money on brakes and worn out transmissions.
Wise words mate. Kind of sums it up; if only the rest of life was that simple.Keep pedaling your a long time dead
At the age of 22 I gave up being a serious roadie due to injury...
I was 11 stone then.
For 9 years I didn't ride a bike at all, then I slowly started to, slowly being the correct term as I was 19 stone! I chose a mtb as one would support my weight 😳
The last few years have been ace, can't get enough of mtb'ing 😆
I turn 40 soon, and ride with people as old as 65! Infact one 65 year old I ride with is fast, and drinks like a fish!
If I am that good at that age I will be happy 😆
Should say I am 15 stone and reasonably fit now!!
When I started to lose interest in motorbikes, I tried to force the issue- did more riding, more events, more trackdays... Terrible idea, it just smashed the last remaining bit of joy completely. Don't force it, is my advice, just hang them up for a while and ride if you want to.
Try and keep in touch with it though- it's possible to forget how good things can be.
People use age as an excuse - for their moobs, for their lack of motivation, for neglecting their bodies. It isn't. It's just a number. If you love riding bikes, you love riding bikes. And if you don't, hey, don't beat yourself up about it, find something else you love doing for a bit, then come back to it when you get the urge. But age really is just a number and 43 is a relatively low one...
Milky, what's your riding habit? Where, how often and what type of riding are you into?
A change of discipline, location and motivation for riding can invigorate things.
Sounds like you may have reached a plateau (sic?) a skills course/new build/trip to a new riding location/meeting new people to ride with can nudge you out of it.
I kind of had this with climbing, I was being too hard on myself and would ruin a good session by focusing on what I didn't or couldn't do. Also comparing myself to peers who had more experience/strength/time to climb and the difference in development did not help at all. It ended up making me ride my bike more 😆 which is something that fell by the wayside due to climbing... I will get back into climbing, but I'm so in love with mtb at the moment that there's no rush.
What is the reason you used to love riding?
The best thing to do is buy a road bike. Smash in the road miles and never ride your mtb again. It works for me.
The best thing to do is buy a road bike. Smash in the road miles and never ride your mtb again. It works for me.
It seems to have left you with only a few functioning brain cells though and compulsive trolling problem 😉 And you're what, 12 years old?
Try a cx bike - it gives a whole new (great!) perspective on riding off-road.
And you're what, 12 years old?
No, Im 15 but I look 18
Just turned 45 and only really started riding trails 3 years ago, was very into bikes when I was a teenager then fell away for 25/30 years..big regret falling away from it,now I try and get out every chance I get to try and make up for it. .hail rain or snow, does take me a little longer to recover after hard day in the saddle but wouldnt have it any other way, hopefully still be riding 20 years from now 
45 here. I've not been mountain biking for months.
I've been doing it long enough to know the urge comes and goes though. I'm quite happy doing other things for a bit until the desire comes back. Instead, I'm currently doing a lot of drawing, some road riding and I've started running.
if i had the choice of the lottery jackpot tonight, or the chance of my health and ability to ride again, i would deffo choose the latter.
and this is not bullshine.
Felt like that about my mtb for most of last year now enjoying getting out for a night ride on Monday nights to get back into it. Favored the roadie as far less mucking about getting ready, can go straight from my doorstep on the road bike.
YOU DON'T STOP PLAYING WHEN YOU GROW OLD,
YOU GROW OLD WHEN YOU STOP PLAYING!
48 and NO !
Mountain biking is fine when you've got something worthwhile in mind like riding over a mountain but I can see how you would get bored going round and round trail centres like a hamster in a wheel. Mountain bikes need to be used like touring skis or mountain tents or sea kayaks - to get out into the wilds and enjoy the isolation and self-sufficiency. That way the bike becomes a tool for a greater adventure not the end in itself.
Well said globalti. Something that often seems to be forgotten.
I'm 31 and in February it's more of a case of making myself go out to get fitter and more time on the bike than actually wanting to but as has been said before I never regret going.
I could just make up a load of bullshit excuses like my mates do and play on the xbox smoking myself into a bag of Haribo.
Roll on the clocks changing back. Makes all the difference.
It's right that adventures and riding somewhere new make a difference but I struggle to do more than 2/3 hours in this weather without injuries making it painful.
Ton's words are powerful. At least you've got the choice.
Going on a bit aren't I
Do you always ride on your own? For a while I had no riding buddies and I could only get motivated on A1 days.
Now ride regularly with a largeish group and am much more motivated both to ride with them and on my own.
Also change, what you ride, how you ride etc and shake things up a bit. If you normally ride natural go for a trail centre or vice versa. I also find changing bike setups can help. My light bike has been singlespeeded and my Fs bike rebuilt so i can have a bit more variety.
If you're bored, do something else. Theres loads of other fun things to do in life.
I certainly would not risk injuring myself AGAIN if I found it boring, that would be really stupid!
54 and no way.
43 is median age for this group. I started MTB riding late, and force myself if I can't find get anyone else to ride. Commuting keeps my miles up, as does road rides and sportives.
There is nothing wrong with taking a break from a hobby. But I also view cycling as transport. And a nice pootle into town on a Dutch roadster can be just as fun, to be honest.
41 this year and cleared my first double this week... no way over the hill
36, it's done for me after 22 years :-(. But there are better (other) ways to enjoy mountains 🙂
A couple of years ago I was struggling to motovate myself to get on the bike but then I built one of these...
[img] 
[/img]
...and I've never looked back. In fact, I was so delighted that I built another one. Now I look forward to getting out every weekend, and even on the coldest and darkest of winter nights as well.
Gary
www.pugsley-on-patrol.org.uk
As others say, if you are really not feeling it, then don't force it. Move on.
However, if there is still a spark, and you just need motivated, then have other reasons other than 'going out for a ride'. For me, a big reason I got into MTBing again after 15 years was fitness. I'm 41 now and I think the fittest I have ever been (not a god at all, just have a base level I am pleased with). I noticed that unless I ride at least twice a week, it slips, so I make up a realistic schedule for myself over, say, 3 months, and try to stick with it. Even if some of it is just a 1 hour blast on the roads with the MTB in the evening, it helps a lot.
Also, having a goal is good. Maybe a cycling holiday with friends? A long weekend bikepacking? A race? A family ride?
I have now found myself doing other things, I took up swimming last year and am doing that 3 times a week. It's been great over the winter, when it is nasty outside, diving into a nice warm pool and doing some lengths feels good.
What Lardlover said
I'm 40 in a couple of months and have been mtbing religiously for years. The nicolai is gathering dust and gets the odd blast, but just cant be bothered with all the faff - have been road riding a lot more with a group and i'm super keen. Also, signed up for an enduro so will not hang up the 959's just yet 😀
change is a good thing
i get a bit bored now and again. I go for a snowboard on the dryslope slope. Then i relize I love biking so much.... As much as I love snowbaording it makes me to want to ride again..too..just a change I guess..
Maybe get a bmx and go for a blast on that ..or something..
They can be enjoyed from the front door, you don't need to get changed etc, or get dirty and may find it fun and it improves strength..
I'm 40. A change is as good as a rest I guess? Assuming you can, why not get a road or a cross bike and mix it? Best of both worlds and keep the MTB. Spring is on its way so fire yourself up.
Easygroove has got it. Motivate yourself.
For me, mtb is seasonal. I don't touch the bike from November to April because slogging round at 3mph on a clagged-up machine weighing a ton is simply not fun IMO. When the trails dry, I'm out there as much as possible. I find a visit to a new trail centre can refresh my mtb mojo. But I'll never find the sensation of sweeping round a corner at full speed on two wheels (road or mtb) to be boring.
As i type this i am trying to motivate myself to go out on a muddy ride,had 4weeks slobing and drinking in india ,i am now a twin for the gracious lord buddah ,and need to get my lazy arse in gear,before i have ques of tibetans waiting to rub my belly for luck.i am 41 and also know of people a lot older than myself who can quite easily cycle rings around me for fun. 🙄
It happened to me. I took 3 months off the MTB and just rode road for a while.
The urge to MTB came back easily after the break.
ton - Member
if i had the choice of the lottery jackpot tonight, or the chance of my health and ability to ride again, i would deffo choose the latter...
Wise words. That realisation comes to many people far too late in life, after the damage has been done.
Work, career, business, wealth, they are less important than health.
46years young and been mountain biking since 1988 and cannot get enough of it, have had a few wobbles over the years but a few weeks off and I really start to miss it, it has been such a positive thing in my life that I can't think of ever giving it up( despite breaking arms 5 times, shattering my right leg in numerous places and a broken clavicle), just can't get enough 😀
Have met so many good friends through biking (and one or two absolute bell ends) but mostly fellow bikers are a cool bunch and can't think of any other 'sport' (surfed for 25 odd years - miserable bunch, locals only, etc.) that makes you grin from ear to ear whilst covered in mud, still get a buzz from rides days after. OP, Take a few weeks off and hopefully the buz will come back?
43. Mojo comes and goes. A good bit of twisty singletrack usually restores it. That and I have to do MM every year until either TIm Flooks or me drops dead.
52, might be over the hill but that doesn't stop me riding. I find doing MM every year gives me something to train for, helps me get out in the winter weather. Now my daughter's taken up road riding so I get out with her as well - first road bike I've had since mine was nicked at Uni, and as many others have said it is different enough to be really refreshing. Wouldn't want to ride road all the time though, and I do break a lot of the [url= http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/ ]rules[/url].
50,enjoy my riding as much as ever.Had a 3 month lay-off a couple of years ago,but have probably improved slightly since my return..
I enjoy Winter riding ,as much as Summer riding...slip-sliding in the mud,barely in control,sharpens you up for the Summer.
Also treated myself to a Cross bike for me 50th. Great fun.
It's hard to offer advice or motivation as I've never suffered the lack of drive to ride or sheer excitement to just get on a bike. I really do love it and can't put myself in your shoes - but each to their own of course. I really hope you get it back, but I suppose don't force it.
On the other hand, the age thing has worried me hugely - mid-forties now and certainly did consider myself over the hill and have been worried about having to make myself stop soon (any fitness has gone and injuries pile up, my work colleagues think I'm waaay too old to be messing around giggling like a kid in mud on a bike), but the thread resurrected recently on the subject humbled me on that one. I now hope to just quietly keep going and hope no-one notices....!!
35 here, and mountain biking since 1990.
I can understand how motivation comes & goes... but I could never get tired of being in the woods.
Meh.
It's only riding a bike, it gets dull at times, and the worst thing to listen to or read are people saying how they never get bored or how they can't imagine life without it.
Give it up if you're bored, come back in a while if you want to.
I never get bored and I can't imagine life without it. 8)
I live riding my MTB's but I do get bored of riding Thetford all the time. It's too expensive to drive to other places all the time (and takes too much time - baby in the house), the local bridleways/footpaths are boring so I only ride my MTB's nce a week if that. I use my road bike more often.
I have yearning to explore wilderness on a MTB and I would love to do that in North America where you can get to very remote locations. Infact Off road coast to coast of the northern part of the U.S or Canada is a dream.
Can't imagine not riding at all. sometimes I have ridden more than I do now and sometimes less but ridden off-road in one form or another for almost 40 years.
So for me bored of mountainbiking = bored of life
45, but a week today 46.
i too get pretty bored with the mtb, but for me its a symptom of riding the same stuff all the time and a lot of the same stuff in thge last few years with all the rain has been made unrideable by the lovely horsey types.
but i have to ride a bike to keep weight off, so i mix it up with lots of roadie riding or taking out the cross bike. quite a bit i have to force myself out, but i always feel better for it.
oh, and watch the booze. as i get more into my 40s i find its a total motivation killer the day after.
There's nothing wrong with losing your motivation for the bike, especially over winter. I find at times like jacking it all in, especially when expensive repairs demand money (fork service, broken mechs, £30 for 1 tyre).
I'm currently diverting my attention to other sports and part of me regrets not having had a more balanced approach to my sports previously. I was surprised to think that I hadn't been rock climbing for nearly 10 years (something I used to really enjoy) due to mountain biking.
I've recently got involved with a fell running club and discovered a whole new world in the areas I used to ride all the time, the same can be said of road riding as well. Its amazing whats on your own doorstep when you look at things from a different perspective.
40 here.
Its easy to get bored of mtbing this time of year..
Wet, muddy slow trails .... Certainly not much motivation.
I got myself a road bike a year or so ago.
Fitness has improved enormously and have managed to get out 2 to 3 times a week all winter so far.
45 here. Hill and mountains are my main draw whether walking climbing mountaineering or biking - biking is where its at at the moment (not climbed in a couiple of years but itch is coming back)as it has taken me to all sorts of hills where I would not have walked or climbed etc and even the trail centres here (s.wales)are is some quite nice hilly territory. Just get out on the hill one way or another.
just turned 45 here.
I have times when I lack motivation but I have a mate who I ride with every Sunday that gets me out of bed and out of the door. Once I'm riding I really enjoy it and if he can't ride and the weather is crap I have been known to miss a week.
Entering an event is a good motivator for me as well - particularly if it's something I know I need to train for.
Building a new bike also works - especially if you do the build yourself.
Failing that just do something else for a while - you'll come back to it.
I dunno, after braking my arm and haveing a two month layoff I'm not really that keen on getting out on the bikes again for some reason. I miss the social aspect fo rides, but might take up something else instead of solo rides, quite fancy getting back into Sailing.
Anyone want to swap a Pitch Pro for a boat?
I have a mate who I ride with every Sunday that gets me out of bed
Glad I dont have 'that' kind of relationship with my riding buddy 😉