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The biggest thing for me was moving from the Chilterns to FoD when I was 40. Mostly because I started riding with people who were A LOT better than me. I'd never attempted a gap jump, or ridden any of the steep stuff we have on the doorstep here.
Also did loads more trips to amazing places, kind of opened up my riding experience. At 54 (as of last week), I'm probably riding close to as well as I've ever done. A low bar for sure 😉 I still do most of the stuff that scared me a few years ago, but if I'm not feeling it, I'm not doing it and now I'm fine with that.
The thing about injury tho is definitely in my mind. I don't want one stupid decision to lead to a summer off. Or worse.
I think if @nickc and I had stayed in the Chilterns, we'd be far more timid riders than we are now.
I think if @nickc and I had stayed in the Chilterns, we’d be far more timid riders than we are now.
Add me to that list Alex, and it was the Tweed Valley for me.
Best thing I ever did though was a training day with Ridelines.
think if @nickc and I had stayed in the Chilterns, we’d be far more timid riders than we are now.
Oh without a doubt. moving to Calderdale was the best thing that happened to my skill level.
A couple of years ago I went through a spell of stupid accidents. That really knocked my confidence and restricted my riding for a while - both mental and physical recovery. It has taken me until now to feel anything like as assured as I was (and I'm hardly into gnarr).
If you're 30 and miss a summers riding then it's a pain but you've time to make up for it. Less so if you're 63 and wondering how many summers you'll still be able to do it
As I've mentioned on the "components shortage" thread, I'm also now aware of the risk of damaging the bike and it being irreparable for a while.
wondering how many summers you’ll still be able to do it
This is the b****r isn't it. It gives you an excuse to back off, and you'd kick yourself if you got injured pretending you were still 30 😉 But most of my 'bad' accidents are due to a lack of commitment, not being over-exuberant!
Best thing I ever did though was a training day with Ridelines
I recently did two sessions with Katy Curd in the FoD. First coaching for nearly 10 years. Brilliant, makes you realise you can still progress, or - in my case - ride more safely at an adequately brisk pace.
in reality: I'm prob riding same as ever.
in my mind: the older I get the better I was.
If you’re happiest riding long XC rides then a blue or red could feel gnarly to you, especially if you get more risk averse as you get older.
Realistically, a blue graded trail pretty much anywhere in the country is entry level. Yes, anyone can injure themselves on one, but on a MTB forum, on a thread about riding gnarr, bringing blues into it is odd. Unless, of course, the person in question is bemoaning the days when they were proficient in being gnarly and are now restricted to blue graded trails.
Anyway, at 53 the most risk I've had lately was being hit head-on by a teenager on an electric skateboard on a shared use bike path, on the way to ride some proper, unofficial, ungraded gnarr. 😀
Oh without a doubt. moving to Calderdale was the best thing that happened to my skill level.
Nickc - did you ride with Paul the Weatherman in Calderdale?
@intheborders, I don't think I have, with a name like that I think I should've remembered! 🙂
Realistically, a blue graded trail pretty much anywhere in the country is entry level.
Having taught my son to mtb, and introduced my daughter and wife, I can assure you that this is absolutely not the case.
Noobs baulk at stuff that experienced mtbers dont even think about. I've seen it.
Having taught my son to mtb, and introduced my daughter and wife, I can assure you that this is absolutely not the case.
Noobs baulk at stuff that experienced mtbers dont even think about. I’ve seen it.
This
But this thread isn't about noobs, it's about experienced riders and a changing attitude to risk as you grow older
It's interesting to read. I'm early 40s and am still slowly getting more proficient (I think), occasionally surprising myself.
I ride with guys from their mid-30s to 60s. The older guys really inspire me to stick at it.
The youngest hits crazy stuff blind, the rest of us use varying degrees of caution, but if it's really steep/janky the oldest catches up with us later... but if it's 100km, he pulls away towards the end (for reference he competes in insane bikepacking races), but we're all a similar pace on a 2-hour ride.
Riding a big off piste dusty DH track last weekend was interesting - a few of us giving the blind gap jumps a swerve, some of the others going full send.
This mindsets creeping into me at the grand old age of 39, mostly to do with me being self employed though TBH
The youngest hits crazy stuff blind,
At 49.5 I’ve been pushing myself a little to make sure I can keep up on the XC racing A lines whilst my heart’s is trying to escape my chest. When I ride with and normally behind Jnr - 12 - I’m amazing the he approach’s then rides technical features without hesitation even though sometimes I’ve asked him if he wants to have a think about it first. Of course I’m the opposite.
I plan to take him to Afan next year which will be his first trail centre, and I’m slightly worried he’s going to go steaming off through a unknown to him pile of rocks with me desperately trying to keep up on a caution rather than fitness basis despite the fact I know Afan isn’t a challenge for me normally.
I know for sure I don't sent it as hard as I used to. I seem to have crashed loads this year and it's defo affecting my mental game. Just had another big one and have a dodgy rib to show for it. I need to reign it in a bit I think.
Thankfully I've never had a bad off but I'm 44 now and the gnar factor doesn't really interest me anymore, i'm not sure it ever did or maybe I just didn't progress with the sport.
It might be boring to some but I'm more than content on my gravel bike or I have rigid Stanton Sherpa for the real stuff pootling around Thetford forest or the low level lakes rides.
I honestly don't think those in their 40s appreciate how much things change in your 50s. Especially the healing process after injuries. Massively different once you pass 50. Obviously not exactly the same for everyone.. but 40s is... YOUNG!
Quantocks today , officially an OAP in November , crushed spinal vertebrae and Osteoporosis most of the time stick to the half dozen or so descents that I can do confidently . Today I ventured over to the Triscombe DH tracks for a nose 🤔 Found a fairly rooty but mellow section , thought so far so good , crossed the fire road into more of the same , just starting to enjoy myself when the ground fell away and the trail headed literally straight down an eroded chute full of loose stones ! 😳
Stopped and had a look and decided it was actually a nice day for a walk ! 🙄🙄🙄🙄TBF it was probably harder to walk than try and ride it ! Sometimes though when Captain Sensible shouts the loudest it’s probably best to listen , being out on my own in an out of the way location consequences come to mind .
Sometimes (at 69) I think about it but if I’m having a good day then I don’t so much. I’m mostly riding on my own, so maybe I should act more responsibly but then I suppose the most “responsible” thing to do would be not to go out riding at all or stick to places perceived as being safe.....
If I was going to do that then I’d just go hill walking instead, which in itself can be far from safe.
50 this year and still slowly improving but as others have said, I started from a pretty low point. I'm not a natural sportsman so it has taken me a lot of effort (and some tution) to get to where I am now.
I agree with those that say that sessioning is the key. I can't understand why other riders keep getting off at the same features every ride, rather than learning to ride them, but I accept that mountain biking means something different to them than it does to me.
I often say to people. I wonder how I am going to feel when I realise that I am getting worse/fearful but I presume that I will just stay at whatever level I get to for a while. Or go on more skills courses.
I am lucky to ride in Calderdale so have no shortage of steep tech to practice on, some of which I will never attempt, it is amazing watching the lad that builds the most extreme lines ride, his control is so good it makes you think it could be possible till you stand at the top and realise how much a mistake could hurt!
I also think that over the last 20 years as we have been getting older, the amount of Gnarr has been ratcheting up as bikes (and riders) have got more capable. Add to that Bike Parks too. Kids these days have grown up riding these new lines so don't compare yourself to them.
I still ride MTB, and pretty challenging stuff. Just not as fast.
I'm also really appreciating touring and nice day rides on road and tracks. Lovely.
But this thread isn’t about noobs, it’s about experienced riders and a changing attitude to risk as you grow older
Rode Golfie yesterday - on a mission it seems.
We spent about 1.5 hours sessioning Big Baw. For those that don't know Big Baw it's a mile descent, dropping over 700ft and seriously rocky & rooty. Worth it though as we then went back up and rode it - knocked nearly a minute off my PR 🙂
Also PR'd NYNY and Pony - and then faceplanted in the last turns' dust..., feels like a cracked rib too. Gravel bike on Sunday I think.
Interesting thread and always nice to know you are not alone 🙂
At 57 I'm still setting PBs on climbs, which have always been my first love and technically I think I probably am a better rider than ever before. By which I mean that my body position is better in a wider range of situations. But my confidence has really plummeted over the past few years. To the point that I now avoid trails that I know have technical bits (even bits I have ridden before) and pretty much avoid anything marked red or black on trailforks (due to some "hero grading" on there).
Of course that just makes things worse as the only way to improve is through repeated practice and exposure. But riding time is precious and faced with a choice I naturally tend to pick the ride that I know I'll enjoy.
My main problem is that, unlike more sensible folk on here, I'm not really happy just to walk a bit. Walking something that I know most riders can ride makes me feel inadequate and ruins my day. So I tend to avoid putting myself in that situation.
Should really give up mountain biking altogether and stick to the gravel bike (which I do enjoy). But bouncing along a beautiful bit of trail on the full suss is still the most fun I have on a bike, so I'm stuck with it 🙂
43 here and although I don't consider myself 'old' my attitude towards techy drops/jumps etc. has definitely changed. Suffered a very bad fall (non-bike related) and a concussion that affected my balance and coordination over 6 years ago. Even still I feel not quite as quick to react on the bike particularly in slippery conditions but it took almost 8 months after the incident before I could even ride with any confidence!
That been said I still like my DH but prefer more flowy stuff where being smooth and getting your braking/body position etc right to maximize momentum is very satisfying and I reckon I've never been as fast on this kind of trail. Tend to steer clear of the Hail Mary stuff these days
I definitely beat myself up for a while but finally came to the conclusion that nobody really cared or noticed apart from me, and most importantly I was still getting out and having a blast on the bike
Roadie that does MTB here. Magor life changing accident almost 6 years ago with a broken spine whilst riding to work.
Dropped road for 5 years and took up MTB. Just took it steady as I didn't want more injuries, and the spine incident had me off work 7 months and a further 3 months part time. I've never been into 'air time'. Quite happy with natural stuff or trail centres but no big jumps/drops.
Been back on the road bike this year too. Just avoid rush hour and quiet roads only. Also getting back into commuting, but via the canal network on my old MTB.
It's the 'time off work' that employers get a bit hissed off with.
Hi everyone, this is the OP.
Thanks so much to everyone who has responded. I’ve really enjoyed reading your advice - some more relevant than others.
One of the things I’m trying to change is my ingrained thought that if I don’t ride every obstacle well, and finish the trail dab free, then I’ve “failed”. Last night was a great example. It was gloomy (but dryish) all day, but turned into a really beautiful afternoon. I hadn’t been planning to ride, but it was too beautiful a opportunity to ignore.
At the top of the hill, I actually chose the easiest tail - simply because it was the most sun-soaked. I enjoyed every inch of that trail. Just riding along, with my tyres squeaking on bone dry trails, with the sun on my face, and my faithful doggy just behind me - wow. What a beautiful ride.
So glad still to be able to ride at all, when so many others can’t.
Now…. about that terrifyingly steep, technical descent I’m failing to master, and have fallen on the last two attempts…… I’m still planning my next attempt. Not dead yet!
One of the things I’m trying to change is my ingrained thought that if I don’t ride every obstacle well, and finish the trail dab free, then I’ve “failed”.
This started for me in my 30s, but with winter riding.
It began with a consideration of 'why do I always ride the same crap in winter when its only good in summer?' I reassessed why I ride (fun, stress release) and started changing my patterns of riding to avoid the shitty bits. Enjoyment went up.
The same rationale, now in my late 40s has me looking at things that I could almost certainly ride at my upper limit, but if I'm not feeling it I won't.
I'll have had a nice, fun ride anyway and come away without injury.
There are no score cards, I'm not professional, and I have to go and work on monday to pay the mortgage and support my family.
It's a guilt free decision these days, whereas when I was younger I would have beat myself up about it.
' A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.'
Muhammad Ali
I've always been one to say no to things I wasn't 100% sure I'd get through. There's lots of stuff I know I'd get through with a bit of slidey slidey and bum clenching, but you know that is your limit. That's not changed as I've got older either.
What's most important for me is checking in with yourself on how you feel and how you're riding. Some days you'll be a riding god, others you'll not. Adjust expectations on that and it's OK. I quite regularly walk sections that I've ridden may times before.
Don't give in to peer pressure if you're not sure. There's no shame in not breaking anything. I think I'm fairly unique in that respect. I really don't care about wussing out if I'm not feeling it.
for me I'd be most annoyed breaking an arm/collarbone through something totally avoidable if I'd just listened to myself a bit more. The prospect of not being able to ride for weeks is horrible.
my ingrained thought that if I don’t ride every obstacle well, and finish the trail dab free, then I’ve “failed”.
That's interesting - it has never even occurred to me to judge my riding that way. Just do a Google image search for Sam Hill - most of his most iconic riding images are probably of him "dabbing", albeit also while drifting. Just shows how different people's attitudes can be to how they ride and judge themselves, but focusing on what you find fun definitely sounds like a good step.
I bought a short travel full sus for my 50th to give me an excuse not to ride big jumps and drops. At almost 54, I’m happy to get through a ride in one piece, ready for the next one. There aren’t enough good riding days left to be injured, and boy do I get miserable if I can’t get out for a ride.
I bought a short travel full sus for my 50th
I'm 7 weeks from my 50th, on Monday I'm picking up a 170mm enduro bike to race in southern enduro
A lot of it is the luck of the draw, injuries accumulate and some people's bodies simply age faster and lose strength quicker than others.
I was fit throughout my 20s, very good technically, then suffered some knee problems in my mid-30s and after numerous operations my mind just won't let me ride the really technical stuff at speed any longer.
I know any fall off the bike could mean time injured off work/laying in bed and at worst another knee operation.
So on the one hand I'm annoyed I have a major weakness I need to monitor closely and which restricts what activities I can do, but at the same time I'm thankful I was the right age to get into mountain biking when it really took off and rode some great trails.
I will probably buy an E mountainbike next so I can continue doing long rides and be a bit fresher for the technical sections.
72 here and after a slow speed but serious fall at Easter it was 4 months before I could get back on a bike. My trail selection has been somewhat reduced since and I have actually realised I should be more careful out there. Confidence is still low but slowly improving. I think I now know I was trying a bit too hard a lot of the time and probably barely in control at times but got away with it. It has certainly been a wake up call for me, but I am determined to find that sweet spot of "feeling" I am still quickish but not going to fall.Will not give in and ride on the road as i think that is more dangerous and staying clear of e bikes because it would allow me to get up places where the route down would be too techy for me!
I'm 50 and ride 'The Golfie' mostly . Im happy with most trails there but just cant get my head round 2nd base despite rolling similiar drops on other trails. Also at Fort William at the weekend I'd down 4 runs and my mates were going to do the WC as a finisher. I felt knackered and had a weird feeling that in an hour or so's time I could be sitting in the van going to A&E in Inverness. I sat or rather shat it out.
My son is 18 and has broke his collar bone 3 times , his elbow last year scalped the patela in his knee at Ae a few years ago. He is fast and skilled on the bike but now hes working I can see him selling the bike as he is losing too much time and money through injury . The thing is if he scaled it back to my speed or level he wouldn't enjoy himself.
I'm 53, and riding the off-piste stuff here in south Wales as often as possible. I really don't think it takes noticeably longer to heal than it did years ago. (Separated shoulder a couple of years ago kept me off the bike for a week. Dislocated finger last year was pushed back into place and didn't stop me from riding..) What is obvious is that my skill level is now much higher than it was BITD, so I tend to have nasty crashes less often despite riding significantly tougher trails. (Guess what's going to happen next ride...)
It probably helps that I ride a lot - 4 or 5 times a week, with at least 2 or 3 decent MTB rides out of those. And the other thing I've noticed is that when I'm heavier, I feel older in every respect.
Interesting about how much more capable bikes are. I’m (a bit reluctantly) going from an old school 26” hard tail to LLS full suss 29er. As I’m more nervous than I used to be I’m really not sure if this is going to be a skills compensator or a trail weapon - really hoping for a bit more confidence on the steep stuff!
57 and still ride a lot of DH and off piste at CYB.
Attitude hasn't really changed, getting slightly slower and a bit more tired.
Was at Dyfi bike park yesterday, riding mostly blacks,very tired after 6 runs and could feel the last drops jarring my body.
Interesting about how much more capable bikes are. I’m (a bit reluctantly) going from an old school 26” hard tail to LLS full suss 29er. As I’m more nervous than I used to be I’m really not sure if this is going to be a skills compensator or a trail weapon – really hoping for a bit more confidence on the steep stuff!
Get some training - best investment ever.
I'm 53 and still ride big stuff occasionally. Coaching keeps me inside my limits so I don't go mental riding everything I see.
I'm also 53 and whilst I have to achnowledge that my days of extreme snowboarding are probably behind me (in terms of technical, steep and exposure - rather than massive kickers) as I don't think I have the 'speed of reaction' required anymore ...
... but I feel like I've still got some progression to do on the mountain bike ... and I've been really enjoying trying to get better at jumps during lockdown. I've resigned myself to the fact that I'll never be clearing the big doubles on the back straight at Bolehills - but I'm still having fun and still learning!
I've always had a rough formula when it comes to big 'features' etc either on the snowboard or the bike:
Before I hit it, I need to be reasonably confident that there's an 80% chance of me being able to ride it out ... and in the 20% chance of wiping out and stacking it, there needs to be an 80% chance of being able to walk away.
That still leaves a 4% chance that you won’t walk away every time you try one of these features. So, let’s say you only ride once a week and only encounter one such feature per ride. That’s still a trip to A&E on average once every six months 🙂
That still leaves a 4% chance that you won’t walk away every time you try one of these features
Haha ... true ... although I've been spared too many trips to A&E I do have a 'litany' of injuries ranging from 'glass-back', separated shoulder, bust ankles and sprained knee ligaments that mean I have a very good relationship with my Sport Physio ... and a regular yoga routine!
There's a risk attached to everything isn't there? - especially things like crossing the road and driving a car ... but for me it's about managing that [personal] risk to a level that makes you feel comfortable ... but still having fun!
I’m 53 and still ride big stuff occasionally. Coaching keeps me inside my limits so I don’t go mental riding everything I see.
Yeah, we know about you.
You were beamed here from planet 'OMFG!'
Haha … true … although I’ve been spared too many trips to A&E I do have a ‘litany’ of injuries ranging from ‘glass-back’, separated shoulder, bust ankles and sprained knee ligaments that mean I have a very good relationship with my Sport Physio … and a regular yoga routine!
You're not selling it 🙂