+1 For the use it or lose it attitude.I also think,& my friends of a similar age agree that we have gone from taking risks,having crashes etc to riding more within our limits & trying to preserve what we’ve still got.
One thing which has surprised me is that in my forties I thought that by the time I got to my early fifties I would be to old for MTB’ing but thank god I got that wrong! We also know someone in his seventies who regularly mountainbikes,although at the moment he’s out in the alps (again) for 3 months living out of his van & skiing!Legend & inspiration!

52 this year and had Psoratic Arthritis for last 4 years so on loads of meds (sulfalazine/methotrexate/nefopam for pain) took about 18 months for the docs to get the meds right and as a result had to retire due to ill health. But now working again in a new role and commute daily on my bike and do lightweight rides as off road beats me up. Play golf every weekend even though it kills the hips to do it.

For me life is on the up only downside is meds will finish me off most probably but nowt to moan about.

And do yourselves a favour avoid Tramadol its evil took me 6 months to get off the crap ended up cold turkey locked in the spare room. (think french connection 2) 😉

49th birthday yesterday. Was fit as a fiddle and riding loads. Asked doc an off the cuff question and ended up diagnosed with prostate cancer, surgery 10 weeks ago today – radical prostatectomy (removal). Been out on cx bike for a few 25 mile road rides last 2 weeks and back to a 3k sat am swim, so getting there ….

Well, this is all very encouraging. Iainc – what kind of ” off the cuff question”?

Finally a thread I can contribute to!
Will be 53 in March. All the usual issues mentioned above as my body starts to run down – need glasses for just about anything now whereas I was always the one with exceptional eyesight, can’t hear what people are saying if there’s the slightest background noise, have to get up and pee three times a night, tiredness overwhelms me most afternoons and I need a nap, taking months to recover fully from colds – just colds, not anything really serious for pete’s sake! Worst was a slipped disc 18 months ago that had me limping around and bent over like a proper comedy old man stereotype for about six months – that really made me feel old.
But on a more positive side, here’s my recipie for beating the slow and inevitable decline of age:-
1. Physically ‘use it or lose it’ really is the mantra, but be realistic, you need to slow down a bit as injuries will take a lot longer to recover from, and you may never get back the pre-injury level of fitness.
2. Slow down a bit career wise. We can’t all retire early (and I’m not sure I’d want to) but if you haven’t made it to the rarefied ranks of top management by now, sorry to tell you this but you’re unlikely to ever. So, take it easy, laugh off the office politics, try and go part time or move to a less stressful job, and spend more time on the things you enjoy.
3. Surround yourself with people younger than you – no, not cynical 40 year olds, but really young and enthusiastic people. I have a ten y/o daughter, and her energy and enthusiasm for everything is just infectious. I also went back to Uni five years ago and made a lot of 20 somethings friends, and their passion (and yes naivety) about everything couldn’t help but rub off on me.
4. Learn something new – keep challenging the brain – rediscover that delight in gaining knowledge. As above, I enrolled back at Uni at the age of 45 on a totally new (to me) subject and got an MSc. But more important, unencumbered with the need to drink myself to oblivion and/or shag everything that moved like when I first went there in my twenties, the experience was really fulfilling.
5. If all the above sounds like too much trouble – then just start taking Testosterone supplements! I’m only half joking – why should hormone replacement therapy only be for menopausal women? There’s growing evidence that the sharp decline in Testosterone levels in the late forties and fifties has a lot to do with the overall decline of the body and mind – not just sex. Most doctors will dismiss this as ‘natural’, but when we chemically/surgically enhance so many other areas of our life these days, why shouldn’t we get a bit of help hanging onto our youthful energy?

Visit a Osteopath or Chiropractor. Seriously.

Come to work for me with for a few days. You aches and pains will soon be put into perspective.

Me, although I’m not 50, 25 years in the NHS has had some toll on me mainly my shoulders. Cocodamol is my friend, ibuprofen is a horrible drug effective but horrible.

Still the aches I have now are nothing compared to the bone tumour I had in my late teens. That stung a bit.

Wow, i’m 39 this year and though coping with exercise induced heart palpitations was bad. Makes me realise it can get plenty worse and i guess that is the message: plenty people in worse positions (though always worth trying to get sympathy off the wife)

@ perthmtb, I like your style 😀

52 this March for me and apart from the falling testosterone levels, I’m feeling in pretty good nick. I have a physical job, so am always moving and active and despite many years from my mid-20’s to mid-40’s with lower and upper back issues, I’ve had only very minor twinges for the last 5+ years or so. Invest in a very good mattress! A grand felt like a stupid amount to spend on one, but a few years ago we did and I don’t seem to creak getting outta bed in the morning as much as I used to! The other is a fit-ball and keeping the core working, although I could do more.

Every single day I give thanks for two working arms, legs, eyes, ears etc. there are many folks both older and younger who are not as fortunate and gratitude goes hand in hand with attitude for me.

Early 40’s so not officially allowed to comment but I’m in pain pretty much constantly

Frozen shoulder for months, often get a stiff and painful neck that leaves me in agony for days, legs ache, hips give me gip, knees are knackered, my eyes are old and bent…

I did some grouting of the bathroom floor on Thursday evening. It’s a small bathroom, but all day Friday and Saturday I can hardly walk, and I’m not exaggerating. I had to hold on to the sink to lower myself onto the loo. I’ve been like this since my 30’s

Have been taking glucosamine for over 20 years so that means I don’t make those awful sounds when getting up from a chair! Had been in good shape, the best for years, then it all came crashing down when I was spending 18 hours a day sleeping and going up the stairs wiped me out. 🙁

Now have two permanent health conditions one of which is osteoporosis although I haven’t stopped riding, or rather pootling.

Getting very frustrated with sexist and ageist attitudes from people who should know better and I just won’t tolerate it.

@perthmtb if you haven’t had one request a PSA test from your GP. 3 times a night is a bit much. (For an accurate PSA result no sex or riding the bike for 48 hours before the blood is drawn).

Jools182 I had cartledge(?) that used to pop out of my shoulder/always stiff and hip pain. Went to see a ‘body worker’ and he said the muscle in my ass/round hip was too tight etc etc. After just 3 visits I felt brand new.

We spend so any hours hunched, crouched and tense on a bike no wonder we are stiff/tight etc.

Hora – was it a normal physio that you went to see?

Do you have their details?

If there is some way of getting relief it has to be worth a try

I’ve suffered far fewer injuries since I went over to road cycling; one of the aspects of road riding is that fact that you are in the saddle for much longer periods of time so you’ve got to get the bike set up right. I ride a Roubaix SL4, which is utterly satisfying to ride yet super-comfortable and at the moment at almost 59 I’m injury-free. Touch wood….

(As a side benefit I’m FAR fitter than I ever was in 24 years of mountain biking.)

@neil & perth – my off the cuff question was about getting up to the loo during the night. Worth a check, certainly in my case.

@ sandwich & iainc – I get the ‘finger’ about every 18 months these days just as a precaution, but you’re right I’m about due for another one so maybe I’ll request the GP does a PSA this time. Thanks for your concern and the suggestion.

No problems at all yet! 55 this month.

Like slackalice I have a very physical job, whilst workmates have moved on thinking physical work beneath them I chose to continue with it.

I also ignore my age. Off in a moment to lead the clubs fast 100, none of the quick twenty year olds know I’m old.

Lucky so far I guess.

46 next week and I’ve never felt fitter but I do know not to burn candle at both ends these days. In the last five years I’ve lost about 4 stone too so guess that helps.

I have no answer for the aches and pains but please don’t think your mountain biking has to end at 50, 60, 70 or even 80. I’m 63 in April and I ride twice a week with a 65 year old, 79 year old and an 80 year old. We regularly do the Dog and Monkey on Cannock Chase and we haven’t found an off piste trail, on the Chase, we can’t do. My average time for the Dog is usually around 44 minutes and for the Dog and Monkey just under two hours. Injuries the older we get take longer to heal but my advice is stick at it for as long as you can.

I’m only 28 but have the skeleton of a 60 year old so can I post in here?

I keep it (arthritis) at bay with some pretty nifty drugs – since I started on them my life has changed a lot. I am feeling pretty darn decent again, however I still cannot run, which is a small price to pay to be able to walk & bike properly again!

Jools182-Osteopath.

I was thinking(and talking) in terms of not riding soon due to the discomfort. I thought my hip was wearing. The Osteopath quickly diagnosed and sorted it. He was a big bloke but even he had to use his whole body/weight and literally bounce (no jokes) on top of me- especially the shoulder. It hasn’t been sore/popped out since.

The GP simply tried prescribing me painkillers previously.

Ive been to two female Physio and a Osteopath. Both had minimal impact as they weren’t strong enough. That isn’t sexist as a decade ago another female was ridicously strong by comparison. Painkillers are NOT a solution.

Some people refer to ‘bodyworkers’ (derogative term) as quacks. Spend even just one session then bin the ‘old age pain’ nonsence. Unless its cartledge or arthritis you should NOT be taking painkillers. Sort the cause not hide from it.

Sports professionals need a good work over on the table after sport (what’s 4hours in the saddle?) And sports stars are young and fit. So why don’t we need them?

‘i’ll be 54 in March you know’
sat here writing this ,Mrs g out on the road with her mate but she is only 40 something,my ankle and knee hurting from mtb yesterday,already heavy bike picked up approx.30 Kg of mud. I will get off to gp soon. Overall fairly happy with physical state. there are many youngsters in a much worse state than any on here so just carry on and enjoy

2yrs ago I flipped OTB and landed face first into soft grass (phew) and suffered like crazy with numb hands, stiff neck, headaches etc etc. Painkillers could have helped but I decided on getting my neck etc pummelled. Sorted.

51 here, never felt better, can’t remember last time i was ill. Started going to the gym 3 mths ago and much to my surprise have lost 5% body fat and am now waiting for the call to do the photo shoot for the cover of Mens Health. I was doing some 20kg weighted pull ups the other day and a young fit woman said it was impressive. Couldn’t get me hat on. [stops waving willy] 8)
Sorry guys, but some of us are going down fighting.

Shoulder problems are common because of the knock on from poor posture and musculature imbalances, i always do thoracic extensions before any exercise.

I turned 54 last month and after reading this thread I’m feeling pretty fortunate. No joint issues other than arthritis in a couple of finger joints, no long term injuries and just recovered OK from a badly sprained wrist after coming off my road bike. I wear glasses but have done since my mid 20s. All I can say is don’t smoke, keep the fat off, alcohol in moderation and don’t make age an excuse not to do something. Since I turned 50 I’ve cycled faster and further than I’ve ever done. Did one Marmotte when I was 50 and another the following year and I do numerous sportives each year. Mainly road ride these days but that’s from choice. I still run and hillwalk. I will blame age for making me much less motivated to get out in bad weather, cold or mud (which probably explains less mountain biking). As above use it or lose it.

@perthmtb The finger is only the start. There’s a description of the TRUS procedure in the Snip Snip thread if you’re feeling brave. I have a family history of enlarged/dodgy prostates to rely on. My dad had a rebore in his mid-fifties, his dad had a prostatectomy and my mum’s dad had problems too (not sure what they were as he was a private chap). At 52 the consultant says I’m young for the symptoms I display.
Pelvic MRI for me on Tuesday prior to another biopsy under general sometime in my future.

Brother in law asked why I didn’t stop riding bikes which as a COPD sufferer who still smokes is a bit rich. Use it or lose it works for me.

I’m 61 and there are a few things I do to keep me going.

First, if you got this far and are doing OKish, you’ll probably manage to keep going a good bit longer. So don’t think your good days are numbered. Chill a bit.

By now, you should be more of an expert on your body than any GP. So if you find that big dose CoCodamol and Naproxen or Diclofenac work for you and don’t kill your gut, keep a good stock of them. After all over 60 they’re free! Day Nurse capsules are my best buck-you-uppo remedy so I keep a good stock (although I’m not “supposed” to take them with my blood pressure meds).

Get used to the fact that you can’t keep the pace up like you used to for the same length of time. When I go riding with younger buddies I work hard to stick with the pace for the first half but then split and make my own way to the end point. That means you’re not making them wait all the time, so they won’t groan when you turn up at the start.

As you can’t ride as fast or with the same intensity think of getting a different sort of bike. That means your old familiar trails will have to be ridden at a different rhythm so it freshens them up.

The biggest surprise for me is in windsurfing. I used to head off to the Welsh coast when the strong south-westerlies came through and spend all day there. Now I can manage maybe an hour battling the waves and I’m finished for the day. I have a choice – keep bashing my head agains a brick wall or go out in different conditions but find a way of presenting myself with new challenges.

Oh – and what they say about us not being able to bounce any more after a tumble… If you’re going fast enough, you’ll still bounce – believe me.

kjcc25 – is that “Old John” Malin you’re riding with? If it wasn’t for him, I’d be the Old John! Give hime my best, and when do you go out? I might try to join you.

2 years off the stated five-oh, but was injured/incapacitated when 30 so have 18 years of pain and (variable) disability behind me (and an unknown amount ahead). Foot joints are knackered/biomechanics fubard. Considered voluntary amputation, decided against. Still not sure whether should have or not, attachment to even poorly functioning body parts is a strong feeling! What keeps me going are small (some might say microscopic) improvements year-on-year. That, and a dogged, overwhelming desire for personal mobility/being outdoors. The decision to not be destroyed by painkillers was a big factor too, yet ever-present pain can be a mood-killer, and needs work via meditation/tuning out. Life is good, just to wake up is another chance to do something differently/see people/things that you love. I suppose it is really mindfulness/visualisation that helps me enormously, not to mention patience from loved ones, lucky, otherwise ‘the outsider’ badge would no doubt send me limping off angrily to Walden Pond or somesuch place for good. It has been hard on my social life, undoubtedly.

*Edit – oh yeah – regular structured swimming is arguably the best thing to happen to my body in over a decade. Good for the mind also.

just now have a niggling fear that those valium may prove a little too moreish for my willpower

Valium is incredibly addictive, I’d be very careful, it also affects your ability to drive. Most doctors are far more conservative handing it out these days.

iainc – Member
49th birthday yesterday. Was fit as a fiddle and riding loads. Asked doc an off the cuff question and ended up diagnosed with prostate cancer, surgery 10 weeks ago today – radical prostatectomy (removal). Been out on cx bike for a few 25 mile road rides last 2 weeks and back to a 3k sat am swim, so getting there ….

First mtb ride today too 😀 just a couple of laps of Cathkin, 11 weeks today since last off road ride, up Conic Hill. My fitness has disappeared…..

When I was 14 I seriously knackered my knee. I continued to play rugby but gave it up along with pretty much all other field sports before I was 18, when those sports get seriously physical. I did F-all exercise until I took up mountain biking at 25.
The knee hurts occasionally but I’m glad I gave my body a rest in my 20s, as well as giving up field sports. I do the odd run but otherwise its cycling all the way, and even that I don’t overdo.
For your body, life is a marathon not a sprint.

Physical job,right hip resurfacing 4 years ago but its my arthritic hands that hurt the most these days.55 this year but still get out 3 times a week if poss.

Off for a pootle around kinver now 🙂

25+ years of running and I’m on an enforced break as I ust cant get rid of achilles tendonitis. Gonnna have to start throwing money at it pretty shortly which is as depressing as having it in the first place. I’m just a bairn at 42 though : (

We also know someone in his seventies who regularly mountainbikes,although at the moment he’s out in the alps (again) for 3 months living out of his van & skiing!Legend & inspiration!

Good old Eric!

Yep,Eric,inspiration!

Share the ‘use it or lose it’ ethos.
54 here, and found the latter half of my forties difficult to deal with as decline in physical capacity became increasingly apparent by the year.
Got to 50 and sat back and looked at those of a similar age & realised that, guess what, in relative terms I was doing ok. I’ ve stopped driving myself so hard, accepted that I have to ease off a bit and just enjoy being out there doing it, albeit at a reduced level. Still running after 35 years, on a 4 day cycle: 3 days running, 1 day on the bike, with a day off every couple of weeks.
Other than niggling plantar fasciitis feeling ok. Oh, and echinacea every day to keep colds at bay.

59 this year and still exercising 6/7 times a week, but a mix of biking, running, swimming and circuits. And I windsurf whenever it’s windy and warm enough. Slightly dodgy lower back from too many years of rowing, and a mild heart arrhythmia controlled by drugs, and I’ve definitely slowed down a bit since 55. But I’ve finally given up being super competitive after 40 years of all sorts of racing, which required a bit of brain re-wiring and I now just do stuff for fun. Still hold a number of local off road KOMs though 😀

Hi Big John
Yes it is John and we meet between 10.00 and 10.30am at Birches Valley usually on a Monday and Friday. Always pleased have someone else join us.

Wasn’t going to go for a ride today but after reading this thought that I had better – 3 1/2 hours on the cyclocross bike but I bonked a bit in the middle as my fitness is a bit lacking atm 🙁

I like the cross bike as it encourages climbing out of the saddle more than an mtb, and I think that it’s good for the knees (as long as you are not grinding too much) – my running is certainly better because of it.

I use a 12kg mace bell to keep my shoulders in some sort of shape, as programming and a few offs and a broken collarbone haven’t helped.

Swimming round the island every other day whilst on holiday in the Maldives really helps the shoulders though, I had a rotator cuff injury after a skiing fall and I couldn’t lift my arm above my shoulder. Did all the stretches and exercises that you are supposed to, to no avail. 40 minutes of swimming breaststroke round the island fixed it and no pain the next day.