Over the hill beginner - can I ride into my 60's?
- Thread starter P-Funk
- Start date
rmc_olderthandirt
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- Apr 18, 2006
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I started riding at age 46. Now I am 52. A year ago I started riding Enduros. Some of the guys I compete against are well into their 60's and kick my butt.
If you have been a couch potato all your life and just started riding you may have a lot of trouble. If you have been active in something all along then I don't see why not.
Rod
If you have been a couch potato all your life and just started riding you may have a lot of trouble. If you have been active in something all along then I don't see why not.
Rod
- Aug 24, 2000
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There is this guy by the name of Malcolm Smith ... age means nothing, attitude means all. :cool:
Don't worry about your age, I'm an old fart (or so my friends tell me) at age 43. Still riding and loving it, and I don't intend to stop any time soon.
Don't worry about your age, I'm an old fart (or so my friends tell me) at age 43. Still riding and loving it, and I don't intend to stop any time soon.
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- #7
Those are all very reassuring responses. I figured as much. I've been an avid cross country and downhill mountain biker for the past 10 years, so I have a pretty good fitness level, but these bikes weigh quite a bit more. I'm going to need to get a little stronger in the upper body. The only real problem I have is finding enough time to ride. Between the wife and kids it's hard, but I'll make it work. How often do you guys get out to ride?
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- #9
atkkid250 said:
I don't know if it hurts more (maybe a little), but the recovery time is definitely longer. My dad is kind of like yours. He never did anything remotely athletic, adventurous, etc. I guess I fell far from the tree. Both of my kids are girls, but I've hinted at getting them a quad and they sounded excited.
One of the fastest guys I have ever ridden with is pushing 60. He puts lots of young guys to shame! I am 38 and have only been back into it for 2 yrs but take my advice.... STRETCH before and after every ride and if you can't ride that day or week do something to keep your muscles in tune!
You could find a bare patch of ground and just work on the fundamentals(I do once a week in my yard). I also have a dualsport that I ride to work or on errands when time forbids a real trip.
Welcome to the sport!
Mud~
You could find a bare patch of ground and just work on the fundamentals(I do once a week in my yard). I also have a dualsport that I ride to work or on errands when time forbids a real trip.
Welcome to the sport!
Mud~
I'm 23, I just wanted to say that you're not old till you're 75. It's all in your mind. If you feel young you are. If you feel old, you are. I don't consider 40's or 50's to be old. It's like the new 30. Get out there and kick some A S S. I play lacrosse with 55 year old men who can run laps around me, and i am pretty fit. Good to see you guys are still riding. Enjoy life, it all goes so fast.
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- #15
mudronin said:
Yeah, I'm trying to find a place to ride that's close enough so I don't have to drive 1.5 hours. I think I've found one about 30 mins away, so I can practice a few times a week while my kids are in school.
Thanks for the welcome.
Jeromeo said:
I totally agree. I really don't feel 40. And I certainly don't act 40; more like 18. Someone once said "If you didn't know how old you are, would you know how old you are?"
rmc_olderthandirt
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- Apr 18, 2006
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P-Funk said:
I often act like I am a lot younger. I may get away with it at the time, but then my body reminds me of how old I really am for the next week or so.....
Rod
Ol'89r
LIFETIME SPONSOR
- Jan 27, 2000
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P-Funk said:
P-Funk.
The key to riding to a ripe old age is protective gear. Buy yourself all of the best protective gear you can find. Good helmet, boots, neck roll or brace, chest protector, knee guards or braces, elbow pads, gloves, riding pants and wear all of it every time you ride.
It is amazing how hard a rickety old body can hit the ground and get up and ride away when you're wearing all the right stuff. Don't ask me how I know that. :yikes:
Stretching before you ride is very important like mudronin said. It limbers up your muscles and if you do crash you are less likely to break or tear something. The best way to build yourself up for riding is riding itself. Just take it slow and easy at first until you learn control.
Boy, the first time your bars break a rib or your helmet your collarbone I'm thinking you'll be wishing you had both of those last two.
The very first time I took my bike onto dirt a small stick caught my back tire and flinged us both to the ground. As my bars deflected off my chest I laughed at how I dodged that one. On the other hand, my unprotected leg had a bruise that last for three months.
The very first time I took my bike onto dirt a small stick caught my back tire and flinged us both to the ground. As my bars deflected off my chest I laughed at how I dodged that one. On the other hand, my unprotected leg had a bruise that last for three months.
There is some good information on them on this site if you do a search. Old Guy started a thread awhile back which you might find helpful.
http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/showthread.php?t=148616&highlight=leatt+neck+brace
I can tell you I intend to buy one for myself and one my daughter. If you are planning to race/ride hard, it is worth reading up on and deciding the pros and cons.
http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/showthread.php?t=148616&highlight=leatt+neck+brace
I can tell you I intend to buy one for myself and one my daughter. If you are planning to race/ride hard, it is worth reading up on and deciding the pros and cons.
