[Closed] Getting older - and changing attitude to gnarr

Look for techie uphills rather than downs.

Ha. It’s odd you say that. I’m now the tech climbs specialist in our group!

Sounds a bit like me, but I’m a bit older.
Was recently at BPW and some stuff I couldn’t ride, or rather wouldn’t ride - my head just told me “No!” whereas I knew the technique was the same as other bits I could ride easily!
In the end, I decided I was satisfied with having a great time and no crashes.
Have had trips there before, where everything has gone great only to be ruined by a crash, followed by months of recovering. This time, safety first and I’m happy with that.

Finding out i had crushed vertebrae and Osteoporosis over 10 years ago concentrates the mind 🙄 66 November just happy to still be riding, never was a send it type anyway its just my Book Of Excuses feels genuine to me. 😎

I can empathise with this. I'm not that old (42) but older than a few of the people I ride with regularly and I'm definitely not as fast as they are. But I am into the techier aspects of riding; I can't necessarily ride it quickly, but I'm not too bad (and continue to work on) my technique on steeper, more difficult terrain. I feel like I'm less likely to really hurt myself if the speeds are lower, and if I work on my skills then I'm better equipped to deal with the more technical sections when I ride normally. I've come to accept that I'll never be a good racer, but still want to develop and learn new skills.

60 here - I was never much of a gnarly rider but I am even less so now. I does not bother me in the slightest. You just do not bounce as well once you get older. Just relax and enjoy your poottling!

Same here too. I used to love throwing myself at all sorts of crazy stuff and raced DH for a few years but following a bad stack at BPW just before my 50th birthday (and not being able to ride a bike for 9 months after) I decided it wasn't worth taking the big risks any more.

Most of the riding I was doing before the crash was social as much as challenging so I decided to wind it back a bit and still have fun with my mates whilst not trying to scare myself so much.

I find that as long as you don't set your boundaries too low it's still easy to have a great time on the bike, just remember you don't bounce quite as easy as you used to, do it's still worth having a go at stuff but don't feel afraid of occasionally saying 'no, not today, maybe next time'

The challenge will still be there if you feel more like trying later.

I'm 57 and my gnarr aspirations have been steadily reducing over the last 5 or 6 years. With me it's not the fear of actually crashing, nor of an injury. It's more to do with the time it now takes to heal. Even a simple cut now takes a week or more whereas it used to be just a few days. I hate to think how long a serious fracture would take and what lasting effects it may cause.
I guess you also have the worry of what effect an accident/injury could have on your company so it's not surprising that you are cutting back on the gnarr, @johnhe.

I find longer, xc-type rides now far more fulfilling than hitting the gnarr and really enjoy all day & multi-day rides.

Also, don't listen to thegeneralist: I fell off on a climb at Cwmcarn on Sunday, rolled/tumbled down the side of the hill through a load of brambles and now have more cuts, grazes and bruises on my legs and arms than I have had for years! 🙂

I'm 3 years behind you and my aspirations are greater than my ability to send it. But I'm still forcing myself to try things I'd have not always done before. It's hard though as the crashes hurt and take longer to recover.

I'm with weeksy on this; 52 this year and hitting bigger stuff than ever before.

OP, I read your post in two ways.

Firstly there's the very sensible view that you are no longer seeking out more dangerous riding, either size of specific features or timing / measuring your speed to be ever faster. Fair enough - many people with you on that!

Secondly though, you seem to have a bit of uncertainty and you are noticing you are no longer doing things that you know you can do / have easily done before. And that sounds different to your choice above. Sounds like a bit of a mental block, combined with being a bit uncertain of what is now in your skill level or not. For that, I'd reckon the good ol' recommendation of a skills course, probably somewhere with easily repeatable features like a bike park, might help. Just to help you draw that line of "yep" or "nope" when you are judging what you want to ride. Take control of it, basically.

Look for techie uphills rather than downs.

What kind of sick shit is that.

You can still ride just go slower and walk bits.

I was always a wheels on the ground kind of rider but two crashes in 2019 and 2020 - neither involving any sort of feature - now I just don't want to lose any more months of any sort of riding, and it's very jeycore lite these days.

Ride today,so that you can ride tomorrow.

i used to love a big day in the lakes, getting as high as possible with the bike.
which meant doing some pretty rough descents.
i now love a big day in the lakes riding around those high points on low level tracks and lanes.
a good day on the bike is a good day.

Learn trials! Can't get slower and safer than a track stand 😉

I was into BMX big style in my early teens to mid 20's - lots of street/dirt jumps bit of racing, lots of big sends, did some MX in my mid 20's till early 30's, lots of big terrain off piste snowboarding in Les Arc and Cham for 15-20years, mountain biked from my early 20's onwards (1991 GT Timberline) and lots of DH as it evolved.

Now 49 and I 'gave up' a year or so ago. The two stand out moments were at Farmer Johns and Morzine - I was losing the mental battle with speed/big sends Vs the consequences. I did a slow last lap of Morzine knowing that it was a farewell to the sport.
I now trundle about on a fixed speed coaster cruiser bike (Transition Klunker).

Despite being unable to ride for nine months due to a bad break last year it's not put me off in the slightest.
However what it has done is make me take a slower approach to doing tech features.
I'm 53 now and just moved to one of the best areas in the UK for riding so now have the opportunity to progress again just by the fact there are so many brilliant trails in the area.
I am however taking things slowly instead of the **** it attitude I had when I was younger.
If I'm not feeling it on a particular day it doesn't bother me any more. The trail will still be there for me to ride tomorrow or next week.
I also don't really care how fast I am compared to other riders. I'd much rather ride something clean and with a bit of style than fast.

At 50+ and recently getting badly smashed this is worrying me. I can't ride stuff I was happy to 5 years ago for sure.
As long as I don't get the urge to buy a road or gravel bike I'll be happy.

I’m 52 and have always been able to do
more challenging/techie stuff than most of my riding mates. Now tho’, I’m focussing on doing the same level stuff, but smoother, more stylishly and above all safer!

Injuries and healing time are the main reasons for this, as I want to be riding/snowboarding until I’m 80 at least.

I now spend 5hrs a week doing Pilates/yoga... as this helps me to stay fit and in-injured.

Hitting big stuff is great, but not as great as hitting average stuff stylishly/consistently/safely.

For those who say you don't bounce after 50... You're just not landing from enough height!
The most peril is when you're only 80% committed.
We went to Antur Stiniog last month. I insisted that we only did each trail twice as I knew that on the 3rd run I'd get overconfident and would come a cropper. I finished earlier than the other guys as I'd lost condition and couldn't hold everything solidly any more. But I am 68.
I'm off to Tarifa (Europe's windiest beach) for a spot of windsurfing and mountain biking in a couple of weeks and went down to the local lake to get a bit more practice in today with my 11 year old grandson. No wind so we did fla****er supping. Jeez, that's a way to turn a dull day into a really dull day.

a good day on the bike is a good day.

this

~even a bad day on a bike is good. a good day is fabulous!

I find longer, xc-type rides now far more fulfilling than hitting the gnarr and really enjoy all day & multi-day rides.

This is me at 45.

I tend to bounce quite well (never broken a bone apart from maybe a rib playing team sports) but I’ve never been that good or that keen on the gnar, I’d rather hit a blue run hard than a red run slowly.

I went to Bedgebury last weekend (surely the UK’s flattest trail centre) and had a great time. At no point did I think “if I get this wrong it’s going to hurt”.

To the OP, maybe you just need a different challenge.

I am now getting worried! I seem to be older than all you lot whining about your ages.l do know what you're on about though. I recently stripped my FS to build up a new HT as I felt I wasn't likely to be doing anything too radical. The main thing is to get out on your bike whatever gnarr or not .

Being self employed focussed my mind long ago. You crash - You starve!

At least, that's my excuse...

I'm younger than most on this thread, but can totally empathise. Maybe my self-preservation had kicked in a decade earlier than some, but I've just no interest in gnarr steep techy stuff any more, I much prefer fast flowy single track. I really like most of the off-piste stuff at Dalby, but there's definitely a couple of bits that are beyond my skill/confidence level (I've still got a dodgy wrist from a OTB into a tree 8 months ago which probably doesn't help...).

To the OP - do you go night riding? I find that adds a totally different dynamic to trails, even if you know them really well from daytime riding.

I changed my riding focus after a big scapula breaking crash about 5 years ago (mid forties) I decided to work on riding 'better' rather than 'faster' – putting the wheels where I want them, thinking about the braking, tyre grip, getting body weight and pedal position right and so on. The interesting thing was after a while I actually started to get faster, riding things I never thought I would without feeling like I'm pushing things.

While I'm still improving it's fair to say I started from a fairly low standard, I never had natural awesomeness, but for me practice is key and you've got to want to do it which I is hard if you've stopped enjoying it. If you always had the skillz and now find you are struggling I can see how that might mess with you.

The bouncy fat's in the wrong places. If you could land on your belly or butt, there'd be no problem.

A thread about the Gnars and red and blue trails get a mention.
🤔😉

A thread about the Gnars and red and blue trails get a mention.

Different people have different levels. A470 at BPW is a red and proper out of my comfort zone with the landings they've built. Some people may even find a blue like Merthyr Rocks properly tricky...Nothing wrong with it, it's just how it is.

While what you say about people having different perceptions is correct you can't really call a blue or red trail center trail the Gnars.

Late 50's here and riding harder/faster every day (according to Strava) 🙂

But, what I also do is mix it up - so time split equally across XC, Enduro & Gravel - with a specific bike for each. Plus night riding (first light use last week).

No one I ride with is older than me, and some are seriously good (plus a couple fitter too) - and having a grown up family etc I've more time than most, so usually out all day whichever bike I ride.

Tomorrow we're off sessioning at the Golfie. I wish TBH I'd done more sessioning when I was younger, it really is a good way of learning.

you can’t really call a blue or red trail center trail the Gnars.

You can't... i can 🙂

It means different things to different people. Some would say something like the Beast in the Peak would be Gnar, i quite enjoy stuff like that and doesn't intimidate me, but soemthing like 15' high kicker tabletops quite frankly freak me out. It's simply a case of definition of a phrase.

Tomorrow we’re off sessioning at the Golfie. I

I should be over there tomorrow avo.
I'll keep an eye out for you.

It means different things to different people. Some would say something like the Beast in the Peak would be Gnar, i quite enjoy stuff like that and doesn’t intimidate me, but soemthing like 15′ high kicker tabletops quite frankly freak me out. It’s simply a case of definition of a phrase.

weeksy, you are obviously not a cycling god mate, unlike some.......... ;o)

Never been into big air, but I love steep and tech, slower and less far to fall too, doesn't seem to be abating with age, no doubt its just a matter of time and the rate my bollocks shrink

Me too. 52 and gradually realising that I'm not up to riding like I once did. Head just isnt in it anymore, but it doesn't stop me. I just walk more sections now that attempt to ride them.

How do other people cope with getting older?

Ride less capable bikes. A rigid 29er will make tamer trails just as much of a challenge without so a huge potential for serious injury if it goes wrong.

I'm 54 soon and really only got into techy downhill over the last few years.
I have been pushing my limits and my luck for all of that and really enjoying it. MAnaged to conquer Crest lower at a decent speed this summer.

But it can be painfull and I'm mindful that I decided to go for it cause my arthritic hips will need replaced and I might never get to ride like that again.
I'm at the end of another summer now and I'm thinking I should really be happy with what I've managed and stop pushing my luck as much this winter.

It's just that damn Orange 5 factory !! it just keeps making me think I'm great hahaha.

Ride less capable bikes. A rigid 29er will make tamer trails just as much of a challenge without so a huge potential for serious injury if it goes wrong.

Yeah, I was thinking this. One of the things that's changed with mountain biking is the capability of the bikes. When stuff like the SC Nomad and the Giant Reign first appeared they seemed quite radical as long travel trail bikes, now we have a whole world of 160mm travel, full sus bikes that are ridiculously capable. Which is all great until suddenly something goes wrong when you're travelling much faster on bigger, uglier terrain and you crash bloody hard.

I'm still mostly ridinng hardtails and as I get older, I'm stil just as slow as I always was.

While what you say about people having different perceptions is correct you can’t really call a blue or red trail center trail the Gnars.

At risk of sounding like a DBA, the gnar ( especially on something jumpy but rollable) isn't just dependent on the trail, its dependent on the speed that it's ridden.

I only ride hardtails so by default, I am always looking for the smoother lines
As ssStu and lardman said.

Hitting big stuff is great, but not as great as hitting average stuff stylishly/consistently/safely.

and

I’d much rather ride something clean and with a bit of style than fast.

^^Very much this

“ While what you say about people having different perceptions is correct you can’t really call a blue or red trail center trail the Gnars.”

I’m far from a great tech rider, with the easier blacks at BPW being my comfortable upper limit, but I’ve ridden with plenty of people with less ability! 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.

In my 50's I've slowed a lot, my climbing speed is nothing spectacular, and that sort of bothers me a bit, I used to be pretty fast...Mleh. technique wise, I'm Ok, I'll session stuff that I'm not familiar with, and still have a lump on my shin from a tumble in June. But the techie stuff is what mountain biking is for me, I don't mind drop offs and jumps, but I just won't do stuff blind and I'm happy to just walk away from stuff that I'm uncomfy with nowadays

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.