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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 🙂
😆 that made me smile
40. What I ride MTB wise has changed. More bike park and winch and plummet now than it was when I was in my late 20s when it was a lot more trail / xc on a ridged bike. Faster speeds now to higher consequence.
Biggest issue for me is time on my bike. I don't feel as comfortable as I was due t less time on the bike. Even though I was riding rigid and xc / trail I was pretty loose on it and kept up well. Confidence from familiarity. Now I ride mtb once a month so just don't feel as in tune. I am defiantly more fearful than I was on a BMX as well but similar issue. Prob ride once a week on that but find that need more regular but shorter sessions to feel good on.
So yes I am more cautious but I think a significant amount of it is due to lack of practice at the moment.