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Just a quick post to say that it is never too late (and you are never to old) to get into/return to mountain biking.
Last July at the age of 63 I decided to give mountain biking a go again after 12 years off the bike. I trained hard through the summer and winter and lost 52lbs in weight.
I have recently spent two weeks biking in Nepal and although I was worried that I would struggle I managed it so with some work so can everyone.
The views were spectacular and landscape huge and just amazing. The riding was breath-taking and varied – from long lung busting uphill climbs at high altitude to gnarly downhill, tight switchbacks, natural techy features and fast flowy xc through pine forests. On many occasions the varied terrain pushed me out of my comfort zone but it ensured that I returned home a better mountain biker than when I arrived.
A few pics below
Inspiring stuff! I'm 61 and harbour occasional thoughts about giving it up, even though I still love it. I was a late starter anyway and a skill deficit makes me much more wary of mullering myself as I age. It takes me a lot longer to recover after a spill these days. In reality, rather than giving up, I'm going to scale back the "gnar" and do more XC stuff. I'm also doing more gravel and road riding these days. I can see that and bikepacking gradually taking over from mtb for me. Currently planning to bikepack Traws Eyri with my son and daughter in June.
To the OP - Inspiring and true. 👌
I'm going to scale back the "gnar" and do more XC stuff.
Very true, and relevant to other sports - remaining free of injury allows you to train more, and enjoy more.
70 in November still loving it 👍 Last year spent 2 weeks in the Italian Dolomites definitely EBike territory 2017 so about the same age as the OP British Colombia under our own steam 💪all the iconic spots Revelstoke , Golden , Fernie , Frisby Ridge .
At the moment staying in this country as my riding mate who I usually fly with is convinced he is now too old at 6 months older than me 🙄
I'm working on him but not getting anywhere 😔
24 miles on Mendip today most excellent 👍
BC is on my “radar” for next year (from the end of August) but I am still analogue (at the moment!) then down to Moab to do The Whole Enchalada so if anyone wants to join me please get in contact
My dad wanted to canoe down the Dordogne. I couldn't that year. A few years later when I suggested it he said he was too old and wouldn't even consider it.
So do it now, whatever it is.
About once a year I think it's getting too hard, and someone tells me that if I fall off I'll break my hip and then it'll all go badly.
But a few good rides and I'm back.
The last couple of weeks there's been some windsurfing, long gravel rides and some rocky fun descents in the peak district. And out again tomorrow.
I'll be glad when I'm too old for this.
I was born in 1953. But feel younger than my nominal age
@gooner666: most of us would be delighted to hear more, and see more photos of your Nepal trip. Sounds like the bike trip of a lifetime.