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Of meeting 2 mtbers, Mike aged 73 and Peter aged 71 yesterday.
Who had just descended a loose, rocky, droppy trail at speed, that I was about to ascend.
They told me that mtbing kept them fit for the ski season 🙂
Helmets off to you both. It's what I'm aiming for.
Anyone older out there riding the trails?
Oh, so many jokes, so little time...
Inspiring stuff! And nice to hear! I hope I can still do stuff like that when I'm that age too...
My Dad....@ 76 + pacemaker.
Last trails Cwncarn, Smiths Coombe Quantocks, Wentwood Dragon Downhill and many more.
Punctured lung, last year at Leigh Woods technical section.
My 69 year old Dad was in the Wareham XC race on Sunday. He was inspired to start mountain biking after having a go last year whilst watching me in the Twentyfour12. He actually fell off quite hard at the time and hurt his shoulder, but if anything that made him more determined to do it. A month or so later we picked him up a nice cheap Marin Mt Vision and he hasn't looked back since. He's out 2 or 3 times a week with a local club of other similar aged riders all over Dorset, and to top it off he's entered in this years Twentyfour12. With his grandchildren in the junior race they'll be 3 generations of us suffering in it this year!
I've lost count of the number of times I've been out walking, thinking I'm doing well as I scramble sprightly up a 1 in 2, and then been overtaken like I'm stood still by some sodpot who looks about a hundred and ten; Doc Brown hair, face like a scrotum pulled tight and sinews made out of steel cable. They're all bastards.
In truth they've been universally absolutely lovely and incredible people, and I've heard some amazing tales (if I can catch the buggers standing still for long enough to have a chat). I can only hope I'm still doing that when I'm their age. Which seems unlikely as I can't do it now. (-:
I was out with the club on a road ride yesterday, from Hyde to Hebden Bridge and back, a 64-mile round trip with lots of hills. One of the guys is 70 and really, really strong. I was struggling to keep up with him, although in my defence, I'm still trying to get fit after major surgery. He is an inspiration 🙂
Not biking but the class of dinghy I race (Finn - the mens heavyweight Olympic class) has an extremely active Masters following. Every year there's the Finn World Masters championship in varying places around the world (this years in Greece, next year Lake Garda) with an attendance of between 200-350 sailors.
To be a 'Master' you need to be over 40 which is quite impressive as the Finn is a heavy/powerful boat to race. Get to 50 and you become a Grand Master and at 70 you're a Legend. They're now contemplating a Super Legend class because of the number of people racing that are nearly 80.
I have nothing but admiration for these guys.
In my Wednesday evening ride group we have a 74 year old bloke who tried retirement but didn't like it so still does 2 jobs, on the riding front he might not be on the pace early on in the ride but 2hrs in is going like a train & will sprint off the front for the rest of us to play pursuit.
Hmmm, 71 and 73 you say . . .
So at what age will people think I'm [b]amazing[/b], just for going mountain-biking?
There is a group that ride the chase mostly older gents. I chatted to a guy on a orange 5 who was into his 70s or late 60s. He was on his 3rd or 4th lap of the dog, he was on his own as the others had packed up and gone home for the day.
Top work and inspiring too
Some inspiring stories there.
Peter and Mike told me their secret was a tea room stop mid ride. I don't believe them, more likely a pub 🙂
They're local so no doubt I'll see them blazing the trails again very soon.
Dave Leigh Woods and Frenchey ;-), 2012
Before:
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After:
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Later:
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/527/18425624338_65ae2ccafc_o.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/527/18425624338_65ae2ccafc_o.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/u5d9bf ]IMG_6768[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/58162507@N07/ ]SGMTB[/url], on Flickr
2014 Still Crazy
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[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/369/18425930630_2b3c5b2db3_o.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/369/18425930630_2b3c5b2db3_o.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/u5eHe9 ]P1140451[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/58162507@N07/ ]SGMTB[/url], on Flickr
🙂
There are loads of 'old boys' still riding around our way.. some look really old as well - like well into their 80s..
Some on ancient steel road bikes-with matching kit, others riding some pretty nice new bikes.
I got talking to a group when I was out on the road bike mid-week last year, they were all retired and told me they ride at least 3 times a week in the summer, and actually the road rides were just to keep them fit for mountain biking!
I hope I'm able to do the same when I get to that age...
freeagent - Member
...I hope I'm able to do the same when I get to that age...
It's easy.
It's just like riding a bike. 🙂
Loads of old guys riding in our group. Think there's a few guys in their late forties and a couple of guys maybe even past 50!
This thread makes me happy, figure Ive got at least 20 years to keep dragging the old duffer out.
A mate of mine rode London to Paris a couple of years ago with her Dads cycle club.
The purpose of the trip was to celebrate one of the guys 60th birthdays, and the majority of the group were 50+
The group split into 2 smaller groups - fast and slower, my friend joined the fast group (she is a beast on a bike - and would ride most guys into the ground)
The oldest guy in the fast group was 80 - apparently he used to ride pro in Belgium 50+ years ago, and was still awesome.
My friend swapped to the slow group after day 1 as she was struggling to keep up with a group of guys 20+ years older than her...
Beware of old men on bikes..
Mere whippersnapper at 64...