As I get older, a little wiser, crash and get a little banged up now and then, I catch myself wondering if there is such a thing as ‘too old’ for mountain biking. So not wanting to just go off my gut instinct and so ‘hell no’, I did a little digging to see what others might think. Here’s what I found.
So, can a person be too old to
When pondering this question, it makes more sense for us to consider our physical limitations, and just exactly how they might limit the abilities we may have when riding. Then ask ourselves, ‘what am I looking to get out of mountain biking’ (ie; exercise, getting out in nature, spending time with loved ones) and, ‘how can I limit my riding to suit my physical limitations, without sacrificing why I am doing it in the first place’.
Is it Ok to Mountain Bike After 50?
Many times it can be easy for us to self-doubt and internally criticize to the point paralysis by analysis. And as we age, many of us tend to fall into that trap of thinking we are incapable of doing things that we have done when we were in our 20’s. When we think about the compounding effect of this over 40 or 50 years, it’s easy to see why we fall into that trap.
Many times we tend to look to others for influence or inspiration when considering taking on a new endeavor. Now, this is not to say that just because someone else hasn’t done it yet, doesn’t mean we can’t do it. But what it says is, there are thousands, or maybe even millions, of other people my same age out there doing it, so maybe I should push myself to get out there too.
In considering this, I hopped online to see what I could find and I right away I came up with numerous (I didn’t take the time to count cause there were so dang many) folks on forums, YouTube, blogs and even racers that are well into their 60’s and 70’s and still riding. The famous Hans Rey himself being born in 1966, making him 52 at the time of this writing. I even found one story of 106-year-old ma breaking a Velodrome record recently.
How Do I Know If I am Physically Capable of Mountain Biking?
A great general rule to go by on this question is if you can ride a bike on the road, or on paved trails, then you a fully capable of mountain biking. It probably goes without saying, but you most likely won’t be sending any thirty footers or dropping in from ten feet, but there trails and skills areas available that allow developing riders a great opportunity to not only work on their riding techniques but improve your fitness as well. Mountain biking can be as physically demand as you make it, so ride what you’re comfortable with.
Do I Have to Ride All the Features on a Mountain Bike Trail?
No. Most mountain bike trail builders today take into consideration that many newer or less physically capable riders will be riding the trail, and in turn, build an alternate path around the most difficult features or jumps that are not rollable. Most trails ranked as green are only
Which Mountain Bike Trails Should I Start With First?
Green. If you’ve never ridden a mountain bike trail and looking to get started, regardless of age, remember to start low and go slow. Green trails give us the opportunity to get out on a trail that nice and mellow, only small rollers, and tend to be more flowy, less technical riding. Don’t be fooled though, these trails can be plenty of fun, and just as much exercise if you push for a faster pace.
Is There Racing for Older Mountain Bikers?
Yes. Many mountain bike races include a 60+ bracket in their lineup. This is a perfect indicator that we can mountain bike well into our older years. Check your local trails for events that might be hosted in your area that may suit your riding ability and age bracket.
Conclusion:
Mountain biking is great activity for not only physical exercise, but to help improve our emotional and spiritual wellness. Getting out in nature, breathing in fresh air, connecting with nature and performing challenging skills that demand our complete focus for fear of personal injury are all extremely beneficial to our overall well being. It’s a carnal need. So I encourage you to get out their and push your personal limits. You don’t have to be the next Rachel Atherton or Richie Rude, but you certainly don’t have to wither away in a rocking chair either.