Age is no boundary!
- Thread starter SmokedHam
- Start date
Repack Rider
Likes Bikes
I celebrated my 62nd birthday last month with a long MTB ride with lots of climbing. I've been mountain biking for well over 30 years, and road cycling longer than that.
I started skateboarding in 1965, long before urethane wheels made it possible. Next year it will be thirty years since I broke my leg skating in a pool.
Some guys my age are old. Some are not. Every ride you get to go on is a gift, and one will be the last, so I ride as often as I can. You never get back a ride you didn't take. I'm grateful that I still ride at a high level and that I have awesome modern machinery to do it on.
I started skateboarding in 1965, long before urethane wheels made it possible. Next year it will be thirty years since I broke my leg skating in a pool.
Some guys my age are old. Some are not. Every ride you get to go on is a gift, and one will be the last, so I ride as often as I can. You never get back a ride you didn't take. I'm grateful that I still ride at a high level and that I have awesome modern machinery to do it on.
Coaster
Likes Bikes and Dirt
Right there with you! The best year! 37 and going strong (ish).1970 is even gooder.
Been commuting to work on my bike for about 10 years, and then about three years ago thought "I should really get this thing dirty" and BAM!!! I'm hooked.
I've got 2 kids which soak up plenty of time but thankfully I live close to the Yarra tracks so go for bash each weekend for a few hours.
I starting riding MTB seven years ago after I turned 30. Started on a mongoose HT, then upgraded to a Specialized Enduro. Most of the guys I ride with are around the same age & we have heaps of fun. Two years ago I bought a DH rig & have been having a ball riding riding that at the tracks we travel to throughout the year. I'm almost 38 now & I feel I'm improving with every ride I do...
tompeeping
Likes Dirt
old men riding
Ive had too many birthdays to remember(38 of them i think) but im still really enjoying this downhill shit.
Ive had too many birthdays to remember(38 of them i think) but im still really enjoying this downhill shit.
hochiki
Likes Bikes
Fantastic!! Hope I am still going as strong at your age. I turned 40 a few years ago (only a few....really) and started MTB riding at 36 after 20 years of the bike. Discovered downhill and freeride not long after that. I live it and breathe it. I had a bad offing at Oxford Falls a couple of weeks ago breaking my thumb and cracking my sternum, nothing heroic, just one of those random stuff ups. Ever since then everyone from my wife to the dog has been giving me dirty looks and telling me I am getting too old for this sort of thing.
This thread is exactly the medicine I needed. Giving the Elite trainer a hiding in the back room for now. Cast comes off in 5 weeks and I'll be back up there!!! Can't wait.
m1black
Likes Dirt
Mate, that whole story is a carbon copy of my own. I turn 40 this year
and also got into it about 5 years ago after 20 years off bikes, I also
live and breathe dh/fr type riding and also had a silly crash at Oxford
a few weeks back, which shattered my humeral head..not good.
I'm also copping the same dirty looks from my wife and cat!
Hang in there and quick healing vibes going out to you.
and also got into it about 5 years ago after 20 years off bikes, I also
live and breathe dh/fr type riding and also had a silly crash at Oxford
a few weeks back, which shattered my humeral head..not good.
I'm also copping the same dirty looks from my wife and cat!
Hang in there and quick healing vibes going out to you.
solo
Likes Dirt
i am 36 only really took up mtbiking when i moved to central victoria 12 years ago so i guess starting at 24 is late start
used to do bike path riding in melbourne and thought that was ok but singletrack is my home now
i sure hope to be still riding when i am as old as some of you other guys
dont see why i can't just lost 7 kilo's this last two months and training for m first 100k race at woodend so in the best nic i have been in for a long time.
there's nothing better tha smashing up some young blokes on a climb
used to do bike path riding in melbourne and thought that was ok but singletrack is my home now
i sure hope to be still riding when i am as old as some of you other guys
dont see why i can't just lost 7 kilo's this last two months and training for m first 100k race at woodend so in the best nic i have been in for a long time.
there's nothing better tha smashing up some young blokes on a climb
TheBofh
Likes Dirt
I'm 36, I broke my wrist in July & while the cast was on I nearly decided to call it a day & take up All Mountain, instead I got a new dually & got a Trials bikeFantastic!! Hope I am still going as strong at your age. I turned 40 a few years ago (only a few....really) and started MTB riding at 36 after 20 years of the bike. Discovered downhill and freeride not long after that. I live it and breathe it. I had a bad offing at Oxford Falls a couple of weeks ago breaking my thumb and cracking my sternum, nothing heroic, just one of those random stuff ups. Ever since then everyone from my wife to the dog has been giving me dirty looks and telling me I am getting too old for this sort of thing.
This thread is exactly the medicine I needed. Giving the Elite trainer a hiding in the back room for now. Cast comes off in 5 weeks and I'll be back up there!!! Can't wait.
mtb1611
Seymour
Solidarity bruvva!
SmokedHam
Likes Dirt
Mate reading your reply to my Thread "age is no boundary" has just given me goose bumps, its people like you that inspire me. Cheers
Cooch
Likes Dirt
What a depressing thought.... unless of course, your last ride is on a crash cart to emergency after attempting a 60ft road gap on your 60th birthday!
Nah nah nah, it will be an 80ft gap on my 80th and here's a thought, I still have over 20 years of riding practice to come before I turn 60!! Woo hoo. I should have those 60ft gappers dialled in by then! Yee ha.
SmokedHam
Likes Dirt
I turn 45 in a couple of months, ride DH nearly every weekend, raced at most of the state races (current Qld Masters Champ) & have done nearly all the National DH race meets over the last 5 or 6 years, love it phully sikK bro
I`d love to do the worlds in the next couple of years but my boxer dog "Bobby" is having an opperation on his knee this weekend so i won`t be able to get to Canberra to qualify ,,, those of you who go can you have a decent after party for me please???
(((It`s all really just about the after party )))
oh yeah, & i still smoke a pack a day & drink like a fish but i`ll grow up soon & stop the cigs at least
So your the one "Bro" see you on race day
SmokedHam
Likes Dirt
So your the one "Bro" see you on race dayI turn 45 in a couple of months, ride DH nearly every weekend, raced at most of the state races (current Qld Masters Champ) & have done nearly all the National DH race meets over the last 5 or 6 years, love it phully sikK bro
I`d love to do the worlds in the next couple of years but my boxer dog "Bobby" is having an opperation on his knee this weekend so i won`t be able to get to Canberra to qualify ,,, those of you who go can you have a decent after party for me please???
(((It`s all really just about the after party )))
oh yeah, & i still smoke a pack a day & drink like a fish but i`ll grow up soon & stop the cigs at least
joethecoffeeman
Squid
I'm 33... I originally rode XC with technical stuff mixed in...
NOw I am learning how to fine tune and do jumps, gaps, drops, manuals and wheelies off an experienced mate of 40 plus. Expanding my Repertoire to more freeride and DH.
I believe I am in the middle of the age bracket of all the guys and girls I ride with.
This is what I love about this sport, It brings together a whole mash of people all enjoying and all learning from each other's experience.
I was told by a mate once, "Learn from experiences that are pertinent to you...". I personally dont think it matters who and HOW OLD they are just as long as I get better and still love the ride.
NOw I am learning how to fine tune and do jumps, gaps, drops, manuals and wheelies off an experienced mate of 40 plus. Expanding my Repertoire to more freeride and DH.
I believe I am in the middle of the age bracket of all the guys and girls I ride with.
This is what I love about this sport, It brings together a whole mash of people all enjoying and all learning from each other's experience.
I was told by a mate once, "Learn from experiences that are pertinent to you...". I personally dont think it matters who and HOW OLD they are just as long as I get better and still love the ride.
Cooch
Likes Dirt
Absolutely!! I'm learning how to do x-ups and flatties from the school kids down the dirt jumps! I think they're amused by an "oldie" trying to learn new tricks
so they humour me! The funny thing is, a few months ago I couldn't do a dirt jump to save my life, now I'm going bigger than most of them. Must be the 23 years of "base training" ha ha ha 
Oddjob
Merry fucking Xmas to you assholes
I don't suppose you were one of the original Z-boys were you? I used to absolutely worship Stacey Peralta and probably still have a Bone Mountain board with power pivot and gullwing trucks around somewhere.
BM Epic
Eats Squid
Dont you mean Lance Mountain-powell peralta,or Ray "bones" rodriguez board?