Re-entry in mountain biking - worth it?
Discussion
So pretty much as the title says. I've had a big break from riding in reality.
I rode trials and xc as a kid, this progressed to downhill in one form or another in my teens to my 20's. My standard was high, thought not professional level by any means. I've ridden with a few of the cult heroes of the current time, and I was no slouch in those groups.
At 27, I stopped biking all together, a few factors really, my location is pretty flat: it meant excessive travelling for the trails I wanted to ride, there wasn't an obvious "scene" around me to keep it relevant, my work picked up, and it was also the time I bought my first home. Excessive travel and bike bills didn't fit in with a mortgage and bills anymore.
I picked biking back up just after Covid, but what I mean by this is a bought a bike and tried to get back out again on my own, the early mornings in the pouring rain, stuffing a grufty bike in the back of the car, it just felt like I was trying to force an old hobby! I persevered and did a trip to BPW which I thoroughly enjoyed - despite the new wave of "too cool for you" bikers that seemed to be present, never really experienced that before.
I wasn't getting out enough, I mainly used it to wheelie to the local marina and get a coffee and a breakfast in the morning, more than anything else, then I decided to go travelling, so I sold the lot.
Fast forward to me meeting my partner and not going travelling, the bug is back. I want to ride again, but I feel I am SO FAR out of my depth with what's around these days. I know I will still carry speed, but the idea of hitting jumps and some of the drop offs I was doing in my teens and 20s makes me petrified, to be honest. Maybe its an age thing.
I have this thing where if I know I aren't going to be good, I get a little embarrassed about not looking good at it, therefore I don't put the appropriate amount of effort it. Lord knows why I do it, but I do. If I start riding again, and going to these parks and popular trails, I don't want to look an absolute amateur who wont clear a tabletop, and I also don't want to be the old guy on the bench who says he used to bench 100kg when he was a boy, if you get the metaphor.
Guess the reason for the post is this;
Has anyone else gotten back into mountain biking, or any extreme sport perhaps, after a prolonged break, and how was your experience?
Am I being a bit of a clown worrying about other people?
Should I not bother as my worries are valid and it's a waste of time & money
I rode trials and xc as a kid, this progressed to downhill in one form or another in my teens to my 20's. My standard was high, thought not professional level by any means. I've ridden with a few of the cult heroes of the current time, and I was no slouch in those groups.
At 27, I stopped biking all together, a few factors really, my location is pretty flat: it meant excessive travelling for the trails I wanted to ride, there wasn't an obvious "scene" around me to keep it relevant, my work picked up, and it was also the time I bought my first home. Excessive travel and bike bills didn't fit in with a mortgage and bills anymore.
I picked biking back up just after Covid, but what I mean by this is a bought a bike and tried to get back out again on my own, the early mornings in the pouring rain, stuffing a grufty bike in the back of the car, it just felt like I was trying to force an old hobby! I persevered and did a trip to BPW which I thoroughly enjoyed - despite the new wave of "too cool for you" bikers that seemed to be present, never really experienced that before.
I wasn't getting out enough, I mainly used it to wheelie to the local marina and get a coffee and a breakfast in the morning, more than anything else, then I decided to go travelling, so I sold the lot.
Fast forward to me meeting my partner and not going travelling, the bug is back. I want to ride again, but I feel I am SO FAR out of my depth with what's around these days. I know I will still carry speed, but the idea of hitting jumps and some of the drop offs I was doing in my teens and 20s makes me petrified, to be honest. Maybe its an age thing.
I have this thing where if I know I aren't going to be good, I get a little embarrassed about not looking good at it, therefore I don't put the appropriate amount of effort it. Lord knows why I do it, but I do. If I start riding again, and going to these parks and popular trails, I don't want to look an absolute amateur who wont clear a tabletop, and I also don't want to be the old guy on the bench who says he used to bench 100kg when he was a boy, if you get the metaphor.
Guess the reason for the post is this;
Has anyone else gotten back into mountain biking, or any extreme sport perhaps, after a prolonged break, and how was your experience?
Am I being a bit of a clown worrying about other people?
Should I not bother as my worries are valid and it's a waste of time & money
Buy a bike, get out and have fun....age is entirely irrelevant as long as you keep moving.
Lots of reasonable level bikes to peruse here...
Also, if it's not too far out of your way, go see Tony for a day...he will help will all aspects of your riding and is a lovely chap to boot.
Let us know how you get on
Lots of reasonable level bikes to peruse here...
Also, if it's not too far out of your way, go see Tony for a day...he will help will all aspects of your riding and is a lovely chap to boot.
Let us know how you get on
I've had two long gaps in 'extreme sports' which coincided with having kids.
I moved from mountain bike to road as it was simply less faff with bike cleaning and maintenance. Came back to mountain biking in my 50s and was pretty overwhelmed by how bikes had differentiated. Got some decent advice and a nice bike - SC Tallboy. Bike felt very odd to start with - much wider bars and 29" wheels felt slow. After a while I gelled with the bike and now have much more confidence and realise the bike has much more capability and more forgiving than my '90s bikes. I've never been a particularly proficient technical rider and my riding is 'back country' rather than in a bike park. Why drive for miles when you live in the Pennines - I can do Pennine Bridleway from my doorstep. I can manage my way down what nature throws at me but the idea of man made obstacles is terrifying. Most of my riding is solo but it really helps to have a buddy to go out with fairly regularly
Ski mountaineering - started combining these two sports in the 90s but gave up when kids came along. We'd probably been a bit gung ho about risk back then and got away with it. The idea of disappearing into the wilderness with no mobile phone seems crazy but we did it. Our packs boots and skis weigh about twice as much as modern equipment. Got back into it in about 2016 (just after I'd eBayed my old gear). The new gear is so much lighter, functional and comfortable than what we'd used. The safety equipment is next level and the information in relation to route choice, weather, snow conditions is infinitely better. However the main difference in my approach has been judicious use of guiding and instruction to really make time in the mountains count. The combination of better equipment, coaching, good luck with health and pretty assiduous attention to fitness means I am skiing several levels higher than I was in my thirties and it's not ridiculous to expect improvement to continue even as I turn 60.
Interesting that you say you're concerned about how you look. With your past skill level I'd suspect pretty good to a numpty like me. How I look to others is something that simply never occured to me but have heard it from others in ski classes. The great thing about skiing and mountain biking is it can feel fast and difficult; you can get a rush and a thrill and feel great but you might not look all that great. It doesn't really matter when you're buzzing and giggling with the other 50 year old children.
+1 for coaching. With your history it'll be just the case of the coach blowing on the embers, your confidence will return and you'll be on fire
I moved from mountain bike to road as it was simply less faff with bike cleaning and maintenance. Came back to mountain biking in my 50s and was pretty overwhelmed by how bikes had differentiated. Got some decent advice and a nice bike - SC Tallboy. Bike felt very odd to start with - much wider bars and 29" wheels felt slow. After a while I gelled with the bike and now have much more confidence and realise the bike has much more capability and more forgiving than my '90s bikes. I've never been a particularly proficient technical rider and my riding is 'back country' rather than in a bike park. Why drive for miles when you live in the Pennines - I can do Pennine Bridleway from my doorstep. I can manage my way down what nature throws at me but the idea of man made obstacles is terrifying. Most of my riding is solo but it really helps to have a buddy to go out with fairly regularly
Ski mountaineering - started combining these two sports in the 90s but gave up when kids came along. We'd probably been a bit gung ho about risk back then and got away with it. The idea of disappearing into the wilderness with no mobile phone seems crazy but we did it. Our packs boots and skis weigh about twice as much as modern equipment. Got back into it in about 2016 (just after I'd eBayed my old gear). The new gear is so much lighter, functional and comfortable than what we'd used. The safety equipment is next level and the information in relation to route choice, weather, snow conditions is infinitely better. However the main difference in my approach has been judicious use of guiding and instruction to really make time in the mountains count. The combination of better equipment, coaching, good luck with health and pretty assiduous attention to fitness means I am skiing several levels higher than I was in my thirties and it's not ridiculous to expect improvement to continue even as I turn 60.
Interesting that you say you're concerned about how you look. With your past skill level I'd suspect pretty good to a numpty like me. How I look to others is something that simply never occured to me but have heard it from others in ski classes. The great thing about skiing and mountain biking is it can feel fast and difficult; you can get a rush and a thrill and feel great but you might not look all that great. It doesn't really matter when you're buzzing and giggling with the other 50 year old children.
+1 for coaching. With your history it'll be just the case of the coach blowing on the embers, your confidence will return and you'll be on fire
Edited by oddman on Friday 20th September 16:23
axel1990chp said:
I have this thing where if I know I aren't going to be good, I get a little embarrassed about not looking good at it, therefore I don't put the appropriate amount of effort it. Lord knows why I do it, but I do. If I start riding again, and going to these parks and popular trails, I don't want to look an absolute amateur who wont clear a tabletop, and I also don't want to be the old guy on the bench who says he used to bench 100kg when he was a boy, if you get the metaphor.
I get this 100%, I stopped riding and sold all my bikes and gear around 2014, before that I was going to the Alps, hitting big jumps and drops and even doing a bit of racing. Similar to you I rode a few times with some well known riders on occasion too. I tried to get back into it again in 2017 but it just didn't work, felt like I'd lost what I had and just couldn't ride like I used to, every ride I'd come home demoralised.
2020 happened and I got back into it again but this time a mate did the same who'd quit riding back in like 2006, that gave me a riding buddy who's skill level was way below mine and so I felt like a hero in comparison. Having him to ride with and to coach proper gave me the bug back and now I'm almost where I was back when I was riding downhill. I'll never be as good as I was as age and responsibilities does its thing and takes away the lack of care you have in your teens and early twenties but it is what it is.
My first reaction is "It doesn't have to be extreme" but then if that's what got you into it, maybe you need to find something else? I do a lot of riding, on and off road. But I don't go looking for jumps and downhill speed means little to me these days (although I am still recovering from a replacement shoulder operation and thought of that taking a whack gives me the s
ts!).
There are so many aspects to riding a bike. The mental health benefits don't get enough mention, just doing something you enjoy outdoors is a brilliant thing. That it helps physical fitness too is perfect.
ts!).There are so many aspects to riding a bike. The mental health benefits don't get enough mention, just doing something you enjoy outdoors is a brilliant thing. That it helps physical fitness too is perfect.
I used to mountain bike up until I was about 19-20 when my bike got nicked at university. I started road about 10 years ago and have wanted to do more MTB riding for a while. I took advantage of the sales over the summer and picked up a Specialized Sumpjumper and went mountain biking for the first time in about 15 years.
I really enjoy it, but I'm comically bad at it. Modern MTBs are pretty odd - a 29" front wheel rolls well but it feels unwieldy in the air and the bike feels so long too! However, my bike pedals so well up hills and is such an improvement over previous hardtails and full sus bikes I've had.
I'm struggling with super wide handlebars too; I've chopped mine down a bit but I still think they need more taking off. I also can't get my brake levers in the right position - do people just brake with one finger now or is it normal to get stabbed in the thumb by your shifter and dropper lever?
Anyway, it's quite fun learning something new. I thought I'd be able to just get on a bike and ride it as I did when I was 18 but I guess not!
I really enjoy it, but I'm comically bad at it. Modern MTBs are pretty odd - a 29" front wheel rolls well but it feels unwieldy in the air and the bike feels so long too! However, my bike pedals so well up hills and is such an improvement over previous hardtails and full sus bikes I've had.
I'm struggling with super wide handlebars too; I've chopped mine down a bit but I still think they need more taking off. I also can't get my brake levers in the right position - do people just brake with one finger now or is it normal to get stabbed in the thumb by your shifter and dropper lever?
Anyway, it's quite fun learning something new. I thought I'd be able to just get on a bike and ride it as I did when I was 18 but I guess not!
I did this, rolled out on a social ride with a club on my 26" bike....and got the bug again.
Then I bought a new 29er enduro bike and got riding with a more advanced group.
The skills hadn't left me, but the fitness had. I put some significant effort into getting fitter over winter, it really pays off mountain biking if when you are descending the uphill hasn't killed you, so a road bike or turbo session twice a week.
I know they used to say it doesn't matter what you ride, but the bikes are a world apart in capability and the difference between keeping with the group and riding the features they ride vs feeling left out.
Then I bought a new 29er enduro bike and got riding with a more advanced group.
The skills hadn't left me, but the fitness had. I put some significant effort into getting fitter over winter, it really pays off mountain biking if when you are descending the uphill hasn't killed you, so a road bike or turbo session twice a week.
I know they used to say it doesn't matter what you ride, but the bikes are a world apart in capability and the difference between keeping with the group and riding the features they ride vs feeling left out.
1) There are tons of other sports to try.
2) Getting back into a sport can be a mix of things. I've more or less given up sailing dinghy racing about 3 times in my life and switched to different disciplines of racing. It's been great to go back each time.
3) When you are an old git who is no longer as competitive in a sport, it can be good to be involved competing against the other old gits, and also putting something back, whether it's coaching beginners, organising events or otherwise 'making stuff happen'.
I'm pretty much a covid beginner in mountain bikes, I've got a few friends and family who are long term competitors and enthusiasts. The problem is, the bikes are way more capable than in the old days, so if you take it seriously, it's very serious, with risks it's gonna hurt if you get t wrong.
That's driven a lot of mature people out.
Can you enjoy it casually?
What do yu want from it? Actual comptetition? A bit of fitness? Socialising with other participants?
I enjoy it for a bit of fitness and fresh air, and I enjoy tinkering with the bikes, Not everyone can do that, they need actual competittion and a feeling of immproving against personal goals, so they are better off finding a different sport.
2) Getting back into a sport can be a mix of things. I've more or less given up sailing dinghy racing about 3 times in my life and switched to different disciplines of racing. It's been great to go back each time.
3) When you are an old git who is no longer as competitive in a sport, it can be good to be involved competing against the other old gits, and also putting something back, whether it's coaching beginners, organising events or otherwise 'making stuff happen'.
I'm pretty much a covid beginner in mountain bikes, I've got a few friends and family who are long term competitors and enthusiasts. The problem is, the bikes are way more capable than in the old days, so if you take it seriously, it's very serious, with risks it's gonna hurt if you get t wrong.
That's driven a lot of mature people out.
Can you enjoy it casually?
What do yu want from it? Actual comptetition? A bit of fitness? Socialising with other participants?
I enjoy it for a bit of fitness and fresh air, and I enjoy tinkering with the bikes, Not everyone can do that, they need actual competittion and a feeling of immproving against personal goals, so they are better off finding a different sport.
President Merkin said:
Definitely. Ride for you if you fancy going back to it. There's always going to be someone better, that's a fact of life & nothing you can control, so just do your thing & enjoy it I reckon.
But that's the big divide.'Ride for you' is a pastime.
Riding competitively (at whatever level!!!!) is a sport.
Nothing wrong with either, both are good but the difference matters.
IMHO.
Can't work out the point you're making there. If you know dh racing at all, you'll understand that sticking it into a tree at full gas is an occupational hazard. No one passes judgment because we know it's riding on the ragged edge of grip. There is no divide.
Life as a bike park rat for steeze points is something altogether different but I've never seen people point and laugh at someone casing a jump because we all fundamentally understand bike skills are a matter of progression & everyone is at different points along the journey.
Life as a bike park rat for steeze points is something altogether different but I've never seen people point and laugh at someone casing a jump because we all fundamentally understand bike skills are a matter of progression & everyone is at different points along the journey.
Thanks for the comments folks.
It’s a decision to weigh up over the next few weeks while I pluck some money from somewhere!
Appreciate the pinkbike link, I’d completely forgotten about that place! Plenty of steals to be had, by the looks of it!
I think I need to knock the idea of downhill on its head, to be honest, I’ll be doing a day a week at absolute best, so I’m thinking a low travel enduro (150mm) will probably do me for what I’ll manage these days!
I never ever thought of coaching, but as pointed out it may just restoke the embers and light the fire again! I love going fast and that comes with confidence again so I’m sure that can be something for me.
I think the best option for me for getting back is wharncliffe and hamsterley, and I know there’s a few coaching options in/around Sheffield!
I’ll report back what happens, but I think I’m 95% in, but I’ll enter at the lower end with lower expectations. I’ll in no way compete or race anymore so it’s purely enjoyment, which I’ll have to adapt to, I suppose!
It’s a decision to weigh up over the next few weeks while I pluck some money from somewhere!
Appreciate the pinkbike link, I’d completely forgotten about that place! Plenty of steals to be had, by the looks of it!
I think I need to knock the idea of downhill on its head, to be honest, I’ll be doing a day a week at absolute best, so I’m thinking a low travel enduro (150mm) will probably do me for what I’ll manage these days!
I never ever thought of coaching, but as pointed out it may just restoke the embers and light the fire again! I love going fast and that comes with confidence again so I’m sure that can be something for me.
I think the best option for me for getting back is wharncliffe and hamsterley, and I know there’s a few coaching options in/around Sheffield!
I’ll report back what happens, but I think I’m 95% in, but I’ll enter at the lower end with lower expectations. I’ll in no way compete or race anymore so it’s purely enjoyment, which I’ll have to adapt to, I suppose!
I turned 60 last December. I used to cycle off road a lot, really enjoyed it, but as with the OP, life got in the way.
And now, after getting into photographing a bit of BMX and jump park photography, I’m it hi g to fall off again… sorry, I mean give it a go again.
My local parks are Phoenix near Bury St Ed’s, and Twisted Oaks near Ipswich. Twisted Oaks seems to offer a better, gradual progression through jumping, so I think I’ll be spending some time there.
I can feel it’s going to get expensive ‘if’ I enjoy it, but hey ho!
(Photo to spur the OP into it again!)
And now, after getting into photographing a bit of BMX and jump park photography, I’m it hi g to fall off again… sorry, I mean give it a go again.
My local parks are Phoenix near Bury St Ed’s, and Twisted Oaks near Ipswich. Twisted Oaks seems to offer a better, gradual progression through jumping, so I think I’ll be spending some time there.
I can feel it’s going to get expensive ‘if’ I enjoy it, but hey ho!
(Photo to spur the OP into it again!)
CheesecakeRunner said:
Wonderful photo. Although it does serve to illustrate that ‘mountain biking’ is many things to many people. To me, that photo isn’t mountain biking, it’s playing in a park with a bike. To me, this is mountain biking…
I’d say it’s about making the most of what you have. The nearest ‘mountains’ to us are a long way away. And mountaineers still call them hills. axel1990chp said:
East Riding mate!
You don't need to go to Sheffield or Hamsterley.I'm in North Yorkshire - foot of the moors.
You've got a few places that are like what you used to race - steep techy DH rather than the bigger park style tracks you get these days.
PM me if you want some suggestions...happy to show you round a few areas too...although you've probably missed the boat this year as they're all clay base so horrible in winter.
I was really in to mountain bikes until I got my driving licence! In my late twentys/ early thirtys I was massively overweight and decided to get back in to it, I spent £500 on a Cannondale (That was my dream bike in the 90's) and realised I was terrible at mountain biking but carried on using the MTB on the road. I got my weight down and a couple of years later got my first road bike.
I cycled on the road for about 10 years, bought two more road bikes in that time but always had the MTB itch that I needed to scratch. I had some money and was torn between the latest road bike or getting a full suspension MTB (again a full suspension MTB was a dream in the 90's!).
I'm so glad a got a full suspension MTB, the technology has moved on massively and 29" wheels make such a difference. I also felt like I needed a winter hardtail and got a Ragley Big Al in the Chain Reaction/Wiggle sale.
I've now got three road bikes (one permanently on my turbo trainer/Zwift) and two mountain bikes. I sold the Cannondale last week for £200 and the buyer was made up
I remember telling my other half that I just need a saddle bag, patches, pump and multi tool to go with the Cannondale and it would be a cheap, healthy hobby! Things escalated very quickly, I've recently had a brick shed built on the garden to store everything securely!
I cycled on the road for about 10 years, bought two more road bikes in that time but always had the MTB itch that I needed to scratch. I had some money and was torn between the latest road bike or getting a full suspension MTB (again a full suspension MTB was a dream in the 90's!).
I'm so glad a got a full suspension MTB, the technology has moved on massively and 29" wheels make such a difference. I also felt like I needed a winter hardtail and got a Ragley Big Al in the Chain Reaction/Wiggle sale.
I've now got three road bikes (one permanently on my turbo trainer/Zwift) and two mountain bikes. I sold the Cannondale last week for £200 and the buyer was made up
I remember telling my other half that I just need a saddle bag, patches, pump and multi tool to go with the Cannondale and it would be a cheap, healthy hobby! Things escalated very quickly, I've recently had a brick shed built on the garden to store everything securely!
CheesecakeRunner said:
Wonderful photo. Although it does serve to illustrate that ‘mountain biking’ is many things to many people. To me, that photo isn’t mountain biking, it’s playing in a park with a bike. To me, this is mountain biking…
Whether it's XC, Downcountry, Trail, AM, Enduro, Freeride, Park or Downhill it's all mountain biking. I love them all as they all have their place and are equally enjoyable depending on what you want to do that day.
Same here as everyone else I think. Did a lot of it in my twenties and at a pretty good standard. Life then happened.
Got back into it properly in my early fourties’, but skill and technique has gone forever. Started XC racing 5 years ago after a fair bit of encouragement from my CX / roadie friend and love every minute of it. I’m normally in the fun, beginner category still wearing my baggies but who cares. I was a bit intimidated to begin with, but when I get lapped I always get some encouragement as they whizz past. NO ONE CARES if I am slow, as long as you pull over.
Same with trail centres, never noticed any funny looks and actually it felt really inclusive. I M O no one cares what you ride.
My point is, just get out there and ride, do what you want to do. I love it, not very good at, but love it.
Got back into it properly in my early fourties’, but skill and technique has gone forever. Started XC racing 5 years ago after a fair bit of encouragement from my CX / roadie friend and love every minute of it. I’m normally in the fun, beginner category still wearing my baggies but who cares. I was a bit intimidated to begin with, but when I get lapped I always get some encouragement as they whizz past. NO ONE CARES if I am slow, as long as you pull over.
Same with trail centres, never noticed any funny looks and actually it felt really inclusive. I M O no one cares what you ride.
My point is, just get out there and ride, do what you want to do. I love it, not very good at, but love it.
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