Forum home› Mountain biking forum› MTB general

Silver riders

SarnianSarnian Posts: 1,451
edited February 2009 in MTB general
Chatting to a riding mate last night and we were discussing how many years (health allowing It) we could keep going for, we at the age we are, me 32 him 40 would like to think we had another 25-30 years In us. The oldest rider we know of (not including roadies as we know some of them near the 70's) Is 58.

When I was doing tri's I have met people In the 60-70 bracket still racing same with running, spoke to one guy In a half marathon of 75, just don't seem to see that many in mountain biking.

Just how old can you go
It's not a ornament, so ride It

Posts

  • Steve KishSteve Kish Posts: 216
    The oldest rider we know of (not including roadies as we know some of them near the 70's) Is 58.

    Pah, youngster! I'm 60 this year. First raced when I was 17 and got my first MTB in 1992, afer quitting racing.
    AT MY AGE, I SHOULD KNOW BETTER !!!
  • SarnianSarnian Posts: 1,451
    Nice one, If I am still riding at 60, and I hope I am, that would be 46 years of mountain biking.
    Makes you wonder what the bikes will be like by then.
    It's not a ornament, so ride It
  • Captain TurokCaptain Turok Posts: 686
    My dad still gets out there a couple of times a week (jammy git is retired). He's certainly 65+ He used to ride trials bikes, but he feels "with advanced" years he's safer on a MTB
    But he rides a 29er, so not sure if that really counts :D
    *Rock Lobster Team Tig SL (22lb 14oz)
    *C. Late 1950's Fixed Gear
    *1940 Raleigh Dawn Tourist with rod brakes
  • Stephen-HawkingStephen-Hawking Posts: 320
    I'm 47, and quite fit, probably as fit as I've ever been since I stopped racing motorbikes 20 years ago, a pal of mine is 63 and I can't keep up with him - batsard!
    Be happy, communicate happiness.
  • SarnianSarnian Posts: 1,451
    So 63 Is the oldest so far.
    It's not a ornament, so ride It
  • robmanic1robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
    Sarnian wrote:
    So 63 Is the oldest so far.

    Great, at least another 21 years to go (with luck), keep on rolling you vets!

    PS

    My old fella is still windsurfing and riding at 80-odd!
    Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/
  • SarnianSarnian Posts: 1,451
    edited February 2009
    Robmanic1 wrote:
    Sarnian wrote:
    So 63 Is the oldest so far.

    Great, at least another 21 years to go (with luck), keep on rolling you vets!

    PS

    My old fella is still windsurfing and riding at 80-odd!

    Is that mountain or road? I have met some serious roadies vets.

    I love hearing about people In there later years still keeping there hand In there sport, It gives you hope :D

    Let me just rephrase that to super vets
    It's not a ornament, so ride It
  • robmanic1robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
    Sarnian wrote:
    Robmanic1 wrote:
    Sarnian wrote:
    So 63 Is the oldest so far.

    Great, at least another 21 years to go (with luck), keep on rolling you vets!

    PS

    My old fella is still windsurfing and riding at 80-odd!

    Is that mountain or road? I have met some serious roadies vets.

    I love hearing about people In there later years still keeping there hand In there sport, It gives you hope :D

    He has an elderly Spec hard-rock, fully rigid, which he rides on some fairly "gnarly" tracks, not at any great speed I'd imagine, but hey....

    Quite a few wrinkly roadies around this way, funnily enough they always give a friendly wave even if I'm on the MTB.

    The guys I ride with (on and off-road) are all in the 40-50 age group, but we are very young-spirited, I'm sure it's the biking that keeps us that way.
    Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/
  • P-JayP-Jay Posts: 1,478
    I'm 31 and would really like to keep DHing until at least 40, although my mate who's much fitter than me is outriding most people at the DH track at 39 and will keep doing it as long as he likes, I only say 40 because I'm not very fit and already the body is making noises about taking the knocks, especially my knees.

    I'd like to keep riding xc forever, I guess the longer you ride the longer your able to ride.
    Shocker Enduro
  • robmanic1robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
    I think you just need to keep "doing", the minute you stop, that's it ,game - over, couch potato, TV gazing time.

    "Ride to live - live to ride"
    Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/
  • Stephen-HawkingStephen-Hawking Posts: 320
    Btw, as you are referring to 'vets' what age group are you considering this to be??
    Be happy, communicate happiness.
  • schlepcyclingschlepcycling Posts: 1,614
    Stephen-Hawking wrote:
    Btw, as you are referring to 'vets' what age group are you considering this to be??

    A vet is anyone over 40
    'Hello to Jason Isaacs'
  • topsey_turveytopsey_turvey Posts: 420
    I get my bus pass in a month. No longer got the out and out speed of 30 years ago, but many years of long, long fell races have given me stamina. The young 'uns always burst off and leave me at the start, but they are hanging on at the end when I'm still grinding away. No longer brave enough to throw the bike all over the place, but so what? I still enjoy myself, and that's what counts.
    Frank Yates
  • Stephen-HawkingStephen-Hawking Posts: 320
    schlepcycling wrote:
    Stephen-Hawking wrote:
    Btw, as you are referring to 'vets' what age group are you considering this to be??

    A vet is anyone over 40


    Fukc!
    Be happy, communicate happiness.
  • robmanic1robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
    Stephen-Hawking wrote:
    schlepcycling wrote:
    Stephen-Hawking wrote:
    Btw, as you are referring to 'vets' what age group are you considering this to be??

    A vet is anyone over 40


    Fukc!

    +1 :cry:
    Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/
  • robmanic1robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
    I've just thought of a great new forum heading.......
    Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/
  • Stephen-HawkingStephen-Hawking Posts: 320
    Owld gits ??
    Be happy, communicate happiness.
  • SarnianSarnian Posts: 1,451
    Graceful peddlers :D
    It's not a ornament, so ride It
  • robmanic1robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
    Old geezers who should know better?
    Coffin-dodgers united?
    In denial?
    Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/
  • robertpbrobertpb Posts: 1,866
    Well I'm 58 until I get on the bike then I'm 18.

    I still try to be the first up a hill down a hill, just can't help myself.
    Now where's that "Get Out of Crash Free Card"
  • nicklousenicklouse Posts: 50,675 Lives Here
    owner of my LBS must be late 70´s and still gets muddy. on a fully.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • SarnianSarnian Posts: 1,451
    I am feeling about 50 years older, after the night ride I had to night. Especially after hinting a tree :roll:
    It's not a ornament, so ride It
  • spongtasticspongtastic Posts: 2,651
    one of the contractors that does work for me has just started out mountain biking and cyclocross as he's worried he'll damage his knees and ankles if he carries on fell running.

    He's only 62!
    Visit Clacton during the School holidays - it's like a never ending freak show.

    Who are you calling inbred?
  • grantwaygrantway Posts: 1,430
    Im bloody to old but have heard of a Downhill rider in Morzine whos
    85 and wears full body armour.
  • RaymondavalonRaymondavalon Posts: 5,346
    I wouldn't call the 40 somethings "silver"
    The term "Silver Surfers" was used to describe retired (60+) folk who were taking to use the Internet on a regular basis [or the (not so) bad guy in the Fantastic Four]
    So i would relate the "silver" description to the 55+/retired generation or the change in my pocket that is worth something

    I am in my 40's but have been active most of my life due to a Southern Hemisphere upbringing, so sports like playing and coaching (ice/inline) hockey, swimming, generaly having an active outdoors life every weekend, commuting and recreational motorcycle riding, a stint in the military and generally being quite active
    Often I come across riders my age and sometimes a lot older than I am. On my last ride I came across two couples of "50+ somethings" riding, one couple were armed with those awful Argos tin sussers whereas the other couple had real nice bikes (Marin and Giant)
    Bikes aside, it seems as if cycling is growing among popularity in the 40 plussers
    The Bouncer
    The Shaker
  • Stephen-HawkingStephen-Hawking Posts: 320
    Raymondavalon wrote:
    I wouldn't call the 40 somethings "silver"
    The term "Silver Surfers" was used to describe retired (60+) folk who were taking to use the Internet on a regular basis [or the (not so) bad guy in the Fantastic Four]
    So i would relate the "silver" description to the 55+/retired generation or the change in my pocket that is worth something

    Zactly! I've still got all my hair and it's all black, all my own teeth and if it wasn't for mountain biking I'd still have two good eyes!! There's no silver on my ride !!

    Forty is the new twenty (so in my case forty seven must be, er, the new 27 :D )
    Be happy, communicate happiness.
  • SarnianSarnian Posts: 1,451
    I was thinking of 60 plus when I used the word silver rider, as I said the oldest person I know of still mountain biking Is 58.
    Sorry If I offended anyone using the term, I will be 32 next month, and bold and what does grow Is grey :D
    It's not a ornament, so ride It
  • robmanic1robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
    It's state of mind anyway, I know guys who've led sedentary lifestyles and are younger than me who look (In my opinion) much older, middle-aged in fact (I'm 42.9 :)).
    Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/
  • Stephen-HawkingStephen-Hawking Posts: 320
    None taken Sarnian, we're only having a laugh.

    Nice to see you're bold too :lol:
    Be happy, communicate happiness.
  • edhornbyedhornby Posts: 1,780
    as I often say, beware of crusty old cyclists on the club run - they are faster than you think !!!!
    "I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
    --Jens Voight
Sign In or Register to comment.