I hit the ground often enough mountain biking that it keeps me feeling vulnerable. Two days ago I caught my pedal on a high root just after a fast turn on a downhill. Lifted a wheel off the ground.

One of the perils of using a cross-country racing frame ---- low pedals. You have to synchronize your pedaling with the roots and rocks.

Got by with some missing skin off a knee. That was through knickers, but it didn't damage the knickers. Ground was frozen and relatively smooth so I guess I “scrubbed off” most of the impact in sliding.

I do a bit of ladder work at 71. I added attachment points to the house for anchoring the ladders. I also use the more expensive rigid ladders with levelling features for sloping ground. I regulary climb a step ladder as part of my cross-training. I do about 120 rungs a couple of times/week.

Bone/joint breakage risks can be dramatically reduced with weight training if started early enough.


Al