Although I consider myself mostly a roadie, I have been riding mountain bikes off and on since 1990 when I got the first new bicycle of my adult life, a Giant Iguana. I have enjoyed riding singletrack since those days, and always tried to ride a little smoother and faster, but never gave much thought to racing. MTB riding was mostly something I did to help me climb better on road rides.
In the past year I've been getting more interested in riding offroad, especially since my club helped make some great new trails at a local recreation area. I started doing more rides with some of the guys who race for the team my LBS sponsors. I can't hang with them when they really get after it, but I've been surpised at how my speed has increased. I finally broke down and bought a decent modern MTB, a 2006 Specialized Rockhopper Comp. I'm amazed at how well a decent fork can make a bike handle.

Anyway, I've let myself be talked into joining the team and plan to race in the Georgia State Championship Mountain Bike Racing Series. http://s161425410.onlinehome.us/2007...FLIER-main.pdf
I'll be competing in the 40+ beginner class (the 50+ class doesn't have a beginners category). I don't think I'll have a chance at winning any races, especially against all those youngsters, but I do think I can finish and not be last. The racers I know tell me that one of the local trails is as hard as anything on the race series, harder than most. I don't doubt it. It is a monster 5 mile trail with roots, rocks, switchbacks and hills - my the hills!

One big incentive for racing is that by racing in 6 series races, I will qualify for a new bike at a really deep discount. Maybe I can get myself a good full suspension bike.

So I was wondering if there are any others out there who are getting into MTB racing in their 50s or later. Anyone?