I started riding again at 31. Started doing serious XC at 32 (I am now 33). I always come home after a ride with a smile. Sometimes it is a smile, cuts, and bruises but hey that comes with the fun. There is no age limitation if you enjoy it.

Although not a mtn biker, the co-founder of the Dayton Cycling Club, Clair Duckham, got into cycling as an adult at 48, in 1954. Today he is 99 years old and I believe this is the first year he is not riding on his birthday ride, which is celebrated by the club.

At age 36 I've "been back" about 4 weeks. While living in Raleigh, NC I rode from '87 thru '92. Moved to western NC in '92 and rode 'til probably '95 and quit due to women, Harleys, the gym and WORK. Rode a Miele (something) until it was stolen on campus, replaced w/ a Specialized Stumpjumper and lastly a Bridgestone MBZip. Rode most every day after class and before work, averaging prob 40-60 miles/week.

One of my old roomies (and best riding bud) talked his wife into letting him buy a Kona Dawg about two months ago. He's been hard at it and all the while bugging me to get the Zip out of the mothballs. About 4 weeks ago (exactly this coming Sunday) he talked me into a 7 mile singletrack ride at a local State Park. I had a blast but learned a few things; 1) even though you may work-out and run regularly, it ain't the same as pedaling, 2) FULL suspension is awesome!!! and 3) I am prob the only guy in the woods running XC Pro top-mount shifters!

Man, how things have changed. For those of you unfamiliar w/ the MBZip, it is a factory "custom" steel bike. Bridgestone made a series of mountain bikes that began w/ like a MB6 and went up to an MB1. Then they made the MB0 or "Zip" which was a tig welded sub-25lb hardtail, a first as a factory 25lb steel bike. We used to really "trash" the guys riding w/ front susp, much less full. Now you can buy a FS bike w/ 5" of frt and rr travel and if similarly equiped to my Zip will weigh in the 26-30lb range! That's crazy and the suspension actually works!!! Man, what about hydraulic disc brakes! They are incredible, especially being a clydesdale at 260lbs and not used to stopping very quickly!

Sorry about the long post but if you couldn't tell, I'm a little excited to be riding again. After several training rides on the road and a couple of times in the woods my butts getting tougher and my quads aren't screaming as bad after 10 minutes of hammering! And yes, I am researching and shopping the likes of the Hecklers, Ids, Dawg Primos!!! See you on the trail.

I'll be turning 32 in 2 months. I started biking 7 months ago, and I feel that I'm getting better everyday. 7 months ago, on a 30km road ride on knobies, I was averaging 18 kph. Now on the same route, I average 27-28 kph

36 here. I jumped back into it in March and proceeded to crash and separate my shoulder right off the bat. I'm sure not as resilient as I was 10 years ago.

I'm finally back in action now and looking to hit the trails. It was Hell sitting around with ice on my shoulder looking at the bike and wanting to ride. I hardly got started. Hurry up and wait.

I got the bike primarily to get back into shape and now find that to be secondary to the thrill factor.

Cheers

I decided to get back into it at the age of 50.
It was one of the better decisions I have made. It beats the heck out of jogging and it doesn't seem to beat the heck out of me.
Nature, exercise, solitude, and a way cool self-powered machine... what's not to love.