kenhill3

How I've gone down on the road bike- pack or paceline error. Does that make any sense?

sherpaPeak

not over 45 but cannot afford to brake another bone if I dont have to.

Being concerned about injury is a good thing. it gives you perspective. But there is no reason to be paranoid. I had the worst injury in my life walking the side walks of my small town (young driver coming out of the drive way without looking). after a shattered right knee and ankle injury I realized safety is a relative thing.

The best thing you can do is to use your brain. I realized that I am doing it more often as I am getting older (a good thing). When I started mountain biking about 16/17 years ago I used to focus on going fast and doing all the tricks. Now, over time, I have developed a different mindset.....I enjoy the ride just by being in the middle of a forest or on the top of a hill. I enjoy the vistas and wildlife that I come across. I dont take unnecessary risks or chance.

I just keep it simple. Dont act stupid. Keep in mind that injuries happen. Be prepared, carry a first aid kit (and an emergency plan - 15 miles in to the ride you taco your front wheel, with the night falling fast and your are getting hypothermic), gear up properly (helmet and armor), and think positive (know it sounds cliche but its very important just to have fun and to manage a possible personal injury situation.

I like being in the outdoors (backpacking and mountain biking) cause it reminds me how fragile human lives are. It is a great feeling. Mountain biking helps me get away from the egotistical invincibility of urban-concrete-jungle life. simply put, mountain biking rescues me from the lethargic and mundane existence in front of my 60 in plasma holding a popcorn bowl and an ice cold beer (beer is the only hope in this picture).

So, when I have so much to gain.....I would gladly accept the element of risk that is associated with mountain biking.

hope you find this meaningless monologue helpful. it sure was therapeutic for me.....

01amberfirewv

I am in the same stiuation. I am pushing 30 with a 2 year old daughter and another on the way. I love mountain biking and being out doors in general but an injury would make it difficult to work and enjoy my family. My advise would be as said above to just ride within your limits. Bumps and brusies are probubly going to happen but if you play it safe you should be able to avoid major injury. Having said that i would rather bust up a knee or elbow than earn a clogged up heart (technical term ) by sitting on the couch.

As for stretching I could find quite a few articals for and against it by googleing it but I would say its best to play it safe. Warm up prior to exercise by starting out slow, cool down afterwards then stretch. Flexable muscles are stronger and less likely to tear. The same thing goes for your joints.

HTH

BLIZZ

Last week a dog ran out of no where and took out my front wheel @ 3o mph.--road rash and hip shoulder damage.--Crutches for a week.
Very seldom go down on the road bike, but when I do, usually injured.
Fall all the time on dirt bike, very seldom more than very minor injury. {broke colar bone once}

cpblue

I'm certainly not ready to trade in my MTB for a bowling ball, but I am a bit more cautious now as I get back out on the trails. Thanks for all the great responses to my question.

EthanYQX

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G-Monkey

Just got back from riding with a friend of mine who is 47 years of age.
We got to a point in a trail where most people hop off and walk down.
He decided to try and ride down....he went endo and broke his arm.
It wasn't so much him being 47 as it was him thinking he was 17 again.
And I know he knew better....he was just trying to show off.

rbrsddn

I'm 52, and walk some of the stuff I used to rip down. I rate difficulty by how many days I think I might be out of work if I chew going down it. I like the Clint reference, too.

Pamestique 

Is this even possible? I mean I can avoid injuries but it usually means I am riding easy, doing truck trails and avoiding single tracks. We have a saying... if you don't draw blood you ain't having fun! Alittle blood is ok... being taken to the hospital, not so much.

I'm 57. Have already busted both collarbones (one is plated), a wrist, my knee, elbow (3 times now I wear pads), shoulder (bad ac tear), and cracked a helmet or two. My past experiences have caused me to ride alittle more cautiously. Now I may walk down something instead of attempting the thrill of flying down it out of control!

mtnbiker66

Wow you must really suck at riding..............




just kidding.

somegeek

Staying physically active on days you don't ride helps as well. I'm 34 and my recovery time isn't as short as it used to be but will be shorter from a hard day of riding, skiing, hiking, etc when I am running regularly during the week(15-20 miles / week). If you're just riding once a week and doing nothing the rest of the week it will take it's toll on your body moreso. Proper nutrition, stretching and hydration helps too.

Ride within your limits... be wise when deciding to push those limits.