considering mountain biking

Steve said:

Hi,
I'm considering buying a Mountain bike. I have no experience riding, and
definitely would start at the low price range. I first looked at the
discount store bikes but now I'm now looking at the Specialized Hard
Rock XC for $290. I walk some of the local trails (ex. Wild Azalea Trail
in Alexandria, La)and thought it would be a good sport to start, for
fitness and fun. I consider myself in fair shape, I walk 3 miles five to
ten times a week at about 14 minutes average per mile.
I have several questions. (1) I'm 50 years old, is that too old to start
recreational Mountain Biking? (2) I had a herniated disc about a year
ago and have had some arthritis problems, I was wondering how much
jarring there is and are crashes inevitable? (3) What does the XC stand
for in Mountain Biking?
Thanks for your time,
Steve

Hey Steve,

50 years old, eh... dang, that's pretty old, but then again, we have
several geezers (Sorni, Baker... etc.) here that ride ;-)

Seriously, 50 is nothing. And starting at 50 is no big deal; I'm 38 and
just started a few years ago.

--
Slacker

On 2004-05-29, Steve penned:

Quoted message said:

Hi,
I'm considering buying a Mountain bike. I have no experience riding, and
definitely would start at the low price range. I first looked at the
discount store bikes but now I'm now looking at the Specialized Hard
Rock XC for $290. I walk some of the local trails (ex. Wild Azalea Trail
in Alexandria, La)and thought it would be a good sport to start, for
fitness and fun. I consider myself in fair shape, I walk 3 miles five to
ten times a week at about 14 minutes average per mile.
I have several questions. (1) I'm 50 years old, is that too old to start
recreational Mountain Biking? (2) I had a herniated disc about a year
ago and have had some arthritis problems, I was wondering how much
jarring there is and are crashes inevitable? (3) What does the XC stand
for in Mountain Biking?
Thanks for your time,

Hi, Steve!

I just started mountain biking last year, and I'm having a great time.

To answer your questions:

1) No! Jeez, don't put one foot in your coffin before you're ready to
go! You're only as young as you feel and all that jazz. If it looks
like fun, go for it.

2) This really depends on the trails you ride, the bike you get, and ...
well, I have a feeling crashes are inevitable, but there's one guy who
posts to this ng (sorry, can't remember the name) who has to avoid
crashes for medical reasons and seems to do a decent job of it. Of
course, it will dictate the types of trails you should be riding.

Trails you ride. People take mountain bikes on everything from flat
dirt roads to ... well, just about anything you can imagine. It's up to
you to choose trails with which you feel reasonably comfortable. Also,
no one's surgically attaching you to the bike. If you're not
comfortable with biking something, walk it.

The bike you get. As I understand it, jarring goes down as you progress
from a fully rigid bike to hardtail (front suspension, no rear) to full
suspension (both front and rear). The trouble is, it's going to be
awfully hard to find a full suspension worth buying at your price range.
In fact, I think I've heard a rule of thumb that you wouldn't want to
buy a full suspension less than $1500 or so. I don't know enough about
bikes to verify this statement, to be honest.

3) Cross country, oddly enough.

There's a mountain bike buying guide out there ... lemme dig it up ...

http://bbauer.gomen.org/newbike/

--
monique

"The people who run record companies now wouldn't know a song if it flew up
their nose and died." -- David Crosby, on PBS Frontline

Steve said:

I'm considering buying a Mountain bike. I have no experience riding, and
definitely would start at the low price range. I first looked at the
discount store bikes but now I'm now looking at the Specialized Hard
Rock XC for $290. I walk some of the local trails (ex. Wild Azalea Trail
in Alexandria, La)and thought it would be a good sport to start, for
fitness and fun. I consider myself in fair shape, I walk 3 miles five to
ten times a week at about 14 minutes average per mile. I have several
questions. (1) I'm 50 years old, is that too old to start recreational
Mountain Biking? (2) I had a herniated disc about a year ago and have
had some arthritis problems, I was wondering how much jarring there is
and are crashes inevitable? (3) What does the XC stand for in Mountain
Biking?

the easy one first ... XC is "cross-country" and matches sort of general
recreational riding. some up, some down. the racers go fast, but (we)
recreational riders might do the same terrain slower.

crashes ... i think that word implies some speed and you don't have to go
fast. you can be conservative. you don't have to ride anything you don't
feel comfortable with. get off and push the bike past it.

jarring ... that depends on your trails. i have no idea what a herniated
disk is like though ... maybe someone here is riding with one.

i'd guess that you would enjoy a bike ... and find trails that are fun for
you.

fwiw, i'm 46. i started years ago, but i think you could start now. if
you are like me it might take a little longer to develop the skills than
it did ten years ago ... but it beats the alternative.

On 2004-05-29, Socks penned:

Quoted message said:

crashes ... i think that word implies some speed and you don't have to
go fast. you can be conservative. you don't have to ride anything
you don't feel comfortable with. get off and push the bike past it.

Crashes happen when going fast; but you can fall at any speed, and going
slow probably makes it even more likely.

I don't know if Steve is trying to avoid any falling whatsoever, or just
the really nasty bruise and laceration type injuries.

--
monique

"The people who run record companies now wouldn't know a song if it flew up
their nose and died." -- David Crosby, on PBS Frontline

"Steve" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi,
I'm considering buying a Mountain bike. I have no experience riding, and
definitely would start at the low price range. I first looked at the
discount store bikes but now I'm now looking at the Specialized Hard
Rock XC for $290.

Good for you. Stay away from those department store bikes, too.

Quoted message said:

I walk some of the local trails (ex. Wild Azalea Trail
in Alexandria, La)

I've ridden those trails. I certainly was not used to all that climbing.

Quoted message said:

(1) I'm 50 years old, is that too old to start
recreational Mountain Biking?

Never too old, however......

Quoted message said:

(2) I had a herniated disc about a year
ago and have had some arthritis problems, I was wondering how much
jarring there is and are crashes inevitable?

.....consult your doctor.

Not much jarring, but crashes can happen. About the worst thing to watch out
for at the WAT, are the huge roots that can knock you down on those fast
downhills. The rest of the trails is smooth, and not very technical (at
least where I rode).

Quoted message said:

(3) What does the XC stand for in Mountain Biking?
Thanks for your time,

Cross country, but I'm sure someone has answered that one already.

Good luck, Steve.

"Steve" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi,
I'm considering buying a Mountain bike. I have no experience riding, and
definitely would start at the low price range. I first looked at the
discount store bikes but now I'm now looking at the Specialized Hard
Rock XC for $290.

I have several thousand miles on a similar bike. It'll do fine.

Quoted message said:

(1) I'm 50 years old, is that too old to start
recreational Mountain Biking?

You're only a coupla years older than me. You'll do fine.

Pete

"Slacker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve said:

Hi,
I'm considering buying a Mountain bike. I have no experience riding, and
definitely would start at the low price range. I first looked at the
discount store bikes but now I'm now looking at the Specialized Hard
Rock XC for $290. I walk some of the local trails (ex. Wild Azalea Trail
in Alexandria, La)and thought it would be a good sport to start, for
fitness and fun. I consider myself in fair shape, I walk 3 miles five to
ten times a week at about 14 minutes average per mile.
I have several questions. (1) I'm 50 years old, is that too old to start
recreational Mountain Biking? (2) I had a herniated disc about a year
ago and have had some arthritis problems, I was wondering how much
jarring there is and are crashes inevitable? (3) What does the XC stand
for in Mountain Biking?
Thanks for your time,
Steve

Hey Steve,

50 years old, eh... dang, that's pretty old, but then again, we have
several geezers (Sorni, Baker... etc.) here that ride ;-)

Seriously, 50 is nothing. And starting at 50 is no big deal; I'm 38 and
just started a few years ago.

--
Slacker

50 is geezing? Oh man, I'm 45. (don't worry. I saw the wink with my
bifocals.....)

Go for it Steve. From my own experience, mtb'ing loosens you up and makes
you want more.
It can certainly lead to rectal/cranial inversions from time to time no
matter what speed you are going. Believe me I speak from
experience.................................

Marty

Monique Y. Mudama said:

On 2004-05-29, Socks penned:

Quoted message said:

crashes ... i think that word implies some speed and you don't have to
go fast. you can be conservative. you don't have to ride anything you
don't feel comfortable with. get off and push the bike past it.

Crashes happen when going fast; but you can fall at any speed, and going
slow probably makes it even more likely.

I don't know if Steve is trying to avoid any falling whatsoever, or just
the really nasty bruise and laceration type injuries.

there is no denying that injury is common in the sport/recreation. i've
broken a few things myself (hip, wrist, fingers on separate occasions.)

i take it easier now, and that was really what i was trying to get across.
we can develop low-speed skills(*) ... and what's a dab(**) among friends?

* - they make it sound harder than it is:

http://www.ehow.com/how_14109_track-stand-mountain.html

** - putting a foot down to steady yourself in a tricky section.

I started mountain biking 6 months ago at age 64 and I love it. I suggest
you check with your doctor regarding your back problem.

To reduce stress on your back get your butt off the seat and keep your knees
bent when you go over bumps.

(Optimistic 90 year old man says "I must be getting stronger. When I was 20
I couldn't bend it."😉

"Steve" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi,
I'm considering buying a Mountain bike. I have no experience riding, and
definitely would start at the low price range. I first looked at the
discount store bikes but now I'm now looking at the Specialized Hard
Rock XC for $290. I walk some of the local trails (ex. Wild Azalea Trail
in Alexandria, La)and thought it would be a good sport to start, for
fitness and fun. I consider myself in fair shape, I walk 3 miles five to
ten times a week at about 14 minutes average per mile.
I have several questions. (1) I'm 50 years old, is that too old to start
recreational Mountain Biking? (2) I had a herniated disc about a year
ago and have had some arthritis problems, I was wondering how much
jarring there is and are crashes inevitable? (3) What does the XC stand
for in Mountain Biking?
Thanks for your time,
Steve

mojo deluxe said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

(2) I had a herniated disc about a year

ago and have had some arthritis problems, I was wondering how much
jarring there is and are crashes inevitable?

....consult your doctor.

find one that bikes so that they have a clue. ;-)

penny

Steve said:

Hi,
I'm considering buying a Mountain bike. I have no experience riding,
and definitely would start at the low price range. I first looked at
the discount store bikes but now I'm now looking at the Specialized
Hard Rock XC for $290. I walk some of the local trails (ex. Wild
Azalea Trail in Alexandria, La)and thought it would be a good sport
to start, for fitness and fun. I consider myself in fair shape, I
walk 3 miles five to ten times a week at about 14 minutes average per
mile.
I have several questions. (1) I'm 50 years old, is that too old to
start recreational Mountain Biking? (2) I had a herniated disc about
a year ago and have had some arthritis problems, I was wondering how
much jarring there is and are crashes inevitable? (3) What does the
XC stand for in Mountain Biking?
Thanks for your time,
Steve

I'm 42 and only started at 40. I have a deteriorated disk
(disc lost its "rubberness"😉 and I've never felt better after
taking on the sport. I do have an FS (full suspension) bike
though to help my back....

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC
(Remove XSPAM)

"Marty" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Slacker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve said:

Hi,
I'm considering buying a Mountain bike. I have no experience riding,

and

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

definitely would start at the low price range. I first looked at the
discount store bikes but now I'm now looking at the Specialized Hard
Rock XC for $290. I walk some of the local trails (ex. Wild Azalea

Trail

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

in Alexandria, La)and thought it would be a good sport to start, for
fitness and fun. I consider myself in fair shape, I walk 3 miles five

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

ten times a week at about 14 minutes average per mile.
I have several questions. (1) I'm 50 years old, is that too old to

start

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

recreational Mountain Biking? (2) I had a herniated disc about a year
ago and have had some arthritis problems, I was wondering how much
jarring there is and are crashes inevitable? (3) What does the XC

stand

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

for in Mountain Biking?
Thanks for your time,
Steve

Hey Steve,

50 years old, eh... dang, that's pretty old, but then again, we have
several geezers (Sorni, Baker... etc.) here that ride ;-)

Seriously, 50 is nothing. And starting at 50 is no big deal; I'm 38 and
just started a few years ago.

--
Slacker

50 is geezing? Oh man, I'm 45. (don't worry. I saw the wink with my
bifocals.....)

Go for it Steve. From my own experience, mtb'ing loosens you up and makes
you want more.
It can certainly lead to rectal/cranial inversions from time to time no
matter what speed you are going. Believe me I speak from
experience.................................

Marty

Wish I was 50 again, just turned 64, started riding singletrack about 1-1/2
years ago after 4 years of road riding, now I feel like a young 40 year old
:<😉. After changing from road to mountain bikes I've never enjoyed biking
so much. I realize I cannot do what the 20, 30, and 40 year olds do, but
also know it's no shame to walk through something I don't think I can
handle.

I'm 49, and re-started mtb-ing about 4 years ago or so. Age is nothing - the
ride is all.

Enjoy what you can, walk what you can't - there's always time to smell the
roses. ;-)

Steve (Yup, another one!)

"Penny S" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

mojo deluxe said:

Quoted message said:

> (2) I had a herniated disc about a year
ago and have had some arthritis problems, I was wondering how much
jarring there is and are crashes inevitable?

....consult your doctor.

find one that bikes so that they have a clue. ;-)

Good point.

Oh yeah....been meaning to get back to you.

On Sat, 29 May 2004 16:56:23 -0500, Steve <[email hidden]> wrote:

..Hi,
..I'm considering buying a Mountain bike. I have no experience riding, and
..definitely would start at the low price range. I first looked at the
..discount store bikes but now I'm now looking at the Specialized Hard
..Rock XC for $290. I walk some of the local trails (ex. Wild Azalea Trail
..in Alexandria, La)and thought it would be a good sport to start, for
..fitness and fun. I consider myself in fair shape, I walk 3 miles five to
..ten times a week at about 14 minutes average per mile.
..I have several questions. (1) I'm 50 years old, is that too old to start
..recreational Mountain Biking?

Yes. ANY age is too old to start destroying nature for cheap thrills.

(2) I had a herniated disc about a year
..ago and have had some arthritis problems, I was wondering how much
..jarring there is and are crashes inevitable?

Yes, of course. Trails aren't flat, of course!

(3) What does the XC stand
..for in Mountain Biking?

Cross country, showing how irresponsible mountain bikers are.

..Thanks for your time,
..Steve

===
I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to
humans ("pure habitat"😉. Want to help? (I spent the previous 8
years fighting auto dependence and road construction.)

http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande

Steve said:

Hi,
I'm considering buying a Mountain bike. I have no experience riding,
and definitely would start at the low price range. I first looked at
the discount store bikes but now I'm now looking at the Specialized
Hard Rock XC for $290. I walk some of the local trails (ex. Wild
Azalea Trail in Alexandria, La)and thought it would be a good sport
to start, for fitness and fun. I consider myself in fair shape, I
walk 3 miles five to ten times a week at about 14 minutes average per
mile.
I have several questions. (1) I'm 50 years old, is that too old to
start recreational Mountain Biking? (2) I had a herniated disc about
a year ago and have had some arthritis problems, I was wondering how
much jarring there is and are crashes inevitable? (3) What does the
XC stand for in Mountain Biking?
Thanks for your time,
Steve

I have a Specialized Hard Rock I bought about 12 years ago. Works fine on
the road and on smooth trails. I stay off real technical trails. I'm 67-
only problem is the hills get higher every year! Go for it!

--
Bob Burns
Mill Hall PA
[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

I have several questions. (1) I'm 50 years old, is that too old to start
recreational Mountain Biking? (2) I had a herniated disc about a year
ago and have had some arthritis problems, I was wondering how much
jarring there is and are crashes inevitable? (3) What does the XC stand
for in Mountain Biking?
Thanks for your time,
Steve

Hey Steve-
I'm delurking a bit here- but I can tell you that I am 48, been mtn biking
seriously only this summer. Last year I stuck mostly to community trails and
some singletrack- I'm loving singletrack though- and I am riding with a
group. They are welcoming, and supportive and very patient - and really help
with tips and advice.

I had a herniated disc 3 years ago- I'm riding a hardtail ( front suspension
forks).
I am fine- very little discomfort.

As far as the herniated disc goes- I took yoga and went to the gym to help
build my abdominals - and my back has never been better. The doctor told me
I had only about a 5 percent chance as the rest of the "normal" population
to have a recurrance.
I also have arthritis in my knees, shoulder , ankle and thumbs. I use
rapidfire shifters and don't have a problem- you might want to look into
grip shifters, if your thumbs are painful. Other than that- motion is
lotion, baby! I haven't felt this good and healthy in at least 15 years.
Yeah- I'll have pain, but the endorphins from riding pretty well take care
of it-
It's a trade off. I feel alive when I ride.

As for crashing- well- I had a hell of an endo this year- but fortunately
only my pride was hurt, really. Lots of bruising though- and a huge hematoma
on my leg where I hit the handlebars on the way over.. It was a panic stop-
sometimes it's hard to quell the rising tide of panic- I just went on the
wrong hill at the wrong time, is all.And just a bit o' inexperience!
Remember- right hand brake- right hand brake!!!!( the rear brake is your
friend)
: )

There are lots of folks riding in our age range -

so go out- and ride!!

and have fun.

Kimba

"kimba" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have several questions. (1) I'm 50 years old, is that too old to start
recreational Mountain Biking? (2) I had a herniated disc about a year
ago and have had some arthritis problems, I was wondering how much
jarring there is and are crashes inevitable? (3) What does the XC stand
for in Mountain Biking?
Thanks for your time,
Steve

Hey Steve-
I'm delurking a bit here- but I can tell you that I am 48, been mtn biking
seriously only this summer. Last year I stuck mostly to community trails

and

Quoted message said:

some singletrack- I'm loving singletrack though- and I am riding with a
group. They are welcoming, and supportive and very patient - and really

help

Quoted message said:

with tips and advice.

I had a herniated disc 3 years ago- I'm riding a hardtail ( front

suspension

Quoted message said:

forks).
I am fine- very little discomfort.

As far as the herniated disc goes- I took yoga and went to the gym to help
build my abdominals - and my back has never been better. The doctor told

me

Quoted message said:

I had only about a 5 percent chance as the rest of the "normal" population
to have a recurrance.
I also have arthritis in my knees, shoulder , ankle and thumbs. I use
rapidfire shifters and don't have a problem- you might want to look into
grip shifters, if your thumbs are painful. Other than that- motion is
lotion, baby! I haven't felt this good and healthy in at least 15 years.
Yeah- I'll have pain, but the endorphins from riding pretty well take

care

Quoted message said:

of it-
It's a trade off. I feel alive when I ride.

As for crashing- well- I had a hell of an endo this year- but fortunately
only my pride was hurt, really. Lots of bruising though- and a huge

hematoma

Quoted message said:

on my leg where I hit the handlebars on the way over.. It was a panic

stop-

Quoted message said:

sometimes it's hard to quell the rising tide of panic- I just went on the
wrong hill at the wrong time, is all.And just a bit o' inexperience!
Remember- right hand brake- right hand brake!!!!( the rear brake is your
friend)
: )

There are lots of folks riding in our age range -

so go out- and ride!!

and have fun.

Kimba

Nice post, Kimba. Now quit lurking, and post more.

Mike Vandeman <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

(3) What does the XC stand
.for in Mountain Biking?

Cross country, showing how irresponsible mountain bikers are.

Rather then hiking cross country, Mike prefers to find a spot and then
just sorta pogo in place.