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 ...

bbauer.gomen.orgnewbikeOpen ↗

--
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

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.

"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

"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

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:2hsgb6Fh0c2nU1@uni-
berlin.de...

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.)

home.pacbell.netmjvandeOpen ↗

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.

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

Quoted message said:

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

Biking?

No! I started at 52 and have been riding XC for 4 years. XC
makes you younger by getting all of your joints, organs, and
muscles in motion.

Quoted message said:

(2) I had a herniated disc about a year ago and have had
some arthritis

problems,

The orthopedic guy said that I will eventually need a hip
replacement for my arthritis and that exercise would not
improve my situation. I took vioxx daily. NOT SO: Six hours
a week of XC combined with hip stretching and
adductor/abductor exercises keep pain and inflammation away.
Instead of 365 doses of vioxx a year, I only need about 25.
I couldn't regularly ride a hard tail. Full suspension is
kind to the joints and prostate. I rode a hard tail for 3
years, and added a Thudbuster suspension seat post which
worked well.

Quoted message said:

(3)I was wondering how much jarring there is and are
crashes inevitable?

Yes, crashes will happen. My biggest problem is when
platform pedal pins dig into my shin. You may find that you
have more problems when you are a newbie, tired, going up a
long hill, or if you try to stay with the young guys. Take
your time, and walk as needed. It's better to be cautious
and riding than reckless and recuperating.

Tommy Taylor says:

Quoted message said:

Take your time, and walk as needed. It's better to be
cautious and riding than reckless and recuperating.

"There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there
are very few old, bold pilots" Or something like that. ;-)

Steve "old-ish, not bold - but having a great time riding."