considering mountain biking

[Steve]

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

 

[Slacker]

Steve 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? (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

 

[Monique Y. Muda]

On 2004-05-29, Steve penned:
> 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

 

[Monique Y. Muda]

On 2004-05-29, Socks penned:
>
> 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

 

[Mojo Deluxe]

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

> 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.

> (1) I'm 50 years old, is that too old to start
> recreational Mountain Biking?
>
Never too old, however......

> (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).

> (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.

 

[Marty]

"Slacker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Steve 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?
> > (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

 

[Pete]

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

> (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

 

[Bill S]

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 protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> 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

 

[Penny S]

mojo deluxe wrote:
>>> (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

 

[Zilla]

Steve <[email protected]> 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?
> (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)

 

[Di]

"Marty" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Slacker" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:2hsgb6Fh0c2nU1@uni-
> berlin.de...
> > Steve 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? (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
>
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.

 

[Stephen Baker]

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!)

 

[Mojo Deluxe]

"Penny S" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> mojo deluxe wrote:
> >>> (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.

 

[Mike Vandeman]

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

 

[Bob Burns]

Steve 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?
> (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 protected]

 

[Kimba]

> 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

 

[Mojo Deluxe]

"kimba" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >
> > 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
>
Nice post, Kimba. Now quit lurking, and post more.

 

[Brett Jaffee]

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

> (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.

 

[Tommy Taylor]

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

>(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.

>(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.

 

[Stephen Baker]

Tommy Taylor says:

>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."