Comments on: Tips For Healthier Mountain Biking For The 40+ Year Old Rider

By: DesertCyclist

DesertCyclist — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:44:35 +0000

Thanks Terry! 2010 is looking to be another good year on the bikes, almost a grand is in the books so far. Good luck on the bodybuilding! Lifting twice a week is about all I can muster, besides don’t want to get that upper body too big, it will throw of my center of gravity

By: DesertCyclist

DesertCyclist — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:40:50 +0000

Hey Eric, this is a little off topic from the physical standpoint but relevant in other aspects. You hit on a good point; cycling is a great family sport and a great way to stay close to your kids. My son is now 13 and the time we spend riding on the on the trail and road are priceless. I know it has helped us stay close and the sense of accomplishment instilled in him after an epic ride is great to see. Undoubtedly it will help him be a better person and give him great memories as he gets older.

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:46:00 +0000

I got into mountain bike late in life, only when my kids were old enough to ride. I used to be a roadie. My kids, now 9 and 12, love MTB and they make me work hard to keep up with them on the trial. The one thing that is most important to keeping healthy is quality sleep.

By: 198

198 — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:46:57 +0000

He put something together! You can find it here.

http://mountain.bike198.com/vitamins-supplements-diet-and-mountain-biking/

By: Terry

Terry — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:08:00 +0000

LOLOL! Nope, I cannot keep up with those 22 year old riders every single day but I sure try to beat the pants off of them as often as I can. I have found that while they may have me slightly on xc, going up a hill I can breeze by them! They are a super competitive bunch and I love hanging out with them.

By: Terry

Terry — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:06:04 +0000

I guess everyone sees stretching differently-if I do not do some light stretches before I ride, I notice some joint tenderness in the knees and shoulders. I do the same thing before I weight lift, particularly squats. In fact, I stretch before, during and after.

By: Terry

Terry — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:03:58 +0000

I agree with you that age is simply a number and that sleep, nutrition, etc. is something that everyone should do, not just 40 somethings. Congrads on the hard riding! You are a goal I want to surpass so thanks for the health competition. I guess everyone sees stretching differently-if I do not do some light stretches before I ride, I notice some joint tenderness in the knees and shoulders.

Weights are a must but I want to continue as a competition bodybuilder so I am usually in the gym four or five days a week, depending on my cycle.

Good riding!!!

By: DesertCyclist

DesertCyclist — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:02:00 +0000

Some good stuff, however…… here’s my two cents. I agree wholeheartedly with the comments that the time to stretch is after the ride not before and the best way to warm up for a ride is either start slow for the first few miles or do a few miles on a trainer before you hit the trail. Full body weight training is an absolute must at least twice a week, or two days rest in between lifting. Good nutrition, sleep habits, and stress control have nothing to do with turning 40 or getting older; they are a must do at any age if you want to live healthier, happier and longer. I swapped my hard tail for full suspension for obvious reasons, my advice is skip the mid-life crisis Corvette and get yourself a bad a$$ bike. Turning 40, or 50 or 60 shouldn’t change your attitude or your aptitude. I just turned 56 and rode 6000 miles last year, 3200 of it was mountain biking. I routinely pass people half my age and never see them again for the rest of the day. Don’t use your age as an excuse for being lazy, make the time. Get regular check-ups and keep saying to yourself you’re only as old as you let yourself be, half the battle is mental. I hear “I hope I’m in as good a shape as you when I’m 56″ all the time; you should hear it too.

By: IndemnityMike

IndemnityMike — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:36:19 +0000

Thanks for this, that’s all good advice most of which at 48 years old I’m doing my best to follow.
I really agree with your comments on the Carbon bars because they are under-rated as shock absorbers. They’re seen as weight-weenie, bling etc. My experience was they improved my ride significantly when I put them on a year ago.
I’ll just have to find the time to get to the gym and lift weights. I was hoping that hauling myself up hills on my singlespeed in winter was going to be my strength training!

By: 198

198 — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:51:35 +0000

I typically like flat stems, riser bars and adjust for height with steering tube/headset spacers.