while participating recently in a beginers enduro in shelton washington, although attending more for the ride than to ride competetively, man could I have done any worse. - in the 50's age group - 18 of 19 riders.  I was not tracking time and ... most emrassingly - took a wong turn somewhow and rode the entire first section twice!

I am 57, not in bad shape and I think a good rider, not fast, but good. OH well maybe better next time.

Well I'm 57 too and every time I ride it's only for fun. Even at a race. Did you have fun?

I did have fun - never crashed and rode hard in some sections. I love being in the woods and outdoors so all in all I guess a success. It could be worse I could be a couch potatoe...... which at times ain't bad - especially in the evening after the ride. :-)

Don't be too hard on yourself; just look at the number of people over 50 that are still ridding - not many.  And compare that to the general population over 50 that do nothing at all!

I think it's a real feather in anyones cap if they are still riddding past 50.

As far as your feelings, just realize that once past 50, your never going to be up front again except possibly in your class.  Once you get past that, it's much more relaxing and as a result, you have a lot more fun.

Just go out and ride

Jim.

Shoot, Iam 67, and I get it the way of the contenders almost every weekend! - except, in a PNWM
X-country six weeks ago, I fractured two vertabrae, and I still have six more weeks in a body brace, so I am won't be slowin' down the fast guys for a while.
The point I am making, is that participating is one of the most important aspects of my life - 56 years of competition has left me with tons of friends, great memories, and a few scars, but so what?

El Mur.

dochstader, on 21 May 2012 - 05:47 AM, said:

I agree, I had a doctor tell me one time I needed to stop or I would pay for it later. I told him when I was down at the nursing home everyone there was stove up. He said that was a good point. I said I'll just stay active.

Life begins at 50

your all correct - better than being a spud and just laying around. I love getting outside and riding and making / clearing trails. I will never quit riding! now I may be slow and am never gonna be the likes of Malcolm Smith or DeCoster - but legends are few and us average riders are aplenty.

"you don't quite riding (racing) because you get old, you get old because you quite riding (racing)"

I was away from desert racing for 30 years, then my sons got the itch and I got tired of watching them.

Results are a distant second to having FUN! If you're having fun, that's what it's all about, if you're not having fun then stick with trail riding.

Edited by Nayther, 24 May 2012 - 06:35 AM.

MotoSprtman:  The best race finish ever is putting it all back in the truck, making it home and then to work the next day all in one piece.

X-Racer, on 28 May 2012 - 11:33 AM, said:

+1