Adrenalin, old age, broken bits etc etc

[Couchy]

At my age (54) my old man was and old man, drove buses then sat in all evening watching telly. No real hobbies or interests. By comparison I am out every weekend, walking, motorbiking,mtb'ing etc and always planning the next trip. The mountain bike is my main hobby and I use it a lot riding as fast as I can, sometimes it's just a ride but a lot of the time it isn't as I like to push myself. To this end I along with our leader took some instruction this weekend. This on steeper techy stuff I've never really been happy with. The instruction was great and the techniques opened up what could be a whole world of riding and the adrenalin that comes with it. But, I've arthritis in my left knee which is ok for normal life and ok for most of the mtb riding I do. I'm lucky that's about all that's wrong and fitness wise I'm pretty good too. However opening up this new stuff which is steep and has drops my knee said no, first it starts hurting and I know at that point I have to stop or it fails altogether and I have weeks of pain.
So the grown up part of my brain says no worries at your age you've got loads of positives just rein it in a bit. The much larger part of my brain is really pissed off about this as in the past it's been me that stops me doing things. I know it sounds trivial as it's not limiting me in any aspects of life and writing it down it seems even more pathetic but anyone else gone through this moment of realisation as I'm struggling to just man up and accept it !

[Taipan]

I've had both knees replaced in the last 5 years. Yes, at times I do get (very) annoyed at the disability because of it, but then I thank bright things that I'm still here and had nothing go wrong beforehand. I'm very much a play the hand you're dealt type person anyway. There is no point in getting upset over things you can't change, so I just put it behind me most of the time, but as I said, allowing myself the occasional vent...

[Yorick]

A piece of paper says I'm 63. But out on the enduro bike I feel like a giggling teenager. I wouldn't have bought the new GasGas if I didn't feel I have a fair few years left yet.

On the GSXR1000 I feel like a racer still. But a bit slower.

If any pains or aches before a ride I take ibuprofen and paracetamol.

No probs.

[Yorick]

Ya can't turn back the years so I'm doing everything now so have no regrets in the future.

[Horse]

anyone else gone through this moment of realisation as I'm struggling to just man up and accept it !

In December 2017 I had a chest infection and it buggered up my balance. Two years later, after being told 'labyrinthitis, it'll get better', I got the diagnosis of brain issues. By then I'd long realised that if I can't walk straight then there's nothing happening on two wheels.

I had no choice but to accept it. Remember the good - and bad - times, but move on.

Do I miss biking? Yes
Am I jealous when I read you guys talking about it, or see bikes out on the road? Yes

Oddly, though, in a way I'm glad the decision was made for me, suddenly rather than lingering should I shouldn't I.

[Rockburner]

At my age (54) my old man was and old man, drove buses then sat in all evening watching telly. No real hobbies or interests. By comparison I am out every weekend, walking, motorbiking,mtb'ing etc and always planning the next trip. The mountain bike is my main hobby and I use it a lot riding as fast as I can, sometimes it's just a ride but a lot of the time it isn't as I like to push myself. To this end I along with our leader took some instruction this weekend. This on steeper techy stuff I've never really been happy with. The instruction was great and the techniques opened up what could be a whole world of riding and the adrenalin that comes with it. But, I've arthritis in my left knee which is ok for normal life and ok for most of the mtb riding I do. I'm lucky that's about all that's wrong and fitness wise I'm pretty good too. However opening up this new stuff which is steep and has drops my knee said no, first it starts hurting and I know at that point I have to stop or it fails altogether and I have weeks of pain.
So the grown up part of my brain says no worries at your age you've got loads of positives just rein it in a bit. The much larger part of my brain is really pissed off about this as in the past it's been me that stops me doing things. I know it sounds trivial as it's not limiting me in any aspects of life and writing it down it seems even more pathetic but anyone else gone through this moment of realisation as I'm struggling to just man up and accept it !

I'm 5 years younger than you, but have been fairly sedentary for the past 10 years or so, so I'm feeling the aches and pains a lot already.

Yes it's hard to accept - mentally I'm still an idiotic 15 year old.

Having said that - having had a really bad accident and the enforced convalescance that entailed (nearly losing my lower right leg), I'm a touch more sanguine about it, simply because I've had aches and pains that stopped me doing things ever since I was about 25, so I'm a bit more accustomed to it.


getting old is shit.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I'm 55, I've got loads of aches and pains, mostly in my feet and hands, but also knees and back, nearly all of it is caused by motorcycling, and I don't regret any of it, ride a bike while you can because you could have to stop for medical reasons any day.

[DefTrap]

54 and I felt fit as a fiddle until 2 years ago, rarely went to the docs. Then I had a dozen medium / minor maladies in about six months. The sort of thing that isn't really fixable, so you're on medication or "keep an eye on it" territory. Nothing super serious but enough to rein me in a bit because in my head I'm still under 30, but enough for me to worry what the next sodding malady will be and if this is the one that'll do for you. Yeah it sucks. It's definitely made me more of a worrier, for myself and one step removed for others.

[mangocrazy]

I'm 73 and am grateful for every year of biking and general mobility I can get. I've never been a gym bunny and my knees tell me I can't run any more, but riding bikes is still well within my abilities and will (I hope) be the case for a good few years yet. Early this year I ruptured a hernia and had to go for an op in June. As a result I was laid up and off bikes for around 6 weeks during the best biking weather of the year. I was not a happy camper, and was fairly desperate to get back on 2 wheels again, which may have compromised my recovery as I'm now feeling familiar twinges again...

You just have to do whatever it is that floats your boat for as long and as often as you can. We're here for a good time, not a long time.

[weeksy]

At my age (54) my old man was and old man, drove buses then sat in all evening watching telly. No real hobbies or interests. By comparison I am out every weekend, walking, motorbiking,mtb'ing etc and always planning the next trip. The mountain bike is my main hobby and I use it a lot riding as fast as I can, sometimes it's just a ride but a lot of the time it isn't as I like to push myself. To this end I along with our leader took some instruction this weekend. This on steeper techy stuff I've never really been happy with. The instruction was great and the techniques opened up what could be a whole world of riding and the adrenalin that comes with it. But, I've arthritis in my left knee which is ok for normal life and ok for most of the mtb riding I do. I'm lucky that's about all that's wrong and fitness wise I'm pretty good too. However opening up this new stuff which is steep and has drops my knee said no, first it starts hurting and I know at that point I have to stop or it fails altogether and I have weeks of pain.
So the grown up part of my brain says no worries at your age you've got loads of positives just rein it in a bit. The much larger part of my brain is really pissed off about this as in the past it's been me that stops me doing things. I know it sounds trivial as it's not limiting me in any aspects of life and writing it down it seems even more pathetic but anyone else gone through this moment of realisation as I'm struggling to just man up and accept it !

Considering it was obviously me there with you.... This is a pretty saddening post for me. I was hoping you'd be coming to the next course

[Skub]

I'm struggling to just man up and accept it !

Yeah well,life will school ya.

Our folks are a general indicator of what's in store for us as the years mount up.

Being as active as you can will improve your quality of life and in some cases also the longevity. We all 'know' this. As we age,pushing ourselves to the limits becomes a non starter,we must learn to enjoy the activity for what it is,because if we don't,the lesson will come the hard way. We can choose to recognise our limits and continue to have fun at that level,the alternative is,to suffer injury and perhaps never again be able to do what we enjoy. Slow burn,or burn out,it's a choice.

Luck and genetics play a big part in what we have to play with in later life. To date I've been fortunate. I'm 67 and despite the abuse inflicted on my body from trashing motorcycles and a heavy drinking habit,I'm in fairly good order. No aches or pains.

I have had to make some changes since the start of my 60s,part of recognising my limits. Giving up alcohol was the biggie for me. I found it extremely difficult,as I loved to drink. It has made a major,positive difference to my life.

The only exercise I take is walking. I do that because I love to walk,so it's no onerous task and works for me.

We all must cut our cloth as we age,it's a necessary fine balance to continue doing what we love.

[Count Steer]

Having been as fit as a flea for years, the last 3 have been a bit like running an old car.

Things start to break/wear out.

You just wish you'd taken a bit more care with it when you find you can't get the spares any more and it spends a lot of time at the garage.

[crust]

Where to start on this one? One I'm pondering a lot at moment as you can imagine given the summer I've had and the outcomes. I'll have to come back to it when I've got more time.

Have you looked at knee support braces? When I messed up my knee (another lost summer/year ) I wore one for quite a while. A proper support one will take some of the weight off the leg, combine that with specific exercises might help prolong your career as an extreme mtber.

[Taipan]

Where to start on this one? One I'm pondering a lot at moment as you can imagine given the summer I've had and the outcomes. I'll have to come back to it when I've got more time.

Have you looked at knee support braces? When I messed up my knee (another lost summer/year ) I wore one for quite a while. A proper support one will take some of the weight off the leg, combine that with specific exercises might help prolong your career as an extreme mtber.

FWIW, my knee surgeon and a physiotherapists told me not to wear a knee support or brace, unless specifically prescribed one. I found them a help but apparently, they lead to muscle weakness in the area which is much worse for your knee overall.

[Greenman]

This has started to become a reality for me as of late and i am only 42!

Dodgy left knee, dodgy left hip, dodgy right shoulder (rotator cuff) tennis elbow in my left elbow is now getting quite unbarable and is constant, dodgy back (L1/L2 Virtibrae) i have also hurt my hand too catching it on a door handle and bending my index and middle finger and it's taking ages to get better.

Most of my ailments have come along because of sport, cricket mainly, raving and wanking.

I am sort of struggling along. I struggle to do some parts of my job (carrying numerous equipment around, driving, climbing under desks etc) let alone do anything more physical.

It's all fun. My old man keeps going on about getting cortisone injections for the tennis elbow but i'm too much of a pussy to go have it done!

As some others have said, getting old is shit live now as much as you can before life catches up with you!

[mangocrazy]

Dodgy left knee, dodgy left hip, dodgy right shoulder (rotator cuff)

Most of my ailments have come along because of sport, cricket mainly

Bowling-related injuries, by any chance?

raving

Eh? Dancing too hard...?

[Couchy]

Where to start on this one? One I'm pondering a lot at moment as you can imagine given the summer I've had and the outcomes. I'll have to come back to it when I've got more time.

Have you looked at knee support braces? When I messed up my knee (another lost summer/year ) I wore one for quite a while. A proper support one will take some of the weight off the leg, combine that with specific exercises might help prolong your career as an extreme mtber.

The knee is arthritis diagnosed 4 years ago which started the ebike journey, I’ve built up the muscles round it and it’s 100% better and not really noticeable in normal day to day. If I use it more that’s when the pain and days off arrive. I’ll go back and see the doc and say it’s no good for the steeper side of mtb’ing and see what they say….I really don’t want any surgery yet so a mindset change is prob best

[gremlin]

getting old is shit

The alternative ain't much better.


I'm now 53 but I try to do some form of exercise every day as I think the moment you stop is the moment the decline sets in. I think a lot of it is a state of mind anyway. I have friends younger than me and they're boring old farts who only listen to music from their youth and moan about their kids.

Greenie. Get the jab. I had my elbow done a few weeks back and I have no pain now. Had one in my spine a few years back too. That was something to worry about, but the elbow was nothing.

[Yambo]

72 in January. I'll be in Kruger National Park.

We get, or have got older Couchy, luckily, as some don't. Things aren't going to work as well as they once did, injuries, even just a bruise, take longer to repair. The cardio vascular system while still able to do its job doesn't do it as well because it too is getting old. Over 60, muscle mass starts to disappear. You may look the same but body fat will have replaced muscle mass. Without the muscle mass, joints, tendons and ligaments start feeling the strain.

You can accept it or not but there are very few who are not going to be affected. You might have to find other things to do that, whilst they may not give you the same adrenaline rush, can be just as satisfying.

I stopped running a couple of years before coming to live here, I was 51 or 52. It was a wise move to stop. I wasn't getting the same buzz, it was hard work. I stopped playing squash as well; it was like they'd made the court bigger. I then had a heart attack at 55 (but I'm fucking fit!) and a triple bypass at 56. But I still wanted to keep fit, still felt like I needed a challenge so I kept walking in the hills and rowing.

I think I've finished with hills now, the last one I did was Babadağ over behind Fethiye, only 1969 metres high. It was fairly easy as I'd just come back from Nepal having done Everest Base Camp and Gokyo and my blood was full of red corpuscles. The year before I'd done the Annapurna circuit. These treks were certainly a challenge on the old legs and cv system but hey, they're there to do. Some time ago, @Potter asked me if the need to challenge myself was a blessing or a curse and it's both. Being able to still do the physical stuff is a blessing but when you're on the side of a mountain and not being able to go down before you reach the top, is a curse. You have to accept you need to slow down a bit.

I wouldn't keep going on the heavy impact stuff with the knee personally. You won't make it better and you may well do enough real damage to prevent yourself from doing some of the easier stuff. It may be a real struggle getting around town to choose the wheelchair.

No-one else will blame you for it, only yourself. Stacks of people will say you're a fool though.

[Horse]

Over 60, muscle mass starts to disappear. You may look the same but body fat will have replaced muscle mass. Without the muscle mass, joints, tendons and ligaments start feeling the strain.

For the first 60 years of my life I never had the words "going to the gym" in my vocabulary (apart from when threatened at school).

Now, at 64, I go voluntarily, even suggest it. Quite a shock.

I have a sedimentary job, and at 62 had 6 months of enforced inactivity due to the skull/neck operation, so had a fair bit of work to do. I'm no muscle bound gym bunny, but probably have more muscles than any other time before. But I don't have stamina.


Oh, and since we're being cheery, let's not forget how our eyes deteriorate unavoidably post-60. Peripheral vision shrinks and cataracts develop.