Tips for Healthy Riding As We Age

This is an opinion piece and not necessarily reflective of the views of CHUMBA Racing.

So I received my MRI results back for my spine, and on my C2-3 there is a 2mm disc bulge; and on my C5-6 a 2mm disc protrusion caused by an "annular tear."  I have been experiencing a lot of pain recently after someone ran a red light and hit the front fender of my car; and finally was able to verify the causes.

So, for someone who loves riding bikes, what does this mean moving forward?  Now, I'd like to preface that I am not a medical professional, and these are purely my own thoughts based on common sense and my experiences; anyone who is actually injured should seek consultation from a medical professional.

There are a few things that I would suggest to anyone, whether a beginner or experienced, and I'm sure many of you already know most of this, but just in case:

1. Always know your trails.  If this is your first time on a trail and with a new group; if you feel a certain area is sketchy, walk it first, then choose your best line and go.

2. Wear soft shell pads.  661 or TLD knee/shin/ and elbow guards can save you a lot of skin and joint damage in the long run; for a minimal weight and convenience penalty.

3. Nothing wrong with walking.  Just because you are on a 6" bike; doesn't mean you need to huck or jump everything you see.  Too many of us have families to support, jobs to handle, and have responsibilities that extend far beyond the trails.  Just because all of your buddies are catching air on big bikes, doesn't mean you have to.  But, if you insist, there are plenty of good camps out there where you can meet a qualified instructor who can help you.  Here's a link to a great one: http://www.bikeskills.com/blog/  I'm personal friends with some of the guys; and they're a great bunch to learn from.

4. Always make sure you are on the right equipment.  Last December, a buddy of mine took his 4" XC bike that was set up extremely firm with an upright position and followed me down some nasty trails.  He took a spill and ended up falling face first ending up with 12 stitches.  Moral of the story?  Bigger bikes are safer when in doubt; and always make sure to do the research first on what trail you are riding, the level of difficulty, and if you are unsure, walk parts of it first to get a feel for it as mentioned in Point #1.  Ultimately, as well-meaning as companions might be, you are ultimately responsible for your own safety.

 Take your longer travel 5-6" bikes on unfamiliar trails for increased safety


Well, thanks for listening, and if you've read this far I guess the article was mildly interesting.  If you have anything to add, shoot me an e-mail at alan@chumbaracing.com.

Happy trails,

A.