How do you start at 35 years old?

I started 3 years ago after last riding at age of 17, I am currently 53. Simple answer is buy bike, buy safety gear and go ride. The rest comes naturally as you ride.

Edit: On second thought I think it has been 5 years since I started back up...I don't know I am old and I forget shit.

I started last year.. I'm 52 in August.. just go man.. first day I fell 3 times.. but I loved it.. just go man

Forget the single speed bullshit. You'll never have proper fun on trails. 

Try looking up Lee McCormack, he does skills clinics. Youtube helps too, check out Jeff Lenosky, Jeff Kendal Weed.

1. Buy a bike
2. Buy safety equipment
3. Go ride some trails
4. Realise how out of shape you are
5. Ride more trails
6. Fall off a few times
7. Buy more kit
8. Ride more trails
9. Want to buy more bikes
10. Ride more trails

Thats all it is, kit yourself up and go ride. You can watch YouTube for lots of tips (I'd recommend GBMN they have videos on everything) to then put into practice

I started at 34. I’m 36 now. Just go dude. I wouldn’t run a single speed though personally. Climbing would suck.

But as far jumps and speed and whatnot, just build it slowly. Small jumps and drops, progress a little more with bigger jumps, do a shit ton of reps, get to know your trails, push yourself a little harder, rinse and repeat. YouTube and other riders are great resources.

Uh, don’t yank the bars though. It’s noob mistake I did jumping at first. See my post history for what not to do. Some good advice in those posts. Just gotta pop, pull the bike into you, and push to level out with the landing while in the air.

Some days I just ride slow, though. I just enjoy being outside and exercising, it doesn’t always have to be something crazy.

Edit: Buy a full face helmet for jumps and fast riding. I always wear it, saved my teeth several weeks ago when I ate shit. Also in my post history.

I ended up taking a couple of classes awhile ago and it helped tremendously. I also crashed ALOT in the beginning and that helped me learn what not to do quickly.

Start on greens. Be careful. Don't listen to the -I fell off three times on my first day-types. Building up.

I started at 58 years young.; just a number. Saved my life.

ride with people better than you whenever possible. have fun and learn how to bail without hurting yourself. mtb rewards persistence and dedication. there are no real shortcuts to skill building. the book mastering mtb skills by lee mccormack is very underrated around here.

I just started last fall, but I took some time off when it was too snowy where I live. So this is arguably my first summer learning as an adult. I just ride a bunch. It helps if you can ride with people better than you. I’ve gone a couple of times with guys way better than me, but chasing them is fun and gets me out of my comfort zone (in a good way, if they sent a 10’ drop I’d still ride around. Maybe someday….). I did a beginner skills clinic that was arguably a little below my skill level, but it did reinforce some good fundamentals in terms of attack position, bike-body separation and moving the bike, and creating a wedge to create a better connection. If you have the option I think that’s worth checking out, but I bet you could pick all that up on YouTube if you wanted too.

I started at 55. How did I do that? I bought a bike, loaded up TrailForks and was amazed at how many trails where "local" to me. Started riding and haven't stopped 3 years later.

I started at 43. I got a new girlfriend and she rides mountain bikes, so I rented one and rode with her. I instantly fell in love with it, mountain biking first, then her. I went out the next week and bought a mid level hard tail. Between her and YouTube I learned a lot, but felt like I wanted more. I’ve been riding for a full year and just took private lessons. I wish I had done this earlier on, it really has been a huge level up for my skills.

I started last year with my daughter at 36. We learned to ride with our local NICA team!

As far as progression goes, see if you can find a local MTB group/organization. They'll have at least 2 to 3 weekly rides at different places and for different skill levels that focus on different aspects of riding.

You'll likely find a couple of technically proficient dudes for you to emulate and/or seek advice from. Additionally they'll likely do several skill based clinics a few times a year.

It might help to say what part of the world/country that your in so someone can recommend a good local chapter.

Clinic/lesson…learn good habits early so you don’t have to unlearn bad habits later.

Get a trail capable bike. there’s difficulty ratings for trails. Mountain biking is as safe as you want it to be. If you have to ride the brakes so be it. Ride an easy trail and decide where you want to go from there. I’d get a gauge of where you’re at. YouTube and lessons may be unnecessary to start before you see where you’re at. First decide if it’s something you like. Most of the people I see riding around my area are 30 and almost 40+ cuz they’re the only ones who can afford the bikes. I started at 30 found some easy trails and went to progressively harder trails from there and upgraded from a hardtail to a fs. 3 years later I’m still working on my jumps but can do some bigger drops. YouTube kinda helps but it’s no substitute for just getting out and riding. Good luck!

If I started 20 years earlier I could tell you. I started at 51. You practice your lines and start safe. I worked my way up to speed on a local trail that’s still not boring to me 2 years later, because I can take it faster and faster. That reminds me, there’s a jump I haven’t done in a while that I’ll hit tomorrow…

Started last month and I'm 49, but i feel much younger and had an insane second wind to ride again.

I rode road bikes for years and of course bmx before that..didn't we all when we were teenagers?

First time I've owned a bike in over 20yrs and really wanted an mtb instead of going back to road bikes.

I'm fairly fit but not bike fit yet, so just slowly riding everywhere i can.

Instead of taking the car to the shops for something small I'll take the bike instead and quickly shop with it, i walk my bike right in and no one says anything.

I go to gym 4-5 days a week, but now doing 2 leg days instead of just 1 and using their bike to get my legs up.

I have a 2hr hill climb planned to get to a state park with trails, why drive up when i can ride it and get fit..if i don't make it, I'll turn around and simply try again another day...will feel like Stallone in Rocky when he reaches the top of those steps.

I'm starting at 46. I'm just gonna take it easy, no jumps obviously lol, just have fun I guess.

Looks like you have a single speed gravel bike. I would say you’re limited to trails with little to no elevation gain. I’d say your best bet with that bike is to Google local bike parks for jumps. Now riding trails in the woods could prove difficult since you have no suspension or gears. Maybe looks for green circles on Trailforks.

Riding with others, clinics, and youtube are all great options! Search and see if there is a local to you advocacy group that hosts rides you can attend. I'm in Massachusetts, and we have NEMBA. My closest chapter, greater Boston, does great job leading rides of multiple levels.

It sounds like you have two mountain bikes? A geared and singlespeed? It's nice to have options and keep it interesting. Definitely ignore the others saying you can't have proper fun on a SS. They probably just don't have legs, lol. It's what I started on and rode exclusively for years, a rigid one. Oof. I'm not saying that's what you should do, but it's nice to have one. I now have five bikes to suit my mood. My custom ss is my favorite by a long shot.

How to Bike with Ben Cathro is a phenomenal and comprehensive resource.

My formula has been: Ride your bike, figure out what you want to get better at, use the articles and videos to learn about that thing, get back out and put it into practice.

Started at 36 after never really being into bikes, I’m 40 now and loving it! Start off with a decent hardtail and you’ll be wanting a full suspension in no time! Great fun and great for your health

My coworker just went over the bars on a jumpline and broke bones in his face, back, ribs and arm. Don't feel like you need to jump before you're very comfortable on the bike. Work on the little things like shifting without stressing your derailleur, techy climbs, and getting out with folks that know the trails well. Enjoy it!

My advice is that the two fastest ways to get better are: finding a crew of good riders and riding with them a ton, and skills clinics are great. Learning proper technique that you can later practice on your own time is invaluable. And ofcourse ride your damn bike!

Buy one that fits you and stick geared models. Go out with people that are better than you so they can show you how to do it.

Take a clinic! Nothing beats eyes on to keep you from developing bad habits that will just continue with you while you “just ride!” Then watch some YouTube videos and get a consensus of what you need to do as some will just Not work for you. And some are so complex they are rubbing your stomach and patting your head on a bike. Fluidride and Loam Ranger are both good with the latter being a more straightforward approach.
Wear pads, including elbows, rehabbing an elbow injury sucks. Be smart not overly careful. If you’re not feeling it that day then that’s fine, not a day to try a new drop or jump. The Mtn bike gods have a way of punishing the cocky or indecisive 😜

I started at 42

I started this summer after not touching a bike for 11 years. I’ll be 35 in 2 months too. Just ride as much as possible without pushing your limits too fast. Do small jumps until you completely master them then move on to bigger stuff.

The key is to progress little by little. When I started again I couldn’t even handle a small jump anymore. Now I ride double black jump trails.

Watch youtube vids on how to hit a jump too, theres a bunch of technicalities you need to master. Learn to boost a jump too, move your bile around in the air when you think you’re ready.

Pre ride, re ride, free ride. Live by it. New skills on old trails, old skills on new trails. Be mindful and visualize. Don't have an ego. If you can't visualize yourself doing something, come back to it when you're able to. 3 run ups to a new feature max. Wear knee pads, a helmet, and gloves at least. Learn how to bail on your bike. Practice skills in the parking lot.

YouTube is a great start to see how others are doing manuals. Then start in the grass if you can. You have to have speed for them, going slow doesn't work well until you're well versed at speed. You'll find your sweet spot eventually.

I had to relearn manuals when I moved to full sus. I'm still not as good as I am on a 20" considering I do them without brakes on 20" and never loop out. But now I can manual over tables and onto objects after hopping onto them. It takes a while but is super rewarding once you get it down.

Simple... Spend Time On The Bike. There's no other way around it.

I started at 36 a week before my son was born. Now he's 6 years old and rides singletrack with me.

I've been learning to manual, it's a lot easier to learn on my dirt jumper, but that said, I'm nowhere close to doing it but feel if I keep practicing I will eventually get there

Don't over think it. Don't listen to the people who say "just send it." Take it cautiously, and push yourself a little at a time. Clinics are great. Lessons are great. If there is a DH park with lessons and rentals near you, that's a great way to get started.

Most important, just get out and ride.

Started when I was ~32 and am nearing your age now. Bike for sure helps. I rode my circa 2011 27.5” Trek Marlin hard tail for about 20 rides before I bought a Scott Genius 910. The difference in what a Scott could handle was staggering which made it actually much safer.

The progression is addictive but you’ll fall a lot so get so other than the bike and helmet, get some G-form elbow and knee pads, lightweight and material is great for sweat.

A course or YouTube videos are great:

• Watch and rewatch after / before rides ep 3, 4 and 5 of Ben Cathros “How to Bike” series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQCfPUTFFOkmsIbQkvW2L6YM6KOLy8ElD&si=_cl90cYiFMHUQN2d
• Also watch this video, probably helped me progress the fastest, legit halved my downhill times and crashed way less: https://youtu.be/8y6ocZHpLoE?si=5Qpl1TzXKXBgcdc6

Don’t be too cool to walk sections or plan out a line for a section before doing

Keep weight forward. You’ll hear from someone somewhere at some point to drop your ass behind you when you go downhill… don’t do that unless you’re going over a feature you need to absorb (see Ben Cathros series I suggested).

When you’re ready to try something… fully commit ,crashes mostly happen when you’re being a pussy. Source: Am pussy often

I started at 35 in 2010. Just get out and ride.

Find a jump you can session. Hitting a jump or jump line over and over again has helped me a lot. 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0PGMBAunVXfyyzOW3_hVaI5VY4c2EFm6&si=Itf5y_AhWThKghLU

Try this YouTube channel out. I started at 30 years old and these videos helped me a lot. The other thing is literally just got out there and ride as much as you can

Keep your skill level in mind if you go on group rides. It's OK to choose the beginner group

The last time I'd ridden a bicycle (outside of those rentals in Boston) was when I was 15. I decided to purchase something because my son progressed from a stride bike to a pedal bike & running after him was exhausting.

Ended up with a Trek Marlin 7. Seems to fit my needs pretty well. Most of our rides are on Rails to Trails, or some small trails with roots & rocks, but no jumps or anything crazy. There is a pretty cool little bike park our town built. But I haven't checked it out, knowing my six year old will struggle getting uphill before the fun stuff.

I don’t know how it’s different than any other age unless you’re so old you have trouble getting around/have tons of pain.

Just ride a lot. I’m 36 and 3 years in. I still go as often as possible and ride a road bike now which helps my cardio a ton. It takes time to progress but for me the little incremental improvements are the most satisfying part for me… aside from the obvious fun parts like smashing down trails as fast as possible.

For drops my biggest piece of advice is get off the bike and roll it over the drop, if the BB clears the drop, send it. Then session it till you can fly off of it.

If your BB can clear it you are basically immune to that drop, at that point it's all pedal placement.

Once you get your confidence up on drops it kinda builds up all the other jump style skills, you lead speed and how to manage it.

Heh I started last year - 34 years old. Started with single track blue. Now I am riding with two friends, I am going to start doing some red this summer. Wish me luck.

My friend just started at 39.

Seat time is the best teacher. If you feel like you’ve plateaued, clinics or lessons can help.

I agree with others. Ditch the single speed.

I live by the 78% rule. Before I hit something I need to be 78% sure I will be able to land it.

I started at 31. Now 32 and riding double blacks comfortably and hitting drops and jumps that I never thought would be possible for me when I started last season. Youtube helped at first when learning the fundamentals. I have a good group of friends who all are into mountain biking and very good at it who are okay with waiting for me sometimes. I also started with a decent bike which really is essential.

Don't buy a single speed or a hard tail, buy the right bike for the trails you want to be riding in 2 years. If you wanna shred hard stuff and live somewhere with decent riding get a full suspension enduro bike. Find group rides and meet people who are good. Go to bike parks as often as you can. Buy your girlfriend a mountain bike and then sell it for a loss when she decides she hates riding.

Hey I'm 35 too and I just bought a mountain bike last month! I'm learning a few different ways. Sometimes I go with my friend with more mountain bike experience and he gives me pointers. I'm also planning to sign up for a class to get the fundamentals dialed in. Also watching some youtube videos, this series has been super helpful in particular. And just spending time on my bike. Also I'm pushing myself into harder stuff very gradually. I have no interest in injuring myself early on because I sent something I wasn't ready for.

Started at 45 and documented my journey on YT (check SpadLuv). It demonstrates how everything is possible.

Started at 36, hadn't ridden a push bike in 20 years.

I started by riding a local basic bike path for a good month to just get comfortable on a bike again and to get some fitness as you don't want to be blowing your lungs out on the trail learning. I then went riding some easier trails with a mate and his kids who kept me honest. Then I progressed to lessons and XC races at a local club.

You can start at any age, just my opinion. More you do more you learn!

Just ride man. That's all that's needed. You'll learn as you go. Enjoy it!

get rid of the single speed and get a mtb more like what everyone else rides in your area. where i live thats a 160/160 trail bike but might be different where you live. this is one of those things where the majority are the ones who are getting it right. I also started around 35, i’m 46 now and loving mtb more than ever

I've gone over handle bars twice now going too fast. I think I fucked up my rear caliper when I first got my bike and tinkered with it.

I want to add that just riding around your neighborhood when you have time hopping up and down curbs riding on weird looking terrain etc. is really good for getting comfortable on the bike. Not everything needs to be a full on ride in the woods. Riding around like a kid is going to develop your bike handling and your love of riding a bike.

Couldn’t tell because I started at 40 so that’s half a decade of advantage.

Get lessons if they are available in your area. You can watch YouTube all you want and there is some really good material, but you need a coach to analyze what you are doing so you start right. Then go back and watch videos on YouTube to refine your technique. BTW you are probably the average age of a mountain biker.

I'm 40 and just started this year. I've been out 3 whole times and had a pretty decent fall/crash each time. I'm definitely riding with a group that is beyond my ability but I'm learning a lot. I feel like I did not buy enough bike - the women's group I'm with has full suspension bikes with lots of upgrades and I'm out there rocking it on a hard tail. They seemed a little surprised at that. I walk what I need to and give a good attempt when I feel confident. I'm never going to be the type of rider that does jumps and stuff like that, I just want to be able to spend a few hours rolling around the woods.

I recently got back into it for the first time in decades. Ryan Leech's online courses are very helpful. They include ystematic explanations of core and advanced skills, demonstrated with videos, and broken down into sub-skills with on-bike drills you can do in a local park or on-trail.

I was cross-shopping it with in-person clinics, and the annual subscription to Leech's platform is about the same cost as a 1-2 day in-person course.

I understand why most people just want to get out and ride, but if you want systematic explanations of techniques for specific MTB features, I think Leech's online platform is great.

That’s when I started again as well. I would forget all the youtube and clinics at first and just get out and ride. Build up some leg strength and stamina from just riding and then go from there. All the tutorials on Youtube are great but without a foundation to start with, they’re basically useless. Enjoy being out on the trails for a bit.

Buy a bike and gear and ride it. Take a lesson or two.

Biggest thing is time in the saddle. The more you ride the better you will get.

Next would be coaches and clinics.

Most important is to wear a helmet.

As someone who started at 35:

YouTube and send it?

This is what I did, but I could probably have avoided some injuries by starting with some clinics instead.

Find other folks and just annoy them?

Also a viable option, just keep in mind that being good at a thing and being good at teaching/explaining a thing are not the same. Whether it's in person or on Youtube. Find somebody whose explanations make sense to you/work for you and stick with them.

I have insurance through work so breaking shit doesn't matter except it hurts and puts me out of work and off my bike.

I might recommend being a little more cautious than that lmao. You're not 19; you can break things that could put you out of work/off the bike forever.

That's not to say don't send it, but keep in mind that you are NOT gonna bounce/magically heal from everything in 5 seconds like you used to. "Age is just a number" is a great mindset to have, but at the same time I'd just say keep in mind that there are physical realities that even the best mindset can't totally undo. So, if nothing else, make sure you're wearing appropriate protection for whatever you're doing.

Get bike, mount bike, pedal the bike.

I started at 29. beginning on a hardtail was really good for my path. Find what you like riding and identify how you can progress and do repetitions. I personally think a lot of people where I ride discount riding routes with lots of pedaling as a way to learn. Even if your goal is to do mostly downhill riding uphill will give you a lot of bike awareness understanding and fitness.

Youtube is a great resource, but riding with others will get you to where you want to be.

Legit can’t imagine single speed. But I started at 39 on a hard tail. I’m on my second season and I’ve grown a ton in my skill. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do what a lot of 20 year olds can - but I’m still really fit and strong and I enjoy my little baby jumps and riding through the woods and taking berms as fast as I can. I roll a lot of features meant to be jumped, but whatever. I can ride some black lines but I can only send the flow portions. That said, I hit 25 mph last week and I’m still stoked on the feeling.

I'm 36 and I just started this last Saturday 🤙

Check pinkbike.com for local people selling mtb bikes around you and find a budget that works for you. Also AllTrails app has helped find new trails and sort of explore around me

If you have local classes and clinics, certainly take advantage of that. That is a privilege many people don't have.

Started at about 35. Bought a pretty nice bike and never looked back. I ride at least weekly now and I’m pretty decent imo

Quit worrying. Go outside and start pedalling.

You need to ask Reddit how to start biking? Step 1 is get off your phone.

Love this thread. I’m 39 and just did my first trail ride today after having done downhill once last week. I bought a trail bike in the meantime and beat myself up a bit today. Did three laps on a “green” and thought I was in over my head the first round. But had fun and did it twice more and got way better each time. Wanted to do a fourth but my hands were getting blisters (forgot gloves at home) so decided to leave. Want to go again tomorrow!

Not sure...I was 40 when I started. I bought a bike and hit the trails. Rode with friends, had fun and now I have been riding for 10 years. Celebrated my 50th on the trails.

I would highly recommend good protective gear (helmet, knee pads, elbow pads) and if you wanted to start jumps and drops you might want to consider chest and back protection. I would also recommend a physio based bike fit if you're having aches and pains whilst riding, if you have health insurance they should at least cover it partially but most of the time it's fully covered.

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New whip

Your number 1 resource should be clinic or 1 on 1 with a coach , this will get you good proper instructions and set your fundamentals right .

Number 2 supplement would be YouTube , with a clear idea from your coach , you would be able to filter out what works or not from YouTube .

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