serious injuries suck, no doubt. aging doesn't exactly help either... I suppose it depends how aggressively one rode previously but I dont think they necessarily mean one needs to slow down, sell the DH bike, etc. My own experience was that a change in perspective and approach was required. I now spend alot of time practicing skills now rather than just droning up and down the same old local trails. I've worked hard on general strength, mobility and fitness. and in a lot of ways I am a better rider than ever (maybe not saying much but still....). I recall Kelly Slater stating that he felt his aging didnt really need to curtail his surfing; I thought that was a useful way of thinking. That all said, I no longer ride anything at speed the first time through, I stop and scope out any feature or difficult section before attempting, etc. My risk tolerance for crashing is pretty low since I know recovery is difficult and odds are I'll lose a whole season of riding from a serious injury. If that all makes me the slow, old guy down the hill on the fancy bike, then so be it....
July 18, 2017, 12:10 p.m. - LWK
serious injuries suck, no doubt. aging doesn't exactly help either... I suppose it depends how aggressively one rode previously but I dont think they necessarily mean one needs to slow down, sell the DH bike, etc. My own experience was that a change in perspective and approach was required. I now spend alot of time practicing skills now rather than just droning up and down the same old local trails. I've worked hard on general strength, mobility and fitness. and in a lot of ways I am a better rider than ever (maybe not saying much but still....). I recall Kelly Slater stating that he felt his aging didnt really need to curtail his surfing; I thought that was a useful way of thinking. That all said, I no longer ride anything at speed the first time through, I stop and scope out any feature or difficult section before attempting, etc. My risk tolerance for crashing is pretty low since I know recovery is difficult and odds are I'll lose a whole season of riding from a serious injury. If that all makes me the slow, old guy down the hill on the fancy bike, then so be it....