[29erchico]

In endurance racing circles that is. Not just the winners, but the regulars who show up at these events and finish more often than not.

I'm 48 years, pretty fit & getting stronger. I have been doing big long dirt rides solo for a long time. Might be a great way to set some serious fitness goals. I have the time that I could rack up some serious training miles.

Next question: I am due for my annual physical, but should I get a check up from the neck up as well for considering this??? Hmm... this might be a lot like asking a 29er fiend if trying the bigwheels is a good idea.

29erchico

 

[CulBaire]

In endurance racing circles that is. Not just the winners, but the regulars who show up at these events and finish more often than not.

I'm 48 years, pretty fit & getting stronger. I have been doing big long dirt rides solo for a long time. Might be a great way to set some serious fitness goals. I have the time that I could rack up some serious training miles.

Next question: I am due for my annual physical, but should I get a check up from the neck up as well for considering this??? Hmm... this might be a lot like asking a 29er fiend if trying the bigwheels is a good idea.

29erchico

Just turned 22 - and just started racing solo this year although I had ridden in alot of teams doing endurance events- usually done quiet well too.

 

[KERKOVEJ]

I am 27...will be 28 in Feb.
Based on results at major events around the world, the primo age range for success in solo events seems to be from 30 to about 35. That's just my perspective.

 

[SeanL]

In endurance racing circles that is. Not just the winners, but the regulars who show up at these events and finish more often than not.

I'm 48 years, pretty fit & getting stronger. I have been doing big long dirt rides solo for a long time. Might be a great way to set some serious fitness goals. I have the time that I could rack up some serious training miles.

Next question: I am due for my annual physical, but should I get a check up from the neck up as well for considering this??? Hmm... this might be a lot like asking a 29er fiend if trying the bigwheels is a good idea.

29erchico

I have a riding buddy who is 45 and endurance events are his thing. We can't forget Tinker either...he's 42 or 43 and kicks some butt at the various endurance events around the country.

Give it a shot. Your age shouldn't matter. Get out there and test yourself, see what you're capable of.

 

[KonaEnduroJC]

Im 20.... But I suck at solo stuff..... I have tried many, but just dont have the mental tough for it yet.

 

[Pivvay]

I'm 23 and did my first 100 mile solo last year. I've got a few more on the schedule for this year and hopefully my first 24hr solo.

 

[skinl19]

I will be 49 next week and started racing endurance races last year including two 24 hour solo races. This year endurance racing was my main focus and next year I hope to do more. Go for it.

 

[Pedro K]

I am 29, and have been spanked by dudes wayyyy older.

 

[demtbiker]

I'm 30 and have been racing for a couple of years now. And I still have trouble keeping up with my father and his roadie buds. He's 58 and one of the younger ones in the group.

 

[jkg]

38er

I'm 38 and just getting into it. It suits my body better than the 3 hour races. It seems to have a good bit of mental toughness, and excersize knowledge to it. A bit more brainy than the short races, especially in the 24 hour solos.

 

[hairball_dh]

All over the map

In endurance racing circles that is. Not just the winners, but the regulars who show up at these events and finish more often than not.

I'm 48 years, pretty fit & getting stronger. I have been doing big long dirt rides solo for a long time. Might be a great way to set some serious fitness goals. I have the time that I could rack up some serious training miles.

Next question: I am due for my annual physical, but should I get a check up from the neck up as well for considering this??? Hmm... this might be a lot like asking a 29er fiend if trying the bigwheels is a good idea.

29erchico

Sounds to me like some longer MTB events would provide solid goals for you and be a helluva lot of fun too. Ages are all over the map at 24 hour events. The podium at Moab (top 5) had guys from 25 to 53 years old. The gentleman who is 53? He won Moab at 50.

If you've been training a long time, you probably won't see big gains in top end, but endurance is another story. The long stuff is where it's at for us old timers

 

[cbuchanan]

31 and getting younger everyday

 

[29erchico]

Hmm... sounds like something I'd like more and more.

Thanks for the input gang!

29erchico

 

[chad2102]

31 and still strong

31 Years old and still riding strong in solo endurence events

 

[bike_freak]

31 Years old and still riding strong in solo endurence events

I'm 17, and still too young to race Solo in many of the local enduro events (have to be over 18). Sure do love the whole Enduro thing though!

 

[AndrewMcD]

Pedal, pedal, pedal

I'm 54 and I've done the Wilderness 101 a couple of times and the Shenandoah 100 once. My focus the past couple of years has included mostly endurance races of 4 to 12 hours. I've not attempted a 24 hour solo but have done a few team 24 hour events. I enjoy the long rides but I would probably have better results if I put a little more intensity into my training in an effort to increase my average power output. My training includes lots of rides in the 4 to 6 hour range and they have to be ridden hard enough to hurt. Just riding long and slow willl prepare you to finish a long event but it won't get you to the podium. I used to kid myself that I would be satisfied with "just finishing" but, of course, soon found that I wanted to be a contender. The good news is that races like the Wilderness 101 and Shenandoah 100 and LaRuta in Costa Rica do have a class for those of us over 50. I usually ride my Santa Cruz Blur for the long races. I've considered riding a lighter weight hardtail but invariably about 5 hours into the race I'm REALLY happy to be on the dual suspension.

Final words -- nutrition and hydration make a huge difference. Research this area and practice feeding and drinking on the bike on long difficult rides, this goes a long way to helping reduce cramping and/or bonking.

Hope to see you at the races.

Andrew

 

[Low_Rider]

I'm 20 and get my backside kicked by blokes a fair bit younger, and a lot, lot older... Not to say I can’t hold my own though!!

I know plenty of older riders who rarely race to be competitive, but too have fun instead. If they get a placing it’s a bonus, but the friendships and trails are the real prize.

I love the 12-hour events (night riding is half the fun), but also dig shorter 4 and 6-hour Enduro events too.

I’ll hopefully get a 4-day stage race under my belt before summer is out too. (I'm an Aussie).

Dave.

 

[consumerbydesign]

24 at 40

Did my first 24 hour at 40. A tolerance will take years to build. we can all just get better at this insane event,with practice.

 

[Super E]

I'm not necessarily a "regular" at endurance events, but I do ride any "local" off-road endurance event I can depending on money and time (I'm currently a student so both time and money are limited). I really don't worry about age (I'm 43 if you need to know) since I seem to get better every year. I love riding longer events or longer rides (off-road) just for fun much more than the shorter rides. I can hardly wait until I get done with school this next summer so I can do more. Let's see...I'll be just finishing puberty at 45 when I can start having some serious fun...perfect!

 

[Eddie O]

I turned 30 this year....can't wait for that peak to kick in!

Eddie O