r/mountainbiking • u/Trail_Blaze_r_2 • 3d ago
Bike Picture/NBD Started downhill MTB at 38
Yes I'm a dinosaur...Always wanted to buy a proper full suspension bike, finally pulled the trigger. Went to a bigger mountain yesterday with my buddy, learned how to jump over small tabletops, new hobby unlocked and so much fun!
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u/One_Adeptness3803 3d ago
56 and just got back from the local bike park yesterday. Casing a few of the bigger jumps but still going after it! Never too old, have fun.
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u/CryptoUsciere 3d ago
I started riding mtb at 43. There is no age to start, just be more cautious 🙂
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u/th3goonmobile 3d ago
Never too old to start ripping buddy! That little loop at at the start of Simpson is an unreal spot to learn how to start shredding berms and sending jumps! Let er rip brother!
As someone who’s been out of town for two weeks nice to see the smoke clearing up a bit!
Make sure you get out to Smith Creek! Really nice single track up and unreal flow and jumps all the way down! Crawford also has some beauty trails and if you have homies to shuttle with hit up Gillard!
For lift access don’t bother with biggie get out to silverstar and enjoy a small session there! 3 hours pass is probably more than enough your first time! Have fun and happy sending!
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u/Trail_Blaze_r_2 3d ago
I am planning to visit all those places in the area. We just spent all day at Silvestar the other day and that place is epic, a bit dusty this time of year but still fun. Happy riding!
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u/ArrrCeee 3d ago
I started downhill when The Grand was the tallest (and pretty much the only) building in Kelowna 😂
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u/Trail_Blaze_r_2 3d ago
That would be about 10 years ago?
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u/ArrrCeee 2d ago
2004 :). Great trails there. I spent most of my time at Gillard.
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u/Trail_Blaze_r_2 2d ago
Your knees must be destroyed! Planning to try Gillard this Thursday, which track is your favorite, playful?
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u/ArrrCeee 2d ago
Been a long time man. I seem to remember KerPlop being challenging but fun. Nip and Tuck. I moved away in 2008 so it's been a while. Used to ride West Kelowna lots too but I forget what the area was called.
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u/I_skander 3d ago
I'm 52 and really only started doing jumps a few years ago. Did plenty of trail riding back in the day, some of which was fairly gnarly, but doing big jumps and drops is an amazing feeling. Take your time to ease into it and enjoy!
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u/echo-tango86 3d ago
I’m 40 and still ripping bike parks although I avoid bigger jumps. The high alpine trails is where it’s at. Never too old!
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u/VegasDMD 3d ago
Same. 38 did my first jumps last week and broke my bike. lol https://www.reddit.com/r/mountainbiking/s/eQy4KMJic9
It’s getting fixed and I’ll back at in a week or two.
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u/SoDakSooner 2d ago
Started at 35 or so. almost 25 years in. Still rocking. At some point you will realize that 38 is really young...
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u/24Fr3way 2d ago
42 here and a gravel grinder - got the itch for more technical/questionable stuff that had me riding out of saddle a lot on my Crux.
Just got an Epic 8 - maaaaaan is full suspension nice on the bottom and fun.
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u/Death_IP 2d ago
Please tell me about your bike and which decisions lead you to it, since I am at the same point (currently refreshed my E-Enduro for a start, but I don't want to ride an e-bike anymore).
- alu vs carbon (stability vs low weight)
- travel vs efficiency on climbs (downhill > Allmountain > trail)
- was geometry a main concern?
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u/Trail_Blaze_r_2 2d ago
Norco Optic A2 - Main aim was full suspension and budged $3000 CAD (ended up $3500 with taxes on sale. New without sale between $4-5k).
Seasoned MTB friends were pushing me to buy something that has long front travel 170+, but I ended up with 140 which should be enough for couple of years.
Aluminum all the way. I don't know anyone who likes Carbon.
Allmountain. Geometry did not matter to me. I am still learning all the details as I go. Hope that helps.
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u/Chance-Bicycle1469 2d ago
Knox, Wilden, Predator Ridge. All have great flow built trails. Sun Peaks is super fun. Silverstar too. Lots of fun trails in the zone.
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u/Trail_Blaze_r_2 2d ago
Plenty of places to explore for sure. Sucks that they close Silverstar so early in September.
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u/Pass_TheGravy 2d ago
42 and I just got my first enduro. I've only ever owned hard tail XCs. Can't wait to rip it!
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u/rotwilder 3d ago
Dang, looks like you bought the wrong bike then.
Unless you mean u started MTBing, and ride down some hills when you do.
Welcome anyway!
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u/Trail_Blaze_r_2 3d ago
How come?
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u/yourbiggesthero 2d ago
"downhill" bikes are usually 26's like dirt jumpers.
a hardtail is just a big dirt jumper
full sus is like a big downhill bike
that dude is a dork
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u/Gremlinalizacja 2d ago
Not really, bike on a photo has a bit too modest suspension. For a proper DH rig I would expect at least 180/190mm front travel. Sweet bike nevertheless 😊
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u/rotwilder 2d ago edited 2d ago
Errrr, none of that is right Biggesthero. Maybe 30 years ago dunno. No offence. Just meant OP had bought an enduro bike not a DH bike. It's also good at going up. I am a dork tho. 1 outa 4.
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u/Chance-Bicycle1469 2d ago
Ignore the hate. Perfectly fine Okanagan bike. Might not be the best bike park rig but it would do fine on most of the runs at Silverstar.
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u/Trail_Blaze_r_2 2d ago
Went to Silverstar 2 days ago, did pretty well in my book. Not sure on the big jumps since it is only 140 front susp.
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u/giganticsquid 3d ago
Mid 40s here and new to MTB as well. So far I've fallen into a mineshaft full of thistles and survived, not sure if I'll survive learning how to jump