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matisse
climber
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Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 25, 2017 - 04:32pm PT
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I would greatly appreciate first hand experiences here.
I'm trying to decide when is enough enough: When do decide that you're getting old enough that the pursuits you loved when you were younger are too risky? I'm turning 60 this year. Unfortunately I have the bones of a 60 year old woman, because guess what? I am one.
This is motivated by the fact that a month ago I fell over on my mountain bike and I broke my right leg. I was on super easy ground, I was just clipping back in after walking a section and I fell over and down an embankment. By the time I got my foot out of my cleat I was already going over and I landed hard on my right leg. total fluke. Its my first fracture (lateral tibial plateau), but over the years I've accumulated quite a few boo boos, especially to my poor abused right knee.
In 1983 I blew out my right knee (ACL/MCL both menisci) skiing at Blackcomb. I had three more menisceal injuries to my right knee (and surgeries) I'm going to need a knee replacement.
With all the knee rehab I took up cycling, raced road and track, crashed hard separated my shoulder at one point.
Twenty years ago I started climbing (ACL tear left knee, ruptured pulley right hand).
I've had so many knee injuries I own a pair of forearm crutches and I'm sadly quite adept.
So obviously I've gotten a lot more cautious. I consider the biggest risk to health is sitting on my ass. I think that cycling has kept me going all these years, and it has certainly kept my knee from needing to be replaced - I have a terrible looking xray but its surprisingly functional.
But this last boo-boo has got me rattled. I'm tired of being hurt, although it has been a good 7-8 years since anything major. Do I just do all the normal people stuff for fitness now? (stationary bike, swim, yoga/pilates etc). Or do I trade in my carbon fiber xtr yada yada xc bike for a plush full suspension and lose the clipless pedals? this of course assumes that I get back to some kind of function from the current injury.
What did you do and how did you decide?
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Feb 25, 2017 - 04:41pm PT
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Don't see why you can't keep biking, as long as you stay upright. Hiking might actually
strengthen your bones more, if you can stand it. :-) I trust you've had a bone density test.
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Brian in SLC
Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
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Feb 25, 2017 - 04:42pm PT
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You get back on that damn horse!
Ha ha.
None of us are gettin' any younger...but...gotta get back out there.
Cheers and heal well!
-Brian
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'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
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Feb 25, 2017 - 04:51pm PT
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Geez. Quit whining. You think none of us here hasn't had his share of injuries? It's your turn. But that doesn't mean it's time to quit.
Follow your doc's advice. Heal well and expeditiously. Switch from free climbing to aid climbing.
Shut up and climb.
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EdBannister
Mountain climber
13,000 feet
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Feb 25, 2017 - 04:57pm PT
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ouch.. this get's personal fast..
I started climbing at 11 years in 1966, and climbed 100 plus days a year from 29 to 36, when
i trashed my shoulder playing racquetball, not doing a stunt, not jumping out of an airplane, not climbing... just a regular people sport...
but it stopped my stunt career.
My climbing partner for many years was Jeff Bosson, He died at 31 years, taking a shower.
I was walking in the Sierra, in 1967, when i met God, or so i thought, I met Norman Clyde on a trail, he was 81 at the time, still walking in the Sierra, by himself. His eyes were alive with the beauty and vibrance of the Sierra. I remember thinking I want to be like that when I am 81.
I am 62 now, so i thoughtfully relate... to you.
I have no idea about the stats, but don't more people suffer injury mountain biking than just about anything??
Climbing seems so safe in comparison.
maybe you don't clip in anymore... or make biking a notch less dangerous.
maybe you walk more and mountain bike less... or climb more!!!!
but i would keep the sparkle in your eye, whatever does that for you..
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crankster
Trad climber
No. Tahoe
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Feb 25, 2017 - 04:57pm PT
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One, tune out PTPP.
Two, dial it back but stay on the MTB. Lots of folks ride flat pedals and there are tons of low-technical rides most places as well as easy climbs.
And yes, check out the +size-tire, plush bikes. Smooths out the trail, you won't regret it.
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Mark Force
Trad climber
Ashland, Oregon
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Feb 25, 2017 - 04:59pm PT
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^^^Good call on the clips!
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Levy
Big Wall climber
Calabasas
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Feb 25, 2017 - 05:02pm PT
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It's time to dial it back when you no longer have the passion to pursue your goals. If you yearn to have big adventures, by all means keep at it. If you don't, there is plenty of company.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Feb 25, 2017 - 05:16pm PT
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I think of aging as is a strategic retreat, you give ground that is less valued than the ground you keep...
I had been riding (road) quite a lot for aerobic exercise. I generally wrote off mountain biking because the time that I did it I felt like I was 10 years old again... but being wiser I realized I couldn't sustain the wear-and-tear of a 10 year old.
At some point, probably from OW training, I developed back problems, and unfortunately, after years, realized that these were exacerbated by riding. When I'd up my ride training intensity I'd screw my back up and have to lay off that completely.
So I gave it up, which was hard...
Still climbing, but after being involved with two climbing accidents of partners (within two weeks) that required trips to the emergency room I've lost a bit of bravado... I can no longer maintain the fiction that injuries don't happen when climbing. At least nobody died.
I still try to climb, but I can see that my already less-than-bold personality is even lesser-than-bold, and as long as my partners are OK with that, I'll continue to climb.
But I can see an end to that too, I'm 63.
So I walk a bunch, hiking and backpacking (which was amazingly doable with my daughter last summer on 100 miles of the JMT) and use the Elliptigo for aerobic (which is a nice, outdoor way to get a very low stress aerobic workout)
And wonder how long a retreat I have to plan for...
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Feb 25, 2017 - 05:19pm PT
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This is motivated by the fact that a month ago I fell over on my mountain bike and I broke my right leg. I was on super easy ground
I feel your pain. I fell over on my mountain bike once, going 2 miles per hour, on a city street. And I broke my left hip.
I have the bones of a 60 year old woman, because guess what? I am one.
Well, I have the bones of a 70-yr-old man. At least I assume I do. And, having broken about half of them, I really don't want to break any more. But fear of breaking bones is not the whole answer to your question, is it?
The real answer is a combination of many things, and only you can ever know when it's time to hang it up. But I can say one thing: As long is it (whatever "it" is) brings you joy, you should look for a way to keep doing it. Whether that means flat pedals, or following instead of leading, or whatever instead of whatever else, there will be a way.
But if the joy is gone, then it's time for a re-think.
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MH2
Boulder climber
Andy Cairns
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Feb 25, 2017 - 05:28pm PT
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What did you do and how did you decide?
What I did:
Gave up cycling and skiing long ago.
How did I decide?:
Too dangerous.
I still climb and hike in the hills. Age 67.
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zBrown
Ice climber
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Feb 25, 2017 - 05:30pm PT
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Michele's father is almost ninety-four and he's taken a number of falls. Gets back up every time. Has never broken a bone. He was called "The Bull" BITD. Unfortunately, a lot of this is stuff determined by who your mom and pop are/were.
That said, he did begin to decline when he cut back on exercising.
Keep movin' to stay alive.
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rick sumner
Trad climber
reno, nevada/ wasilla alaska
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Feb 25, 2017 - 05:39pm PT
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As other posters have amply noted welcome to the injury club. Most of us, myself included, have a few years on you and an extensive hurt list, but we keep going. You're probably not going achieve world class status in the near future but you can still really enjoy challenges on the trails and crags. Just adopt the no fall policy and be kind to the aging bod.
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
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Feb 25, 2017 - 05:53pm PT
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Or do I trade in my carbon fiber xtr yada yada xc bike for a plush full suspension and lose the clipless pedals
Yes, lose the clipless petals. I bought my latest MTB at age 66 and I hope to not have to give up MTB ever. Every year I probably walk a few more sections than I used to...but that's ok.
In over 20 years of MTBing I've never used clipless pedals. They're called widow makers for a reason.
I still Alpine and back country ski. Swim, hike back pack, climb, road bike, ice skate etc. Much of it is at a slower pace and less intensity. But giving up outdoor activities just isn't on the radar. I hope to take up some pack rafting this spring and summer on the Colorado. Not the real rapidy stuff but something with some challenge.
So don't throw in the towel just yet. Just get rid of those clipless on your MTB! And more rest days.
Here's my newest bike bought last year. I thought WTF am I doing buying a high end MTB at my age and I've done nothing but love it!
Good luck and keep on keepin' on!
Susan
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tuolumne_tradster
Trad climber
Leading Edge of North American Plate
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Feb 25, 2017 - 06:08pm PT
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Wow, Matisse, you're looking pretty good for 60 years old in that photo at Red Rocks^^^
I'm 64 and I've been struggling with how to wind it down..how to bow out gracefully. On my 60th birthday, I did Snake Dike with some climbing buddies and that was great fun. I hike, road bike, snowshoe, and gym climb for exercise and occasionally get out and climb outdoors but exclusively on easy to moderate, well protected routes. I'm also fortunate to have a wife who enjoys hiking me into the ground. Although I haven't had any major injuries, my knees are arthritic and give me trouble especially on descents. A friend of mine considers it a community service to the elderly when he gym climbs with me on Sundays ;-)
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WyoRockMan
climber
Grizzlyville, WY
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Feb 25, 2017 - 06:17pm PT
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My Mom recently decided that the only way to stay young was to get ample exercise. She made a plan to hike to the top of the hill behind her house every day. It's a decent hill, 4 miles RT, 1500 vert. In the last 18 months she has lost 50+ lbs and plans on getting back into climbing after a 30 year hiatus. The Grand Teton being the goal for the summer. She is 65 and my biggest inspiration.
I think hanging it up is the fatalist approach. Maybe changing expectations is a better goal.
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
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Feb 25, 2017 - 06:19pm PT
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Get the old fashion toe clips and straps and keep the straps loose...I never converted to clipless pedals and i don't drink ice cold Heiniken...F*#k that sh#t...
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10b4me
Mountain climber
Retired
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Feb 25, 2017 - 06:19pm PT
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I would greatly appreciate first hand experiences here.
I'm trying to decide when is enough enough: When do decide that you're getting old enough that the pursuits you loved when you were younger are too risky? I'm turning 60 this year. Unfortunately I have the bones of a 60 year old woman, because guess what? I am one.
This is motivated by the fact that a month ago I fell over on my mountain bike and I broke my right leg. I was on super easy ground, I was just clipping back in after walking a section and I fell over and down an embankment. By the time I got my foot out of my cleat I was already going over and I landed hard on my right leg. total fluke. Its my first fracture (lateral tibial plateau), but over the years I've accumulated quite a few boo boos, especially to my poor abused right knee.
In 1983 I blew out my right knee (ACL/MCL both menisci) skiing at Blackcomb. I had three more menisceal injuries to my right knee (and surgeries) I'm going to need a knee replacement.
With all the knee rehab I took up cycling, raced road and track, crashed hard separated my shoulder at one point.
Twenty years ago I started climbing (ACL tear left knee, ruptured pulley right hand).
I've had so many knee injuries I own a pair of forearm crutches and I'm sadly quite adept.
So obviously I've gotten a lot more cautious. I consider the biggest risk to health is sitting on my ass. I think that cycling has kept me going all these years, and it has certainly kept my knee from needing to be replaced - I have a terrible looking xray but its surprisingly functional.
But this last boo-boo has got me rattled. I'm tired of being hurt, although it has been a good 7-8 years since anything major. Do I just do all the normal people stuff for fitness now? (stationary bike, swim, yoga/pilates etc). Or do I trade in my carbon fiber xtr yada yada xc bike for a plush full suspension and lose the clipless pedals? this of course assumes that I get back to some kind of function from the current injury.
What did you do and how did you decide?
I can definitely understand. I skied, and climbed for thirty-five years, but shoulder, and knee injuries forced me to give it up. Not only was it physically taxing bit also mentally.
I still mountain bike.
I have taken up new hobbies that still get me outside. To be honest, I don't miss the climbing, but because of how much snow there is, I do miss the skiing.
Maybe try kayaking if that is possible.
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Feb 25, 2017 - 06:29pm PT
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I am 59 with bad knees, 3 major surgeries on one of them, dubious elbows, wrists, and shoulders.
I will never quit rock climbing though had to give up ice and alpine because of my knees.
The trick is to climb at easier levels with easy approaches. You can always give up leading if you are worried about injuries.
I have noticed that most people climbing hard in their 60s and 70s never had any major injuries (also many never raised a family!)
Hey Wyorockman maybe your Mother should head up to Skaha in BC. Lots of folks her age and older climbing very well.
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