Before I turned 57 & could ride some spice...

Shortly before turning 57, I had major complications from a minor surgery. This put me in bed for over two months. I used this time to compile some tricky lines, most of which, I won't be able to ride again. Most of these I was 50+ when I tackled them. While injury and aging are both depressing, I'm so thankful to have been able to ride these lines and many more like them all over the world. The best part was the friends whi were enjoying them with me! (Cover photo by Dirt Life Media Designs.)

[@DavidLaburglier]

goddam, brother, this is very impressive. you inspire me at 43 to keep going after it as long as I can!

[@singletrackskills6192]

@@DavidLaburglier 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@AvgJoeMTB]

Just turned 57 today and this video popped up. Spent the summer getting treated for prostate cancer and was off the bike for a few months. Finally getting the skills back, but the fitness is really slow to build up. Hoping you are full speed soon! Nice lines video BTW. Looks like it was a blast.

[@singletrackskills6192]

@@AvgJoeMTB prayers you will continue to heal!! & thank you!

[@Drforce2311]

Ebike bro. I’m a little older but I’m having a blast. When I’m feeling gassed I lean on turbo mode.

[@singletrackskills6192]

@ I love my ebike!! So much fun, and if we ride them right, then we still get a workout!

[@tylermoore9423]

What a highlight reel! Youll be back in no time, homie!

[@singletrackskills6192]

@@tylermoore9423 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@bfranco1519]

52, and being a heart attack survivor slowed me down but I still get after it!

[@singletrackskills6192]

@@bfranco1519 heck yeah; thanks for sharing!!!

[@KLEINDESIGNS93]

The godfather of Oak Mountain and pioneer of so many creative lines

[@singletrackskills6192]

@@KLEINDESIGNS93 means a ton coming from you--one of the best riders I have ever called my friend, and more importantly--a good dude!

[@martinrupp3919]

I am 57 myself and started mountainbiking 5 years ago. My skills are not as advanced as yours, but I am trying and improving every day. Your skills are incredible and strong. I hope that you will be able to get back on your mountainbike one way or the other. It doesn't always need to be the gnarliest features. Some solid XC-riding also does the trick I believe. Spending time in nature with your friends is all you need. Get well soon and recover fast. I wish you all the best!

[@singletrackskills6192]

@@martinrupp3919 thanks so much, and wish you the best old man! 🙌🙌

[@petedog9581]

55 and riding more tech than ever myself despite arthritic hips. Hip surgery is inevitable, but I'm fighting it bc of stories like yours w complications. Ride what you can and enjoy the ride. Ebike maybe? Great riding and happy trails.

[@singletrackskills6192]

@@petedog9581 I love my ebike!!! All I ride now are ebikes and dh bikes!

[@mtbalpinecounty]

Only a number. I'm 61 and still going for the thrill...

[@SergejGrabun]

That one at 0:49 is, imho, the hardest one with biggest sad outcome if timed wrong. Well done man, love some tech climbs.

[@singletrackskills6192]

@@SergejGrabun thanks so much, and thanks for watching.

[@MrGarthHardin]

Sooo cool !! Bike skills thru jank, for sure !! I never had a milliseconds worth of thought of not pounding down my local mountains on my screamin Banshee .. but fall-down-go-boom-enough n run into too many-human-anatomy-unfriendly objects .. like tree herders steppin in front uh'me .. n well .. I had no choice. In 2021, just before turning 57 on Nov. 20, the main nerves in my arms were pinched for 15 yrs n neuropathy set in starting with fingers n hands n wrists. No gripping handlebars, shifting n braking. I was just FLOORED that I couldn't start at 3800 ft n BOMB to 750 ft .. jumps n drops n step-ups n the works .. on the way down. Mt Defiance n Post Canyon, adjacent to Hood River town, N most Oregon in the Columbia River Gorge. Quite a mtn bike mecca. Some fairly easy, fast single trak that one can fly on if dirt condition is right n they r uber familiar !! Miss it badly .. but 1 1/2 tera bites worth of vids n multitudes of concussions, bouts of amnesia n soo many cracked-broken-separated ribs, both clavicals n feet .. I just remember how lucky I've been to acquire the memories n vids to still watch n laugh at !! Check out my utube chnl. Look at 2022-2-7 Dirt Surfer .. Record Run on 6-16-2021 for one of those insanely fun dwnhl trails ! Peace, aloha n Godspeed !!

[@singletrackskills6192]

@@MrGarthHardin for sure will check out, & closest I've ridden to there is Mckensie River Trail. I loved it!!!

[@MrGarthHardin]

@@singletrackskills6192 Heard it is a stellar trail. Wish I'da made it there as that area has really good 'to grammas house we go' kine trails thru the Doug Firs, all kine wild life n that are lengthy with grippy dirt ! My Motto was - Jeriatric Jump Club - Ride Jump or Wither !!

[@offdaystv]

Awesome video 🔥 there’s not much you haven’t done

[@singletrackskills6192]

@@offdaystv 🙏 thanks for the encouragement.

[@dukeofmtb]

Nice!

[@Tumid1-i8n]

The only abilities lost with natural aging are aerobic. Obviously, un-natural infirmities like arthritis, effects of surgeries & lifestyle caused issues are different. I'm considerably older than 57 & have been riding bikes & dirtbikes all my life & can say that technical skills don't HAVE to diminish with age. An argument can be made that since most 50+ year-olds' family obligations have been fulfilled, they can be MORE reckless...at least that's how I see it :)

[@singletrackskills6192]

@@Tumid1-i8n keep on going brother 🙌🙌🙌

[@djbarcode]

Wow , turned 57 yesterday and still bikin' ... but i do use an EMTB because my knees are crap

[@singletrackskills6192]

@@djbarcode I am 57 today!! And all ebike or lift serve downhill bike and proud of it! It is our reward for making it this far!

[@Jeff-bw5xn]

I'm 62. Less spice for me.

[@jean-guyjeannotte27]

Where this trails ?

[@singletrackskills6192]

@@jean-guyjeannotte27 the cover picture & most of the trails are at Oak Mountain State park and Ride Bham near Birmingham AL, but there are trails all over--even out in Idaho in the video.

[@jean-guyjeannotte27]

@singletrackskills6192 I love the trail.

[@somethinglikeawelder4250]

51 and still crashing

[@singletrackskills6192]

@@somethinglikeawelder4250 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@shayneb3327]

You lost me at the e-bike

[@bfranco1519]

You lost me with your narrowmind e hate…