FujiFixed

I'm 36 and have been riding BMX on and off ever since I was a kid. I got a Hoffman EP back in 2002 and loved riding it, but with moving house several times and having a kid, I haven't ridden much in the last few years.

Am I too old and just going to end up making an arse of myself riding flatland at 36? Also, can anybody recommend decent wheels for a flat bike? My rims have seen better days as a result of my bike being neglected. Cheers.

Greyryder

You're never too old, for BMX. I don't go there too often these days, but if I'm remembering right, there was a guy over at Vintage BMX who was in his 40s and just started learning flatland within the last few years.

I'm 34, and regularly ride my BMX around on mountain bike trails. Maybe I look foolish, but I'm having way too much fun to care.

Can't help you on the wheels, I'm afraid. I always paid more attention to race stuff.

FujiFixed

Thanks, I appreciate it! I don't particularly care what I look like, to be honest, I was just wondering what people's opinions were. Like you, I have fun doing it, which is good enough for me.

jcharles00

check out flatlandfuel.com for wheels. they usually have some good sales.

midschool22

A quote that hangs in my office-

"You may be disappointed if you fail but doomed if you never try."

Do a web/vid search for Mark "Rad Dad" Dandridge. He started young then quit. Started again at 36 and now is 42 with killer skills.

Or just watch this-

https://vimeo.com/10774025

robertv

What? why the hell would you be too old? Some older guy, mighta been around 36 commented to me how he wished he could ride a bike like us youngsters do. I explained to him that I only just got back into it after 6 years without any bmx, so while I may be young I'm technically quite new to bmx. He still didn't believe that he could do it too.
36 isn't old by any means. Theres many 36 year olds who run for an hour and a half each day. Riding a bike, any bike, is in no way more demanding than running. As for looking foolish? I wear lycra on my roadbike and honestly a fighting fit 22 year old looks more foolish in lycra than a 36 year old on a bmx. Pretty much everyone looks foolish in lycra. If people well into their 50s are allowed to don lycra and go for saturday rides every week I don't think anyone can begrudge you a little bmx.
Go for it man. Just have fun.

FujiFixed

Thanks a lot, everyone. I'm not worried about the fitness angle as I also do a lot of running, I just wondered if there was some kind of cut-off where people think 'dude, leave the bike alone...'

Right, now back to re-learning how to peg wheelie.

Greyryder

Well, not everyone. Last year, I saw this cute chick on the MTB trail; full lycra kit showing curves in all the right places.

FujiFixed

Falling off seems to hurt a lot more than I remember, but I'm having a blast! I've really noticed how bad my balance has become, but hopefully it will start to come back. Cheers for the encouragement. Now all I need is more time to practise.

chapel

jeez, at BMX Museum you'd be right in the middle of the userbase... there's guys in their 50s still riding on that site.
at 28, I'm a young one there...

vrkelley

Well let's just say you're old enough to stay perm. injured....so you'll need to be proactive. Work in improving reflex time and also bring back that kid-chick out instinct (that saved your hide more than once!)

vrkelley

Exactly. work on your balance, and going limp as you go into the fall.

FujiFixed

The balance is coming back, slowly but surely. Sadly I haven't got as much time as I'd like to practise. I also need to spruce my bike up a bit as the rust on certain parts is a bit depressing.

colombo357

I'm in my mid 60s and can pull 360 tabletops and 360 turndowns with the best of them.

You're never too old to ride.

vrkelley

Wow! Inspiring! I'm still recovering from my latest crash...Enjoy!

FujiFixed

Brilliant! Cheers, Colombo.