Started riding at 35. I was a fat smoker couldn't even bunny hop. Got immediately hooked and stopped smoking the same day I bought my first bike. Now I'm almost 39 and completely obsessed. It's really become my entire reason for doing pretty much anything. Got me to eat right and hit the gym too. I'd love to be a pro, I love training and riding.
@@WorkLessRideMoreSimilar, ive been riding a lot when i was a kid. Became a lazy teenager picked up smoking at the age of 13. Decided to dust off my old skills, quitted smoking bought a second hand hardtail. Now on a Trek procaliber & that in the span of a few years 😄.
He brought up a really interesting point regarding sponsorships... The 50 plus demographic tends to have a fair amount of disposable income after many decades of working. So perhaps it makes good business sense to sponsor riders in the masters categories who can inspire their peers not merely keep going, but to develop even more passion for the sport.
The KOM (out of 7,000 riders) of our local trail set that time on one lap of a 6hr race and he’s 59yrs old. He didn’t start riding until 45. He’s my inspiration.
Good for Paul! He's a young lad still.. I started racing mtb when I was 57, and am still racing 10 years successfully in my age group. I'm semi retired and have more time to train now living in Colorado at altutude near Gunnison where we have hundreds of miles of trails above 2000 meters:-)
I am 48 and even though I am not a competition rider, I am a firm believer in when you enjoy what you do whether it may be riding, art, music or whatever, you will naturally develop skills in that field which increases your enjoyment and you will naturally want to do more of what makes you feel good. When you feel good, age just becomes a number. The trick is don't over do it and wear yourself out. Great interview Anna. 😎👍 Paul is definitely doing it right.
I just got my first Merida Mountain bike at 60. Riding short 4 to 5 km rides to start with. I’ve already got the bug and loving it! Inspiring stuff Paul. 👌🏻
He reminds me of the saying;”You don’t quit trying because you got old, you got old when you quit trying.” I just turned 60 and am trying to make it a habit of riding more, I do it because I enjoy it, not because I want to win races.
Hoppy is a legend. Super nice guy and is always good value on the trails and races. We love trying to follow his wheel. A massive credit to the MTB scene.
HOPPY IS COMING - I KNOW HIM!!!!! I have raced and ridden with Hoppy over the years.....the guy is an inspiration. Such talent in any cycling discipline he rides and an all round top dude. Forget his boyish good looks and charisma mind. He will rip your legs off, beat you with the soggy end and laugh at you whilst he does it, then will ride off into the sunset asking you if you are ok 🤣
Been lapped by Hoppy more time's than either of us have had birthdays combined (and that's alot). ..looks like that's gonna continue and happy for it. The guys is a machine and a top bloke 🙌
Great to see that someone already accomplished what I'm planning to do when my kids are out on their own feet. Love that Merida has the presence of mind to get someone his age on their pro team. After all - people his age love sports too, and tend to have more money to spend on bikes!
Go go Paul, great to see progress (and race in Vets with you - mind you mid pack rider myself vs you at front Paul 😂) and many years known you unlucky not to have chances before but great done now. Brilliant work.
Bernie Shrosbree. Oh boy, the reason I ride a mountain bike and also why I have a love of the titanium frame. My first ever race, the Bicycle Hard Ride was won by Bernie. This man has stuck in my mind ever since and my memory includes the sight of him lapping me and his massive calves. I know this sounds mad but its what I remember and have told this story ever since. I'm still training and trying to get faster at 69 and have no desire to stop. Thanks Bernie. (I doubt he'll see this but anyway haha )
Absolutely insane how he's managed it. I don't race off-road purely because my handling skills meave much left to be desired. I use off road as either part of maintaining fitness, or mostly as a mental escape to keep it fun, I only race road TTs and at 31 I am continually getting faster and faster.
Gives me confidence. I’m in my 50’s. I’ve been riding since my early 20’s so getting older is hard on the mind because you feel like it’s a sport for the younger crowd.
Where are there really good Cross Country MTB routes in the UK? Any good technical MTB workshops anyone has done in the UK to practice technique for technical trail ?
It seemed unclear if he will still be able to qualify for an elite license at his age and take on the UK pros or is he becoming a full time cyclist, but still competing in the over 50’s categories at the National races? Just interested which route he’s taking. Either way it’s great to see someone going all in at 53. Good on ya Paul 👍
What exactly does this coach/trainer mean with “increasing efficiency”? Can someone please explain this to me a little bit more in detail? Very curious as to how this could translate to my own training…
I just started mtb a year ago, 26 now. Been enjoying it and I want to learn jumping, drops and hops with the bike and I wondered if Im a bit late to start learning that sort of stuff, cuz it may take a long time. Luckily I kept going out every week 2-3 times and it was so satisfying seeing how exponentially better I got compared to myself when I started. ps: I still can't jump or do bigger drops, but I can do big enough climbs where I can get to most peaks around my region. Still looking for hidden trails where I could practise :)
He sounds like me! (A little)...party when you're young and discovered mtb for fun....that was 1993 for me. No racing for me just many miles on the trails from TX to UT and AZ. Its been a blast! Hope to go well past 60 years old!!🍻
Don't get me wrong, but unfortunately the question comes to mind: Are the athletes in these age categories all clean, are they tested regularly? 🤔 Ambition, especially in advanced age, is known to sometimes blossom in strange ways.
Yes, British Cycling races are subject to UKAD testing. At the lower level of racing it’s unlikely you’ll be tested but they have been known to rock up to cat 4 races. At national level the testing regime is rigorous.
Biggest mistake people make is thinking you turn pro by winning races. Actually how you become one is with publicity and that’s also their job. Winning races is only one way (and also the hardest) to get publicity for sponsors but there are more ways.
Do you aspire to go pro? Or know of anyone you think has the potential to go pro one day? Let us know👇
Not an aspiration but a probability and thats way to cool. ❤🎉
not interested in becoming pro
Started riding at 35. I was a fat smoker couldn't even bunny hop. Got immediately hooked and stopped smoking the same day I bought my first bike. Now I'm almost 39 and completely obsessed. It's really become my entire reason for doing pretty much anything. Got me to eat right and hit the gym too. I'd love to be a pro, I love training and riding.
@@WorkLessRideMoreSimilar, ive been riding a lot when i was a kid. Became a lazy teenager picked up smoking at the age of 13. Decided to dust off my old skills, quitted smoking bought a second hand hardtail. Now on a Trek procaliber & that in the span of a few years 😄.
I am 66 and out all the time on my trail bike … not racing though ! However picking up some skills .
Paul is inspiring as is GMBN
Thanks for watching! It's great to hear that you're still shredding 🤘 keep it up!
He brought up a really interesting point regarding sponsorships...
The 50 plus demographic tends to have a fair amount of disposable income after many decades of working. So perhaps it makes good business sense to sponsor riders in the masters categories who can inspire their peers not merely keep going, but to develop even more passion for the sport.
The KOM (out of 7,000 riders) of our local trail set that time on one lap of a 6hr race and he’s 59yrs old. He didn’t start riding until 45. He’s my inspiration.
GMBN you should do a VLOG with Alf the 88 years young MTBr that rides Cannock Chase every weekend 👍🏻👍🏻
Good for Paul! He's a young lad still.. I started racing mtb when I was 57, and am still racing 10 years successfully in my age group. I'm semi retired and have more time to train now living in Colorado at altutude near Gunnison where we have hundreds of miles of trails above 2000 meters:-)
Fair play to still be at top level,I'm 64 but still love mountain biking,I'm blessed to be living on Salisbury Plain,keep going Paul 👏👏
I am 48 and even though I am not a competition rider, I am a firm believer in when you enjoy what you do whether it may be riding, art, music or whatever, you will naturally develop skills in that field which increases your enjoyment and you will naturally want to do more of what makes you feel good. When you feel good, age just becomes a number. The trick is don't over do it and wear yourself out. Great interview Anna. 😎👍 Paul is definitely doing it right.
I just got my first Merida Mountain bike at 60. Riding short 4 to 5 km rides to start with. I’ve already got the bug and loving it! Inspiring stuff Paul. 👌🏻
He reminds me of the saying;”You don’t quit trying because you got old, you got old when you quit trying.” I just turned 60 and am trying to make it a habit of riding more, I do it because I enjoy it, not because I want to win races.
Hoppy is a legend. Super nice guy and is always good value on the trails and races. We love trying to follow his wheel. A massive credit to the MTB scene.
Anna great story,Paul your an inspiration to us all.Well done mate and keep up the great riding.
HOPPY IS COMING - I KNOW HIM!!!!! I have raced and ridden with Hoppy over the years.....the guy is an inspiration. Such talent in any cycling discipline he rides and an all round top dude. Forget his boyish good looks and charisma mind. He will rip your legs off, beat you with the soggy end and laugh at you whilst he does it, then will ride off into the sunset asking you if you are ok 🤣
Been lapped by Hoppy more time's than either of us have had birthdays combined (and that's alot). ..looks like that's gonna continue and happy for it. The guys is a machine and a top bloke 🙌
Really positive and motivating story for the older generation. It can get harder as we get older to push ourselves in mtb racing. Well done Paul.
Humility and consistency is a good lesson from this i’ve learned
being 53 must mess with your head, he's 53 and turning pro, i'm 53 and doing my first ever enduro race tomorrow
Good luck man! 🤙
Doing my first enduro this year 62 Ard Rock
Good luck tomorrow!!!
@martynlancaster4453 good luck on your upcoming race.
@@martynlancaster4453 nice , good luck with the race,.
Great to see that someone already accomplished what I'm planning to do when my kids are out on their own feet. Love that Merida has the presence of mind to get someone his age on their pro team. After all - people his age love sports too, and tend to have more money to spend on bikes!
At 62 I enjoy my mountain biking more now, than during the 1990s when I raced XC
Go go Paul, great to see progress (and race in Vets with you - mind you mid pack rider myself vs you at front Paul 😂) and many years known you unlucky not to have chances before but great done now. Brilliant work.
There have been few pro MTB races who were racing open pro class in thire 50s . David "Tinker" Juarez and Ned Overend are 2.
Bernie Shrosbree. Oh boy, the reason I ride a mountain bike and also why I have a love of the titanium frame. My first ever race, the Bicycle Hard Ride was won by Bernie. This man has stuck in my mind ever since and my memory includes the sight of him lapping me and his massive calves. I know this sounds mad but its what I remember and have told this story ever since.
I'm still training and trying to get faster at 69 and have no desire to stop. Thanks Bernie. (I doubt he'll see this but anyway haha )
That was awesome 🙌 this guy is my new role model 🫡❤️
Absolutely insane how he's managed it. I don't race off-road purely because my handling skills meave much left to be desired. I use off road as either part of maintaining fitness, or mostly as a mental escape to keep it fun, I only race road TTs and at 31 I am continually getting faster and faster.
As somebody who races xcm for years and being unable to win, this is really inspiring ❤😊
Gives me confidence. I’m in my 50’s. I’ve been riding since my early 20’s so getting older is hard on the mind because you feel like it’s a sport for the younger crowd.
It defiantly isn't! Keep shredding 🔥
You are never too old for MTB.. Don't let the negativity eat at your mind.. The heart is where the Shredding begins! ❤
Awesome to see older people crushing it out there!
I am now 43, and i still love riding my bike down the trail..
Winning Battle on the Beach he’s my hero !!! This years race nearly killed me LOL
It is a tough one 💪 Where did you place?
Very inspiring. I will be retiring in about a year. Any pro teams looking to pick up a 64 year old rider????
Thanks Graham
52 never knew how to ride a bike...I bought a hardtail and started bombing stairs 2 hours after owning bike.
What’s your definition of “bombing”
@@b_law949 riding down stairs or hill
😎49, not a pro, but just love riding and being outdoors for a workout👍not so much in the winter months though😆
What a legend
great video, be interesting to see his average training week
Where are there really good Cross Country MTB routes in the UK? Any good technical MTB workshops anyone has done in the UK to practice technique for technical trail ?
Also Nick Craig, I think he's 55!
Edit: 6:22 😊
It seemed unclear if he will still be able to qualify for an elite license at his age and take on the UK pros or is he becoming a full time cyclist, but still competing in the over 50’s categories at the National races? Just interested which route he’s taking. Either way it’s great to see someone going all in at 53. Good on ya Paul 👍
What bike is Anna hiking at the opening of this video??
Great vid
Next turning pro at 72 😂😂😂😂😂 seriously congratulations 🎊 🥳
What exactly does this coach/trainer mean with “increasing efficiency”? Can someone please explain this to me a little bit more in detail? Very curious as to how this could translate to my own training…
I just started mtb a year ago, 26 now.
Been enjoying it and I want to learn jumping, drops and hops with the bike and I wondered if Im a bit late to start learning that sort of stuff, cuz it may take a long time.
Luckily I kept going out every week 2-3 times and it was so satisfying seeing how exponentially better I got compared to myself when I started.
ps: I still can't jump or do bigger drops, but I can do big enough climbs where I can get to most peaks around my region. Still looking for hidden trails where I could practise :)
Bike parks are great places to learn that sort of thing, the trails are usually built with beginners in mind with lots of progressive features 🤘
Turning slopstyle pro at 50 would be something, asuming you can compete with best!
I’m gonna make myself efficient!
I'm 57 and still competing.
Merida Bikes 🥰🥰😍😍
He sounds like me! (A little)...party when you're young and discovered mtb for fun....that was 1993 for me. No racing for me just many miles on the trails from TX to UT and AZ. Its been a blast! Hope to go well past 60 years old!!🍻
Pro might be the class but getting paid to ride is pro to me.
Don't get me wrong, but unfortunately the question comes to mind: Are the athletes in these age categories all clean, are they tested regularly? 🤔 Ambition, especially in advanced age, is known to sometimes blossom in strange ways.
Yes, British Cycling races are subject to UKAD testing. At the lower level of racing it’s unlikely you’ll be tested but they have been known to rock up to cat 4 races. At national level the testing regime is rigorous.
@@nstrug Thank you for the information.
But he isn't 53 turning pro, he's been sponsored before and been on merida for 14 years
Keep your foot on the gas!
Biggest mistake people make is thinking you turn pro by winning races. Actually how you become one is with publicity and that’s also their job. Winning races is only one way (and also the hardest) to get publicity for sponsors but there are more ways.
“I’ve recently sold my business”. This is a stab in the head of the ones seeking a corporate career… I can at least advise my kids…
Is there drug testing at these events
I’m guessing this guy is on EPO ✌️
Of course there is. British Cycling are subject to full UKAD testing.