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Have You Ever Taken an Extended Break from Mountain Biking?

Mountain biking is referred to as a lifelong sport, though that's not to say that life won't get in the way sometimes.

By Jeff Barber
March 5, 2023

27 comments

Singletracks may receive compensation for purchases made through any affiliate links in this article.

Mountain biking is referred to as a lifelong sport, though that’s not to say that life won’t get in the way sometimes. Sometimes we’re forced to take a break from riding, while other times it’s a choice. Still, most of us find a way back to the sport we love.

If you answered yes, how long was your break, and how did you find your way back to the trail?

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Jeff Barber

Jeff Barber has been mountain biking since 1992 and has tested hundreds of mountain bikes and components. He is the co-founder of Singletracks and serves as Editor in Chief. Contact him at [email protected].

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27 Comments

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Treating Florida // 2015
Mar 5, 2023

Summer of 2020, started getting chest pressure while riding. After multiple negative tests, a CAT scan finally revealed an coronary artery blockage. Had to stop riding for 5 months prior to catherization and stent placement, which revealed the “widow maker” artery was 99% blocked before the procedure. Mountain biking literally saved my life by giving me a warning. I was back on the trails about 3 weeks after the procedure and hit several PRs within 3 months. Still ticking and riding better than ever at 59.

7 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Mar 5, 2023

Sounds like my 2014 experience. Damn blood clot lodged in a narrow section of the descending vessel on the left ventricle. There were no symptoms leading up the event.

Glad you were able to sort it before a cardiac event took place.

1 reply

Treating Florida // 2015
Mar 6, 2023

No warning sucks. These things are weird in how they play out differently in each case. My symptoms were pretty mild and short-lived and I ignored them for a few weeks until they progressed. Best wishes for good health and continued riding!

1 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Mar 6, 2023

Thankya, and right back at ya!

1 reply

Called2RideMTB Maryland // 2017
Mar 6, 2023

Twenty years ago, I nearly lost my left arm in an accident which was then complicated by contracting Guillain-Barre Syndrome. This led to extensive downtime, and an extremely long recovery with bouts of fatigue (that continues today labeled as "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). Other than extremely short, "rail trail" rides, I was off a bike the bike for about 10 years. Encouragement from my son, and my (at that time 7 year old) grandson, got me back into mountain biking. I still have to be careful because of my left arm being compromised, but over time I built up to decent levels of skills and stamina - though I still struggle with fatigue.

I have learned to be content with my limitations, but I keep pushing forward to leaning new things and improving what I know.

3 reply

RemyMac Colorado // 2022
Mar 5, 2023

Riding became difficult when my first daughter was born just due to a lack of discretionary time. I had just started taking the occasional ride again from time to time once she was about 3yo and then moved to an area where decent mountain biking was about a 4-hour drive from the house. And the weather was miserably hot and frequently raining. I tried the roadie thing for a bit, but I never got into it. So I switched my hobbies to street and dirt motorcycles. Eight years later, I moved to Colorado Springs in 2016 and picked MTB back up. I mourn my lost decade.

2 reply

[email protected] Michigan // 2023
Mar 5, 2023

Work, moving, and living in an area that has little to no places to ride kept me from getting out. I lived for 19 years just outside of Denver with thousands of miles of single track just outside your door, compared to driving your bike to a place with barely 8 miles of anything.

2 reply

Sam James British Columbia // 2018
Mar 6, 2023

Depends how you define "extended" - I've taken breaks of a few weeks to a couple months thanks to various injuries, but I've always come right back to it. Currently on a short break due to surgery but again I'll be right back as soon as I can. I haven't taken a break any longer than that in the last 15ish years.

1 reply

highland.hippie Queensland // 2021
Mar 7, 2023

I only started riding in 2020. So, I've ridden continuously thus far.

Although, MTB riding filled the hole left by my becoming disinterested in trail running; from which I am currently on a ~3 year break.

1 reply

Storms12 California // 2023
Mar 6, 2023

I started surfing in my mid-20s, and it was filling the need for a way to get outside, and have some adventure. I rode some, but I didn't like the trails in SoCal, compared to my (admittedly) spoiled roots from NorCal. When I was 45, my back got bad enough that surfing was no longer fun. I cast about for a replacement, and ended up being most satisfied with mountain biking. I have even learned to appreciate SoCal trails, but I still miss my redwoods.

1 reply

ericthompson2 Virginia // 2018
Mar 5, 2023

I stopped for a decade when my best friend/ riding buddy died. So glad I got back on the saddle

1 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Mar 6, 2023

Sorry to hear of your friend's passing. Stick with your bike, they are medicinal in many ways!

1 reply

Garrett Zerba Colorado // 2023
Mar 6, 2023

I've taken a could different breaks over the years for a variety of reasons. The main conscious break I can think of resulted from injuries. I broke my collarbone dirt jumping, which needed surgery, and upon my first return to the mtb proceeded to dislocate my shoulder a few years ago. At that point I decided to just take a good 4-6 months to get strong via road biking and strength training again (it was almost winter anyway at that point). With that said I was road riding within a week surgery and continued doing so after the dislocation with no issues. I came back the next spring with more passion for the mtb and have since gotten back into racing as well. The other type of break I've taken was from racing. I started racing xc in 5th grade, got into dh in highschool, and raced through college. I started being plagued by injuries after getting sponsored my senior year of highschool. That continued through college and by the time I finished college I was burned out on racing and from being injured. For the next 10ish years I stopped racing. On one hand I think that was good because during that time I was injured much less and also developed a better strength training program to prevent injuries from what I'd learned from doing a bunch of PT. Part of me regrets giving up racing for that long though. Since I've gotten back into it I've realized the real reason I like it is because of the constant drive to improve and camaraderie of racing with friends. When I was younger I felt like there was a constant need to try to prove myself and racing was much more stressful. What I've learned from these experiences though is it's worth taking a pause to reflect on why you're doing something, that it doesn't need to consume your life to get enjoyment out of it, and that while injuries may be part of the sport if you are smart you can minimize them and usually come back stronger.

1 reply

FastFuelEx Ohio // 2022
Mar 7, 2023

It’s a yearly ritual during Ohio winter. The trails closed a lot because they’re not frozen or dry so they’re very soft. It really makes us appreciate the days we can ride.

1 reply

Black-Man West Virginia // 2011
Mar 9, 2023

I was watching Singletracks Sampler recent video riding in NC and was shocked the trails were really dry. Makes me wonder if they are in a drought. In Ohio and WV, the trails are always more or less closed in the winter due to the freeze/thaw cycle and all the rain/snow.

0 reply

Biochemtine California // 2023
Mar 10, 2023

Where I live in the San Francisco area our trails almost never close. Most people don't ride them when it rains, but it usually takes fires to close them (which is happening more and more).

0 reply

Ponypal1966 California // 2018
Mar 7, 2023

This article is unfortunately timely. Starting Monday, six days from today, I will be taking a four+ month break. I’m having total shoulder replacement surgery. That’s life.

1 reply

Actual_Nick North Carolina // 2017
Mar 10, 2023

3 year break for me. Back and ride a few times a week.

0 reply

Rob K New York // 2016
Mar 10, 2023

Currently on a two-month break because of a herniated disc in my lower back and it f**kin sucks. By the time I get back on the trails, they will feel new again, lol.

0 reply

Biochemtine California // 2023
Mar 10, 2023

I spent second half of 2022 rehabbing a herniated disc. I agree with your assessment 100%

1 reply

flyingchipmunk 2017
Mar 7, 2023

Grew up mountain biking in California. Went away to college in Florida and only touched it in the summers back home. Moved back and went right back to riding regularly.

0 reply

Ptrmc1 Florida // 2018
Mar 8, 2023

I took a 4 year break where I didn't own a bike but instead lived overseas where I started a new family. Once I was back in the states I got a hard tail and hit the trails hard and haven't looked back.

0 reply

credible New Zealand // 2019
Mar 11, 2023

Inertia. It is too easy to hop on Zwift, and even find a good race or ride with friends.
Alternatively, pack bikes, drive to forest, ride, drive home, wash bikes...

0 reply

Biochemtine California // 2023
Mar 10, 2023

Last summer I slept weird and was sore and achy for a few days. Trying to get the soreness to go away i kept stretching out. I ended up fully herniating my disc between L3 and L4. Leg went numb.

No serious activity for about 4 months. Just as i was getting back into running and cycling, a 10-year old knee injury flaired up and ive been sidelined for 6 weeks now.

Also, a ton of rain in California means can't MTB even when i was healthy for that short stint.

0 reply

Hotinsac California // 2022
Mar 6, 2023

Stopped due to knee swelling , needed partial knee replacement. Back on bike a few months later but also has frozen shoulders (bilateral) which caused some delays too. Getting old sucks (64) but I’m now back to riding 3 days a week. Also I did take a huge break due to kids through the 2000-2010 ish time period
Mtb’s are amazing now. Have both manual Canyon and YT decoy e mtb. Ride the manual more lately than ebike … wonder if others have also switched back a bit. Easier on my shoulders and I like slowing things down a bit

0 reply

Black-Man West Virginia // 2011
Mar 9, 2023

Shoulders bother you from the ebike? Is it the weight?

0 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Mar 5, 2023

WTF? I didn't let cancer treatment keep my bike idle. Nor did I let a cardiac event in 2014 stop the ride.

Hike yer skirts and ride bikes!

-3 reply

Tagged: injury, survey, community

First published March 5, 2023 @ 3:18:00