Video: Rab Wardell Looks Back at his Riding Career in 'Old Enough to Know Better' EP 1

Dec 6, 2021 at 2:28
by Rab Wardell  


To live without dreams is to live without joy. We all have dreams, hopes and goals that spark inside the brain. Like a wax candle, they burn strong and bright initially, reaching and striving for oxygen, but as time goes on, the fire can begin to flicker as the fuel slows down, and other elements sway the balance of chemistry.

Holding onto dreams, and keeping that fire burning is something to be celebrated. Yet, in an increasingly fast-paced world, our lives can be shaped and dictated to us by the views of society. As we age, our bodies - aches, pains and all - and the subtle mental scarring from past endeavours where we felt we didn't reach our best can dampen our spirits to act out our dreams.

Rab Wardell is striving, fighting and living his life full of fire and joy. His dreams are still bright, and at 36 his desire to compete at the highest level, and be the best athlete he can be, is a chance for all of us to analyse if we should ever be "old enough to know better”

photo

In the first episode of this four-part series presented by Wahoo, Rab takes a look back at where it all began, in the foothills of Fife, through to the crushing disappointment of the 2006 commonwealth games, and how that has led to where he is now, including his FKT on the West Highland way in 2020. He begins to ask the question, at 36, should he know better than to risk reliving past pains, or is chasing dreams always worthwhile?

Author Info:
RabWardell avatar

Member since Jul 22, 2011
12 articles

58 Comments
  • 78 1
 36....old ? Ive got 20 years on you mate,and still trying hard to maintain my standard of riding, " rubbish with occasional unexplained glory " ,little victories is all you need. Wink
  • 6 0
 Haha! I like that mantra Smile
  • 10 0
 I hear you mate, I am of a similar vintage and have the same mantra. Age is just a number and my mantra is to not take life to seriously as no one gets out alive anyway!!
  • 40 1
 36 is old enough to be doing a retrospective? That's depressing.
  • 7 0
 aah.. with 46 you do a retrospective on that, and with 56 you already will have two retrospectives to brag about. Imagine being 76! So many retrospectives to be filmed.

Remembers me of the Facebook "my life" compilations.
  • 10 0
 If you really wanna feel depressed, William Pitt the Younger was British Prime Minister aged 24.

Honestly, it's a bit of fun. Hope you watch and enjoy the films Smile
  • 1 0
 @RabWardell: Just messing Wink Although the knees feel biking more than they did in my 20s, but won't ever stop playing on the bike.
  • 16 0
 Come on, Minnaar is 40! Steve Peat won World Champs at 36 or 37. I raced pro downhill until I was 44, my oldest student was 78 and he went on to finish the Leadville 100 in under 12 hours when he was 80. You're just kid, I would love to have my 36 old body, energy and fitness, that was one of my best years! Would love to see a follow-up when you are 66.
  • 20 0
 You may well have missed the point here. I don't think I'm too old, but that was the message I heard so often when I stopped racing aged 21. I got asked when I would get a real job, and asked when would I grow up.

This series is about my journey, and I am stoked I can share it. It's meant to inspire people (including me!) to get out there and see what we're capable of. Peaty and Minnaar are outliers. They are two of a kind and are the greatest of all time. I don't think it's that easy to relate to them.

What has been really interesting in these comments is that it doesn't say anywhere that 36 is old. It's how a lot of people have read it, and they seem to have taken it personally! Take the title with a pinch of salt, check out the series, and hopefully you enjoy it.
  • 1 0
 @RabWardell: great attitude. I think many of us just don't like the title. I love the fact that you are sharing your story and inspiring people!
  • 3 0
 @BetterRide: Haha I was beginning to realise that the title might be splitting opinion Wink Cheers Gene, much appreciated!
  • 2 1
 You know, it's not that I dislike the title, I just expected an older athlete from the title which set me up for disappointment when I saw your age. I didn't watch your video because of that. Expectations are interesting...
  • 3 0
 Better ride camp was my best mtb $ spent by far. Learned A LOT.
  • 14 0
 47 here, and just realized how much fun a dirt jump bike is and endless laps at the pump track honestly tick all of the same boxes that a fun trail ride do. Still surprising people who find out how "old" I am. If they ask.
  • 2 0
 Love it!
  • 8 0
 36 is old? *sigh*

-creaky, stiff 51 yo
  • 4 0
 Nice honest video with plenty of great riding. As a 42 year old dad with 2 young boys and a recently healed broken collarbone from an mtb fail, I'm feeling all the conflicts (and the secret roadie passion too). All I know is bikes are ace and I want to keep riding.
  • 2 0
 Yes! Bikes are ace!
  • 6 0
 For some reason, that Garmin on his wrist is really intriguing.... like a black hole.
  • 7 0
 And now that I've seen the video, it's probably a Wahoo...
  • 4 0
 At 36 your are still young, its only in the mid 40s that things start to get harder as injuries and the mental game get tougher. Nice video.
  • 1 0
 Glad you enjoyed it!
  • 2 0
 Mid thirties is nothing,period. You may not be in your prime, but you are very close at that point. It’s not until mid/ late 40’s that you starting feeling effects of aging and changes starting. I felt really good until about 48! The main thing is not listening to outsiders telling you that you are old in your mid thirties. That can get in your head a little if you let it. Otherwise, if you grew up riding and have stayed active, you are good for much longer that “they” say.
  • 1 0
 Absolutely. And that's what this series is about!
  • 2 0
 I'm 2 weeks from 36. Still ride as hard as I can. My best days on the BMX are behind me but I feel stronger every year on the squish bike. Great video, look forward to next.
  • 2 0
 Great video. Ben Lomand descent looking unbelievable. Also looked like you'd snuck in a wee trip to Unit 23 as well. I'm 53 and still loving the DH bike. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the series.
  • 2 1
 Mint vid. They say about the Olympics there are two responses from punters: half of people watch it get pumped, hit the gym, and go shred; the other half double down on pepsi, 'I'll never be able to do that', sports not for me. I personally find I am both - its more down to the athlete's themselves, their personality, or how aspirational it is presented. This vid ticked the stoke box.
  • 1 0
 So happy you enjoyed it!
  • 2 0
 @RabWardell: Super rad video man. Left it feeling inspired to get out and train.
  • 1 0
 @HB208: Get after it!
  • 2 0
 Ah man... Sandy Wallace past away...

That was THE bike shop if were around Dunfermline (odd to see hometown in the video and same spots i rode)
  • 4 2
 To this articles defense, 36 is widely considered "out of prime" in professional sports.

I'm 37, and feel every bit of it! LOL
  • 5 1
 37 was when I can honestly say I no longer felt like a 'young man' but, I'm now 47 an hitting the biggest stuff ever. Also my endurance is way more than 10 or even 20 years ago......
  • 2 0
 These videos are awesome. I think the West Highland Way video was the one I re-watched the most in the last year or two, loved it. Stoked for the rest of this series.
  • 1 0
 Thank you!
  • 3 0
 Class Rab, made me want to get out the bike
  • 1 0
 Cheers man! Get out there!
  • 1 0
 Agreed, really enjoyable video. Disappointing to see you had to edit all the dust into the Scottish trails but otherwise totally entertaining and fun. Thanks!
  • 3 0
 That was class @RabWardell be keen to see how the black xc ride went
  • 2 0
 As an "older gentleman" or as my friends like to call me "older than Gods dog": this was awesome!
  • 1 0
 Life has an annoying habit of making as if my dreams are gonna come true then crushing them at the last moment, so I don't dream much anymore Frown
  • 1 0
 Good on you Rab , great wee film . I just remember you from lapping me continuously in cx races.
  • 1 0
 This was a brilliant wee film! I’m looking forward to the rest of them. Great work!
  • 2 0
 Good video well done Rab
  • 2 0
 That was great.
  • 1 0
 Good old Braefoot! Great wee place
  • 1 0
 He's a old/almost retired XC racer with 36y... Nino "hold my beer"
  • 12 0
 Now you mention it, the one thing I think I could beat Nino in is a drinking contest... Wink
  • 3 0
 @RabWardell: now that would be a cool contest - XCO race, but every feed station is a pint of beer.
  • 2 0
 @hambobet: I'm game... Over to you Nino!
  • 1 0
 Like it shen. Dunfy 4 Lyf.
  • 1 0
 Fife4Life yo!
  • 1 0
 Rab is super cool! Great vid, look forward to the next
  • 1 0
 Where's Dave Wardell?
  • 3 5
 Since when is 36 old......
  • 7 1
 When you're 35
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.031390
Mobile Version of Website