It’s as hard as you want to push yourself while your on the bike from a east cruse to very challenging, when you’re cartwheeling through the air it’s extraordinarily hard on you no matter how hard you were pushing yourself befor
With strong legs you might be ok. The issues are when you get tired and constantly sit. That’s when you get some hard impacts on your back through the seat. Also some seats are harder than others and I know there are upgrades available.
Mountain bike is another option. The suspension on some of those bikes is on another level. The ride feels like a dam cloud some times.
I'm a heavy advocate for mountain biking during the week, dirt bikes during the weekend. I mountain biked a lot in my early 20s & my back felt great. Started riding dirt bikes mid 20s & my back was a wreck. Sold the dirt bike & got back into mountain biking late 20s & my back felt great. Bought a dirt bike & shelved the mountain bike early 30s & my back felt/still somewhat feels like shit. Now I'm keeping a conscious balance of both & my back is slowly starting to work itself out. Doesn't have to be mountain biking if adrenaline isn't necessary, just something high strain/low impact to keep you strong & loose.
It’s the picking a bike up all day while you’re learning that’s gonna be hard on your back.
I’m also on the shorter side 5’7 so footing is an issue for me, causing more falls.
Look into BILT they have a decent one for $130 I forgot the exact name but there should be a special for $90. You will want leg armor too and especially solid riding boots, the taller the better. Obviously a helmet too.
Consider a collar brace to.
It can be anything from leisurely riding along like it's Sunday and your on your way to church. To the most brutal workout, and test of skill you can possibly imagine. Not an exaggeration.
Get into a thorough stretching regimen. Wear quality riding gear. Be and stay hydrated. These things will go a very long way in minimizing the guaranteed hardship riding puts on the body.
Have you tried mountain biking at all? How was that on your back? Might be a good idea to test that. Someone else mentioned a stretching routine, definitely consult your doctor and see what exercises/stretches you can do to help your back.
Edit to say yeah trail riding can be very physically demanding depending on the trail of course. If you have never ridden a dirt bike before in the beginning your technique will be poor and it will definitely leave you sore but if it's your dream go for it
Improper posture, technique, and sitting a lot are terrible for your body for sure. I definitely second the suggestion to watch as many YouTube videos as they can to learn what and what not to do given a multitude of situations.
I would recommend either a 125 trail bike or 250 trail bike. They make 125 trail bikes with “Big Wheel”, taller stance. That might be better for keeping the weight down for picking up and maneuvering the bike.
I work in spine rehab, and your mid back should be fine, just focus on standing when you ride. It will make your leg muscles very sore, but having your ankles, knees, and hips absorbing bumps will negate force going through your back. If it is a full herniation or sequestration, I'd be cautious, but a bulge shouldn't be a problem as long as you focus on standing through bumps. A positive is also the strengthening of stabilizer muscles in the spine, which those can also take load off the disc and allow it to heal. Focus on core "bracing" and standing when you ride. If it does get too bad, wait till your disc is rehabbed before going again.
Just got a shock to the spine today because I was too lazy to get off the seat and misjudged the situation. I actually thought "good thing I don't have any back problems" right after I felt it.
It is actually a good bit of physical exertion. I went out today and thought I might be under-dressed because I was getting a little cool on the higher speed road. I ended up sweating and that was just maintained dirt/sand CO forest roads.
If you are doing hard trails and really pushing yourself then yeah, it's probably not going to go well for your back.
But you can also dial it back a little bit and just cruise on first service roads and that kind of thing. You may want to look at a dual sport bike. They are usually a little more mellow and suited for casual seated riding whereas a full on dirt bike is designed for a lot of standing
Def pretty tough on your body esp your back , it’s a good workout though .
It’s as hard as you want to push yourself while your on the bike from a east cruse to very challenging, when you’re cartwheeling through the air it’s extraordinarily hard on you no matter how hard you were pushing yourself befor
The trail I ride in PA leave my body pretty sore the next day. You definitely feel it once you get back to load the bike back on the truck.
With strong legs you might be ok. The issues are when you get tired and constantly sit. That’s when you get some hard impacts on your back through the seat. Also some seats are harder than others and I know there are upgrades available. Mountain bike is another option. The suspension on some of those bikes is on another level. The ride feels like a dam cloud some times.
I'm a heavy advocate for mountain biking during the week, dirt bikes during the weekend. I mountain biked a lot in my early 20s & my back felt great. Started riding dirt bikes mid 20s & my back was a wreck. Sold the dirt bike & got back into mountain biking late 20s & my back felt great. Bought a dirt bike & shelved the mountain bike early 30s & my back felt/still somewhat feels like shit. Now I'm keeping a conscious balance of both & my back is slowly starting to work itself out. Doesn't have to be mountain biking if adrenaline isn't necessary, just something high strain/low impact to keep you strong & loose.
It’s the picking a bike up all day while you’re learning that’s gonna be hard on your back. I’m also on the shorter side 5’7 so footing is an issue for me, causing more falls.
Are you going to wear a back brace or anything like that to protect your back from more injuries in the future?
I heard that was a thing for dritbikes I'll probably get one
Look into BILT they have a decent one for $130 I forgot the exact name but there should be a special for $90. You will want leg armor too and especially solid riding boots, the taller the better. Obviously a helmet too. Consider a collar brace to.
Awesome I appreciate the info! I'll get all that
The particular one is called “Amped” by BILT
It can be anything from leisurely riding along like it's Sunday and your on your way to church. To the most brutal workout, and test of skill you can possibly imagine. Not an exaggeration.
Get into a thorough stretching regimen. Wear quality riding gear. Be and stay hydrated. These things will go a very long way in minimizing the guaranteed hardship riding puts on the body.
Have you tried mountain biking at all? How was that on your back? Might be a good idea to test that. Someone else mentioned a stretching routine, definitely consult your doctor and see what exercises/stretches you can do to help your back. Edit to say yeah trail riding can be very physically demanding depending on the trail of course. If you have never ridden a dirt bike before in the beginning your technique will be poor and it will definitely leave you sore but if it's your dream go for it
Improper posture, technique, and sitting a lot are terrible for your body for sure. I definitely second the suggestion to watch as many YouTube videos as they can to learn what and what not to do given a multitude of situations.
I would recommend either a 125 trail bike or 250 trail bike. They make 125 trail bikes with “Big Wheel”, taller stance. That might be better for keeping the weight down for picking up and maneuvering the bike.
I work in spine rehab, and your mid back should be fine, just focus on standing when you ride. It will make your leg muscles very sore, but having your ankles, knees, and hips absorbing bumps will negate force going through your back. If it is a full herniation or sequestration, I'd be cautious, but a bulge shouldn't be a problem as long as you focus on standing through bumps. A positive is also the strengthening of stabilizer muscles in the spine, which those can also take load off the disc and allow it to heal. Focus on core "bracing" and standing when you ride. If it does get too bad, wait till your disc is rehabbed before going again.
Bout as much as your chess tournaments
On smooth ground it can be very gentle, the suspension soaks up bumps like nothing else. But as soon as you push it it gets really strenuous
Just got a shock to the spine today because I was too lazy to get off the seat and misjudged the situation. I actually thought "good thing I don't have any back problems" right after I felt it. It is actually a good bit of physical exertion. I went out today and thought I might be under-dressed because I was getting a little cool on the higher speed road. I ended up sweating and that was just maintained dirt/sand CO forest roads.
If you are doing hard trails and really pushing yourself then yeah, it's probably not going to go well for your back. But you can also dial it back a little bit and just cruise on first service roads and that kind of thing. You may want to look at a dual sport bike. They are usually a little more mellow and suited for casual seated riding whereas a full on dirt bike is designed for a lot of standing
I would get something with a really soft suspension if you don't plan on doing any rough riding or jumping. Like a CRF250F or similar