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Hitting the big 5-0 milestone doesn’t mean that your life is destined for the sedate and the boring – with your freetime consisting of rounds of golf or days spent on the bowling green.

From biking to kite surfing, rock climbing to kayaking to name but a few so no excuses there is something for everyone to get their teeth into – it’s a great way to keep fit as well as have a great time.

Get On Your Bike! If you like you bicycle then why not try mountain biking, or cross country, maybe downhill, free ride and trials there should be something for everyone. Why not try the iconic bike ride from Lands End to John O’Groats it’s one of the toughest challenges that a cyclist can face.

Earlier this month a team from Engage Mutual took up this challenge in the Engage Mutual End to End Extreme Challenge to raise funds for the Steve Prescott Foundation – which raises money for The Christie and Try Assist charities.

But in typical “extreme style the gruelling bike ride wasn’t enough for the hardy folk at Engage Mutual as they stopped off and walked the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales along the way. And they raised an impressive £4426.83 for their efforts.

Before you attempt to emulate the heroics of the Engage team by jumping on your bike to find the biggest hill ,make sure that you have the correct bike, your bike is safe and you have the right safety equipment.

The bike ride from Lands End to John O’Groats spans over a thousand miles, takes in three countries and is a true test of endurance and fitness. and yet every year thousands of riders take up the challenge  whether for charity or a personal goal.

There is no continuous long distance path from Land’s End to John O’Goats and the series of routes takes some of the UK’s most beautiful scenery along the South West Coast Path, the Cotswold Way or the Pentland Hills – depending on which route you take. The challenge has been taken a step further – on a skateboard – completed in 21 days for charity.

If you want something a little more challenging than cycling there is Bungee jumping a sport you can do all around the world from the Longqing Gorge Bungee to the Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge in the USA – a whopping 1053 feet. So you can explore the world while you get an adrenalin rush.

If you’re a fan of the ski slopes why not try snowboarding, its one of the most exciting winter sports and offers an great alternative to skiing.

For summer activity why not take to the water for kitesurfing which combines elements of wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing and paragliding and is a great excuse to get down to the beach and into the water.

These are just a few extreme sports available but whatever your interests give one a try. Remember it’s official Fifty is the new thirty so why not look for something to get your pulse racing – there’s a whole world of extreme sports to try out.

As we get older our Health does become more of a concern and it is important to keep both our body and our mind active so challenging sports are an ideal way to get all the exercise you need. .

The key to a healthy lifestyle is to take up a sport or activity that we enjoy – it shouldn’t be something that we are intimidated by or hate doing, and whether it’s as a personal goal or combined with raising money for your favourite charity just enjoy it..

Keeping ourselves active – even if it is just a short daily walk – leads to improved body alignment, enhanced mood, boosted confidence, and many more physical- and mental-health benefits. Plus it great fun

Remember 30-40 minutes of exercise during most days can help reduce the risk of depression, lower blood pressure and improve strength, cognition and memory. Exercise also can lower blood sugar and decrease other risk factors. Read More