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Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
I've been curious about this because I hear so many people say "I'm too old for that sh*t...maybe if I were 18 again", and then I see tons of people at the fest who are old as balls.
I'm 24 and this will be my third Roo, and i'm not worried about old age being a factor for some time, but I wanted to know from fellow Rooers who have attended for a while if they have seen age factor in negatively to the experience, and if you ever foresee age keeping you from attending at some point.
I've always said i'll be going to Roo until it either doesn't exist or I die...so i'm not too worried, but i'd like to know what others think. Also, what do you think is the prime age range for attending Roo?
Whoreshack's right: it varies according to the person. You might see teenagers wiped out before late-nite shows while folks older than their parents rage til sunrise. The quality of the journey depends on how well you maintain the vehicle.
Whoreshack's right: it varies according to the person. You might see teenagers wiped out before late-nite shows while folks older than their parents rage til sunrise. The quality of the journey depends on how well you maintain the vehicle.
Amen. First year I went to Roo, I had the awesome opportunity to go with my then girlfriend, her uncle and his Roo Crew. He was at least older than 55 and raged harder than any other person I've seen at Roo yet. He'd be one of the last back to camp and one of the first ones up in the morning, walking around the campsites, sipping coffee. My 20 year old self was wiped out by Saturday afternoon. Eat healthy, drink more water than alcohol, stay out of the sun as much as you can. And the number one tip for staying "young" at Roo: know your own limits; you gotta do all this again tomorrow.
I know that age is a factor for my husband and I. We are both 36 and been together since our freshman year in college (18) and this type of thing has definitely gotten harder over the years for us.
I swear it's like I turned 35 and my body started falling apart. It takes barely any time now for my back and knees to start hurting and that was NEVER an issue in my younger years. And I'm not overweight either. It's like age just caught up with me all of a sudden.
Last year, despite having a sweet set up, stating hydrated, not even drinking alcohol and getting decent sleep we never made it past the 2 o'clock hour in the middle of the night. It's like my body just shut down.
I really wish we had discovered Roo much earlier than we did but life and kids sort of occupied us for awhile. It probably would have been much different if we had started in our 20's.
We had an unbelievable experience and would love to go every year but I'm not sure if I will feel differently in 10 yrs.....like how much harder would it be on me when I'm 46 and will I feel weird being there at that age?
Who knows...we'll just take it year by year and see what happens.
Eat healthy, drink more water than alcohol, stay out of the sun as much as you can. And the number one tip for staying "young" at Roo: know your own limits; you gotta do all this again tomorrow.
QFT. Honestly I think age is a very minimal factor. Moreso the more active one is outside of Roo the more likely they will have an easier time while at Roo. You could have a 60 year old that jogs a few miles every other day and eats healthy outlast a 20 year old that is minimally active and doesn't take care of themself on a consistent basis.
Last Edit: Mar 12, 2012 16:32:47 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
dreamingtree
Stanky McNasty The Token Cymraeg Chick
Post by dreamingtree on Mar 12, 2012 15:14:02 GMT -5
Nope, it's all about attitude and being smart. I will be 45 tomorrow and even though the camping part is rough on me (because I can't sleep), I have no issues surviving Roo.
Whoreshack's right: it varies according to the person. You might see teenagers wiped out before late-nite shows while folks older than their parents rage til sunrise. The quality of the journey depends on how well you maintain the vehicle.
Amen. First year I went to Roo, I had the awesome opportunity to go with my then girlfriend, her uncle and his Roo Crew. He was at least older than 55 and raged harder than any other person I've seen at Roo yet. He'd be one of the last back to camp and one of the first ones up in the morning, walking around the campsites, sipping coffee. My 20 year old self was wiped out by Saturday afternoon. Eat healthy, drink more water than alcohol, stay out of the sun as much as you can. And the number one tip for staying "young" at Roo: know your own limits; you gotta do all this again tomorrow.
That sounds suspiciously like one of the guys in my crew. He is 60 now, and has done 7 in a row. I've been to the last 5, and it took until year 2 for me to keep up.
I'm 55, and honestly 'Roo gets easier each succeeding year. I will admit the overwhelmingly younger crowd is a little intimidating with their boundless energy and superhuman recuperative powers.
I'm 55, and honestly 'Roo gets easier each succeeding year. I will admit the overwhelmingly younger crowd is a little intimidating with their boundless energy and superhuman recuperative powers.
They may be younger, but they crash and burn harder. I have never seen an older rooer pass out, but every year I see the college crowd lose a few of their members
Nope, it's all about attitude and being smart. I will be 45 tomorrow and even though the camping part is rough on me (because I can't sleep), I have no issues surviving Roo.
Happy early birthday!
I don't think it's age. I think it's a lack of preparation. You have to prepare mentally as well as physically. I went in knowing I'd get no sleep. My little sister didn't think this way, and she missed a lot by going back to camp early most nights.
I do hope to sleep later in the mornings this year, though. (bringing better shade, etc.) Literally the minute I left the farm last year, my body shut down. I could hardly move my legs. I passed out in my back seat for 8 hours. They couldn't even wake me up when they stopped at rest stops. So I survived just fine while I was there; it was the aftermath that sucked balls. BTW, We're staying in a hotel to recover before our drive home this year.
I'm old as balls so I feel qualified to speak as an oldie. I think once you get your first Roo under your belt (you know, where your old balls are) you understand how to pace yourself. At 58 I'm ready to for my fourth and will probably go harder this year than any other year. I do miss how much more quickly I could recuperate when I was a 20 something though. Regardless of your age keep hydrated and sleep once in awhile. Ingest wisely my friends.
I was 30 at my first Roo and 31 last year. I've gone with 9 different people in the last two years, all younger than me with ages ranging from 18 to 29. I am almost always the last to go to sleep, usually making it to 5-6am after the late night sets. When I get back at that time, I usually do daily RV chores so I don't have to do them in the blazing sun. Then I go to sleep around 7-8am, and also usually one of the first to wake up. I do 75% of the RV driving to the festival as well. With that said, I do have the luxury of an RV and I usually don't go into Centeroo until 2-3pm each day. But my motor keeps kicking all festival.
Everyone is different. That's how I am on weekends anyway. But I find a greater adrenaline jolt when I go to Bonnaroo. Another factor is I eat right and exercise regularly the 2-3 months leading up to the festival. That goes a long way in walking and for overall stamina. I think the biggest factor with age is recovery time AFTER the festival. But I think for a short 4 day period, if you're healthy and you typically have stamina anyway, age is a minimal factor, if at all.
It did take me a few days to recover each of the last two years. This year I'm going back to work immediately instead of having a day or two off. Should be interesting to see how I handle it.
honestly i think it has much, much less to do with age and much more with your ability to tolerate heat. some people despite how many precautions they take, just can't handle how hot it is. they might be fine with everything else (the staying up late, camping out, no showering, walking a lot, etc.) but the heat can sadly be killer.
Nope, it's all about attitude and being smart. I will be 45 tomorrow and even though the camping part is rough on me (because I can't sleep), I have no issues surviving Roo.
I know this is sacrilegious on this board, but there are alternatives to camping. I was born when Eisenhower was president and I love having a bed in a dark, air-conditioned hotel room, with a shower to myself and a shuttle to take me back and forth. The RVs sound sweet, too. I know I'm missing fun in the camping areas. But I get more sleep and am able to see more music because of that.
Post by LoveLuckLaughter on Mar 12, 2012 21:11:40 GMT -5
Today I am 28 for the 9th time. I've seen the sunrise at Roo many times, I've danced dressed like a Unicorn well into the early morning. Spent time at the Camp Kool Kids Hookah lounge until the deputies came and shut off our Lynyrd Skynyrd Sometimes I need a nap. Sometimes I just need a bag of wine. I foresee that this will be going until Ashley Capps shuts it down.
We're all a mess of paradoxes. Believing in things we know can't be true. We walk around carrying feelings too complicated and contradictory to express. But when it all becomes too big, and words aren't enough to help get it all out, there's always music.
honestly i think it has much, much less to do with age and much more with your ability to tolerate heat. some people despite how many precautions they take, just can't handle how hot it is. they might be fine with everything else (the staying up late, camping out, no showering, walking a lot, etc.) but the heat can sadly be killer.
I agree with this. I grew up down south but have lived the last 18 yrs in NE Ohio and I can't tolerate that heat and humidity down there anymore. It's been a loooong time since I've been exposed to it on that level and even though we were really prepared it was still a shock to the system.
I will be 52 this year...my 4th Roo...and I think it gets easier every year. The keys to success at ANY age are hydration, what I call "selective indulgence" (meaning you can't expect to make it all weekend being totally shitfaced from the moment you drive in), building in some rest/nap time and being willing to nap in Centeroo if and when you need it...and, did I mention hydration?
Post by champagne cory on Mar 12, 2012 21:19:56 GMT -5
I'm 27, my friends call me Grandpa because I act like one. I hate the little kids all doped up on Molly pushing me out of the way when I'm trying to get my dance on. Those little shits have no consideration for other people.
As stated above. Drink water, this party is a sprint not a marathon. I've had more fun with people in their 40's at Bonnaroo than I have with people in their teens.
I'm 55, and honestly 'Roo gets easier each succeeding year. I will admit the overwhelmingly younger crowd is a little intimidating with their boundless energy and superhuman recuperative powers.
They may be younger, but they crash and burn harder. I have never seen an older rooer pass out, but every year I see the college crowd lose a few of their members
haha soo true.. I am pretty young at heart hope that keeps me going for hawhile.
I do think it helps immensely to be disposed to handling the heat. I love it hot and Roo certainly pushes that envelope every year. If I didn't handle the heat as well I would be much more cautious.
Has anyone here ever brought one of those $8 kiddy pools to Roo before? I am thinking that dumping some new ice(only) in there each morning and hanging out with your feet in there until you are ready to go might be a solid move.
Has anyone here ever brought one of those $8 kiddy pools to Roo before? I am thinking that dumping some new ice(only) in there each morning and hanging out with your feet in there until you are ready to go might be a solid move.
We brought one our second year and it was a PITA, The last two Roos we have brought a cheap wash basin that we use for dishes etc. then use it to wash/soak our feet in ice water with nice smelling bath salts. (we obviously rinse it regularly since we use it for dish water as well) This has been a life saver over the past few roos. I find that cooler feet= happier feet!
To the OP: this is my 5th Roo, and I am the BIG 4-OH! I have found Roo easier as I get older...I am more experienced and know what I need to do to prepare. I am actually glad I did not experience Roo in my twenties. I am afraid I would have been one of the sorry ones passed out somewhere missing something epic!
Well, I'm spiritually 35, physically 53, and TheDruid got it right....it's all attitude.
Most older people think old, and act accordingly.
Yes, keeping fit, eating and drinking right, preparation and hydration are important, but without the proper attitude, you'll find a reason not to participate.
To hell with that....I plan on arriving at the grave fully worn out... The next time I miss roo, I plan on being mid-ocean heading around the world on my own sailboat....age is just a state of mind, and I'll remain young, thank you very much.......
Well these comments are comforting. I keep on hearing my friends talk about how your body starts giving you the finger in your late 20's; hangovers are amplified, metabolism slows down, can't bounce back like you used to...it's all so depressing to hear, so its nice to hear people saying that you be older and still rage on to the wee hours of the morning.
I hate being that young guy bitching about getting old, but damn do I hear these things way too regularly and it makes me dread getting older.
Sometimes I need a nap. Sometimes I just need a bag of wine. I foresee that this will be going until Ashley Capps shuts it down. 
