"I only started doing these big distances last year at the age of 46, so I hope that is some encouragement to you oldies out there. I've just passed my 48th birthday, and I reckon I'm as fit now as I was at 28!"
I turned fifty in June, started riding in July and have been doing 350-400 miles per week and I can't commute by bike. Even normal people can get in some miles, though short days increase the challenge! Oh, yeah, this is about tires. When your tires wear out, buy new ones and by all means, go reflective. And enjoy.