Fifty Plus (50+) - Nothing Special, But....

I rode 12 miles today. And I went slowly. And I stopped twice to stretch.

But a few months ago, I was on crutches. The only way I could sleep was on my back, on the floor with my feet elevated. I was driving around the grocery store in one of those electric carts and parking in a handicapped spot. My problem was a bulging disc pressing against a nerve. Yowww! The pain was bad, but the worst part was wondering if I'd ever be back on my bike.

Anyway, with lots of core exercises, yoga, physical therapy and good luck, I'm back in the saddle again. It's gonna be awhile before I ride a century or even ride my age or half my age, but I'm determined to continue to slowly build my way back to fitness.

The 50+ forum has provided me with a lot of inspiration (mixed with a hint of jelousy for all you guys hammering out the miles). Reading the posts keeps me in the game and raring to fight the good fight.

Ride on!

Its not the distance, its the heart. You already have the heart; the distance will come. Congratulations...nobody, but nobody, gets dropped around here. Can't think of any local riders around me who haven't had to take significant time off for medical or other reasons....but everybody comes back, never as soon as they'd like, but soon enough.

Good for you, man! Riding to recover, and recovering to ride... like your style. Keep it up!

Cudos! You've met the challenge and it is just one milestone in what is sure to me an exciting journey.

outstanding,
increase say 10 % a week if possible, and easy spinning.
years back I broke my back fractured 12th vertebrae in an accident, and with stretching easy spinning and some miles of running with some light weight lifting I recouped a lot faster than the Dr. expected.
took quite a while but perseverance and resolve are strong motivators.

Nice work, Blackberry. Which direction you are going is far more important than where you are.

Enjoying each mile is what its all about.

outstanding,
increase say 10 % a week if possible, and easy spinning.
years back I broke my back fractured 12th vertebrae in an accident, and with stretching easy spinning and some miles of running with some light weight lifting I recouped a lot faster than the Dr. expected.
took quite a while but perseverance and resolve are strong motivators.

Hammerman--you nailed it. This is my program almost to the letter. :beer:

This calls for a toast. :beer:

forgot one of the most important issues, I use to use have a waterbed mind ya now this was in the eighties, got rid of it and got the stiffest hardest matteras i could find, and also put a piece of plywood underneath the matteras, only on my side as the wife complained it was was like the floor.
for me this also helped immensly.
best of luck, many miles to travel yet

Just to add my support and congratulations to what's already been said. You're doing great, and we're all going to pull for you!

Just to add my support and congratulations to what's already been said. You're doing great, and we're all going to pull for you!

If we could turn the pedals we'd do it, but difficult unless you've got remote control.

I had 3 months waiting for the bypass where I could not even walk a mile- let alone ride one- then 2 months after the bypass I was riding 40 miles. Had to take it steady though and the first ride was only up the road. Next week it was 5 miles but took 6 weeks before I put any energy into riding. 12 miles at a first attempt from such a lay off sounds fantastic. Keep it up.

What a nice bunch of people hang out here..... no wonder I have FiftyPlus first on my toolbar.

Way to go Blackberry!!
You may be envious of those of us who are currently putting on miles. I wonder what I would be doing in your position. Could I put up with pain to get back in shape for biking? I don't know, but my hats off to you. Keep it up!

- keep up the good work!

- i hope you get back in shape as fast as possible... i'm recovering from a crash almost three weeks ago... the scabs on elbow and knee have healed, but the right shoulder is not back to 100 percent yet, with still some pain at night...

- it's nice that you're back in the saddle and headed for warmer weather, too...

What you're presently doing and the progress you've made makes my 60 & 100 miles rides peanuts. You have one of the most beautiful areas around to ride in. Enjoy the time on the bike and be patient!!