Fifty Plus (50+) - Reflections on 4 years of riding

I've always had a bike, from my blue Royal Sabre I got when I was 8, through the Schwinn Varsity I bought used in 72 and rode until 96 to my current upgraded Giant OCR comp. It was four year ago I got seriouse about road biking. I had a chance to get a good deal on a Bianchi Eros and grabbed it. Up until then, I thought riding 30 miles was a big deal. Last year, I rode over 6000 miles and will probably do it again this year. I have ridden from SF to LA . . . twice. I can do a century anytime. I am a founding member of our bicycle club.

In those four years, I have retired, both of my daughters have married, my mother-in-law has come to live with us and lots of my friends seem to be getting old.

What cycling has done for me can be summed up in the "Three F's":
1. FITNESS - It goes without saying. If all of one's hobbies are indoor-sit-at-a-desk, you get older faster.
2. FRIENDS - Even though I have lived in this little town of 5000 for 35 years, I have found an entire new group of friends (and kept the old ones) through cycling.
3. FOCUS - The training, equipment, maintenance, riding, organizing, writing, reading BF, etc., have given me something to focus on in my retirement. My other two main hobbies (photography and blues music) fit right into cycling.

So, that's my ramble. I felt like writing it somewhere and where better than the 50+. You guys all understand. So, I had a nice ride this morning and the club is having a BBQ this afternoon. I've got a great steak and a good bottle of red wine to take along. It doesn't get any better than this.

See you on the forums . . .

Mojo Slim

Fit, friends, a good bottle of wine and a steak. Sounds like a great combination to me. Sounds like you've made a lot of tough adjustments very nicely. Congratulations.

Good thoughts, Mojo Slim

rat on mojo. I'm 57 and started bike commuting 2 yrs ago (don't know why I waited so long) and its the best thing I've done for myself in a long time,except for being the front man for the Hipshakers (LOCAL BLUES BAND HERE IN NACOGDOCHES TEXAS FOR THE LAST 15 YRS). Do you play? What do you ride? Years ago I rode a Volkscycle 10 speed everywhere but age has put me on a Sun ez sport bent an I luv it. I SUPPORT THE BLUES!

Good Reflections Mojo. Sitting still and unfit is a cause of death as far as I'm concerned. Yes, I do have stationary hobbies (reading for one), but it is all backed up by riding.
It sounds like you have a wonderful time.

Very well put Mojo-I started cycling about 2 and a half years ago at the age of 52 and I am now about 46.

Very nice soliloquy, Mojo Slim, about cycling. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this - it is inspiring to those of us working up to 30 miles (28.4 today for the 1st time).

Great post, Mojo. I couldn't agree more. But as a bluesman, you've got to know better than to call grilling steaks a BBQ. Nothing wrong with grilling a good steak mind you, but barbecue involves hardwood coals, a hog and all night cooking.

Glad to meet another cyclist who loves the blues. I'm a harp player and singer myself. Have made a few runs at starting working bands, but it always turns out to be too much time and work and not enough pay. But I still love to play and sing any chance I get.

rat on mojo. I'm 57 and started bike commuting 2 yrs ago (don't know why I waited so long) and its the best thing I've done for myself in a long time,except for being the front man for the Hipshakers (LOCAL BLUES BAND HERE IN NACOGDOCHES TEXAS FOR THE LAST 15 YRS). Do you play? What do you ride? Years ago I rode a Volkscycle 10 speed everywhere but age has put me on a Sun ez sport bent an I luv it. I SUPPORT THE BLUES!


No, I don't play. I might know three cords on a guitar that could back up a slow blues. I have an above-average knowlege of blues history and a pretty good collection of music. When reading about blues artists, I noticed that many had "Big", "Magic", "Mojo" and "Slim" in their names, hence my screen name. I'm one of those who rides with an iPod (out here in Rural Northern California). Every now and then, I will have what I call a "Smile Moment" -- cruising along at 20+ mph well into a long ride and some great blues song comes on. SMILE.

As mentioned in my original post, I ride a Giant OCR Comp, with Nimble Spider wheels and (soon) and FSA K-Wing handlebar.

Nother blues guy checking in.. I play guitar. My "Smile Moment" is when I'm cruising along and "Move It On Over" blasts from the iPod.

rat on mojo. I'm 57 and started bike commuting 2 yrs ago (don't know why I waited so long) and its the best thing I've done for myself in a long time,except for being the front man for the Hipshakers (LOCAL BLUES BAND HERE IN NACOGDOCHES TEXAS FOR THE LAST 15 YRS). Do you play? What do you ride? Years ago I rode a Volkscycle 10 speed everywhere but age has put me on a Sun ez sport bent an I luv it. I SUPPORT THE BLUES!

Hey. Is there any HIPSHAKERS music on CD? I love local bands and having music no one else in my area has. How about a blues song? "Deralleur Blues" or "I've Been Down So Long My Bottom Bracket Looks Up"?

The picture attached is doctored. I don't want to give anyone the impression that I might actually be cool.

Great pic, nice Gibson. A few weeks ago I was out riding on a particularly winding day and found myself writing "Headwind Blues" in my head as I rode..