General Cycling Discussion - Attention all 50 y.o. and more

Okay - as most know, I get sort of carried away by words like "elderly" and "old guy" and "geezer." Sorry about that, and I apologize to anyone whom I have bruised or whatever. :(

Anyway, I would like to know how many folks here are over 50 years old. As you may remember, in past age polls, everyone over 55 got lumped into an "everybody over 55" category, so we had no decent breakdown of the age groups represented over age 55.

So, here is a poll designed to find out about we mature, interesting, fit folks whom most people call "old" or "seniors" or other sometimes less than complimentary names.

Why not check your age/experience category for all to see. This might be sort of fun? A "serious" biker is one who regularly rides for fun, pleasure, fitness, commuting or whatever. It would include just about everyone who participates in this forum. Ergo, if you are reading this you are a serious biker.

Folks under 50 are not allowed to participate or comment!! :D

I am not offended Fox, heck, nothing wrong with ruffling someone's feathers a bit on occasion, anyway. :) It is the difference of opinion that keeps things interesting.

Besides, with my work, I NEVER pick guys that are younger than me to work with. Never. I have always wanted more experienced people, that I can just let do the job, with me sometimes not really knowing how to tell them to do it.
Most of the time, I learn more from just watching them work than I do if I get in the way. Best -

Hey DF, the next one should be how many of us have gray beards! :D

RichC

I personally do not get offend by being referred to as old, elderly, etc. BUT I do have a problem (according to my wife) of referring to them as STUPID, IMMATURE, KIDS.

To the one's short in years I am sorry that ....never mind.:rolleyes:

Originally posted by DnvrFox


Folks under 50 are not allowed to participate or comment!! :D
:D :D .I like it ,I like it our own Private/secret forum , why not ????:beer: :beer: LOL
I like being 56 & I'll like being 57 too , we have no choice eh??Lets go forward with eager anticipation :)

Originally posted by greywolf
:D :D .I like it ,I like it our own Private/secret forum , why not ????:beer: :beer: LOL

Hey, these young whippersnappers need to read all of our sage advice, right?? I think we need a forum where, in order to sign on to BF, they are required to read it, but only those of us registered as certified "mature guys" are allowed to post. Sounds fair to me. :p

Seriously, anyone out there have any thoughts -

Does getting older bring any special problems, concerns or benefits in regards to biking? Anyone noticed anything?

I have noticed that over 50% of those answering the poll so far have less than 5 years of "serious" biking. I think this is an interesting statistic. To me, it shows that folks who are 50 and over can change and may appreciate the need for fitness.

I wish we could do more comprehensive polls here. A lot of great info out there, but hard to get at.

Originally posted by Rich Clark
Hey DF, the next one should be how many of us have gray beards! :D

RichC

Well, I know John E and I also have grey beards, and look at Sheldon Brown. Do you think there is some connection between old cyclists and beards? :D

Originally posted by RainmanP
Do you think there is some connection between old cyclists and beards? :D

Nearly every 50+ male cyclist I know has a beard. Almost none of the younger guys seem to, except for some of the messenger types on fixies.

I don't understand why this is. It may be generational -- older cyclists may tend to have somewhat more "countercultural" roots and we've always had beards anyway -- rather than related to cycling specifically. Or the connection may be between the cycling and the 60's counterculture. Or it may be coincidence, or observational error.

RichC

Hate to blow your theory. No beard, gray or otherwise, here!!

However, my culture was of the 50's, not the 60's.

The bike was my family's standard transportation until I was 18. I then got into motorbikes and cars. When I was 30 I bought a bike for recreation and fell in love with it, and still do 31 years later. I dont ride as much now as I dont feel up to a 27 km commute every morning and evening, particularly if there is rain in the forecast.

Hey DF

You ask if we ‘elder’ members have noticed anything different or changed?

Yes, I see many changes in my riding after a forty-year lull. I quickly found my energy level is much lower than I would have ever believed. Happy to say with increased riding time things are improving quite well, thank you.

I don’t ride very fast and thirty miles is my longest distance (so far) and no I’m not able to compete anymore. Well that’s not altogether true, I do compete regularly with my body. Believe me, it’s a formidable foe at times!

I grew up on a bike but sort of just drifted away from it many years ago. Work load, family obligations, etc. did not leave much time for riding. Now at age 71 I’m starting over…and love every minute of it. I take no mind of the common references of ‘old guy, senior, oldie’ or whatever given me by my younger peers. I merely think of my maturity as ‘been there, done that!’ and move on. Most always it’s just in good fun anyway. I speak to everyone I meet on the trail and talk to those who care to. Very few fail to respond. Hey. This is getting long winded, best wrap it up.

I enjoy cycling and to me that’s where it’s at.

Good thread DF.

I'm in the age 60/ 5+years cycling experience category.

I'm never insulted by terms "geezer, old guy, etc". It seems they are usually used in a kidding, friendly manner.

I am of the 1960's counterculture mindset, however I shaved off my greybeard at age 58. My wife had never seen me without facial hair; and almost fainted when she saw me with none, as I did it without mentioning it beforehand.

Glad to see the term "whippersnapper" used again; haven't heard it since Gabby Hayes died. :D

Originally posted by DnvrFox
As you may remember, in past age polls, everyone over 55 got lumped into an "everybody over 55" category, so we had no decent breakdown of the age groups represented over age 55.


I dont think i've ever heard that before......:D

hey, I gotta grey beard! well its almost grey.
and I almost qualify for the poll (although I voted, figure
2 months is close enough!)

btw. at 50 (almost) I'm loving life, and am more
fit than I was through my 40's.

Marty

Okay - why the sharp drop off in numbers biking over 55 and especially over 60? 27 of 30 respondents are 60 or less.

Did everyone drop dead?

Do they not participate in a forum such as this - i.e., lack of computer skills?

Does exercise such as biking go out the window when you hit 59?

Is it related to the popularity of biking - the peak hit when the 50's guys were ready for it?

Have the bodies given out and no ability?

All of the above?

Some of the above?

None of the above?

Your thoughts, please.

Hi! Denver. I haven't been around for awhile. Glad to see you're still whipping this horse. It proves there is a constant somewhere in the world. (That is not meant as a slam. Actually, I admire your stubborness in trying to quench this curiosity and your tenacity in seeking answers.) But age, for me, has always been a none issue. I'm sneaking up on 70 and still think I have the abilities and capabilities that I did when I was 45. --It's not true, of course, but I like to think it is. What has that got to do with biking? Practically nothing. I still ride, not for health, but because it gives me a freedom that can't be gained inside an automobile. I can go where I want; see what I want; stop when I want; stay as long as I want; ride as hard or as easy as I want. --and not have to find a parking space. The idea that going fast from point A to point B and then racing back to point A is somehow wonderful leaves me cold. Even when I was younger that held no attraction. I want to smell the land, the trees and the flowers as I go.
Here in Maine, I never see older cyclists on the roads. Most people my age think it is for children, especially their grandchildren. Or it is something that you do with your grandchildren: ride down to the corner and back and feel exhalted because it felt good, but not good enough to overcome the self consciousness of riding alone.
None of these comments really answer any of your questions, Denver, and for that I apologize. But I'm still of the opinion that age is in the mind and it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with riding a bicycle.
I will, however, add this: the few people I know --not in Maine-- that are still riding bikes at our age, have very busy lives. Too busy to take the time to join forums like ours.

Here in Maine, I never see older cyclists on the roads. Most people my age think it is for children, especially their grandchildren. Or it is something that you do with your grandchildren: ride down to the corner and back and feel exhalted because it felt good, but not good enough to overcome the self consciousness of riding alone.

I guess I am fascinated due to rather significant societal implications, as I see it.

There is tremendous emphasis and evidence on the benefits of exercise - both cardio and resistance - for folks as they grow older.

In my own neighborhood we have quite a mix. I see the fellow diagonally across from me (in his 40's) on his morning run every time I go for a morning bike ride. But, I never see the wife.

The guy next door - late 40's or early 50's also runs (with his wife), and they just bought some hybrids (bikes, that is).

The guy on the other side (40's) does walk with his wife occasionally, but she also smokes up a storm.

Across the street, the lady has a serious illness (60's) and can't walk, never see her husband out. Next door (50's) never walk. They started last year after seeing us out all the time, but quickly gave it up. Next to them (40's), they never walk, and I secretly call the wife "wiggles."

I guess the variance in attitudes and actions towards exercise are facinating to me, and I enjoy xploring them. Sorry to foist this off on others in this forum.

For my wife and myself, we simply can not een sleep at night unless we get cardio in daily. So we power walk 2 miles and/or bike without fail every single day.

Why us and not the folks across the street?

Oh well, an active mind never rests, I guess. I also am fascinated by attitudes towards those who are older by younger folks. I am particularly sensitive to stereotypes and generalisms - most likely due to having two sons with profound disabilities and experiencing first hand society's rather strange views and actions towards those with disabilities. That is another story which I share on another forum which I run for parents of those with disabilities.


The idea that going fast from point A to point B and then racing back to point A is somehow wonderful leaves me cold. Even when I was younger that held no attraction. I want to smell the land, the trees and the flowers as I go.

I am sure with you on that. I love smelling the roses, exploring, seeing new sights. But, I also enjoy seeing myself get in shape so that I can take those hills

Thanks for your very thoughtful response.

Great thread, Denver. I also wonder about the ages of all the posters on the board. I'll be 51 in mid-July and started cycling again last spring after a 13 year layoff. A buddy of mine told me it's a great cardio workout and a great way to blow off some steam after a tough day at our stress-filled jobs. He was soooo right. I bought a Gary Fisher Utopia and put about 700 miles on it last year and I'm aiming for 1000-1500 this year. I just love getting out a riding - it's great to see everything from a different perspective than by car. We bought my wife a bike this spring and we've been out a few times together - she hasn't been fully bitten by the bug yet, but she's enjoying it. The only drawback (?) I've seen this year is that I'm getting the itch for a full-blown road bike. I want to go faster. Now. We can't afford it just yet, but I've planted the seeds with the goddess of finances. I think I've got to come up with a major mid-life crisis to get this scheme off the ground......I'm working on it...... ;)

I will be, ahem. 50 next year. I remember at school how we screamed with laughter when I said when we get to year 2000 I'll be 46 years old. Gulp! Been and gone.:eek:

OK, so I'm getting on a bit now, but what the heck, I enjoy life and things are cool. Just a few weeks back I was riding my Gemini around the streets and I chanced upon some 14 year old kids riding along a low wall and jumping off the end. They saw me bike, the lid, the loose T-shirt, the baggy shorts and I achieved instant street cred. They invited me to join them. I rode away and one the kid shouted after me, "pure urban, hard cement". I liked that so I put it on my forums signature. Street cred at 49? How many 30 year old pups in the forum can lay claim to that?:D

An exellent thread Denver, very interesting , I cycle mainly for the joy of it but the fittness gained is a big + , also its a great way to get to work & back. I put 56 with more than 5 yrs exp. although this may be creative accounting , although I was a very keen club rider in my mid teens., untill 2 + years ago I had'nt rode a bike for nearly 40 years ! An old pleasure re-discovered. A lot of my old riding skills didnt take too long to return , although I've learned a lot of new ones here & on other sites , cycling has given me an interest in the internet, computer thing !! Who says you cant teach an old dog new tricks :beer:
PS I have greyhair , when I hav'nt shaved for a day or two, grey stubble ( designer beard:D :D )

Will soon be in the 55+ group and I've been biking for more than 20 years, seriously around 8 yrs. In fact, there's a ride in Georgetown, Ky on Memorial Day weekend that I've been doing now for 20 yrs.
There are quite a few riders on that ride that are well into their 60's and 70's. What's different is that my endurance is better, my knees don't bother me much anymore, I'm stronger (I don't walk hills much anymore) and I rarely get a cold or the flu.
I love to exercise and riding my bike was something I did as a kid. I'm fortunate that I have a partner that has a passion for riding also.
I plan to be biking and skiing until I'm into my 90's.
Kathi

I'll turn 53 in about 3 months, on what would have been Tullio Campagnolo's 102nd birthday, if he were still around. In my case, cycling has been literally a lifesaver, despite a serious collision in 1976. Although I inherit good genes for longevity, there is also ample family history of diabetes and hypertension. I was a nerdy, uncoordinated, very myopic child, unable to balance a bicycle until age 12. Once I started riding, however, I was hooked. I discovered the freedom of transportation cycling during high school and my passionate conservation and environmental ethic in college, and did not buy my first car until age 26. With the encouragement of my cousin and, later, a friend I met while cycling, I accomplished the two great athletic feats of my life: a hilly double metric century in the Palo Alto - Santa Cruz area of northern California in 1971, and the Los Angeles Wheelmen Double Century in 1972.

I have covered well over 100K km, probably close to 100K mi, while enjoying the only sport I have ever truly loved. I supplement cycling with weight training and jogging and weigh about the same now as I did as a UCLA undergrad. Having recently lost two friends, age 59 and 67, to unexpected heart attacks, I appreciate the cardiovascular benefits of cycling more than ever. I especially enjoy passing younger riders on hill climbs.

I have worn a beard since 1971, when I got tired of 5 o'clock shadow striking mid-afternoon.

I just turned 54 and have been a "serious" cyclist for over 30 years. I enjoy riding now more than ever before because I finally bought myself a decent road bike. ( Cannondale R600) I've ridden over 1800 mile so far this year and I can't wait for my next ride. I remember in the old days ( 1970's) it was rare to see other cyclists with tights and riding gear although I knew they were out there. It is great to see so many people, both young and old, riding for fun and fitness. I started riding basically to get in shape for the upcoming ski season at Whistler and it became one of my passioons. I tried racing for a couple of years but I felt too vulnerable to crashes in my novice class. Now, I don't ski quite as much because of the ridiculous cost but I like to ride 45 miles before work . I plan on riding for many more years to come. I am in my fifties and I feel great!

You guys over 50 into big ride miles and achieving fitness levels that would shame many kids 1/2 your age, are an inspiration to us all. I feel kinda proud that March 10th next year I'll be there with you.

Take a bow guys and girls.

:thumbup:

Originally posted by John E
I'll turn 53 in about 3 months, on what would have been Tullio Campagnolo's 102nd birthday, if he were still around.

I once heard a TV anchor say"Today is Lincoln's birthday - his 183rd birthday, had he lived."

I'm only 51, I'll be 52 in Septermber, and I was a pretty hardcore transportational cyclist as a kid and young man (I didn't even get a driver's license until I was 25) in Chicago and then Philadelphia. I rode year-round, mostly on 10-speeds I built out of used parts until after I got married, when I graduated to actual store-bought bikes.

I was done in by the usual culprits: moving to the suburbs, buying a house, having a career, starting a family. I rode less and less, got fat, didn't change my eating and smoking habits, and in 1988 had a serious accident (at work), broke my left ankle and went through two years of reconstruction and physical therapy. After than it was a short trip to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, arthritis and the rest of the classic pantheon, which is how I spend the mid-90's: surgery, angioplasty, therapy, more surgery, rehab.

So getting back on the bike was grabbing a lifeline, and while it took some time to get fit enough to feel good, I found that all of my old training and street smarts were intact. In a surprisingly short time I was tackling the 26-mile round trip commute to work, and piling up 5000 miles a year.

It's not as easy as it was when I was 18 and could jump on the 10-speed in my jeans and sneakers, make sure I had a fresh pack of smokes, and ride 60 miles around the south shore of Lake Michigan to visit my friends at their beach house.

But every mile today means something it never did then. I feel better than I have in 20 years, and for the first time in a while when people try to guess my age, they guess low.

RichC

I am 55 and have returned to bicycles due to living in a place now that is better suited to riding. I lived in Alaska for 8 years and rode there in the summer and before that I lived in Oregon and would bicycle 6 miles to the swimming pool to do laps for an hour and then 6 miles home. My form of exercise has changed and lapsed over the years, but one year ago I decided to focus on the bicycle. I have ridden approximately 2,000 miles in the last year. Right now I ride 9 miles at lunch at 15 to 17 mph pace and then I ride 8 miles with the wife in the evening at a 10 to 11 mph pace. I do this 3 or 4 days a week. Then on the weekend with the wife we do 20 to 30 miles at a pace of 11 to 12 mph.

In the last 11 weeks with the riding and less food, I have gone from 258 lbs. to 234 lbs. in weight and still losing. Last year I just did the riding and the weight did not change much. I think my age at 55 may have something to do with the pace, oh yes and the weight.

My goal this year is 3,000 miles. Currently my ride is OCR1 with Mavic elite wheels. Longest ride in the last year was 50 miles. Missed some ride time last fall after my wife was hit by a car on a short 5 mile ride. She is still recovering, but is back on the bike and did 50 miles with me last weekend. I did a total of 80 miles over the long 4 day weekend. :D :D

It was interesting to see the results of the poll of older bikers.
I am a 71yr old female who is just getting back into serious biking. I did a lot of biking as a kid and got back into it as exercise for a while in my 40s. Then I took up golfing and was so obsessed, I had time for nothing else. :)

I am now caregiver for my 93yr old Mom and don't have the time for golf so I'm getting out to ride for at least an hour a day in the nearby state park. I'm loving it -- had forgot how much fun it is.

I think younger bikers are more into speed and competitive biking (I don't blame them). They also seem to be very much into the mechanics, or maybe that's primarily a guy thing (I'll take mine back to the LBS). I've reached the point where pleasure and fitness are my main objectives.

I am blessed that I can still ride at this age, but hey, I still feel like a kid and don't plan to grow up. :D I'm training to go on some Rails To Trails with my son and daughter-in-law. I'm riding 8.4 miles a day on hilly terrain to get back in shape.

Bett, welcome to the forums; you are awesome if i may say so! :)

P.S. Nice website :)

Thanks, Joe. I'm so glad you enjoyed my web site.:)

One of the joys of life on a bicycle tour is to climb off my bike after riding 70 miles through a thunderstorm, walk into the hotel lobby, whip out my AARP card and demand my Senior Citizen Discount!

Some interesting (to me, at least) poll results:

1. We have managed to locate 49 bikers (so far) beyond the age of 49. This is amazing to me as the last polls done, when most of us were grouped into 55+ turned up just a few. I am impressed!! Others please add to the poll.

2. I am still quite surprised by the sharp difference in numbers between those under and over 60.

3. I am pretty amazed at how many folks in all age categories have less than 5 years serious biking experience, which indicates to me that folks past 50 can enter into new physical activities successfully and with vigor.

This has been a most interesting poll and related discussion.

Thank you all for responding.

Originally posted by DnvrFox
Folks under 50 are not allowed to participate or comment!! :D

I'm 43. But I feel 50!

;)

Hi Pauncho...To climb off my bike after riding 70 miles in any kind of weather would be a joy. I probably couldn't lift my leg to get off. LOL However, I do like the Senior Citizen Discounts.

Please don't tell me that so many of us have less than 5 years of biking because our knees will go, and we'll have to quit.

On a lighter note, BettWalker: it's easier to lift your leg to get off after 40+ miles if your seat is less like two bricks and more like a padded lawn chair, if you get my drift here.

Originally posted by Rich Clark
Nearly every 50+ male cyclist I know has a beard.
I guess I'm the exception. I'm 58 and have never had a beard or mustache. IMHO most of my friends who have beards look older than they really are.
I don't want to look older than I am. I'd like to look as young as possible. Besides I think a gray beard would look strange with my blond hair (with a little gray mixed in) and shaved legs. :D

The beard isn't an age thing. I grew mine at 26 (after I was bald) to look like an intellectual, as soon as it became plain that the place I worked would tolerate it. Haven't shaved since, don't plan to ever again.

To engage in a little pop psychology, it may be that mostly it's men who are secure/eccentric enough to violate one of our society's milder norms (disapproval of facial hair) are also secure/eccentric enough to violate another (bicycles are for kids under 12 - exercise for grown-ups should be in a gym you pay to belong to - and stay out of my way when I'm driving).

Pauncho, you are totally right. Most of my friends have asked why I don't go to the gym instead of taking up biking at my age. They fear for my safety. One even was alarmed that I often ride in the park alone. I didn't ask if she was afraid someone would attack me or if she was afraid I would fall and have no help. :) They don't understand the feeling of freedom I get while riding and that to feel like a kid again is wonderful.

Originally posted by BettWalker
They don't understand the feeling of freedom I get while riding and that to feel like a kid again is wonderful.
Well said! :beer:

I'm one of the "71+" who participated in the poll (the one with less than 5yrs of serious biking). :(

Am curious who the other "71+" biker is? Please come forward.
I see you have been seriously biking for over 5yrs. and you inspire me to keep on spinning. :)

Hope we're both still out there going strong for the next five years and then the next...

Am curious who the other "71+" biker is? Please come forward


Hi Bett

I guess I’m the other 71-year old you are looking for. Please refer to the 10th message on Page 1 of this thread. :D

I sent you a PM recently regarding the problem I had with my Giant bike and complemented you on your very excellent Web Site. And yes, I do expect to be riding five years from now also.

Originally posted by bentcrank
Hi Bett

I guess I’m the other 71-year old you are looking for.

I'm sorry, bentcrank, I did read your post on the 1st page, just didn't rememer that you had said you were 71. :eek:

Also haven' forgotten your nice message regarding my web page. Just didn't realize you were the same guy.

Thanks. :)

Denver:
51 here and have been riding s bike as long as i can remember. Some people call me old some call me pop some call me a kid it all depends who i am next to. This past sunday i took a group out for an 80 mile ride. we cranked at 16 and 17 mph the entire time. This old geezer finished first and lived to ride the following day again.
catfish

Originally posted by ljbike
Even when I was younger that held no attraction. I want to smell the land, the trees and the flowers as I go.
Some things never change.

:)

Hi guys, I just finished a 65 m ride. ' really need a shower. I love biking, been doing it for way over 50 years. I am 63

Wes

Hi and welcome. Go get that shower!! Phew!!

when people see me in my cycling get up, and starts staring at my bike, I would alwayz say "this is very good for your health, I am an old guy, it will certainly make you healthy"

Originally posted by Wes
Hi guys, I just finished a 65 m ride. ' really need a shower. I love biking, been doing it for way over 50 years. I am 63

Wes

Hi Wes, Way to go. Have you biked regularly during the 50yrs?
I started biking when I was very young (before training wheels) :D, but sorry to say it has been on and off during my life. However, I have tried to keep up physical exercise of some sort thru the years. I think that is why I'm still able to bike at 71 and it's great to be back on the road regularly.

Hey there,
I'm almost a member of your elite group - 49 1/2 :-) No beard, but a mustache for as long as these brain cells can remember. Doing my first full century this coming Saturday. I've done 4 metric + on my own this year so hopefully I'll survive. Oh yeah, does a pacemaker buy me the extra half year?
keep spinning.....

Originally posted by RoadHazardBuzz
Hey there,
I'm almost a member of your elite group - 49 1/2 :-) Oh yeah, does a pacemaker buy me the extra half year?
keep spinning.....

49 1/2 gets you into our "elite group":D. You can be the youngest and I'll be one of the oldest :). You're very young to have a pacemaker. My husband was 54 when he had bypass surgery and I thought that was young. However, he is now 70 and biking, walking, golfing, fishing...enjoying retirement.

>>Have you biked regularly during the 50yrs?<<

Bett, No not really. I have not biked more years than I have biked. I think that I have biked every year since 1982. A few of those years not very much, however. I get real fat when I dont bike. I am not fat now, and best of all I have a grey beard.

Wes