Fifty Plus (50+) - One year anniversary

Well today is my one year anniversary, and boy did it go by fast. Anyhow with the rheumatoid arthritis somewhat under control, and my crash at the end of March ( my ribs still hurt) and my wife having a stroke, doing very well, thank you. A bad bike fit and sore knees and saddle issues ( of course) I managed to get 3340 miles in for the year. It's not many miles compared to what you guys a use to doing, but I thought it was a pretty good start. Hopefully , this year I wont have as much excitement, but time will tell, and I'll just take it as it comes. I did learn a lot from the forums and I'd like to thank everyone that helped. Anyhow, happy and safe riding, and please, don't worry about fear. I knew a lot of people that worried about fear, when I was riding motorcycles, and it seemed that it made them worse riders. Anyhow I think I'll go for a ride, thank you, George.

:beer:

Happy anniversary!

I hope I can manage 3340 miles.....fantastic!

:beer:

Happy anniversary!

I hope I can manage 3340 miles.....fantastic!

Cause you can- Just forget the gardening- the washing- the house chores and get out and ride.

George- Well done on the milage and getting over the problems that to lesser people would have stopped them from riding. Now the arthritis- Has this improved due to riding- or some other factor?

Keep riding and keep the excitement related to riding.

Keep riding and keep the excitement related to riding.

+1 and well done.

Happy anniversary George.

Glad to hear the arthritis is under control, tell us all your secret.

Well done on the mileage too.

george ( 2)

Sorry you've had such a bad year, George, but glad to see you working through it. I hope the ribs feel better soon! ((gentle hugs))

And you may borrow my favorite mantra anytime: "And this, too, shall pass...." :)

Keep riding! There's a strange holistic healing that comes from riding a bike.

Cause you can- Just forget the gardening- the washing- the house chores and get out and ride.

George- Well done on the milage and getting over the problems that to lesser people would have stopped them from riding. Now the arthritis- Has this improved due to riding- or some other factor?

Keep riding and keep the excitement related to riding.


I think the main factor was getting on Glucosamine/Chondroitin, it took about 3 months to get the full benefit from it. I asked the doctor about it and she said the G/C was good for osteo, but not Rheumatoid, which I'm on Methotrexate and Naproxen. I guess you could say I'm doping, but it works. After everything got squared away, I was able to start working out the way I like too. I feel this last week, with that Serfas saddle, I was able to put more power out, but with the set back seat post I have coming I'm going to try the Brooks again ( I'm into masochism). After a 35 mile ride yesterday the Serfas started to give me saddle sores, no good. I thought I had a ace in the hole, but now that, that is gone, I'm really hoping that the new seatpost works. Anyhow thanks for the encouragement and well wishes, George

Happy anniversary.:)

35 miles and saddle sores? Something is wrong. Shorts? Cream? Powder? Getting off the saddle every ten or less minutes?

Happy anniversary.:)

35 miles and saddle sores? Something is wrong. Shorts? Cream? Powder? Getting off the saddle every ten or less minutes?
Thanks Will, I'm glad you mentioned about getting out of the saddle more. If I'm spinning, how do you guys get out of the saddle? I remember when we were kids with a single speed, going into the wind, we had to stand up, but we had a lot of pressure on the pedals. Do you go into a bigger gear?

George, I have tears in my eyes after reading your post. You're an inspiration. I wish you and your wife a healthy year ahead. And, Happy Anniversary!

3340 miles in your first year is an amazing achievement. I haven't exceeded 2,400 miles in one year yet. And I ride a white bike.

So congratutions and here's hoping you find a happy ending for that saddle problem! :D

3340 miles in year? Why, sir, if I was wearing a hat it would be off to you.
Keep on keepin' on.

3340 miles in your first year is an amazing achievement. I haven't exceeded 2,400 miles in one year yet. And I ride a white bike.




The white bike is the problem:D :D

My old black bike had 2400+ on it last year and I think the new black bike is going to surpass that mark this year. Hmmmm...wonder what another new black bike would do for me:rolleyes:

The white bike is the problem:D :D

My old black bike had 2400+ on it last year and I think the new black bike is going to surpass that mark this year. Hmmmm...wonder what another new black bike would do for me:rolleyes:
White is already so last year. We need gold, or copper, or whatever the heck stapfam is getting.

Thanks Will, I'm glad you mentioned about getting out of the saddle more. If I'm spinning, how do you guys get out of the saddle? I remember when we were kids with a single speed, going into the wind, we had to stand up, but we had a lot of pressure on the pedals. Do you go into a bigger gear?
I shift up one or two gears before coming out of the saddle on hills, but sometimes I just need to come out of the saddle for comfort, and so will choose a fairly flat stretch, and go up to nearly my tallest gear and gently "lope" along at a fairly low cadence, enjoying the respite and increased blood flow for maybe two tenths to a quarter of a mile. Then I sit and gear back down. Seems to help. :)

Way to go George. Your enthusiasm has helped inspire me.

After all these years, my motivation sometimes needs to be jumped started, and your posts help.

:beer:

You're the man, George. Got me beat by 3,000 miles, give or take a few miles.

3350 beats my total. Congrats on completing a good cycling year. Everything else sounds like its under control. Maybe year 2 will have all positives!

The white bike is the problem:D :D

I was going to say that too... :) you need a black bike, and a pink helmet. :D

Cogratulations! Do you think the cycling is actually helping* the arthritis, or is it unrelated?

I do 6000 miles a year now, but it took a long time to ge to that number. Your first year is great, George!

Good goin, George. 3340 is a mess of miles, particularly given that a whole lot of them had to be ridden in a Texas' summer. And I don't ever remember Katy as a destination spot for folks seek relief from summer weather.

Fabulous, George, congrats......I think that as we get older, we ought to get a factor to improve our mileage...you know, like a 10% or 15% extra credit for each decade over 50...what do you think?

I wish I had your fortitude and strength of character to make it through such tough times and to keep on keeping on. My hat (and loafers) are off to you.

Thanks again, for all the encouragement, and guess what, the setback seatpost came in the mail today, and what a difference. I pushed it all the way back, and my knee is right where it's suppose to be. It really something what 3/4 of an inch will do. If anything else it sure made me happy. Now I'll have to give an update on what that little bit will do. You probably know already, but I'll tell you anyhow.

Keep riding! There's a strange holistic healing that comes from riding a bike.

Amen. I get misty thinking about all the things biking has helped me through.

Happy anniversary George. You're riding way more than I am, ride on.

I am SO impressed and bowled over by your mileage in spite of some major, major challenges.

EXCELLENT!

Amen. I get misty thinking about all the things biking has helped me through.
+1000

It's still helpin' me. I'm not sure I'd have wanted to live without having cycling in my life. It's bought me healing time. And now I know I'll be ok. But I still need that rush I get after every ride to help me get through the oppressive paperwork that remains.

3350 beats my total. Congrats on completing a good cycling year. Everything else sounds like its under control. Maybe year 2 will have all positives!



I wish it were, my toe is still hurting from surgery, and my wife has to go in next Friday for a bladder operation. Sometimes I wonder if it will ever end:o

+1000

It's still helpin' me. I'm not sure I'd have wanted to live without having cycling in my life. It's bought me healing time. And now I know I'll be ok. But I still need that rush I get after every ride to help me get through the oppressive paperwork that remains.



It seems like there is always something and it's a good thing I'm retired. I spend most of my time taking my wife to the doctor. Anyhow thanks for the tip on standing up, I kind of thought I had to do that. I'm having a little trouble putting to much pressure on my foot. I had surgery on my toe about 2 months ago and it's still not healed. When my son has problems I tell him to hang in there, they could always be worse. Thanks again, VegaVixen, I hope it works out for you as well.

On one hand, I hope I never retire. On the other hand, I sure envy those who've retired and have the time to do lots of riding.

Hope the toe heals up quick!

Way to go George! Sometimes it takes a lot to work through the stuff that makes us want to sit around the house and vegetate. You are obviously not falling prey to those gremlins. Keep up the good work and here's to many happy miles ahead

It seems like there is always something and it's a good thing I'm retired. I spend most of my time taking my wife to the doctor. Anyhow thanks for the tip on standing up, I kind of thought I had to do that. I'm having a little trouble putting to much pressure on my foot. I had surgery on my toe about 2 months ago and it's still not healed. When my son has problems I tell him to hang in there, they could always be worse. Thanks again, VegaVixen, I hope it works out for you as well.
Baybuh, one of my biggest life lessons thus far: Things always work out. They don't always work out like we would like, but they do work out. :)

I have trouble with my feet, too, from caregiving days. The biggest problem I have is finding poly socks that don't have a seam that falls across the toenail! So I ride with two different pair of cotton socks, each of which has a seam across the ends of the toes, rather than across the toes/toenails.

<shrug>

And this, too, shall pass....

I spent a lot of time being chauffeur to my husband. PM me anytime. You're far from alone. :)

Baybuh, one of my biggest life lessons thus far: Things always work out. They don't always work out like we would like, but they do work out. :)

I have trouble with my feet, too, from caregiving days. The biggest problem I have is finding poly socks that don't have a seam that falls across the toenail! So I ride with two different pair of cotton socks, each of which has a seam across the ends of the toes, rather than across the toes/toenails.

<shrug>

And this, too, shall pass....

I spent a lot of time being chauffeur to my husband. PM me anytime. You're far from alone. :)



I just found the right socks at JC Penny's, good luck.

Thanks for the JCP tip, George! :)

Way to George, you are high on my list of BF 50+ inspirational characters. May you have many more and in good health.

George

You are one determined guy! I think I'm a decade younger than you, and I can't begin to stay up.

George

You are one determined guy! I think I'm a decade younger than you, and I can't begin to stay up.
How does your wife feel about that?

<smacking self> :D

How does your wife feel about that?

<smacking self> :D
:roflmao: Ba da boom...he'll be here all week, ladies and gentlemen.

That is one heck of a first year. Probably 3 times what I was able to do and my biggest obstacle was just carrying too big a waistline-very unlike all your challenges.

I've heard moderate exercise is good for rheumatoid arthritis...I sure hope it is helping provide you with some relief. I had some arthritis in earlier years and it hurt so bad I just didn't feel like doing anything. It easily could have lead to a very depressed state.

Keep up the safe riding and good the hear the wife is progressing!!

George- This issue of getting off the saddle. It was not so long ago that I had stability issues doing that also. I used the resistance trainer to learn standing up (cleats!). Now I use every opportunity to get off the saddle. For instance: Intersections and accelerating, hills, or on flats and go a few gears up.

As you get more into biking you will enjoy standing up biking if there are some significant hills. Yes you can gear down, but it is much fun to muscle up some shorter hills coming from a down slope.

I just completed a biking vacation in MN, Root River Recreation area. They have 150 miles of paved trails but with 9% grades. The Madone and standing up came handy. I did 100 miles/day with the Madone and the Tandem.

George- This issue of getting off the saddle. It was not so long ago that I had stability issues doing that also. I used the resistance trainer to learn standing up (cleats!). Now I use every opportunity to get off the saddle. For instance: Intersections and accelerating, hills, or on flats and go a few gears up.

As you get more into biking you will enjoy standing up biking if there are some significant hills. Yes you can gear down, but it is much fun to muscle up some shorter hills coming from a down slope.

I just completed a biking vacation in MN, Root River Recreation area. They have 150 miles of paved trails but with 9% grades. The Madone and standing up came handy. I did 100 miles/day with the Madone and the Tandem.
Thanks Will, sometimes I wish I still lived up north, and think we could get together, and you could show me some of the things you picked up over the years. Vagavixen, was telling me how to do it, and I just started doing it this week. I asked myself, why do I ask some of the questions I ask, but it has helped. Now that I know I have this much power, I have to learn how to spin again. I start going like a bat out of hell, and then I start bouncing on the saddle, when I sit down. I pretty sure it's me not having a smooth cycling cadence. I stayed in the center ring and kicked it up to the smallest cog and I was affraid I would break the chain, but I started flying, and it was great. I remember years ago when I had a single speed, and we used to stand all the time, but you don't see many people doing it now because of all the speeds they have. Anyhow I was a little wobbly when I first did it, but I started to smooth down some after a while. With some practice I'm sure I'll get it, but my wife had an operation today and I'll be grounded for a little while again. Anyhow thanks again for the tips, and keep them coming.:D

George, how did it go? Please share yourself with us. This really helped me, though I did it in Foo when I was most emotionally-fragile. You must know that we are all behind you, and we send you and your lovely wife love and energy to get through this. ((hugs))

When possible, keep ridin' your bike. This is a very good and positive thing, from my own personal experience. :)

Thanks Will, sometimes I wish I still lived up north, and think we could get together, and you could show me some of the things you picked up over the years. Vagavixen, was telling me how to do it, and I just started doing it this week. I asked myself, why do I ask some of the questions I ask, but it has helped. Now that I know I have this much power, I have to learn how to spin again. I start going like a bat out of hell, and then I start bouncing on the saddle, when I sit down. I pretty sure it's me not having a smooth cycling cadence. I stayed in the center ring and kicked it up to the smallest cog and I was affraid I would break the chain, but I started flying, and it was great. I remember years ago when I had a single speed, and we used to stand all the time, but you don't see many people doing it now because of all the speeds they have. Anyhow I was a little wobbly when I first did it, but I started to smooth down some after a while. With some practice I'm sure I'll get it, but my wife had an operation today and I'll be grounded for a little while again. Anyhow thanks again for the tips, and keep them coming.:D

George- You are OK. You are with the program. The point is having fun. Question is how to have fun? Some people think it is to go slow and make pictures and smell the flowers. Other people feel the power of their muscles on a 15# bike racing up some big hill. They look back and say: I did that? Wow.
I was on top of one such big hill in MN. The sky was brilliant. The flowers were fantastic. The wind was blowing. And I was happy to be alive on my Madone.