Fifty Plus (50+) - Cycling Bucket Lists

I went with the wife to see Bucket List last night. Not sure there will be any Oscars handed out but Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson did a pretty nice job. However most of the really funny stuff was spilled in the previews.

The wife and I critiqued the movie afterwards over a pitcher of margaritas. I figured out I really didn't have the desire to travel just to see stuff anymore-I had rather go DO stuff as I enjoyed the experience of doing or participation a lot more than just sightseeing. Example-ride my bike through Zion National Park as opposed to seeing it by car or ascending Mt Haleakala on Maui.

It got me thinking about Cycling Bucket lists-or I guess the question might be:

What would be on your list of cycling related stuff to do before you "Kick the Bucket"?

I am going on a bicycle tour to Alaska next year, and go on a kayaking tour at the same time! I decided I needed to cross this off my bucket list, since it was really the only big one.

I've had 3-yr and 5-yr bucket lists ever since I turned 46. But until last year the only cycling entry was "Give Cycling a go again."

Cycling goals would still be modest. Things along the lines of:

- Do a 200 mile "tour" on trails.
- Improve to where I can ride comfortably on moderate hills
- Ride some trails in different regions of the USA, like New England, Pacific NW, Utah/Colorado.
- Take a month vacation somewhere that has nice weather and scenic trails - go out and ride whenever I feel like it.

Thinking about whether I want to add becoming comfortable riding on roads. That seems like something I would want to do, but I can't say I really feel any desire to do it.

I've actually hit a few on my list. The big one was Seattle to Portland.

Current list:

Davis Double: Scares me. That's a LONG way. I'm thinking of considering thinking about doing it this year.
A multi day tour of the Oregon Coast.
Own a carbon fiber bike (in the works! Frame in)

I want to ride in some mountains. The Canadian Rockies, Glacier Park, Zion, one of those. I know it's tough, and I want to see if I can do it.

I'd love to ride Great Britain end to end, same with Italy, and while we're at it a grand tour of Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece would be nice, as would the Trans America bicycle trail. I'm happy though to settle for shorter tours these days. I don't like being away from my non-cycling, non-driving wife for too long.

I'd love to ride Great Britain end to end, same with Italy, and while we're at it a grand tour of Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece would be nice, as would the Trans America bicycle trail. I'm happy though to settle for shorter tours these days. I don't like being away from my non-cycling, non-driving wife for too long.

I've always wondered if it's a pain to bring your bike to Europe. I know you have to haul your bags everywhere, and I don't know how you'd do it with a bike, too.

On my list is to ride the Northern Tier from Anacortes, Washington, to Bar Harbor, Maine, the year I turn 65. And that will be in 2009.

I figured out I really didn't have the desire to travel just to see stuff anymore-I had rather go DO stuff as I enjoyed the experience of doing or participation a lot more than just sightseeing.

What would be on your list of cycling related stuff to do before you "Kick the Bucket"?

I came to the same conclusion a few years ago. Since that time the majority of family vacations have included at least one day of cycling. I have to limit them to short rides on trails (about 15 miles) as this is all my daughter can handle.

My list has always included a ride on one trail in each state. I've already marked off several states and will complete this after retirement.

I plan a trip to England after retirement to visit a friend who I've corresponded with for several years but have never met in person. She's not a cyclist so I'll be hiking with her. I plan on doing a few days of cycling after my visit with her. Who knows....maybe I'll get the chance to ride with some of our British posters:)

Ride 500 Miles on The Indy 500 Track on a New Rode Bike.
First 100 mile attempt June 14th, 2008

I've always wondered if it's a pain to bring your bike to Europe. I know you have to haul your bags everywhere, and I don't know how you'd do it with a bike, too.

I've done it several times using the boxes that you can get from the airlines. It's not too bad doing it this way. Finally, though, I bought a Bike Friday, which makes everything easier. It folds up into a suitcase, and the bike travels as regular luggage. Later the suitcase can be used as a nifty trailer to haul your gear. It's a pretty good all around bike, too.

www.bikefriday.com

Complete another double century.

1. Be fit enough to climb Alp d'Huez
2. Climb Alp d'Huez

I am going to get in one of the Cycling training camps before I retire. You know the ones- 5 days out with the pros up in the mountains. Well even the slow ones have to have someone to beat up the slopes.

Anyone know of any good training camps that will get me fit for the 5 days with the Pro's

I want to ride in some mountains. The Canadian Rockies, Glacier Park, Zion, one of those. I know it's tough, and I want to see if I can do it.

I have not done Glacier. I have ridden and Utah and Zion did not look to bad. The Canadian Rockies are not hard. There are some climbs but they are not as long as Colorado or as high in altitude. Also you do not get things over 7% which is nice. If you want some hill practice, you can go to Clermont and try some of the hilly routes there. You will actually hit steeper sections than you will get in the Canadian Rockies just not nearly as long.

I have not done Glacier. I have ridden and Utah and Zion did not look to bad. The Canadian Rockies are not hard. There are some climbs but they are not as long as Colorado or as high in altitude. Also you do not get things over 7% which is nice. If you want some hill practice, you can go to Clermont and try some of the hilly routes there. You will actually hit steeper sections than you will get in the Canadian Rockies just not nearly as long.
I just did the TransAmerica this year and the Cascades and Rockies were easy compared to the Appalachians. We were very sad when we said goodbye to the Rockies we really liked riding there.

I don't have a list per se. I hope to do another transcontinental trip or maybe a perimeter trip, but that will probably have to wait a few years unless my job situation changes since I burned all my saved leave to do the TA. I definitely want to do the pacific coast and I would like to do the continental divide mtb route some time too.

I originated a "Bucket List" thread last week and before it was all over I was catching grief from several people in private messages so I had the moderator delete it. I'll keep mine to myself.

Just local stuff for me:
I kinda want to ride the Erie Canal Tour someday, and I'ld like to explore the
Genesee Greenway Trail before I kick the bucket.

I'd like to do the Underground Railroad trail, all the way. Talk about bringing history to life....

I'd like to do the Underground Railroad trail, all the way. Talk about bringing history to life....

XOBA will be doing part of this route this year. It's an annual ride across Ohio and the theme this year is "The Underground Railroad Tour".

http://www.outdoor-pursuits.org/xoba/

I am going to get in one of the Cycling training camps before I retire. You know the ones- 5 days out with the pros up in the mountains. Well even the slow ones have to have someone to beat up the slopes.

Anyone know of any good training camps that will get me fit for the 5 days with the Pro's

That sounds like something that I would like to do. I'd like to meet up with you, if you pay half the freight;)

XOBA will be doing part of this route this year. It's an annual ride across Ohio and the theme this year is "The Underground Railroad Tour".

http://www.outdoor-pursuits.org/xoba/

That looks like SO MUCH FUN!!!! I would be all over that if I were a stronger rider. I only got up to 45 miles last year as my longest ride. This year my goal is 70, and I should know by the end of summer if I could do that multiple days in a row. Even just doing 20-25 every day for a week gave me wide range between hard and easy days. Some days I felt like it was nothing, and the next day it felt like 50 miles. So, I need more experience.

But that would be a great* trip.

That sounds like something that I would like to do. I'd like to meet up with you, if you pay half the freight;)

I just ran across one of those camps, run by Hammer.

http://www.hammernutrition.com/za/HNT?PAGE=HAMMERCAMP&adui=ad%2C8330.hbanner%2Chome%20-%20horiz%20-%20camp%20-%20Homebanners

My List:
1. Ride in the RAAM (On a team, not alone!!!)
2. Ride Paris - Brest- Paris (Hope to do in 2011)
3. Do a cycling tour in China with my daughters (who are adopted from there)
4. Tour Britain on a bike with my wife (her heritage)
5. Tour E. Europe, esp. Poland (my heritage)

Double Century.

I think it is a good movie.

I would like to; 1. Break my personal best in the 40K Time Trial.
2. Ride trans-america.
3. PBP, that would be cool.

I'd like to do the Underground Railroad trail, all the way. Talk about bringing history to life....

Womantours has an Underground Railroad tour (http://womantours.com/wt.undergroundrailroad.html). Motels every night, sag support, etc. I did my century this summer with a 65-ish woman who rode the Southern Tier with Womantours last May, and she said it was great. It's intended for women over 50. I've got my eye on this one also.

It is not strictly bike related but I just returned from seeing 'Bucket List' and think it is a great movie........especially for folks our age.

It really shows what is important......like that bike trip you have been putting off.

At the end of the movie I don't think there was a dry eye in the theater. Probably the best performance I have ever seen from either Nicholson or Freeman, and both have had long distinguished careers.

It had earlier inspired this thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=378584

This movie is one of those that gets mixed reviews from critics but very positive reviews from the people.

From the Rotten Tomatoes site; the movie has gotten a positive review from only 42% of all movie critics.

However from the IMDB site, it has an overall average rating of 7.8 on a 0-10 scale, from over 11,000 people who rated it.

Tom,

Sorry I hadn't seen the earlier thread. Be that as it may, I think it is a wonderful movie that everyone our age age should see. In some cases, several times.

No need to tell me that you're sorry. Just thought you might be interested in it.

Just to love...............

Off the top of my head:

Ride across the country
Tour New Zealand
Tour Europe
Ride the Underground Railroad Route
Ride the Lewis and Clark route
Ride in the RAGBRAI a couple more times.
Ride down the west coast again, from Vancouver, B. C. to San Luis Obispo, CA
Do a tour of the San Juan Islands and the Gulf Islands in Canada (and Vancouver Island too.)

The casting of Jack Nicholson in that part couldn't have been better.