Fifty Plus (50+) - Is It Too Late ... ?

Greetings all,

I just joined the forum and am getting back into biking after an absence of 10 years or so. I’ll be turning 70 in just under two weeks … but don’t let my age fool you. People I meet just persist in thinking I’m still in my 50’s. And I’m quite a walker and seem to be in good physical shape considering …

Last April I retired after 40 years at CBS (Channel 2) in New York. Soon after we moved down here to East Norriton, PA to be near our married daughter and hubby … who became first-time parents last spring. This makes us first-time grand-parents as well. We have a nice little condo in an over-55 community that’s within a couple of miles walking of “the kid.”

Getting back to biking … I still have a circa 1980’s Lotus road bike (with bar-con shifters would you believe) … and it looks its age. I have photos to share if that’s allowed in this forum and anyone’s interested. Just tell me how it’s done, please.

At any rate I’ve looking to retire the ole girl and get a new rig … perhaps a low-end Trek hybrid 7100?

Question is … after being off the road for 10 years at this stage of things … I’m undecided if this is advisable … or doable. I got on a Trek 7100 hybrid at a local store last month. Even though the sales guy was holding the rig up front I breathed an involuntary WHOA! Am I ready for this or did I miss the bike … er boat? Words like “balance” … “confidence” … “fitness” came to mind.

Comments?

Thanks.

You will find lots of help here - take your time but you can do it

Hi, Shamrock!

What a surprise...I really appreciate your posting this thread. You see, I am only 58 with three grandchildren and another due in three weeks, but, like you, I am getting back into cycling after a ten year+ absence.

Is it too late? Never! My friend, and business partner, is an architect here in Atlanta and he still works at age 75, plays tennis, does yoga, and looks much, much younger too. You guys are an inspiration to me as I was beginning to wonder if I was too late as well!

You are walking? Great! I am power-walking and just got my BMI down to 23 two months ago and if you are walking, I bet you're in better shape than you would think. Get that Trek...I have one on order myself. Buy that gear and enjoy that grandkid!:thumb:

Just take it easy...have fun...and take a lot of pictures. Remember, you can pass your photos down to show future generations what your own eyes saw. Including pictures of you on a bike would be terrific!

best regards,


dave

How comfortable are you on the Lotus road bike?

I favor hybrids and higher riding positions, but there is no reason to go there unless you can no longer get comfortable on a road bike. And there are road bikes which have been designed to have a higher riding position than a traditional 70s/80s road bike. Check out bikes like the Specialized Sequoia or Giant OCR2 (or higher if you want to spend more money ... but not the OCR3 as it has too many low end parts).

If you do decide to go with a hybrid, then also check out the Trek FX line, as those are lighter and faster than the 7000-line.

All of that said, I have a Trek 7600 and it is a very comfortable bike.

I don't think that it's too late for you.

I sold a "first bike" to a fellow who was 79 at the time. Granted, he did a lot of ice skating and the like so he was in pretty good shape. Last I heard he was still going strong.

Words like “balance” … “confidence” … “fitness” came to mind.

These are things lost through disuse, and regained with use.

Overhaul that Lotus, keep the barcons and put on some new tire/tubes . . . go ride!
Am 75 and still ride 100+ miles a week year round.
BTW, am gonna be a great-grandpa this year . . . man, must be gettin' old?!

Welcome to the forum. I ride with a bunch who are all over 55, mostly over 60 and a few pushing 70 (I'm only 61). We ride 30-60 miles at a time and the "older" guys have no problem keeping up. Get on that bike and have fun! And report here often.

Check in with the Classic and Vintage forum we love old bikes and there are a lot of really knowledgeable folks over there. I don't happen to be one of them thats why I'm over there so much. Fix up that old Lotus unless its about a 50 or 52 cm then I'll be happy to take it off your hands :D

Getting back to biking … I still have a circa 1980’s Lotus road bike (with bar-con shifters would you believe)

Sure I'd believe bar-con shifters. Best bicycle component ever made. My two favorite road bikes use them.

A 68+'r and Dnvrfox hasn't chimed in?! I guess he's waiting for a post in his sticky.

Welcome to the Forum Shamrock.

My Dad's in his 80's and up until his prostrate surgery this year, he was riding. Like anything else, just ease back in to it. I would also suggest that you consider giving the Lotus a try and see if it's possible to ride it in comfort, or if any modifications could be done that would help. If you live in East Norriton, you're very close to the Schuylkill Rive Bike Trail. This may be a good place to get you legs and balance back. Your area has a pretty high level of vehicle road traffic. Or, you could try the Norristown State Hospital Farm Park.

Good on ya for wanting to get back in the saddle!

Too late? No effing way! It's only too late when you're looking at the lawn from underneath.

I'd say dust off the old Lotus, put on a taller stem and Brooks B17 (if you feel the need), and have at it. That's definitely the most cost-effective way to go, and will give you a good idea what your next steps might want to be.

Good luck, and have fun!

SP

Wheres the Pics of the Lotus?

Although Modern bikes are posibly lighter and possibly work better- They still need an engine to work well.

Use the lotus to get back for a couple of weeks- Get the confidence and balance back and then Talk to a couple of shops to find one that suits you.

As to choice of bike-After a couple of weeks on the Lotus- you may know what you Want.

There's an old saying, "it's like riding a bike" ever hear of it?
Get the bike and ride.

We belong to a seniors group with members who are 85, 80, and 75 -- and I hope to be as strong as they are one day (and I'm many years younger)! It is not too late, just take it easy and take your time. And don't forget to wear a helmet. :)

Since you have a familiarity with the Lotus, I'd hop back on that for at least a couple weeks to assess what you really want. It might be the Lotus?

I was just a month shy of 66 when I started and before that I haven't road a bicycle for over 50 years. I've been riding now, just over 2 years, so I guess your not to old yet.:D

Hi all,

Sorry not to get back to you sooner. I really appreciate all the positive replies ... very supportive!

Here's the latest: - I retired the Lotus road bike and am giving it to my 34-year-old son who expressed an interest in it. At my age I feel I'm no longer into the crouched riding position required with dropped handlebars.

So-o-o-o ... yesterday I brought home that new Trek 7100 hybrid (2009 series) I alluded to earlier and I'm fitting it out. Gawd help me now!

There's a big Wal-Mart parking lot nearby and ... when it's reasonably empty ... I'll try getting back in the saddle. And yes, I'll wear my helmet. If a survive that I'll start doing some local circuit in the over-55 community where my wife and I live. It's usually traffic-free. THEN I'll start taking to the roads in order to get to the local rail-trail bikeways. But let me not get ahead of myself ... first the parking lot.

I hope to interface with some of you individually as I'm sure to have questions and experience to share.

BTW ... I also got a Bontrager Back Rack II to mount over my ride wheel. The dealer said it was a natural fit for the Trek 7100. He also said it was a bit tricky to install. I'll say! Problem is he's a distance away and I'm not "back in the saddle again." Also I don't drive ... hence getting a bike to get around better when my feet bark from too much walking.

So-o-o-o ... I'm looking online to discuss this with those "who have been there." Any Trek 7100ers out there who happen to know about the Bontrager Back Rack II (or I)?

Thanks.

P.S. I'll also post this question in another of the forums here.

Further to my last,

Almost forgot ... I have some pictures of my old Lotus road bike as previously mentioned.

Just tell me how and where to upload these please and I'll get on it.

Thanks.

Further to my last,

Almost forgot ... I have some pictures of my old Lotus road bike as previously mentioned.

Just tell me how and where to upload these please and I'll get on it.

Thanks.

I think the easiest way to post a picture is by Joining Photo Bucket. It is free so after you upload a few pictures simply cut and paste the address in your post and we can look at it.

I just got back into cycling this year after a 20 year layoff. My LBS sponsors a group ride at least three times a week so I decided to give it a try. I may have tried a bit too soon but the point is one of the men that I was riding with, read he was showing me the ropes, and asked how old I was. After I told him, after catching my breath, he said he was 88. He credits cycling for his health.

Or Flickr or Picassa or any of a number of free photo hosting sights.

I ride with a group - some of whom are in their 70's.

Heck, I didn't start riding more than around the neighborhood until I was 58.

Of course you can do it.

By the way, you don't have to "crouch down" to use the drop bars. You can set tham as high as you like.

I bet it won't be too long before you are asking for that Lotus back.

In the meantime, enjoy the Trek 7100. It is a good place to start - just don't read any posts from Tom Bombadil, as he will discourage you from getting a "real" bike. He still doesn't know what he is missing.

I combine bicycling - about 100-150 miles per week, swimming - maybe a couple of miles per week, weight lifting and walking. I am 68+.

I have a mth bike, 2 road bikes and a trainer. My wife at 70 rides with me at times - she has a Trek hybrid and a mtn bike.

Have fun and good luck.

Sorry I was so late in posting. I've been in Baltimore at a conference where I presented a program.

Greetings,

Thanks for replying ... and sorry for the delay ...

This week I acquired a Trek 7100 Hybrid (2009 model) ... added some accessories ... and am gearing up (sorry) to get back on the roadafter 10 years.

Yes ...the Norristown Farm Park is just a 25-minute walk from where I live with my wife (in an over-55 condo community just east of Germantown Pike and between Swede Road and DeKalb Pike).

I'm also reasonably near the "SKOO-KILL" River Bike Path and plan to make extensive use of that much-heralded cycling resource. When I get my biking legs ... and confidence ... back I'll probably pedel west on DeKalb down to the Norristown Transportation Center and try to join the speedy road bike crowd (these kids! gasp!). I can say that since I'll reach the big 7-0 in a week (double-gasp!).

Mike

For a bit of perspective, I know a gentleman who will turn 82 in a few months. He began riding in his late 60's and has done multiple treks across the USA, Paris-Brest-Paris (sp?), multiple double centuries, and at least one triple+ century.. and a whole bunch of other accomplishments I cannot recall.

If you're in reasonable health, I suspect you will surprise yourself as to what you are capable of doing. And it won't surprise me to see you shopping for a road bike with drops on it before long. (n+1) ;)

Enjoy the ride!