Fifty Plus (50+) - Do you 50+ers train to ride... or ride to train?

While I wish to improve in my riding skills and ability, I'm not sure how much effort I want to put into that improvement. If I train to ride, I fear that the enjoyment of riding will leave as I will become a slave to a training schedule.

I find that I hope to improve simply by riding. Thus, I likely give up making major improvements but retain the enjoyment of riding without having to accomplish certain goals. Or at least that's the theory. I generally aim for about 150 miles a week and find that I tend to ride anywhere from 100 - 250 or so, depending on life events and weather. At this point, I'm probably riding about 4000 miles/year.

I'd post a poll, but have no idea how to do so. But I wonder how many of you 50+ers actually have a training regimen vs how many just get out and ride for the pure fun of it and take whatever fitness improvements come along as a by-product?

With that in mind, here's a pertinent article from the latest RoadBikeRider issue:
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Will More Miles Make Me Better?

Q: Most of the strong guys on our weekend rides are also the ones who do the most miles. Some of them even ride an hour or more after the regular ride. They do about 5,000 to 8,000 miles (8,000-12,800 km) a year while I ride 3,000 (4,800 km). Would more mileage help me improve? -- Barney K.

Coach Fred Matheny Replies: If I had $1 for every question similar to this I've received over the years, Deb and I could eat free at our hometown Camp Robber restaurant tonight.

But it's a key question in cycling and worth answering every few months. We read about pros riding 20,000 miles (32,300 km) a year and assume that if we had the time to emulate them, we'd be much faster and more powerful. However, there is a limit to how much improvement we can gain from sheer mileage.

At some point, probably between 150 and 200 miles (240-322 km) per week, just riding more isn't enough. You need to add substantial doses of intensity too. Once you reach 8-10 hours per week of riding, improvement slows dramatically or even reverses unless intervals, climbing or other stressful efforts are included in the mix.

This depends on your goals in cycling, of course. If you want to win the Race Across America, some pretty substantial mileage is essential. But to hang with local hotshots for 40 or 50 miles (64-80 km) or set a century PR, some well-chosen intensity will more than make up for fewer miles.

And you know what's also crucial if you've been reading my coaching advice for long: Rest. You can't go really hard without resting really hard.

Many recreational cyclists tend to do all their riding in the same intensity range, somewhere between "cruising" and "pretty hard."

Far better is to do a few rides that are "really hard" and keep the rest of them "guilt-producingly easy" for recovery. Then when you want to put down the hammer, you'll have done the hard work necessary to make it happen.

So concentrate on the quality of your miles (and recovery) rather than sheer volume. I bet you'll see marked improvement.
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Yes.

Unless you are racing, just ride. As you put in miles your general fitness will improve and you will better recognize any real weaknesses, which you can then address with specific mechanical/fit tweaks or training plans you can work into your rides. The most important thing is to have fun.

As Greg Lemond said, it never gets easier, you just go faster. Only you can decide how fast you 'need' to be going.

Everytime I've tried to turn a hobby into a business, I've burned out relatively quickly. I suspect that riding (hobby) is similar and training (business) would be the end for me.

Do you 50+ers train to ride... or ride to train?

Yes..... +1

I ride to eat.

I ride to see some really pretty country and my .... uhhh you know.

I ride to ride. You don't need a regimented training schedule to improve your speed or endurance any more than you need a strict diet to lose weight. Just ride a lot and push yourself once in a while and you will improve.

Skills: Take a skills clinic. The techniques learned can be used as you "just ride".

Ability: I am in a formal training / racing program with a coach and belong to a racing club. I train to race for specific races. However, as far as fun is concerned, I have had more fun this last year than all previous years of cycling. YMMV :thumb:

I don't use a training regimen, but I have had to train to achieve my goals.

My first bike ride in March '06 was 0.67 miles and I had to stop and rest halfway. It was a month before I could ride the whole 2 miles to work without stopping. Freeway overpasses might just as well have been Everest.

Fast forward to July '08, when I rode to the top of Mt. Evans, at 14,130 feet, just one ride during a 400-mile week.

That didn't happen without putting forth some effort to train.

However, until this past spring, all I did was incorporate some training into every ride. Little goals at first--a block further than last week before resting, for instance. Later I learned about intervals. When it came time to do hills, I rode repeats on every hill I could find. Finally, in order to train for altitude, I started using a heart-rate monitor.

Off the bike, I tried a few things, but the only thing that stuck was T'ai Chi. Who knew standing around waving your arms with a bunch of old people was such a workout on the quads?

I just ride.

I used to "just ride" around 3,500 miles annually, mostly solo for general fitness, then I attempted to do some group rides. I could ride as fast as the group on the flats but when we added hills I was off the back. Last summer a friend an myself decided to take cycling to the next level and we both started to do group rides more frequently and were getting better and faster. In the winter we both attended indoor cycling workouts. This spring I began to train by doing intervals and hill repeats and joined a team and raced. The racing has showed me that there is a whole lot more I can expect of myself or dig deeper to overcome as I push thru pain and doubt that racing dishes out. I was a college athlete so doing workouts to get better at a sport was "old hat". The intervals and hills do hurt, but, they do make you a faster and stronger rider. I have the option of several different group rides and now can stay with the "A" riders and can even lead out one of the groups anytime I want. Doing the extra work has enabled me to enjoy the sport/activity even more. On a side note: I've lost a bunch of weight, eat much healthier foods, eat breakfast, drink water and drink a lot less beer as a direct conquencence to attempting to ride faster and longer.

I ride to eat pie.

fixed

I ride to retain the fitness that I once had. So I presume that I train to ride. Try to get in about 100 miles aweek but that has not happened often this year.

One thing I will know- When I do have that long ride shortly- I should have trained for it.

ummm... i ride to.... uhmmmmm.... ride? (bikes not trains.)

be well,

jim

I ride to ride. And to get somewhere and back.

I have developed the habit of using my bike for transportation whenever possible. I have my mtn bike all set up for riding at any time of day, etc. So, I get a lot of riding miles in riding instead of driving. Not for long distances, just around the neighborhood, to the store, etc.

I.e., I went out at 5:00 am this morning to ride to the gym and swim. Threw in a few extra miles for fun. Then this pm I rode to meet the wife for lunch, etc., etc.

If I turned it into training, the magic would be gone.

I ride to buy jerseys

Everytime I've tried to turn a hobby into a business, I've burned out relatively quickly. I suspect that riding (hobby) is similar and training (business) would be the end for me.

We have a B-I-N-G-O!

I ride because I like being in the woods, bikes, riding and I'm addicted (after 40 years) to the high energy level that comes from a strenuous cross-training exercise program. In addition, if you work at it hard enough and often enough, it reduces the decay due to aging by at least half by most measures and extends life span.
The ageing/life span effects are relative new reasons as real data has only become available in the last 3 or 4 years.
The required higher intensity aspects are a good fit for me as I always go full out whether its paddling a boat or pedaling a bike. It's just more fun that way.
Al

Most of the time I just ride to ride. I do have a 6-8 week training schedule that I use prior to long tours which involves long hours in the saddle. My take is a bit different from previous posters. If the event you are training for involves speed (timed event) then the information contained in the original post is likely good advice. But, if you are training for long tours, then you need to put long hours in the saddle. When training for a tour, I usually have to force myself to go slower than my normal rides so that I don't burn out. One way that I make that transition is to train with my touring bike with panniers that have weight in them. That extra 40 pounds gets your attention right away and helps remind me that I need to pace myself. I will say that after 6000 miles in four months (the training program and the tour), I am in very good condition for long rides. I don't blink at a century nor do I feel I need a day off after 3 weeks. So miles do count, and they do increase your conditioning contrary to an original post. What that post should have emphasized is that long slow miles (14-18 mph for me) carrying a lot of weight doesn't necessarily give you the speed for timed events. That requires a different training plan.

I ride to ride, but it would be nice if I could keep up with the faster riders in the hills. I don't have the self control to lose weight or the time to ride as much as I'd like to. Still, I get in about 6K miles per year and can do the harder centuries.

It is fascinating to read the different perspectives y'all bring to the table. Thanks for sharing.

Lets see, I think I ride to enjoy myself, but add in some structured rides so i can ride better, and enjoy myself all the more. In other words, if you have any interest in getting faster you need to add some structure. But keeping it fun is really what its all about. As I get older I get better and better at remembering that.

I started back riding 2 months ago because I wanted to get in better shape and I hate running and going to the gym but I like to ride.now I ride because I like to ride.

I'm in it for the sex, drugs, and rock and roll. So far, I've scored a bottle of Advil and struck out on all other fronts.

I ride to ride..... to improve my health, strength, and endurance..... to work off the stress and emotions of grief.... to challenge myself..... to have fun...... to improve..... to do something fun with Hubby that involves social companionship, and to train my body for longer, harder group rides.

And because I love it. No other exercise I've ever done has been this enjoyable, made me want to go out and do it this much.

And did I mention cookies?:love:

I ride 'cause I love bikes, and riding.Been that way since I was a kid. I enjoy meeting people that ride, too. We are a pretty neat bunch, as a group. I also love to eat, so riding helps keep the weight off. No racing, the only goals I pursue are those of my own. Can't run, or walk aggressively, I have bone spurs in my left heel and can't take the impact. I swim, do spin class and lift weights off season, but when the weather's good, I'm out on the bike.

I work eight hours from home and don't get home all that often. I ride for sanity, scenery, civility, and svelteness.

Currently, I'm in the midst of a sinus infection, lack of energy, and antibiotics. I haven't ridden in about a week, and I'm about to go nuts, or perhaps more nuts (nutser?) in my case.

Heading back to Louisiana and then to Mississippi for a week of vacation and to do some volunteer work in post-hurricane repair/construction with our church group. Ole Fuj will make the trip with me. Hopefully, we will get in some flatland riding.

I ride because I want to ride. If I ever stop wanting to ride, I'll stop. And the surest way to make myself stop would be to turn riding into a "chore" that has to be done to meet some sort of training schedule.

When I started riding again a few months ago after a twenty-year hiatus, my "official excuse" was that I needed the exercise. But the real reason is that I loved riding in my younger days and have missed it for a long time. Now I ride most mornings before going to work, and it's a great way to start the day.

I'm in it for the sex, drugs, and rock and roll. So far, I've scored a bottle of Advil and struck out on all other fronts.


Hey wait a minute, Sex,drugs an rock and roll, cycling???? I missed it the first time around and now again. Please don't tell me disco is coming back.

Skills: Take a skills clinic. The techniques learned can be used as you "just ride".

Ability: I am in a formal training / racing program with a coach and belong to a racing club. I train to race for specific races. However, as far as fun is concerned, I have had more fun this last year than all previous years of cycling. YMMV :thumb:

+1.

I don't have a coach, but having specific goals and events for which to train has been great fun.

I don't assign every ride to be a training ride. That would suck the life out of that which rejuvenates me. We take the tandem out, and/or join a NorCal BF ride, and keep the fun factor present. As a result, our fun rides are more enjoyable and our events are higher quality because we've trained and maintained balance.

Whatever you do, be sure you enjoy it. That's all that counts.

Sorry I have never taken a train to ride, nor ridden to ride a train. However I have ridden by trains. So technically I have ridden to train.

Sorry I have never taken a train to ride, nor ridden to ride a train. However I have ridden by trains. So technically I have ridden to train.

Tom. I might be mistaken here, but I think you're on the wrong track.

Serious answer time, I ride to escape from the real world.

I'm not interested in conditioning, riding faster times, or turning my
body into one that Adonis would envy. Those are all very meaningful
reasons to ride for the majority of the population, but they turn my
enjoyable escape into a tedious chore and ruin my enjoyment.

When I'm on my bike, the world becomes whatever I want it to be.
No, I don't fight Dragons or try to charm Princesses. I just wander
through a maze of peace and tranquility which is full of marvelous
and mysterious things for me to discover, enjoy, photograph...whatever
I want.

I expect that labels me as a little eccentric but that is who I am and
why I ride. And that is how I have managed to survive this stupid world
for as long as I have. This attitude of mine won't fit most normal people
but it does work for me.

Happy Trails

50+ is the bastion of "different strokes for different folks". Each person here rides for their own reasons and "trains" accordingly.

50+ is the bastion of "different strokes for different folks". Each person here rides for their own reasons and "trains" accordingly.

And that is why there are so many different forums on BFN.

Interestingly, because of the common denominator of being 50+, the 50+ forum is a sort of amalgamation of all the forums in one "super forum."

The identity of 50+, for most of us, is stronger than the identity of racer or commuter or recreational rider or clydesdale, or mechanic or whatever.

While many of us participate in other more narrow and specialized forums, a lot of us find 50+ as our most important identifier and commonality.

I believe that is because here you get answers for specialized questions framed in a manner more appropriate to 50+

I ride because I can. Mountain, road, to the store, run errands, and anywhere a bike can roll.

Just ride. since the spring I have noticed a speed increase, and a stamina increase. I might do some club training rides on weekday mornings, but am usually the last up the hill. But mostly I just ride, and try to get the miles in before I do a long event ride. My longest ride so far has been 60 miles, coming after around 2000 base miles for the year (mostly 30 mile rides), and surprisingly wasn't that hard (other than the last long hill(s). Even went to work after the ride - no choice there! Unless your racing (which I'm not) I don't think there is any need for a training plan. Just keep riding and things will build.

I believe that is because here you get answers for specialized questions framed in a manner more appropriate to 50+

I wonder if you haven't turned this into a business and are using sublimital advertising on us to enhance your profits?:D

I believe that is because here you get answers for specialized questions framed in a manner more appropriate to 50+

I wonder if you haven't turned this into a business and are using sublimital advertising on us to enhance your profits?:D

-:eek:-

move over AIG

Fascinating responses all.

As I do not have any sort of organized training regimen, I just ride for fun and fitness and take what benefits come as earlier mentioned. And yet I still look at the numbers and am encouraged by better times and speed and get discouraged when I've regressed. So part of me wants to just ride for fun... and part of me wants to ever go faster and farther, as long as I can obtain that without making the training part a "work" task.

Nope... not gonna get rid of the data devices!

I've never raced but do enjoy group rides with the local folks. I find gains to be slow and regression to be fast. So I'm considering some spinning classes over the winter in hopes I won't have to spend 2 or 3 months next spring regaining my conditioning.

From the responses thus far, it seems the majority tend to ride unstructured... ie, just for fun and just take the benefits that come as a by-product. But a significant part of you ride with goals in mind... with the possible exception of those who missed the train (Tom). ;)

I've never raced but do enjoy group rides with the local folks. I find gains to be slow and regression to be fast. So I'm considering some spinning classes over the winter in hopes I won't have to spend 2 or 3 months next spring regaining my conditioning.

F that, you can retain your base fitness just fine by continuing to ride through the winter. If you want to check out all the young gals at spin classes, cool, but don't use winter as an excuse! :D

F that, you can retain your base fitness just fine by continuing to ride through the winter. If you want to check out all the young gals at spin classes, cool, but don't use winter as an excuse! :D

Cold weather weanie here. Maybe one day I'll grow up and ride when it's cold.

Edit: but I'm not opposed to being an admirer of pulchritude. Could make an otherwise dull sounding routine... interesting. :D

Chipcom,

Come out to Pete Gladden's indoor cycling class this winter. It's two hours of "organized pain and suffering" that riding outside in 20 degree temps can't provide. Even better, you can be riding next to some young gals, including a national champ, and they aren't dressed in baclavlas and rain coats.:D

Bill

I don't know about anyone else, but I just ride to ride. I don't "train". I never have "trained", and yet, I started riding a road bike at age 16, and I'm still doing it now at age 55. However, I do try to ride with good technique as much as possible, ie. climbing, descending, taking bends at speed, smooth pedaling, good use of gears, etc. I don't use a computer on the bike, and so I don't really aim for any particular speed, cadence or average. These things just come as part of the riding. I often start out riding moderately, and later find myself going pretty fast.

People who "train" are like the many I've known who started out jogging or running for fitness and then ended up obsessed with running marathons. They always seemed to be nursing some kind of overuse injury. I find many middle-aged cyclists are like that too. I think there is plenty of benefit from moderate cardiovascular/aerobic type of exercise every day, but I think that "training" may end up doing more harm than good at our age.

You have to ask yourself what you're ultimate goal is. I'm too old to be pursuing fruitless dreams of competitiveness. I want to enjoy life and enjoy riding. Ultimately, for me, that ends up being more like the cyclotourist than the racer. I don't smoke, but I picture myself more like the pipe smoking man in the wool sweater who rides through the French countryside and stops for wine, cheese and bread, rather than the one in the team racing outfit who has to eat gels in little packages because he can't afford to stop and relax.

I guess my goal, if I have any, is healthful longevity, pleasure and a certain unity with nature. You don't need to train for that, you just live it.

I try to do one faster group ride a week. I'll maintain a much harder effort to stay with the group on the hills than I would if rode the route by myself. And it's fun, too.

So, then, to be able to keep up with the group rides, I need to ride at least twice a week, every week. So that's motivation to get out and ride, even if I'm not exactly in the mood to get started.

Chipcom,

Come out to Pete Gladden's indoor cycling class this winter. It's two hours of "organized pain and suffering" that riding outside in 20 degree temps can't provide. Even better, you can be riding next to some young gals, including a national champ, and they aren't dressed in baclavlas and rain coats.:D

Bill

I this the class? http://www.excelincycling.com/Indoor%20cycling/IndoorCycling.html

Are you in this pic?:D

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/rallen94402/page1_1.jpg

I will go to the class she goes to but I understand I may have to get wet.:thumb:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/rallen94402/dana-torres-sexy-bikini-photo-nyt-m.jpg

Its not an "either/or" question. Its a "both/and" answer.

The Fifty plus group has sub categories: those who have been riding for, say 30 or more years, those who recently picked up riding again, those who never had a bike as an adult and are picking it up now.

Their reasons for riding will vary. If they enjoy it, they will tend to make it a favorite pastime and begin identifying themselves as recreational athletes of some type. Sometimes their "training" will be made up in their own mind, not by Carmichael, but perhaps influenced by him or Sheldon Brown. Did Sheldon offer tips on training?

Would anybody buy a book written by Digital Gee, "Fifty plus training for Dummies"?

I try to never use the "T" word. I prepare for upcoming events, but I never train.

Just like when I played in bands, I would play songs over and over and work out how to play different sections and develop a groove with my bandmates by playing the songs with them countless times, but I would never "practice". ;)