Commuting - Growing with age

Hitting the low 40's, I begin to see that the stretch of years ahead are frought with challenges.

But the biggest challenge, for me, would be aging without the benefits of cycling and other body-strengthening activities to keep me from turning frail or disabled. I still may suffer some debilitating disease in the years to come, but my intent is that it will not be a disease caused by lack of physical activity!

My hope for my latter years is to somehow demonstrate that, with proper treatment, the human body does not have to self-destruct before 70, but can remain relatively vibrant as long as possible.

Cycling may help in this quest. I am grateful I discovered cycling in my 30's (I actually rode as a kid, but at 13, I took a sad detour...) Now, cycling has given me new hope and vision!

:thumbup:

I have met several very healthy long slow distance cyclists in their mid-70s, and I hope one day to join their ranks.

Originally posted by John E
I have met several very healthy long slow distance cyclists in their mid-70s, and I hope one day to join their ranks.

Me too! I've also noticed that I tend to gain weight faster and lose it slower now. My weight gains usually occur promptly after the riding season ends.

School has kept me less physically active as well. But for the spring semister, I have incorporated a two hour break for lunch and a workout at the gym!

School is 33 miles from home, so on some days I plan on taking the bike (by car) to the university and riding it home after class. My better-half will take the car home. On tandem days we'll leave a vehicle and pick it up the next day.

I guess I can say I'm leaving my mid-forties now...47 next month, and I'm healthy, but must now watch my weight....something that up to the past couple of years, I have never had to do in my life.

Yeah, that weight keeps trying to jump on me too.

Along with exercise I have always maintained a healthy diet, which as we know, is just as important.

It would be fun to commit to riding ones age on his/her birthday.
I'll be 60 in Sept, no big deal, yet, but sometime after 70 things should start to get interesting.

3-4 months ago Bicycling Magazine's anniversary issue (40th maybe?) had a really neat aritlcle on various aspects of aging and cycling going through the decades and what one can expect at that point. I thoroughly enjoyed it. One phrase that was listed in every decade was "It's almost like flying." Except that somewhere around the 80s or 90s it changed to "It's better than flying."

RainmanP, I have put that issue in a drawer, and I expect to be pulling it out every few years for review!

In our recreational riding club there are a number of folks over 80, and one in particular, who is 83, put in 5227 miles in club rides this last year, according to the club stat page. There's where I'd like to be in 30 years.

I agree wholeheartedly with all that's been said.
I find that I gain weight quickly and little aches and pains become big ones when I don't ride.

I saved the 40th anniversary issue of Bicycling to show to friends and family when they ask why I'm still riding. :D

Last week a few of us at work were talking and the subject of age came up. I informed the group that I am 57. One of the guys (who is only 29) said he is going to have to take up cycling because he thought I was in my late 40s.

Cycling works!!! :thumbup:

I'm hoping to counter act 7 years of smoking. And prevent the desire to do so again. That and the enjoyment of the bike should add to my life span too. A happy person lives longer, so they say.