Fifty Plus (50+) - Rediscovering the fun of biking - a bit long

Hi all! Get a beer or drink.

On 5/24 the wife an I completed our research and sprung for a couple new bikes. I bought a Trek 7.3FX and she bought a Giant Cyprus DX. She leaned more toward comfort and I toward sport performance. Keep in mind we bought these bikes on 30 year old memories of what biking used to be.

My how technology has changed. Our motivation is simple enough, we would like to get back in shape. I quit smoking about 4 years ago, was diagnosed with mild hypertension and have gained quite a bit of weight so we decided to do something about it. So here we are.

Sunday we brought the bikes home and gave our neighbors a good laugh. We looked like a couple six year olds learning to ride again, all wiggly and unstable, occasionally dropping foot to catch the fall, only to finally get pedal and ride. Somehow I don't remember stopping and starting being that awkward...ever. We ended up doing about a mile and a half. I went out later and did another 2 miles.

Each day since we've extended our ride so far. I'm pushing 5 miles now. Go ahead an laugh. :lol: It's ok.

I initially changed the saddle out because I really didn't like the default one. I'm still not sure I like the one I bought either. The soft tissue between my sit bones and seat is a bit sore. I attribute that to not doing this for 30+ years.

I don't seem to have the pain I did the first couple days, which was a pleasant surprise this morning. One question how long does it take for SBS (sore butt syndrome) to subside? I'm not using riding shorts either.

I'm finding I really like the Trek, it's a very responsive bike to me, much more so than I remember the old Schwinn was. The bike just seems to want to go fast. Honestly I don't remember a bike that felt like this one does. I can say, I'm having a blast and I've already started tweaking the saddle and bars a bit to fine tune for my comfort.

I'm curious about all of you whom have come back to relearn biking again. How long did it take for you to start getting into longer rides? I tend to get a bit winded around the 3 mile mark, but I'm holding what feels like a pretty good pace. I haven't put a cycloputer on yet, but knowing the measured distance and figuring my ride time puts me averaging 9 -10 mph on most of my rides so far without the wife.

Should I slow my pace and go for a longer ride to build endurance? Am I too concerned with speed at this stage of the game? Should I just shut up and relax? :speedy:

I'll keep you all informed of our progress if you like.

Steven

Should I slow my pace and go for a longer ride to build endurance? Am I too concerned with speed at this stage of the game? Should I just shut up and relax? :speedy:

I'll keep you all informed of our progress if you like.

Steven

We like. Keep the reports coming.

It sounds like you chose the right bike to me, but I'm not really too wise about these things.

I'm from the "Just enjoy the ride" camp. We do have several BF members here in 50+ who are very wise about speed, endurance and distance though. There's also a lot of mechanical knowledge lurking about so you've landed in the right place.

Enjoy your rides.

I have gone through several long stretches where I maybe only road the bike a few times/month and then only in the spring or fall. Each time I got back into it it was harder. This past time it was after my move to NY - I did not ride much for two years. What I found was about a 5 or 6 mile ride was all I could do at first. Then 12, then 18 and so on. I would never try to go for speed at first until I am capable of doing about 30 miles without feeling so tired at the end I wanted to just take a nap. But I pushed myself to get to that distance within a few weeks. Then I would start striving for speed on shorter rides of 6 to 12 miles.

So just take it easy at first - and always keep it fun. Always make sure to not take off and leave your wife, make it fun for her to - she may say yes in a year or so when you ask if it's OK to buy that custom made TI Serotta with the Super Record group.:D

As far as the seat - it's gonna hurt for a while. If after about 6 weeks and a few trys at seat adjustment *(tilt, fore & aft and even handle bar height) you can't progress because your rear hurts it's time to start looking at new seats.

Welcome to you next adiction. :thumb:

My return to riding came several years ago, but I can remember how it felt. The butt is going to hurt, so don't waste your money searching for the perfect saddle just yet. You wouldn't know it now if you sat on it. I can remember when 5 miles seemed like a big accomplishment, and it was. Just keep doing what you are doing. Don't worry about speed. Add distance a little at a time. Before long you'll be amazed at how quickly you have progressed. Make small adjustments to the saddle, handlebars etc. Eventually you'll start to see what makes it feel better and what makes it feel worse. Don't be afraid to ask for advice here and at your bike shop. If there is a beginner friendly club in your area, that can be a great source of good advice as well as a way to meet great people to ride with.

Above all else, keep it fun. Don't be in such a hurry to advance that you make yourself not enjoy riding enough to keep doing it.

I first rode a bit in the fall of '06. First ride was around 3 miles. Longest that fall was around 8. Next spring I started at around 6 in April, but was doing 20 by late May, 30 by late June, and was in the 40s in July.

But last year I tended to stay in the 20-32 range for most of the year. Only a couple of 40+ rides.

I quit smoking about 4 years ago, was diagnosed with mild hypertension and have gained quite a bit of weight so we decided to do something about it.

Each day since we've extended our ride so far. I'm pushing 5 miles now.

One question how long does it take for SBS (sore butt syndrome) to subside? I'm not using riding shorts either.

I haven't put a cycloputer on yet, but knowing the measured distance and figuring my ride time puts me averaging 9 -10 mph on most of my rides so far without the wife.

Should I just shut up and relax?

I quit smoking around four years or so ago. I've quit coughing and hacking, and my wind is getting better. Stay with it.

Keep extending the ride a little. It will come as you keep riding.

Sore butt syndrome will eventually subside, but I would get some riding shorts with the chamois. Initially, I wore a pair of baggy shorts over my bike shorts, and then I thought, "I'm 50+ years of age, and if someone doesn't like what they see, so be it. I don't care!" For me, the shorts help as the distances increase.

I would get a bike computer and probably the wired version. Based on what I've read, some of the wireless models are not as reliable as others. The computer will help you know when you've reached yet another milestone!

Yes, just shut up and ride:D (Just kidding). You'll do fine. Keep us posted, and post some photos.

By the way, ex-smokers can do 100-mile rides.

Welcome!

I returned to cycling 20 months ago after a 30 year hiatus so know exactly where you are at. Just keep riding, keep increasing your distance and have fun. Before you know it, you'll be amazed how the miles roll by.

I can tell you already have "the fever". Keep it fun. Add distance slowly. Don't worry 'bout speed yet. Welcome to this world.

You might be surprised how many regulars in here, upon reading your post, were reminded of themselves when they got back into cycling. I know I saw myself in much of what you wrote. I came back in 2005.

Sounds like you are already bitten by the cycling bug. I agree with the others, take your time, enjoy the ride. The speed will come later, or not at all. up to you. I personally don't worry too much about my speed. Just finishing is fine with me. Like you i just recently got back into cycling after a long hiatus, and I love it. I don't go fast, but every time I take the bike out I am doing myself some good. The more I ride, the more I want to ride. :o

Keep 'em coming. I enjoy hearing everybody's experiences, at all levels. Beginners or returning old-timers are especially welcome.

The worst butt-pain I ever had was when I had not ridden all winter, and I started up with my hybrid bike on a very short ride (maybe 5 miles.) My butt was sore for days. Getting on the bike the next day was torture. It just takes time. Don't make any rash (get it?) saddle decisions until you've let this initial butt-pain phase pass.

If you are like most of us you are going to want to pop for a couple of good pairs of bike shorts soon. Don't worry about feeling like a dork - they make a big difference. Also, take it easy and learn to spin. Use a gear that feels easier than you think you should be in.

Hi all! Get a beer or drink.

Gladly! Thanks for the siggestion... :thumb:



I initially changed the saddle out because I really didn't like the default one. I'm still not sure I like the one I bought either. The soft tissue between my sit bones and seat is a bit sore. I attribute that to not doing this for 30+ years.


Just to clarify, are you talking about two distinct painful spots on your posterior, or the soft tissue in the middle? I think you mean the former (two distinct points of pain), which is fine. You'll adapt, and it sounds like you are already doing so. IF it is the soft tissue in the middle (between your sit-bones) you have a problem with the saddle.



Should I slow my pace and go for a longer ride to build endurance? Am I too concerned with speed at this stage of the game? Should I just shut up and relax? :speedy:


Any way you ride will build endurance at this stage of the game. Just keep riding, go fast when you feel like it, slow down when you want to. Try to get more miles in, but time is more important than miles. (5 miles into a 20 knot headwind is about the same as 10-12 miles in calm air, both can take about the same time.)

Oddly enough, riding faster will help with the saddle pain. You'll be taking more of your body weight on your feet for more of the time, easing the pressure on your tuchus.



I'll keep you all informed of our progress if you like.

Steven

Please Do!

ntime60...good on you and your wife on the new bikes. Enjoy them. Ride like when you were a kid. Ride because it's fun. The speed and distance will come but the most important thing is to enjoy the ride.

First off thanks for the responses and encouragement. This is exactly why I joined this community. You all are great.

The Cyclocomputers are planned as well as a few other necessities. I know it's always going to be something, tools, lubes, tubes, tires...I'm a technogeek so getting into the technical aspects is pretty much a given with me.

The thing is on the speed, it's more me than anything. I've always driven sport luxury cars (more performance than luxury), so I like speed and I know it wears me out faster.

The salesman at my lbs tried to get me into the Cyprus DX like my wife. but I just didn't like the sluggishness of the frame and suspension due to the increase in weight. This new Trek is real twitchy, I like that and I believe that nimbleness saved me from disaster last night.

I narrowly missed a couple joggers, on the bike path, as the path went up a little hill, sharply curved to the right at the apex, then back downhill sharply, with a quick curve to the left, and across a wooden bridge. As soon as I saw the runners entering the bridge the same time I was, I instantly corrected the bike to the right (a bit too much) and boy did the bike respond. You couldn't have put a piece of paper between the bridge rail and my right handlebar as I exited that bridge. I thanked my lucky stars someone didn't put landscape bushes at the end of that bridge as I shot across the grass, the girls called out as I blew past them, "We're, your ok!"

Even as a kid on my huffy stingray 20" I'd find hills I could fly down. It's the whole wind in the face, shirt wildly flapping, semi out of control adrenaline rush that always brings a smile to my face. So yeah, I'm a speed freak.

It's just a whole different level of fun opposed to riding with the wife and tooling along a nice and easy.

Just keep at it and add miles incrementally. One day you will wake up and say to yourself, I think I will try to do xx number of miles today because the shorter rides wont seem to be as much. I never really stopped riding totally but did very little for several years. Last year I got back into it and progressed to doing many 20+ mile rides, a few 30's and 40's, a couple in the 60's and one 97 miler.

So as others have said, take your time and enjoy it and don't pay attention to speed for quite awhile. Oh, and at some point in the longer rides your butt will always get sore, it is just a matter of when and to what degree:roflmao2:

First off thanks for the responses and encouragement. This is exactly why I joined this community. You all are great.


Even as a kid on my huffy stingray 20" I'd find hills I could fly down. It's the whole wind in the face, shirt wildly flapping, semi out of control adrenaline rush that always brings a smile to my face. So yeah, I'm a speed freak.



I see a road bike in your near future! Someone will explain the N+1 rule :)

It's just a whole different level of fun opposed to riding with the wife and tooling along a nice and easy.

Yup, both are good. If it's not impertinent to suggest - you bought the bikes together, so ride together. Or, agree that you'll do xxxx together, then whoever is feeling frisky will do yyyy alone, and regroup at point z to finish the ride together. That way, more:love:

And if so, see you on the tandem forum!

Oh, and butt pain is just weakness leaving the body. (My son tells me that - the wretch used to train with UK special forces!)

Wobblyoldgeezer - we usually ride together, she tires faster than I so I go out and ride further. She'll catch up. We all have different rates of fitness.

Kotts - Yes it is those two spots and not in-between. It's nice to know that the pain will subside kind of.

Seems like my back and shoulder pain is subsiding and I think much of that was due to posture changes and fine tuning the handlebars and saddle a bit more.

I find it interesting many of you started like we are and now you look so nonchalantly at 30-50 miles. I think it very likely that if I start doing 30+ miles, I'll look pretty hard at attempting a commute to work. From the SW side of Indy to the NE side is 28 miles.

Just too bad Indy streets aren't built for that. They are working on it, but they need to also fix the crazy drivers.

Hi,

Last Nov 8, 2008 at the age of seventy and after almost 35 years of non bike riding
I bought an entry level road bike ( Sequoia Comp ).

I found that indeed one does not forget how to ride a bike, but riding a bike well
takes time and practice :) Being a Clydesdale does not help, cuz my neighborhood is hilly :)

Just as you are doing, I started with short rides and have built up to 20 mile rides.

I have embraced biking with helmet/bike shorts/bike jerseys/gloves and clipless pedals.

Hang in there, it will get easier... This board is a tremendous source of information, use it!

Jerry

After being away from being able to ride a bicycle for well over a decade, due to weight and health problems, I was able to lose the weight and got a new road bike. I haven't had so much fun in decades. I usually walk about 2 hours a day, so I was able to do a fairly good distance on the bike. So far I've done 30 miles in a little over 2 hours and hope to kick that up soon.

Do some cross training, watch your diet, and just ride a little further each time you ride ( or walk if you try that too) and you'll get in shape. Just listen to your body and don't do too much, and not too little either and you should do fine.

Welcome back to feeling like a kid again!
:**

Started at 58 (11 years ago), first 15 mile ride merited a cell phone call to the wife, 3.5 months later rode the "Ride the Rockies" in Colorado on a mtn bike - 353 miles of Colorado passes in 7 days, longest day at 90 miles over 2 passes.

You can increase performance pretty fast if you have a strong desire to do so.

Wife, at 72, also rides - up to 25 miles.

Mostly, have fun.

BTW, the softest saddle is likely the worst saddle, long-term.

You older folk give me reason for hope and the drive to become better. If you can I can :thumb:

I made it to 5 miles today mostly because the temperature was a nice 68f and low humidity. Still had a wind out of the north around 5 to 8. I slowed my pace just a bit 9.37 mph average as opposed to 10.25mph, but I went 2 miles longer than my previous rides.

My thighs are letting me know that is about it for them for today. I'll have to see how I feel tomorrow. A couple new things to note. After 35 minutes, my palms had an odd tingling sensation, not really numbness and it went away pretty quickly after I stopped and recovered. I was a bit winded at the 4 mile mark, about the same as the 2 mile mark at the faster pace.

Just a thought here, when you are beginning, is there a recommended frequency to take a small break, maybe a couple minutes, drink a bit? How do you determine when is a good break time?

I can definitely tell in my legs this was a longer ride. A good one though. :)

Maybe a saddle like this will help for the butt pain.

Just a thought here, when you are beginning, is there a recommended frequency to take a small break, maybe a couple minutes, drink a bit? How do you determine when is a good break time?Mainly just listen to your body. It will tell you when to get off. At first, that will seem like too soon. It doesn't matter. Get off anyway and walk just a bit. Being a technogeek, you probably already have a spreadsheet made logging you what you've done! Add number of rests and see that change with time too.
Everyone else is right...you're an addict now. There is no end in sight! In fact I see a Surley LHT in your future and an ocean to ocean ride!

As you get stronger breaks will become less frequent. For rides less than 40 miles I usually don't take a break - I drink a lot while on the bike but no stops. For rides over 40 miles I try to take a break every 20 to 30 miles. This break will include taking in about 200 to 300 calories of food - usually trailmix, whether I am hungry or not - I will need the fuel later.

You'll get the hang of it.