Fifty Plus (50+) - Returning to racing after 30 years ?

After 30 years off I'm planning to get back in to racing this summer. Anyone else done this? I'm 52, fair shape, but not even close to the condition I was in for my last race as a Cat 1 in 1981. Started doing some club rides last year. By the end of the summer I could do 30 miles averaging about 20 which I assume is still a ways from even Cat 4/5 so have some work to do between now and spring/summer. Thinking about trying to follow Carmicheal's Time Crunched Cyclist. Any advice welcomed!

Any advice welcomed!

Yea- Don't do it.



Didn't have that long a layoff but at 52 I decided to get back to my serious offroad Enduros and long rides that I used to do. It had taken me a while to get over the Bypass but I felt that I could do it. Boy was that training hard. I really got into it and fitness started coming back. Then another setback and it was a couple of years before I did my first 100 miler.

Training had been hard but not hard enough. That first enduro hurt. I mean really hurt. Didn't stop me though as I had proved I could do the distance- just not do it well enough. So for the next 3 years I trained harder and longer and did this ride each year. Finally sense got hold of me and I realised that I was expecting just a bit too much from this body that was getting more tired and worn out each year.

So if you are going back- make certain that you do get the training in. Most of which is going to be the mental part. It takes a lot of effort to keep going when you get slaughtered by the 20 year old on a bike that he cannot ride and you cannot afford. Untill you realise that you have to train harder and longer on a body that just wants to take a rest.

It will be hard but you are only young once- You can do it.

Do it. I began racing and the training needed to compete successfully three years ago. I'm lucky that my son began racing at the same time as me then a couple of my riding buddies also started to race last year. Due in part to my son's ability and success a team welcomed all of us on board. I'm lucky to be able to hook up with a training partner when needed. 1.5 hour/ Zone 3 cemetery crits with 6 other riders are a blast.:thumb:

Racing as the old Cat 5 guy the first year wasn't as fun as racing Cat 4 and Master's last summer. I'm looking forward to more regional age group races this year with some of the great guys I've met around the race scene.