Now that we have thousands and thousands of members, and a 50+ Forum, how many folks are willing to identify themselves as 50 and over?

Tell us about yourself at:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=63378&page=1&pp=30

I'm in the 50-54 category and don't see any need for a special 50+ forum. The length of time it takes to recover from an injury is about the only thing that seems to have changed for me.

Hasn't this been discussed before? I seriously don't think it is needed quite yet, that might change a few months down the road.

I really don't think there is a need for age specific forums. Like we have the bmx forum which is pretty much for 12 year olds with their 'u' and 'ur' and '4' and other types o AOL'ese talk.

And then we have road cycling forums which don't seem to be populated by such illiterate people.

With the Baby Boomers now passing the 50 year mark many will
be retiring and "re-discovering" cycling as a great past time
sport. A sport that will require a different focus than the
20 somthing to 40 somethings require.

Now we're not talkin' old folk's home here. What we are
talking about is bike that will not be full race bikes nor
will they be full BMX,dirt or other hard rock extreme sport
type bikes. They will ,in the end , be commuters, weekend
touring bikes, and town bikes that have a greater level of
comfort with ease of maint. & Hi reliablity. Some makers are
already starting to feed this type of bike into the market
now. But for the most part, the go fast, live dangerously
crowd will become a fully seperate market from "Boomerbikes".

Sure, some Boomers will NOT admit they can't perform like
they were 20 anymore.......until they get hurt trying. THEN
they , too, will want a "Boomerbike". So there will be a need
for a more mature "Boomerbike" forum here in time.

Why not? Because you're always young at heart.

I'm going on 62 and I definitively vote no.

I think there are already way too many sterotypes regarding older riders. Go to any bike shop looking for a new bike and watch them trot out all of the "grandmother" comfort bikes. I think that if we keep age out of it, we'll have a better chance of being treated as individuals rather than as a part of some age group.

Agree totally with the hatred of stereotypes.

But, perhaps a 50+ forum could band together to denounce and show by examples the falsity of this thinking?

Just a thought!
Yeah but the only people who would see this is a few curmudgeons. Besides aren't you the one who's always looking for equal (not special) treatment for your demographic?

I'm 54, and I did not vote. I doubt we need our own forum.
Btw, I am a big fan of supplemets like calcium, vitamins and antioxidants. But the drugs you mention are just too risky, you juggle hand grenades and eventually one will go off.

Hasn't this been discussed before? I seriously don't think it is needed quite yet, that might change a few months down the road.

Ditto...also are we gonna create a segregation for every single person different. I have fingers missing and no second digits on my left hand, I don't feel the need for a handicapped sub-forum. Besides...I will be over 50 someday...the information is useful to all.

I would like to see a "over 50" forum. Some of the young kids here have a hard time relating to what we are asking or talking about. :)

I dunno, since I turned 50 in March, I want to hang around more with younger people.
A 50's forum would be a great opportunity for us to post every time we whup some young 35 year old punks whilst climbing hills. Then the rest of the posts would be about what drugs we're taking this week (aspirin and glucosamine sulphate)
Then we could throw in the odd mid life crisis post to keep everybody else interested!!!

Seriously, though I think there are too many sub-forums now, I don't have time to read them all (is that a 50's statement???)

It is exactly this kind of thinking and perhaps stereotype that leads me to believe the we DO need a 50+ forum - to counter this type of thinking.
I'm 59 and get lots of great information from the forum members, regardless of age.
But I get some of my best information from
http://www.exrx.net/Store/HKImages/CyclingPast50.jpg

I'm 50ish. :)

Yea, I notice a difference. I don't recuperate as quickly nor do I heal as quickly. I take vitamins and anti-oxidants. The only thing I can say for sure is Glucosamine with Chondroiton really does work for me and helps my back.

Sometimes it's depressing knowing that no matter how much I train I'll never be as good as I was when I was 35...but that's life and you learn to maximize what God gives you.

g'day,

I'm not 50, (sorry)....In Oz you become classified as a 'veteran' or 'master' (in bike racing terms) at the age of 35. thus anyone over the age of 35 is elligible to join a 'vets' racing club if they wish. The races in these clubs are ranked by ability, rather than age. Thus it is common to have guys aged anywhere from 35 to 65 racing in the same grade (cat. to you seppo's).....After racing 'vets' for a few years, (i still race 'open' as well), I can tell you that there are 2 stand out differences between 'vets' racing & 'open'.

1/ the 'vets' guys generally have more ,omey to spend on all the latest 'you beaut, go faster' bits

2/ the 'vets' have more time to train (especially if they are retired or have a grown family)

I ride what you would refer to as Cat 2 or 3 in open comp, so I'm no bozo in races, but i regularly get my arse kicked by guys 20 years my senior!....they might be a little slower in the sprints but they make up for that with pure rat cunning!....so old guys still rock....BTW we have 3 90 y.o in our club.......1 has to be lifted on & off the bike, but once he's on & clipped in, he can shame plenty o' 70YO's ...LOL

cheers,

Hitchy

Hitchy,

It's the same in the states. Anything over 35 is classified as "Masters". I've been racing in the Masters 45+ category (first year of racing) and am happy if I come in mid-pack. Sometimes these guys will race down in age if they think the 45+ course and/or distance isn't tough enough. A fair number of them were Pros and Cat 1 racers in their prime. I'm thinking I should try a Cat 5 race and see if it's any easier.

SteveE

Hitchy,

It's the same in the states. Anything over 35 is classified as "Masters". I've been racing in the Masters 45+ category (first year of racing) and am happy if I come in mid-pack. Sometimes these guys will race down in age if they think the 45+ course and/or distance isn't tough enough. A fair number of them were Pros and Cat 1 racers in their prime. I'm thinking I should try a Cat 5 race and see if it's any easier.

SteveE


G'day,

the obvious difference is that our 'vets' races are graded on ability rather than age.The only time we race as 'age groups' are special occaision races like 'age group championships' or something of that nature. The other problem in OZ, is that I need to have 2 seperate licences if I want to race both 'vets' & 'open', as the 'vets' aren't affilaited with the UCI. Gets kinda expensive!. As far as racing 'vet' or 'open' goes, I like both. Open is obviously harder, wheras 'vets', whilst still tightly contested, is more relaxed & a social activity. there's certainly something to be said for not having to chase 120lb 17 y.o's up hills tahts for sure!....We have 2 olympic gold medalists in our club, so I know how you feel as far as the competiveness goes,

cheers,

Hitchy

well Go 50 and up
I hope I can still be rideing at that age
not too far off lol ssssshhhhhhh :) a serveral years to go :)
body done feels like it got there a few years ago

a little Ouch yesterday :)

I need another 26 years to get to 50.

I would like to see a 50 and over forum. We could bring our collective wisdom to problems, if we could just remember where we put this storehouse of wonderful tidbits. The forum could be in very large type for those of us who have fallen victim over the last twenty year or so to the business conspiracy of ever smaller typesets. We could go on talking even when no one is listening, which I have been practicing for some time now. We could share our favorite mashed food recipes for the dentureless. A separate medical section would be a hoot for discussing the endless variety of afflictions we succumb to. I could begin to tell you my fascinating life story from the beginning, detail by detail. Hello, hello, anyone still there?

I have written this very slowly for those of you who no longer read very fast.

Sometimes it's depressing knowing that no matter how much I train I'll never be as good as I was when I was 35...
I'm much healthier, stronger, and lighter than I was at 35.
At 35 I weighed about 230 pounds and never exercised.

I'm 51,big deal. Why would all the youngsters on here listen to us,they dont listen to anybody else because they already know everything. Let them fill us in.

Tell that to my Lemond BA.

It is exactly this kind of thinking and perhaps stereotype that leads me to believe the we DO need a 50+ forum - to counter this type of thinking.




Not hurt yet at 64 yo (almost 65), riding along at 4,000 miles per year on my "racer."

First I'd like to congratulate you for taking such good care
of yourself and being lucky enough to avoid health issues or
injury.

However, you must admit that on a percentage basis the
majority of Boomers will not be as wise as you nor as lucky.
It is to those Boomers that the "Boomerbike" will be addressed.
To think otherwise seeks to deprive these less lucky folks of
the opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of calmer cycling.

I do agree that a 50+ forum would serve a place to discuss
issues that are the providence of the Boomer group and of
no interest to any of younger folk's.......yet.

I'll be 50 on my next B'day. That makes me close enough to submit an opinion, but only old enough to vote once! ;)

Personally, I'm not crazy about the additional stratification, but with the ever increasing volume of posts it makes it easier to filter down to the areas of primary interest. So, why not? If it isn't a big deal to create, put it out there and see what happens. If there is little interest, let it die and get rid of it.

Just curious... Is 50 special? Why 50 as the age break? :eek:

Given the fact that Boomers age run from 58 (1946) to 40 (1964)
Most of the ages in your poll may not yet be cyclist or if they
are they will be indpendent as you are. This is to be
expected as they will be from the Depression or WWII
generation which is noted for fierce independance.

That said I still manitain that there.....will be ... a need
in the not to distant future for a 50+ forum for the Boomers
to gather in and swap tips stories and encouragement about
cycling.......IF they ever decide to re-join active cyclist.

g'day,

perhaps we could have a 50 & over thread & have it 'locked' to all those under 50.....then we could have a thread about whether it should be 'locked' or not...or maybe 'read only' for those under 50....or maybe "a 50 & over thread for gay, coloured trek riders who favour yellow overshoes on days that start T, except when its the 3rd Tuesday in which case they will ride a century & wear green gloves"

hitchy

I'm over 50 but I just don't see a need for a special forum. Everything I ever wanted answered or saw answered for those over 50 have applied on the regular forums. Don't complicate this forum, the older you get the less complication you need!!!!!!!!

I'm 50 and enjoying a level of fitness I last experienced in my mid-30s. Sure, it takes longer to heal, and I don't bounce as well when I fall off, but when I do fall off, I'm likely to laugh at it. If we had a forum for 50-somethings only, we'd miss out on total jerks like KleinMp99. But then again, there are middle-age specific issues about training and supplements that young riders can't speak of from experience. Right now, I'm happy with the balance of forum groups. The young can skip over the threads that they find too 'old'. Maybe I need to learn the u, ur, b4 (AOL'ese as it was called earlier) so I can cut it with the acne gang riding 20 inchers. :D

I'm 50 but made major health choices changes a few years ago (check user name). Up to a point I think age is just a number. I know guys 10 years younger that are a wreck. Doctors all say I'm in great shape, they can't believe my blood work; have RHR @ 42BPM , and more energy than I've ever known. I'm not changing a thing. :)

We have identified 46 of us who are 50+, including 9 who are 60-64.

I will be 65 soon, so I almost fit the next category. 65-69.

A couple of thoughts on some place (forum, thread, whatever) dedicated to folks 50+

1. Folks who are 50+ and who are considering starting a fitness program are at times quite unsure about themselves, what they can do, what goals might be appropriate, training techniques, etc. When they discover a forum such as BicycleForum in their search for answers, it may be comforting to see that they are not alone - that there are others engaged in similar pursuits.

I see a number of introductory posts like "At 52, I am old, but want to start getting exercise. etc., etc." Some folks think they are way over the hill at 50, likely because they feel that way. A senior place allows them to discover what other folks their age and older are doing in the way of fitness.

2. Some of the younger folks on the forum believe that someone 50+ is "elderly" and pretty much also over the hill. Likely this is the example that they have at home in their own family. I think it is eye=opening to some of them to see that folks 50+ go on centuries, tours, can ride Litespeeds and Airborne and bent's (not just "comfort" bikes) and bike 1000's of miles each year. Some weight lift, run and do other things. It is nice to have a place where they can see the combined "force" of 50+ riders at least in this forum, and may also give the younger folks the impetus to get their own family non-exercising members involved in some fitness activities.

3. Much of the perception of what folks 50+ can and should do fitness-wise, in the fitness world, in the press, in MD's eyes, is generally very light modified exercises - that kind of thing. The things that folks 50+ do as expressed in this forum just blows that concept away.

But anyway, these are my thoughts.

Once again I'm reminded of Groucho Marx' remark regarding aging, "You're only as old as the women you feel." Of course, Groucho was known for the bevies of young beauties he dated and mated. Wonder if he bicycled......perhaps a tandem?

57, If we go for a 50+ forum I'll use it , if we don't I won't lose any sleep over it !
cheers.

Well, based on the responses that I see so far in this thread, at least a 50+ forum would be populated by people who can write a coherent, grammatical message ;).

As for my other comments, I think that age only slows you down as much as you let it. I am just getting back to cycling and have been much more of a runner over the past 10 years or so. I just started running serious distances about 6 years ago and since then have run three marathons and a bunch of shorter races. In fact, I am run many of the same races each year and my times keep coming down. Obviously the age curve is going to overtake my performance curve eventually, but at 57 I am in way better shape than I was at 40.

I mainly got back into cycling for cross-training benefits, a way to cover longer distances (and take advantage of the new rail-trails in the area), and for something to do with my wife. So far, so good, and I have received generally good advice from these forums.

Doug G

Just ordered the Cycling Past 50 book and I would think the 50ish forum would be a good idea. I don't feel 53 but my body keeps telling me it is, I cycled in my 30s and I can tell a differance in speed and endurance.

Just ordered the Cycling Past 50 book...
I picked it up a few years ago. Great book filled with lots of excellent information for us "older" folks.


I have a question for us "older" folks. How many bike commute to work or use your bike for errands, shopping, etc.?

I have a question for us "older" folks. How many bike commute to work or use your bike for errands, shopping, etc.?

A couple of years back I did some bike commuting. The full ride one way was 27 miles, which I did only once!

Then I would drive my car to a shopping center and park, and would do 18 miles one way, which I did in 60 minutes flat! It was totally on a bike path, with only two street crossings, except for the last mile. I could shower at work.

However, one day I returned to the car, I found the rear window smashed - they had tried to get my wife's Spec HR, which I had left in the back of the van, and it cost $600 to fix the window. So, I gave it up, and then we moved another 10 miles away, so I never restarted.

I use my mtn bike, on which I have mounted 2 rear panniers at times to run to the grocery store or the hardware store or to lunch. I also have a foldable back pack, so between them all I can carry about 6 plastic bags of groceries at one time.

However, this is infrequent, as my wife and I shop together usually, and she wants to go in the car.

Hey, we now have 57 folks who have self identified as being 50+, including one person 70-74.

Still, of those 57, only 19 are interested in a 50+ forum. Seems like a "No go" to me. Only 19 people would have a hard time finding things to discuss!

Thanks to all the responders.

Look out, all you 20 yo's, we have 50+ power on this forum. Be careful on the hills, we might take you out! :D :) :roflmao: :) :D

Dnvr,

64 (over 50 types) and counting.
I like the idea of an over 50 forum only in the fact that it limits where one
might have to search for 50 and over . . . . (forgot what I was thinkin. I hate that)
approriate information. For example, instead of searching the entire forum for
metamucial, or joint replacement, or. . . . (oh heck, what is that word) . . .glucosamine
we could just go to the over 50 forum.
On the other hand I think there are too many subdivisions and specializations going on.
We really don't need to segregate ourselve's from the general population. They are
already trying to do that we don't need it here!


Marty

So why does not it get set up anyway? There is nothing to lose. More users may be persuaded to subscribe to such a forum if they know it's there. And if noone bothers to use it, how difficult can it be to delete it? I'd certainly join it as I believe there are specific middle-age questions I know cannot be answered except by experience and by people who have already been there.

I propose it gets set up. Forget the numbers initially, it'll reach critical mass soon enough.

Joe?

So why does not it get set up anyway? There is nothing to lose. More users may be persuaded to subscribe to such a forum if they know it's there. And if noone bothers to use it, how difficult can it be to delete it? I'd certainly join it as I believe there are specific middle-age questions I know cannot be answered except by experience and by people who have already been there.

I propose it gets set up. Forget the numbers initially, it'll reach critical mass soon enough.

Joe?

As a sort of test, I set up a 50+ thread,

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=63378

and someone else set up another.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=63890

So far there have been just a few contributions, these threads have mostly been ignored, even though I linked this thread to the above.

In regards to the thread I set up, there were 28 posts total, many by the same contributors. So, really, only thirteen different folks were interested in actually participating. Is 13 interested folks enough for a forum? Haven't a clue! Both threads have totally died, unless this posting gives a bit of life.

If you want a forum, Joe's the guy!

Denver, to me there is a big difference between a 50+ thread, and a 50+ forum. I only noticed the thread because I chose to just pop-in at random one day. I stood as much chance of missing that thread as any other. But if there was a forum/group then I could bookmark that and I'd look at it for sure on a daily basis. New members don't choose groups at random, rather they hear about bikeforums from somewhere, they then select the groups they are interested in. If someone said to me have seen you the 50+ thread I would have no idea where to look for it.

I don't pretend to understand how the administration of bikeforums works, but again, I don't believe it is that difficult to set up a new group, and by the same token, it's probably just as easy enough to tear it down. Whether 5, 10, 50, 500 users make use of it is no big deal to me. It would reach critical mass soon enough and some folk drop in, read, and move on, and others stick around and keep it going. I have the same experience with a pda forum. Much of what gets posted is by hardcore but even the newbies who lurk are full of praise for the general content. Until someone initiates a 50+ group, then we won't know for sure either way.

But then again, I've just turned 50 and noone listens to the old folk anymore! Just ask the youngsters! :D

I don't pretend to understand how the administration of bikeforums works, but again, I don't believe it is that difficult to set up a new group, and by the same token, it's probably just as easy enough to tear it down.



Okay, I posted to Joe under Suggestions.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=606235#post606235

55+ I would not mind a 50+ forum but I wouldn't want to live there.

Why won't it let me vote?
Joe

I didn't know 50 year olds posted here. It's so nice to see elderly people that are not only not terrified and affraid of modern day inventions like the bicycle and the computer, but also have developed the abbility to use them. I applaud you all. :p

Why won't it let me vote?
Joe


It is a Florida-based voting process.

Check your chads!

I didn't know 50 year olds posted here. It's so nice to see elderly people that are not only not terrified and affraid of modern day inventions like the bicycle and the computer, but also have developed the abbility to use them. I applaud you all. :p

And 20 yo whippersnappers should know their place and use spellcheck! "elderly" - goodness :p :p

LOL. Nelf, One day you'll resemble that remark. I'm 54...shoot never considered my self e------, can't even bring myself to type it.
Steve

Hey, I spelled elderly correctly, you could get me on afraid and ability though.

Hey, I spelled elderly correctly, you could get me on afraid and ability though.

Yes, those are the misspelled words (affraid and abbility). Glad you were able to figure it out.

Stay the heck out of a forum with the title "50 and Over," and respect your "elders."