Fifty Plus (50+) - Special Thread For 50+yo Bicyclists

Please tell us your age. 57

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

Bianchi FS920
Cannondale MT2000

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

None

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

Greatly in the past 3 years, but Have found that Stamina is greater, probably due to not putting in quite so much effort with the youngsters

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

Started 15 years ago, as a means of retaining the fitness that I still had

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

Mainly offroad on a Mountain bike, 30 miles every sunday unless I am on a Longer Randonnee of 65 or 100 miles, I am contemplating a 24 hour ride for next year, preferably it will be as a "Solo Team" on the Dale Tandem


6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

Only able to get out on Sundays for Riding in Winter, But Summer involves 2 extra evening rides a week Milage for last year was around 2000 miles

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Thanks to having to work at being fit enough for Enduro's, Have to get down the gym twice a week for some weight training, but mainly cardio- vascular.

I am 66 years old, and have been riding for 2 years to loos weight. Lost 55 lbs. Yearly miles 6,000. bikes: Fuji team, Novara Big Buzz, Novara Strada, & home constructed steel tube lugged frame road bike (my favorite).

Some questions:

Please tell us your age. 56

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Merckx MX Leader
Santana Elan Tandem - 1987 - Our "The most fun you can have with your clothes on" bike
Schwinn 18 speed comfort - circa 1984
Trek Singletrack 800
An elderly Bianchi I loaned to my son-in-law to get him some cardio exercise so he can keep up with my new grandson.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
B complex+C and one aspirin


3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
I'm getting to where I can at least keep up with the kids for two or three hours. I started riding to lose some of the 245+ lbs that I was carrying. I'm down to 215 and hills are a lot easier today than they were two years ago. I'm working toward 200 and being able to keep up with the 30 somethings for 5-6 hours.

I'm probably in better cardio health than I have been in 25 years. I take kids to the gym and work them on the recombent exercycles. I have yet had a 14-18 yearold keep up with me for the half hour I make them stay on. Then I will do another half hour @ 200+ watts average.


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Left the bike when I was 26. I got back on four years ago. Faithfully for the past three.


5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
No commutes or races. No tours as of today. Plans are in the making... hopefully down the Natchez Trace with my lovely wife of 36 years. Long ride was 75+ miles. Average is 25 to 30 miles. It's not really a ride unless I get 20 miles in. Normally an hour to an hour and a half on Tennessee hills.



6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
1 to 6 times a week. I was off for close to three weeks recently. That will never happen again. Over 2000 miles annually. Some of the bikes don't have computers....


7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Some weights. Running....baaaad. My knees hate it. I often do etc.

;)

Age 55
1. Bikes Waterford RSE 14, Trek 7700FX
2. Suplements multivitamin, 81mg apsirin, go to start on Glucosamine
3. Don't know if I've slowed down any(never was fast to start with).
4. Been riding about twelve years.
5. Most rides are 20-25 mile road rides. Longer on the weekends
6. Usually ride about five times a week. Will do about 3K miles this year.

Age 55
1. Bikes Waterford RSE 14, Trek 7700FX
2. Suplements multivitamin, 81mg apsirin, go to start on Glucosamine
3. Don't know if I've slowed down any(never was fast to start with).
4. Been riding about twelve years.
5. Most rides are 20-25 mile road rides. Longer on the weekends
6. Usually ride about five times a week. Will do about 3K miles this year.

Schnauzer wins the prize (if we had one) for the 100th contributor of their biking info to this thread!

DnvrFox, updated my first post today 10/18/04

Age 61.
1. Serotta Colorado
Trek OCLV & 830 mountain bike
Shogun flat bar road bike
Fuji Touring bike, track bike, & an old DelRay (my beater)
2. Multi vitamin daily.
3. Still enjoy riding whenever time permits, but not as frequent as it once was.
4. Rode alot as a kid until 16 yrs old, then cars replaced the bikes. Never thought much about bikes again until I had a total hip replacement at 50 yrs old. Went from around 250 to 303 pounds after operation from doing nothing. Not the best thing for an artificial hip. Joined Weight Watchers, started cycling again, and lost 100 pounds in ten months. My weight now varies between 215-225 depending on my activities and sometimes bad eating habits.
5. Favorite type of riding is long distances, although both the wife and I do many short rec rides together, 10-30 miles.
6. Frequency of rides varies. Anywhere from once a week to three/four times a week. Annual mileage has been as high as 4000 miles, but that year it seemed like I lived on the bike.
7. Other than a walk now and then, nothing.

i reposted, because my bike didnt show up in poll, thought my post may have been missed

If you want your bike in the list, please follow the directions in the bike list thread for updating the list yourself.

I don't have time to keep that list current. I compiled it some time back, and several folks have updated it per instructions.

You ARE on the "Sharers" list

megaman
quickKarl
Bob Simpson
featherzz2u

It would be helpful if you might delete your second double posting to this list to avoid double entry of your data.

Sorry

Please tell us your age.

I'm 56

What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

Cannondale Ironman 2000, triathlon-specific geometry

Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

No

How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

I don't feel like I have. I can still time trial at 23 mph, so if I'm slower, then the quality of the equipment has improved!

How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

Been at it seriously for 30 years

What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

Triathlons, long rides, century rides, 95% solo vs. group rides

How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

4 days per week on average...maybe around 5,000 miles per year

Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

Swimming, running (as part of triathlon training), hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing in winter



Max in MA

Please tell us your age. 50 years young as of Jan 31 this year, 2004

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
I ride a 1976 Schwinn Super Le Tour 12.2

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
No, but am considering doing so.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
gained some weight, so yes, slowed down a little but am determined to rectify that asap!

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
1976, same bike all these years, not a long distance rider though.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
I ride during my lunch hour to do my errands, which means pressing the time to get back inside an hour, need to start taking some trips on the weekends too.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
This year it has dropped off, MUCH rain held me back, last year I was doing 80 miles
a week, seems low compared to everyone else no doubt.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Weight lifting, free weights, dumb bells

Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply?? still 50, this didn't take that long to type ;)
G2

Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply?? still 50, this didn't take that long to type
G2

:roflmao: :roflmao:

I put that there twice because so many folks seemed to forget!

Personal: Age 66. Ht 5"-9". WT 164 lbs. RHR 48.
Bike: 1959 Helyett Cycles Reynolds 531 Jacques Anquetil autograph Tour de France. Original wheels/chainset/stem/bars/brakes. Old Simplex stuff upgraded to Suntour gears with downtube shifters about 1980. Sedis chain. Toeclips. Half-step gearing.
Drugs: Yep. Predisone to control the dreaded PMR.
Performance: Use lower gears than of old.
Recent cycling: Miniscule. Was racing catamarans for 12 years.
Present cycling: Time on the bike is what counts. Aim at 2 hrs/day 6 days a week. Never on a Sunday (walk to recover). Love the hill work, but concentrate on fast spinning on the flat . :)

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Age 64. Now ride a Bacchetta Giro. Before neck and back challenges set in I had a Norco,Miyata and a Cannondale


2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Vitamin C and E, Glucosamine,Chondrotin,MSM and of course an asprin daily


3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Still feel I can hold my own out there


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
I've been back riding for 10 years after too long a lay off. Absolutely love it


5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
I like long rides of 5 hours, but I'll take whatever I can fit into my leisure time. I crossed America in 2003 and loved every minute of it including the odd time walking up the mountains. I'm going back touring in 2005. Planning on Quebec, probably Montreal to Halifax or maybe along the Pacific Coast



6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
I've moved indoors now. Rains a lot here in the fall and winter and I don't do rainy days any more.
Mileage varies however I like to put at least 2000 miles on

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
I belong to a fitness centre so I swim, acquacize, work on my upper body strength and long hearty walks up and down the local hills



Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??

Ride an actual 10-speed Olmo for road, Kona A-ha and Bianchi BUSS, both single speeds for in town. Have a Schwinn Moab 2 for a rain bike.
Multivitamin, E, Magnesium, Calcium supplements
Slowed a lot in last 25 years
Biking seriously since 1972
Do at least 1 day of ragbrai each year, last complete was 2000. Rest of the time is bikepath and taverntotavern.
Approx. 2000 miles per year
Age: 53
Compete in 5k to 10k running races every week. Usually finish just behind the stragglers.

1. age: 58,
r. rides: Bianchi reparto course; Trek 520; Surly Cross Check
3. I've been taking multi-vitamins for about 12 years, don't know if they help, but don't want to stop tofind out.
4. Over the past 5 years I've noticed a slow down, in everything I do.
5. Occasional organized rides (usually a metric century); 1 or 2 weekly rides of about 25-40 mi; I began commuting 2 days a week this summer, but will now wait for spring time change; did my first tour last year and 2 since (a new passion).
6. annual mileage1200-1500.
7. Spinning; tennis; skiing; hiking; weight lifting.

50

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
'04 Specialized Sequoia, '84 Specialized Expedition set up for touring, '84 Trek 400, '84 Bridgestone 400

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
No.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
I seem to be getting better. I dropped about 15 lbs last winter to get down to 155 at 5' 11' and have much more energy on the bike and better stamina and power. The last 3-4 years have been more enjoyable even though I haven't taken any tours to spice up my summer.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
All my life with a drop after college until about 30.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides.
Mainly 25 - 45 mile rides but I love to tour when I can. I've done a number of tours in WI and MN, a Cycle America Glacier/Rockies tour, the MOOSA ride, and along the OR coast.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Two or three times on a good week. I set a goal of 1000 miles a year and have hit it all but one of the last 18 years. My lifetime total just went past the earth's circumference this year. (what makes bikers such mileage junkies?)

Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??

What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

! have 1 1999 Cannondale R500 and a 2004 Cannondale R600

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

My wife insists I take vitamins every day and my Doc insists I take Folic acid and Fish Oil


3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

Getting Better all the Time!

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

I've biked since I was a kid but never seriouslu until this year I trained for the MS150

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides.

During the Spring and Summer, I did a long ride ( 50-70 miles ) on the weekend and a shrt ride of 20 miles during the week.


6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

Please tell us your age. 53

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Cannondale R700 USA Edition

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
No, nothing other than a standard multi-vitamin and mineral, and a 500 mg Vitamin C.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Sure, but I keep more active than most my age.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Not counting how I lived on my bike from age 5 to 20, I just got back on a road bike a couple of years ago.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
Short (20-70) recreation rides at about 15mph avg.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
At least once a week for about 20-25 miles. And then a couple of times a month an organized ride of 50+ miles. This is the first year I have tracked my mileage. So far I am over 1,100, so I would say annual mileage will be about 1,350.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Running, light weight lifting, hiking, fly fishing, snow skiing, etc.

-Spoke
Austin, TX

Hi everyone
I've been biking, off and on, for about 30 years. I've recently retired, at 62 of age, and currently planning a USA tour and this will lead to a world tour. My bike is a BLT(Bruce Gordon). I'm currently outfitting this for the equipment needed for my tour, starting in Spring of 05. I am not into mileage, what I do care about is moving thru the county and , on a daily basis, experiencing whatever the day, country, and what it's people have to offer. No rush, no schedule, no clockwatching. "what can I get out of todayl." It's all about that, not how many miles I did, or how hard I worked, it's about the trip, how I got there, not how fast I got there. People are an important focus of my travels. I am single and straight as a arrow, I don't do the resort hopping bit, I camp and cook. With the occasional motel, hostel, pension for sanity sakes. And while I'm ranting, I'm looking for a travel mate with simliar ways and interest. It'll be fun, no doubt about it TourKing

I'm sure I'm not the oldest but could possible be the oldest to take this up at my age. I'm new to biking at 67. I started about two months ago. I'm already a runner and a swimmer and decided to try doing my first triathalon next year.

I bought a LeMond Etape - new this year. Low end road bike. Love it!

I just take a daily multivitamin

I have been lifting light weights (15 & 25 pound dumbells) in my home for about 4 years.
I was a couch potato till about 4 years ago. I weighed 235 and did nothing physical for many years. Made a concious decicision that I'd like to stick around for awhile and started slimming down with walking. That graduated to race walking and then I added swimming. In about 5 months I had trimmed off 60 pounds.

I've been watching the ironman triathalon on TV for maybe 30 years. Always wanted to do something like that. Just after I bought my new bike I had a fair amount of problems with back pain but found out that doing some back exercises before and after riding helped a lot.

Don't have any idea what my annual mileage will be but did about 60 miles this week in three rides. My triathalon will only require me to ride 18 miles.

I am blessed with great health - seldom even get a sniffle. I live north of Atlanta and we have some great places to ride here. Lovin life!

Cool Idea for a thread!!

Edited August 2, 2005

Please tell us your age. Almost 56... (now 56 1/2)

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
2004 Giant TCR-2 road bike (Taiwan spec) (trying to sell this one now)
2001 Gary Fisher Tassajara mountain bike

2005 Ritchey BreakAway (New 05/05) w/full Campagnolo Centaur 10s drive, Proton rims and ErgoBrain

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
E, C, Flax, ALA, Zinc, Evening Primrose, NAC, Cat's Claw, Q-10, Glucosamine, MSM, Chondroitin

(most supplements are intended to be an alternative to arthritis medications)

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Hard to say. I came back to cycling 3 years ago after being away for 25+ years. I didn't ride as much or as hard then.

Knees and ankles seem to be stronger as I can be on my foot for longer periods during the day than I used to. So far arthritis in has not been a problem for hips, knees and ankles.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
As a kid up through high school, 3 years in late 20's early 30's, 3 years currently

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
Commute most Saturdays (30mi R/T), short rides out to dinner (living in hotel while on overseas assignment) (3mi R/T), recreational rides once per week (15-20mi R/T)

Still true except that Long Rides are now up to over 40 miles...

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
2 to 4 times per week, 800 to 1000 mi/year

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Not currently

Please tell us your age.52

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Trek 5200,Trek 2100, Baacchetta Strada, Hotmover trike, Greenspeed Tandem Trike and Trek 120mtb.



2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
None,Gatorade when riding along with Power bars.



3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Not much, better year riding this year than the last two.



4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
sense 1989



5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race? All of the above except race.




6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
3 to 4 times weekly, between 2 and 3000 a year



7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running
etc.?
None unless you count work and fishing.

Ricky_boyette@yahoo.com
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/chaingangcycle/

I thought there might be some interest in a thread such as this. If not, it will go the way of all threads - just die away.

So, here is my first contribution.


Some questions:

Please tell us your age. 63

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
road bikes, etc


2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
no


3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
slower than 5 years ago


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
4 years


5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
long rides 50+ miles, touring, short rides, urban (NYC) rides



6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
1 to 2 days a week - 2400 to 2800 miles per year


7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
tennis, morning exercizes



Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??
Going strong and having fun.

At age 52, I am happy to say, I have never been faster. I re-discovered cycling in 1985 when I bought a Peugeot "Canyon Express" mountain bike. I followed that quickly with a new Lotus road bike and haven't looked back since. I currently own 9 personal bikes and a bike shop full of new ones I offer for sale. I ride when I can, which is not often enough. This year I tallied around 2000 miles. Nothing I like better than to nail a technical section and have to wait for folks half my age to catch up. Of course this does not happen that often, but that's what makes it so sweet when it does.

The list
~1985 Peugeot "Canyon Express" - MTB
~1986 Lotus "Triathalon" R.Bike
~1987 Diamond Back " Arrival" MTB
~198? Univega Folder
~1991 Diamond Back Ascent Ex Frame/Custom build - MTB
~1994 Ted Wojcik ' Dual Suspension Custom build - MTB
~1994 Nukeproof - Ti Hardtail/Custom build - MTB
~2002 FUJI Roubaix Pro Frame - Custom Build - R. Bike
~2004 Rocky Mountain ETSX 50 - Dual Suspension - MTB

Add in all the old parts, frames and biking knick knacks I couldn't bear to part with, and I was kinda forced into the bike business just to have a place to put it all. I have been in the business now about 16 years.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

Trek Navigator 100. Thought I wanted a mountain bike, but bought this instead. Good starter bike.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

Multi-vitamin with a B-complex/zinc supplement. Will occasionally try something herbal or another supplement like alpha lipoic acid and L-carnetine just to see if they work (I've never noticed any difference).

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

I'm in better shape now than I've been since I was eighteen. I'm also LOTS heavier than I was when I was eighteen (buns of steel!) so I suppose that's a wash. Bikewise, I'm light years ahead of where I was when I began riding again 18 months ago.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

Lived on bike while growing up. Had two paper routes (morning and evening) until I was 16. Then took a 35-year hiatus. Got back on a bike 18 months ago.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

Rec rides 10-15 miles long and gradually getting longer. Errands to the store, bank, etc 2-3 miles round trip if I go the long away around. With a rear rack and a repurposed wire in-basket I can carry home an amazing amount of groceries.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

Rec rides about once a week with 2-3 errands a week. No idea how many miles.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

Canoeing and kayaking. I also walk to work (2 blocks) and home for lunch. Lots of walking through out the day while at work (upstairs office, downstairs coffee pot). I also get a good workout doing yardwork once a week.

Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??
52 in December.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Vaterland 3 speed
Ragazzi 7 speed
Kynast 5 speed
Schwinn Cruiser 7 Speed
All are internal hub bikes with coaster brakes; the first three hubs from Sachs, the last is a Shimano
See pictures
2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
No.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
None I feel stronger than ever

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
All my life

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
Commute to work
6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Commute to work 26 miles R/T daily all year, M-Th (love the 4 day work week, 3 day weekends seem twice as long as 2 day weekends). Around town utility cycling on weekends about 20 miles so.

Less mileage when off from work for holidays and vacation.

Approx. 5,000 miles/year

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
No.

8. Age?
58 this February

I am 55 and thinking of buying a recumbent bike. I'm looking at the EZ ride that youdescribed. Tell me all the likes and dislikes about it please.

Please tell us your age. 63 1/2

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Custom Vittorio (North Holland - 2000) with Campa Centaur 9s triple. Casati Campa Chorus
10s triple on order with hopes of having it in January.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Have taken several antioxidants and vitamins for about five years for general health. They
do seem to help for that.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Since when? :rolleyes: I have only been riding a road bike for three years, and have been
retired for one, so feel that I have only been getting stronger!

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
As a kid, I rode a lot. Tried 10-speeds in the late 70s and hated them. Started again in 2000
with a city bike, fell in love, and got the road bike in 2001. It is now a passion with me.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
General road riding, with everything listed except commuting and racing.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
About 4 days a week. I average about 5-6K Km a year, but I now live in the foothills of the
Alps, so a lot of that is up (and of course down). In fact, climbing has become my favorite
kind of riding. Rides average between 35 Km and 80 Km.

7. Do you do ny other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
No.

Cheers...Gary

My age: 58
Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti, Cervelo P2K, Surly Cross Check
Supplements: B vitamins, Calcium, magnesium, multivitamin
Have gotten faster over the last few yrs, competing in duathlons until arthroscopic knee surgery in July. Trying to get back to my "normal". Getting stronger cycling, lifting, building core muscles and trying to do some running and swimming. Will probably never get back to duathlons and running races with the knee, but am considering competing in some TTs.
No competitions this past yr at all. Have done time trials, duathlons, centuries--English and metric in the past. Building up knee now, so I can do more of that next yr.
Usually ride 3-4 times/wk, haven't tracked mileage. Had been running 2-3 times/wk.
Will do as much as I can physically as I continue to heal from the surgery. Leg strength is almost even both legs, but limping for wks has messed up my hips and low back. (Broke a toe a month after surgery.)
Mary

I am 52 yo have not done much riding past 15yrs rode road bikes and mountain bikes in the past I bought a haro mirra pro bmx bike today maybe losing my mind not sure.I still have my gary fisher mtb will probably ride that some too. I plan to ride the bmx around my neighborhood and play might even try some tricks after I get used to it

Hi, I am 62 years old and (4) began cycling as a child, but had breaks of inactivity over the years. Commuted to school in the early 70's (19 mile round trip), and then rode sproadically until spring 2000. I began actively riding again to reduce my blood sugars, and it worked. I control them now with exercise and diet. (1) I currently have three road bicycles with steel frames that I ride, a Holdsworth Record purchased in the mid-70s, a 1999 Bianchi San Remo, and a 2003 DeSalvo. (2) I do not take any special supplements, just allegra for allergies. (3) I assume that I've slowed down over time, but it is hard to tell since I've never been into racing. (5) I commute to work during spring, summer, and autumn which ranges from a 15- to 24-mile round trip. I try to commute at least three days per week, but must miss some weeks due to work schedule. Lack of day light and narrow shoulders on country roads reduces my commuting time in late autumn, winter, and early spring. I ride longer distances on the week ends and have ridden on two 450-mile week long tours. (6) I average 1,500 to 2,000 miles per year. (7) I stay active at home feeding and caring for livestock, most of which I do by hand. This includes carrying 5-gallon buckets of feed, loading and loading hay, etc. I also go to the gym to lift weights and participate in spin classes during the periods of short daylengths. Ride safe and have fun.

I am an even 50 and have been riding bicycles on and off for most of my life. Kids bikes included a favorite Schwinn 24" with baloon tires a green paint job and chrome fenders (which were shortly removed). This was the early 60's and maybe we were the beginning of the mountain bike movement, even extreme cycling. I served as a US Marine on and off, more on for about 24 years, and in between bought a Crescent with the nice orange paint while doing the Rocky Mountain high life in Estes Park Colorado in the summer of 1974.

That was my first multi-speed rig, and I rode that for a couple years until work, marriage and life got in the way, and then a few years later while in college, after watching Breaking Away, and feeling the pull, I bought a Fuji S-12S, and the love affair began anew. Over the years I rode the Fuji when I had the time, the motive and the opportunity, and then eventually sold it to a young Marine who worked for me.

The time has come again, and I plunged deeply and dropped way too much money on my Rivendell Atlantis, and am happily puttering along again. I have some goals in mind, like commuting when ever possible, getting over a sore butt, and getting back to taking positive steps about fitness. Who knows, maybe a marathon is on the horizon.

The RIV! It rides nice, has enough nose up in the air components, and fits me well. It was kind of cool to see after I did all my searching around the internet, and decided on an Atlantis, that lots of older folks like me were into the same bike.

I know, I know, 50 is not old, but try dating a 20 something year old, and see how many comments you get about acting your age (from her and everyone else! Geez, you would think it was a crime to be born and to have the nerve to survive this long, let alone think that you could actually have a life!).

I do have aches and pains, and am not as flexible as I once was, but I still like to ride hard, and feel the good pain in my muscles, and the sweat and hard breathing from pulling up a hill a little faster and in a higher gear each time. I take some multiple vitamins, and once took Super Prostate Formula, and it did help. An irregular association with the Chiropractor keeps me off of a steady diet of Motrin, and if I do lose a couple pounds, maybe the back will settle down some.

My plans for riding include commuting, weekend workouts, and a possible trip down the Korean peninsula when time permits. I live in Seoul, working for the US Forces there, and enjoy riding on the prepared paths, and the narrow streets where you can't pass a pedestrian, let alone the dingbat in the van who just passed you by, and now is doing everything except putting a for sale sign on the thing while keeping you behind her.

If you have not noticed, I do tend to wander and am long winded, but I hope that you enjoyed the posting.

Ride on, have fun, be safe and live every day!

Ciao!

Please tell us your age. 51

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

2004 LeMond Buenos Aires

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

No - I slam some extra Vitamin C and echinacea when I get a cold

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

As a newbie - riding seriously just this past year, I don't have much to compare to - except I know my back and knees won't take the pounding of running and basketball anymore

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

Celebrated the 1st anniversary of my Buenos Aires acquisition last week. Before that, I had a hybrid, but only rode maybe 3-4 times in the summer, not at all otherwise. I rode a lot (~200 miles/month) for a year or two after college, when I was in the Washington, DC area and got my first 10-speed. My first bike was a 24" Schwinn Tornado, which I rode a lot as a kid.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

Long and recreational rides, mostly

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

15-30 mile rides 2-3x a week, and in the summer, one longer ride a week, usually (40-70 miles). I'll ride ~3200 miles this year. Looking to do an imperial century and maybe a few other organized longer rides next year, if my schedule permits

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

I workout 2x a week with a personal trainer for general fitness; I like to ski and golf, too, but biking is my main cardio and easily most regular exercise - golf and skiing are much more sporadic and seasonal

I thought there might be some interest in a thread such as this. If not, it will go the way of all threads - just die away.

So, here is my first contribution.


Some questions:

Please tell us your age.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride? Old TREK 1200



2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

Multi Vitamin, Calcium

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

Started riding when I was 47. Have increased speed and stamina over the past 4 years.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life? 4 years. Use to run but knees got bad. After knee surgery my surgeon suggested cycling. I had not been on a bike since I was a kid. I average 6000 mies per year now, have lost 30 lbs and feel better than I have ever felt. My nitch is endurance rides.



5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

Long rides. Some touring.


6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
6 days per week. Average 6000 miles annually.



7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
No



Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??
50

Please tell us your age. 58 (59 in December)

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

I ride three bikes. My main bike is a Rans Stratus long wheel base recumbant bicycle. I ride this bike four days a week, commuting to and from work. It is a workhorse, able to carry 50 pounds easily. My other two bicycles are diamond frame, a Schwinn LeToure and a Trek 1420 road bike. Both bikes are highly modified. The LeToure has a high handlebar (~1.5 inches above the seat height), which gives me a better upright position. I use this bike whenever I want to go downtown on the MAX train. It's a good "beater bike," which is very practical going downtown. I have taken in some professional meetings downtown on this bike. My other, the Trek 1420, is stripped down for exercise riding. I have left the "blinky" light on the back, but it has no fenders, and an elevated handlebar (~1/2 inch over the seat height). I like getting on it because it is very light. I've also put bar-end shifters on it, and I like that a lot.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

No - I eat well (but more than my wife), and continue to work out (swimming, scuba diving, and fin swimming; and using an eliptical trainer at home). My wife ensures that I have a daily salad, and keeps bugging me about eating junkies (but I still do some;)).

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

I don't feel I've slowed down much in the last ten years. What I'm finding is that my recovery time is greater, and I have one spot on my back where I pulled a muscle about 1994 in a bicycle accident which hurts at the end of the day. But other than that, I maintain about the same speed as I did ten years ago. I do like the recumbant that I started riding about a year ago though. I don't get the headaches I used to get after cycling a long ways (say 25 miles).

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

I've been commuting for about ten years. Actively commuting since 1996, when I got a new job, I find it a great way to incorporate riding into my daily life.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

Mostly commuting to and from work.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

Usually 3-5 times a week, about 50 or more miles per week.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

As mentioned above, I've been scuba diving since 1959, and continue to the present (I was in the pool today). In addition, I swim laps, and fin swim laps too. I do some eliptical training, and during the annual "civil war" football game between Oregon State University and the University of Oregon yesterday, I got almost an hour of eliptical training accomplish (and my team, OSU, beat the Ducks soundly too).

John
*

I am 55 and thinking of buying a recumbent bike. I'm looking at the EZ ride that youdescribed. Tell me all the likes and dislikes about it please.

ebarklaow,

I would highly recommend the Rans Stratus as a bicycle for you to consider. I have tried a lot of different ones, and decided on the Stratus because I never had a bad ride on it. It is less expensive than some other long wheel base recumbants, and has good components. It also has a proven design; it's been over 20 years since it has been on the market. I like the low BB, as it facilitates my commuting and being in traffic. I believe that the EZ ride is a bit heavier, and has lower-end components. 'Just my $0.02.

John

Most of Us, except for You Kids still in Your 50s, grew up when You could not count on being given a car as soon as You turned 16. I was still riding a Schwinn B-26, I think it was, spring front fork, with an old 7.5 HP Merc outboard clamped to the handlebars, shotgun and camping gear strapped all over, 20 miles to the St. Johns River, where a County Judge had an old boat I could use if I got the rest of the stuff there, through most of high school. Then I got a Navy surplus 1947 Cushman Eagle, with a side car, only a little faster than the Schwinn. Had to feed and clean up after 85,000 chickens for a summer, and graduated to a 51 Plymouth. I still miss the old Schwinn! It sure would haul some freight. I rode an old Varsity for years, through half a dozen repaints and overhauls, until it was stolen. I have 2 "generics" now, one of them an $18.95 Goodwill Store special, {Senior discount**, the other pretty much a junkyard dog, I have almost as much fun tinkering as I do riding, and everything beats TV!
I got into photography when I retired, and loving the outdoors, and critters, it turned out to be wildlife photography, any time I try to photograph Humans they all make faces or pick Their noses just as I shoot. I am cursed that way, but animals seem to like Me.
I waited too long to retire, always trying to get that last few bucks in the bank, but had to retire anyway when My Doctor told Me I had no choice. I can still usually pedal to where I want to go, but not always sure about getting back.
I am really looking for info on electric backup, hub motors in particular, so I can keep going. I really do need some feedback on this, it is the only likely way I can keep going on two wheels.
http://photobucket.com/albums/v244/tsiya/

Please tell us your age.
49 yrs, 11 mos........OK. There doesn't seem to be an auto-delete function for underaged posters, so I'll go on.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Tour Easy recumbent.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
When I remember to take them.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
A lot due to an illness that nearly sucked the life out of me and that I'm still recovering from after 5 years. :mad:

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
I quit in my early 20's, then picked it up again in spring of '03 as a low impact way to speed up the recovery from that illness.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
Commuting 9 miles round trip with some rec trips. I especially like commuting because it gives me a definite start-stop point. I've never been much for aimless wandering.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
At least 5 days a week. I don't know the mileage.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
No. The job takes care of that.

...

1) Still have my '98 Lemond Zurich. All my oher bikes have had to go as my financial and marital circumstances have changed.
2)Supplements can be effective, but cost is a factor since they aren't covered by health insurance. The most scientifically accurate source of information (in my opinion, of course) is the Life Extension Foundation (www.lef.org). Multivitamins, COQ10, glucosamine with omega 3 fats for joint mobility, nexrutine to prevent inflammation, etc. Anyone taking statin drugs absolutely should supplement with COQ10!!!
3) I only took up cycling in my late 40's, as my knees began to give out from running. At my current age of 55 I have noticed a slight slowdown. Age seems to mainly affect other factors: recovery time, soreness and stiffness, grouchiness, etc.
4) Have been cycling for 8 years.
5) Road cycling on weekends. Medium distance...20-40 miles.
6) A long commute to work (150 minures/day) has radically affected the time I can devote to cycling. I literally leave home and arrive in the evening in darkness. Weekends alone can't cut it...this has affected my fitness more than aging.

First, I just turned 64 years old.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
a. Bianchi Imola (for longer road rides)
b. Bianchi Axis cyclocross (for most road rides -- wider tires = fewer flats)
c. 1970's Motobecane tourer (when the ride includes any bicycle paths)
d. Trek 500 (keep this one at work so I can ride at lunch)
e. Trek 7000 (mountain riding)
f. Fendt shaft drive, as in chainless (my handicap when I ride with my wife)
g. Track bike under construction

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
No.


3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
It's hard to say. I think I'm in pretty good shape for my age, but I can't climb hills like I used to. Sometimes I ride with a woman who's 30 years my junior and a former racer. I can pretty much keep up with her on the flats, but when we hit the (inevitable) hills it's no contest. I'm just glad I can ride as well as I do.


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
59 years, save for my undergraduate college years. Geez, now I wish you hadn't asked.


5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
Almost everything but racing and serious mountain riding. I'm unable to commute at the moment but I did for years, sometimes to park and rides. Mostly now I take 15 - 20 mile loops, summer and winter, hot and cold, whenever the roads are dry.



6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
With a bicycle stashed at work and a path out my front door, I'm on a bicycle at least four times a week. I generally ride alone, and Sunday mornings are my favorite times, peaceful, with few cars on the roads. I don't keep track of mileage.


7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
I try to get a nice fast walk in on days when the weather gets between my and my bicycles.

Please tell us your age.

50.5

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

Mostly road, one single speed and a little bit of MTB.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

1500mg Vitamin C, 1 Centrum Silver, 1000mg Glucosamine, B complex multi. Recently quit taking 800mg of Vitamin E daily.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

Not at all.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

All my life with a big gap between 25 and 40.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

Long rides.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

200-300 rides per year, 6500 miles on average.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

No.

I am 54 and started riding a bike in May 04. I broke my ankled snowboarding in february and biking was the only low impact exercise I did that made it feel good. I then became a fanatic.


1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
I have a Trek 3700 mtb but I am going to a cyclocross bike in the spring so I can ride more road situations but still ride the dirts roads I have been having fun on.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Daily men's supplement and 2000 mgs of Ester C

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
I am not sure. I just started riding this year

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Just since this May.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
Dirt roads with a lot of steep hills. Planning on doing more road work next spring.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
I ride 4 to 5 days a week. My average ride is about 14 or 15 miles. I try to do 35 miles on the weekend. I have ridden over 1200 miles since the end of May.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
I do an intense resistance stretching (yoga like) for 45 minutes before each ride. I also do 1 hr of yoga a day.

Please tell us your age.
53
1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Giant Sedona DX and Giant OCR1
2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Multivitamin, garlic pill and baby aspirin
3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Not sure. Took up cycling about 2.5 years ago after a layoff of 25 years
4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Answered in above question
5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
road cycling - 10 miles a day, 20 on weekends - recreational
6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
At least 5 times per week including trainer - 900-1000 miles per year
7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Treadmill occasionally and use a weight machine
Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??
53

I posted a couple of days ago but I would love to know in what part of the country each person posting comes from. I am from the Hudson Valley and we had a little snow storm 2 weeks ago. The weather gets pretty wild here starting in November. Just thought it would make the survey complete.
Hass

CRUM - Acton, Maine - Not Acton, Mass. Picture a map of Maine. The western border squiggles a tad at the bottom. Where the Border squiggle stops and heads straight North, that's Acton, Maine.

I'm in Beaverton, Oregon near Portland. It's been overcast, foggy and cold (high of 37, low about freezing) this week so far. Now, it's probably warming up as it is raining. I rode today, and Sunday, with about 27 miles between the two days.

John

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Recumbent - Bacchetta - customized Strada


2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Yes


3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Speed has decreased - endurance has increased slightly


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Since 1971 - Started touring w/ a Peugot PX10


5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
Mostly commutes and tours



6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Inclusive of indoor riding in the winter/ tours / commutes - 6,000+


7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Cross country skiing



Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??
52

Do my riding near the Red River of the North - Fargo, ND

I thought there might be some interest in a thread such as this. If not, it will go the way of all threads - just die away.

So, here is my first contribution.


Some questions:

Please tell us your age.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride? 58



2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older? NO



3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any? I lost a step when I turned 30. But I think I'm getting "faster" now, and I sure as hell don't thing I've slowed down since then.



4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life? Started riding in 1984. Started getting kind of serious in 1993. And got pretty much real serious in 2002.



5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race? Road Bike. One week-long ride each summer (Wisconsin last, Colorado next). Several one day or multi-day rides also, (Hotter 'n Hell Hundred, Firecracker 100, RAGBRAI [two days of rain]).




6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage? As often as I can, weather and work permitting. Live in North Missouri. 2025 miles so far in 2004.



7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.? Weight training sporadically, although I'm trying to get real serious about it; running rarely, although I'm trying to get into it for the winter months.




Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??
58

Age 58. Male.
Road bike is a ti Merlin Road. MTB is an Intense Tracer.
No vitamins or supplements because most are ripoffs.
Better now than 10 years ago.
Use biking to control Diabetes Type II and weight. No meds required.
Also in early stages of leukemia (CLL). No treatment yet, thanks to biking. Not slowing down yet.
Fairly low carb diet aids the above. I cheat when riding a lot (g).
Average road ride is 30-40 miles, two to four times a week. 3500-4000 miles this year.
No other hobbies other than usual "honey dews".
Bring on the hills, the more the better. Easy to find here in east TN.
Ride a lot with active bike club on group rides. Smokey Mountain Wheelmen, Knoxville. www.smwbike.org
Welcome out of towners on any of our group rides!
Hope you like hills!
Age is only a state of mind!

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Dawes Super Galaxy Tourer. Shimano triple, 29 gears



2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

Vit C, Cod Liver Oil, Glucosimene. Sp.


3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

LOL got faster actually over the last three years. But then I have only been cycling properly as it were for that time.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Three years.



5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
Long day rides, looking to build up to longer Audax rides eventually. 400k and up is the target.



6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
I only am able to ride half the year, see the intro thread for the reason why. I do about 3000 a year.



7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

Some exercise band work. I cannot run.

Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??
50