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

0. Please tell us your age.
55

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
1990 Raliegh USA 420
2005 Trek 7500 (Hybrid)
Just ordered a new 2006 Trek Pilot 2.1 SPA Im told it wont be shipped to my dealer till end of OCT.
Im going nuts waiting.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Multiple less Irion from GNC
Saw Palmetto protate formula
S.A.M. e (I swear by this over the counter supliment taken in Europe for years, the only supliment
(I can say actually made a notible difference in the way I feel)

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Quit a bit... joints mostly. Mostly.
Just had a stress test on a tread mill which the doc said I did well on. Almost killed me!

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
since childhood, but seriously in the 90's and again this year. switched to cycling because my knees
couldnt take the impact of jogging, or even fast walking anymore.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
15 to 20 mile rides mostly on bike paths here in my county. The paths join up all these duck ponds. Its actually quite nice.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
About twice a week, but I long to do more. I have logged almost 700 miles this year (keep track on a nice little wireless cylometer from Cateye.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
I do a little (very little) wieght training and some stretching and will be adding more soon.

Summary, cycling for me seems like the perfect exercise for me because the joints (knees) can
handle cycling but not much else.

I am 51,semi-retired(drive a school bus):fight:

my work bike: Specialized 05 Globe (I commute 8.5 miles each way some days)

my junker bike: Ross-Union hybrid (my emergency back-up)

my newest bike(expected 2005.10.11):Rietti 26" Army Recon 21 Speed Foldable Bike
I expect to keep the foldable bike on my bus for cycling during trip layovers.

There is no question that I have slowed down since my youth. If there is any condition attributed to aging it would be Arthritis! I can hardly walk 100' without great discomfort mostly in my knees. I have some sciatic and low back pain when standing. These discomforts and maladies are probably caused more by excess weight than by age, I believe. Bicycling has been a great equalizer! The past 3 years I have been able to devote more time pedaling my way around. Cycling has been very restorative to my health! Standing to pedal up hill is the only time I feel any discomfort from cycling.

I have cycled casually all my life. Most of my years I never biked more than just a few hundred miles yearly. As a teenager (way back when), I had a strong desire to commute across town daily, my bike was the quickest way. Today as a semi-retired old fart, :cry: I honestly feel as capable as way back when.

Most of my biking is to commute to work (the school bus). When I was younger I had occasion to need to cycle instead of driving or walking and have always considered a bike as essential transportation.

I cycle for the freedom and mobility it affords me as well as for the benefit it provides my health. I seldom go more than 40 miles on a tour or trip. Most of my cycling routine is all out, for a 30 minute(8.5mile to work) trip.

My longest trip this year was a 50 miler on the Erie canal tow path. The hardest trip this year was the 30 mile "Wanderer" leg for the Finger lakes area "Highlander Cycle Tour"; long, steep hills!!:eek:

A typical weeks worth adds up to between 50 and 100 miles of travel by bike. Mostly I am using my Specialized Globe which weighs 41 pounds the way it is set up. Did I mention it has a Shimano dyno-hub in front? It adds to the overall rolling resistance. I am definately in the market for a light touring bike next year.

Last week(Oct. 1st) I rolled over 1600 miles for the year thus far. I would like to make it 2000 miles by December 31st. Weather gets crappier as the season changes and we get 90 -140 inches of snow up here in an average winter.

Cycling is my major form of exercise although I do a lot of yard work and keep several gardens (half-assed) in my yard. I love horticulture and have a small greenhouse. I play a decent game of chess.:fight: Married to an angel for these past 28 years.:roflmao:

I'm 50 years and 2 days old.
1) My main bike is a '92 Bridgestone RB-1 which I've changed everything but the frame and brake calipers. Campy Racing Triple crank & derailleurs, Brooks B17, custom wheels with Phil hubs (freewheel type), Suntour friction barcon shifters
My MTB is a '95 Cannondale with a susp. fork and Thudbuster added.
KHS Milano Tandem
Frankenbike based on '90 Giant rigid MTB with drop bars, barcons, Brooks Flyer saddle, Sugino XD triple crank. I just finished building this bike and rode it today for the first time. It is intended for touring and long rides on dirt roads, poorly paved roads and offroad trails/paths. It works even better on and offroad than I had hoped.
2) No supplements, but I eat much healthier now than when I was younger.
3) I ride a little slower than I used to, but I that doesn't matter to me anymore. I still look for hills to ride even if I take longer to get up them,
4) I rode constantly as a kid, seldom during high school, a bit in college then none. Started riding seriously about 15 years ago after a divorce and it has been a big part of my life ever since.
5) Mix of short and long rides, more on road but a good bit of off road. Love 40 to 60 mile rides. Rarely commute. Annual cross-state ride (BRAG Bicycle Ride Across Georgia) no luggage (so far).
6) I ride about 2 hours on or off road twice during the week. Weekends I usually do longer road rides, 40 to 60 miles and one or two centuries a year. Varies by season. About 2500 miles a year.
7) Yard work. I have 12 acres.

Dawg

I was 60 yrs old in Sep. 05 and started riding Sep. 04 (started exercise program Jan. 03 and have lost 100lbs.)
1)My bike is a Kestrel carbon fiber
2)Centrum multi vitamin
3)One year rider - my performance has been increasing to this point.
4)One year.
5)Regular 25 - 35 mile rides. Completed first 100 mile - 05 Seagull.
6) Average 2.5 times a week and my mileage for first year was 2000 miles.
7) Work out avg. of 2.5 times in gym per week to total of 4-5 workouts including biking per week.

One thing I have observed that I believe has made my results different than others is that my aerobic exercise sessions are a minimum of 1hr. and my weight loss results have been dramatic.

I was 60 yrs old in Sep. 05 and started riding Sep. 04 (started exercise program Jan. 03 and have lost 100lbs.)
1)My bike is a Kestrel carbon fiber
2)Centrum multi vitamin
3)One year rider - my performance has been increasing to this point.
4)One year.
5)Regular 25 - 35 mile rides. Completed first 100 mile - 05 Seagull.
6) Average 2.5 times a week and my mileage for first year was 2000 miles.
7) Work out avg. of 2.5 times in gym per week to total of 4-5 workouts including biking per week.

One thing I have observed that I believe has made my results different than others is that my aerobic exercise sessions are a minimum of 1hr. and my weight loss results have been dramatic.

FANTASTIC stats, PSPSARGE! You must feel like a million dollars now. Welcome to the forum!

I was 60 yrs old in Sep. 05 and started riding Sep. 04 (started exercise program Jan. 03 and have lost 100lbs.)


You told us this much, how about your present weight and how tall are you? We have a little in common. :)

for my neighbor slightly to the east of me, ned from glendora, here is a link to some local bike trails i would like to share with you:

http://www.nearfield.com/~dan/sports/bike/mountain/sgwf/index.htm

the west fork of the san gabriel river, in azusa canyon, is a favorite of mine. today i rode from sierra madre to, and around, santa fe dam. nice ride, also.

i hope you'll enjoy the site, if you're not already familiar with it?

*sdr*

Howdy SDR,

I have ridden the West Fork many times. Sometimes
I have ridden UP THERE from Glendora, and other times
I have ridden it from the trail head. One of my most
memorable trips up there was in late fall when it was
getting very cold up there at night and me in my shorts
and t-shirt with a friend following me down the funky road
after dark with a one watt bulb on my headlight, streaking
down the hill not sure I was gonna make it (because of a crash)
and freezing my hands off as they were about to freeze.

I get down to Santa Fe Dam once in a while and have ridden
the San Gabriel river trail too, but I tend to stay away from that
now for the prospect of dead water mosquitos breeding grounds
AND gang bangers laying for me at the side of the road.

I ride to Pasadena alot along Foothill/66 and Royal Oak Rd. through
Duarte and Monrovia to Foothill in Arcadia and out that way to Lake
in Pasadena. I visit friends in Duarte about everyday via bike. I am
currently getting at least 20 miles per day during the week and 25-30
on Saturdays.

If you see a guy with a baseball cap and sunglasses riding a White SWB Bent
or a CLWB red bent, that's me! :)

Ned
Easy Racer EZ1-SC http://www.easyracers.com/ez_1_sc.htm
Lightning Thunderbolt http://www.lightningbikes.com/thunderbolt.htm

hi ned!

i thought you might be familiar with it -- living in glendora and all.

the last time i rode the west fork was about two months ago. drove up and started at noon -- it was around 100 degrees. i ran into three other bicyclists -- two of them had flats and the third was a young lady on a MTB from baldwin park. on the way down from cogswell dam she enticed me into the river and that's where we spent a good part of the afternoon.

you're a better man than i am if you ride UP from glendora!

i ride from sierra madre across foothill and down mountain, in monrovia, to royal oaks, in duarte, across the bridge at encanto and down to the santa fe dam. one lap around and back, retracing my route, gives me 27.5 miles round trip. i haven't ventured south of the dam yet. i understand that gangs south of whittier narrows can pose a problem, especially if you're riding alone.

a nice ride from my house is over to the rose bowl. depending on the route i choose it can run between 6.5 and 7 miles over, then i usually do a few laps around the loop (rose bowl & brookside golf courses) which is 3 miles, then head back home.

we sure are blessed to have riding weather year 'round.

i'll keep an eye opened for ya.

i'll be the long-lean riding machine with a pony tail on the silver n' red fisher nirvana s.

ride on!

*sdr*

I'll be 51 in Jan.Riding mtb for 21 yrs.About 1K mi./yr.Trail and road.Twisted a knee in
'88 and broke my clavicle last Feb.(only missed 2 months from that). No vitamins,just
lots of fresh air and (some) sunshine.Bicycle camping trips are my favorite rides.Camped in the mountains here in WA.Used to have a Yamaha 500 Enduro,but when I saw my first mtb I knew I had to have one.In High School I had a mtb of sorts that I built before there were such things.Single track is my passion.

I've busted my knee several times. I started using this product called flex-force. It helped to lubricate my knee joint. Try it, see if it works for you guys. Go to www.flexforceworks.com. Hope this help!

Bill

What a joke! Read the 'guarantee'

10 Day Samples with 100% Satisfaction or return unopened bottle for full refund

How can I tell how well it works through an unopened bottle?

What a joke! Read the 'guarantee'

10 Day Samples with 100% Satisfaction or return unopened bottle for full refund

How can I tell how well it works through an unopened bottle?

Haven't you ever heard of osmosis? :D

When I went to their site, the literature makes me believe that you get sent a full bottle plus a ten day free sample. If you aren't satisfied by the free sample, then you return the unopened bottle for a refund. But, it isn't clear and is confusing.

They state on their order page: Flex-Force with Hyaluronic Acid. One bottle containing 60 Capsules with 10 day supply for free for only $29.99 plus shipping and handling. If not satisfied with the free samples return the unopened bottle for a full refund not including shipping. Usually shipped next business day.

Just turned 60 this month. Began riding a couple of years ago when my knees would not allow running. Bumbled around with a Trek 7500 for awhile then bought the Lemond and put 7000 miles on it the first year (including a solo, unsupported, crosscountry). Am planning on a couple more long distances in the next year or so. Right now I just train 2-3 days a week and play tennis on the other days.
No meds or vitamins, etc. As with all physical exercise, at this age it takes more effort to attain and maintain a given fittness level. When I was training hard for the crosscountry I always rode 5 days in a row and then took two days off. We need recovery time.

Please tell us your age. 50
1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

comotion road tandem, road singles

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

multivitamins - always have

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

nada

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

20 yrs

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

touring, long


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

twice a week, 5000

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

61 YEARS OLD, no vitamins, I don't feel that I've slowed down, new (Dr. recommended some excercise as I'mlocked to a desk 50 hours a week,) neighborhood rider for now,no other activities right now

Please tell us your age.
51 and about ten weeks

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
This 50+'er rides an On One Inbred singlespeed

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 don't know, I just started!

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
My bike was delivered 12Oct2005, a friend came over on the 20th to help me set it up. She brought her
singlespeed so we took a ride down a trail that parallels the Pima indian reservation fence here in Scottsdale.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
So far, my longest ride is forty minutes, round trip, on a dirt trail. I'm putting off riding much longer until
I can take my bike in for a fitting, I may need a longer stem (my friend warned me to go easy on the front brake :) )

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
I ride when it's not too hot after work or on weekend mornings. It's still getting into the eighties here. Fall should
come before too long -- I hope (I don't like hot weather). I'll see how many rides I can get in before summer returns in May.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
I've given up heavy weight lifting, now I just do dumbell stuff and simple exercises.

Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??
I'm only about ten minutes older than I was at the start of this note :)

[QUOTE=DnvrFox]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. 51

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
American Eagle/Nishiki (had it for 30 years), Specialized Hard Rock modified with fenders, lights, rack (for commuting), Giant Stiletto (for fun).

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Daily vitamins when I can remember

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
I just don't push hard. Ride to enjoy the motion.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Biked all my life. Car-free till 32. Bicycle commuted to most jobs.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
Commuting and city riding now, touring when younger. No time for touring anymore.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Daily, no clue.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
They are no fun.

8. Moving from California to Arkansas has reinvigorated my bicycling. It's the hills.

Please tell us your age.
Just turned 59.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
I ride a Specialized Rockhopper on trails, a Nishiki Ariel on gravel paths and a Trek 720 Hybrid on roads (no more road bikes at this age with my neck problems)

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Yup, Centrum Silver and fish oil. The Centrum makes a big difference in alertness. The fish oil is for high tri glycerides.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
I've slowed down for sure. My 17 year old leaves me in the dust anytime he wants.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life? I rode my bike daily as a teenage delivery boy. Then I was a Roadie for a while, but did not enjoy it so I was in and out of biking until I got into Mountain biking about a year ago. Now I look forward to each weekend and taking a trail ride.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
Mountain biking trails primarily, followed by gravel paths. I'll do some road work just for excercise during the week

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Depends on the time of year. In the summer about three to four times a week. Now, about once or twice a week.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Boogie boarding. I have a BZ T-10.




Also, please see a list of all the contributors: (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=87533)[/QUOTE]

Please tell us your age.
Will be 51 in a couple of months.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
I ride a Specialized fsr, giant nrs, schwinn s-20 on dirt trails; socked grr, bacchetta strada\corsa, catrike speed, 2004 fuji bourdeaux on roads, socked rans v2 to work, & dahon helios sl folding bike on trips to store and out of town trips.

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

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Don't know since I didn't do much when I was younger.

4. How long have you been biking? 6yrs

5. What type of biking do you do? Started mtb, slowed down after breaking collarbone 2x and a face plant, and say about 70% roadie now.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
5000 mi.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - walking, running

1. Mt. Shasta MTB (my son's old ride tricked up for commuting with hybrid tires and racks).
2. Glucosamine/chondroitin, maca, aspirin, calcium.
3. Depends on the week; I have plenty of energy but am less 'resilient'.
4. Periodic casual/rec for several years; commuting more or less full time for
9 months.
5. Commuting, shopping. Some rec biking with wife.
6. Five days a wk. 6-27 miles/day.
7. Pickup soccer, hiking.
(57 y/o)

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?

I ride a FELT F65 and a Schwinn 564


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

Too many to list here. My wife is really into supplelments so we take more than our share.


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

I am in better shape now than I have been in a long time due to all the riding I have been doing.


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

I had a bike as a kid but just to do the paper route and run to the grocery store for Mom. I started riding a rode bike about two years ago.

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

Club rides twice a week and solo rides a couple days a week. Club rides are about 40 miles each and solo rides from 25 to 75 miles each.



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

I try to get out every other day, usually four days a week. This year I will have rode just under 4500 miles. I lived in Florida this past year so could ride all year. We live aboard our boat so who knows what will happen next year. It all depends where we are as to how much I can ride.


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

I dive but that can't be considered as regular exercise.


Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??

I turned 65 on November 18, 2005.


Also, please see a list of all the contributors: (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=87533) :mad:

Please tell us your age.

62

1. What type of bikes ?

Fuji Club, Fuji Del Rey hybrid, Hercules 3-speed

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?

Urbanization has changed the local riding environment from rural roads into busy suburbian routes. However, there are now more greenways and trails than before. My riding has been affected by these changes as well by advancing age. I'm sure age has slowed me down some, but how much is hard to say.

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

Biked as a kid and then in the military and college. Then had a 20-year slowdown when it was mostly around the neighborhood rides with my daughter. A group of us even bought bikes in Bien Hoa, Vietnam in early 1966 and explored the countryside until curfews restricted us to the air base there.

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

Mostly commuting, shopping and exploring local greenways and trails. I usually take a bike on extended car trips to explore local areas. Lancaster County, PA, is a favorite riding area. My wife and I have also done a couple of bike and barge trips to the Netherlands and a couple of Vermont Bike Tour rides. All of which we thoroughly enjoyed.

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

Almost daily, weather permitting. Raleigh, NC doesn't have a significant off season for outdoor activities. I don't use bike computers any longer as mileage isn't as much of a factor as time in the saddle for greenways and trails. My twice weekly commute to downtown Raleigh is 40 minutes one way and hilly.

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

Walking an hour each morning and still water Kayaking occasionally. My volunteer work in the paleontology section of a state museum often involves heavy labor with shovels, picks, rock hammers, etc.

Please tell us your age.

58 (for 3 more months)

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

Trek 2100, Cannondale Tandem and an old 1982 Cannondale on nasty days

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

Yes, glucosamine, saw palmetto, multi vitamin, aspirine, flax seed oil for Omega 3.

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

10-15% from my mid 30s

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

Pretty much all of my life, off and on.


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

20-50 mile rides, depending upon time available, weather, etc. perhaps 3 -4 time/week. Also will do 3 or 4 century rides each season.


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

3-6 times/week. 4,000 annual miles

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

In inclimate weather I weight train, use an eliptical and a stationary trainer, and swim.

OldCrank . . . 50 years old on Jan. 1st 2006

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

I have a rare Cignal Road Series / All Campy for more spirited rides, and also a Peugeot PGN10 (reynolds 501/Huret) for more around town/relaxed riding. Previous ride was a Raleigh Professional (1974) original owner.



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

As I continue to age, I try to get at least one serving per day of a good liquid protein source, such as MetRx or Instone Nutrition. I take a timed-release multivitamin (either GNC MegaMan or Prevention for Men), Cod Liver Oil, Brewers Yeast, Royal Jelly, and use raw, unfiltered honey for all swetening. On the personal advice of former bodybuilder Franco Columbu, I supplement one extra gram of Calcium for every hour of weight training, or 500mg per half-hour (calcium not only is for bones, for the electrical signals throughout the central nervous system -- which are severely depleted with weight lifting).

Other than that, I try to eat "clean" as much as possible -- and whole foods. My wife and I enjoying cooking so most meals are from scratch.



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

I have "days" of feeling this way -- and other days of feeling that I am better than ever. I had a personal best with bench press earlier in this year. I do find myself getting more winded . . . but I attribute this to the on and off body weight gain that I experience throughout the year. Overall, I would say that my endurance has decreased, but my strength has increased.



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

All my life since childhood. Was a bike commuter back in the day when no one knew what one was.



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

I have been doing short recreational rides on alternate days of weight lifting -- in season. In the winter, I bike indoors on rollers, or use the stationary bike, if lazy. This year, for my 50th year of age, I want to focus more on riding and complete a century or two -- which I haven't done in close to 25 years. I'd also like to work on hill-climbing -- but that remains to be seen. The Mt. Washington hillclimb keeps pestering me to give it a shot, but I also realize the training and dedication it would take. We'll see.




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

For years just on alternate days between weight lifting. I have no idea of mileage at all -- although I've been thinking of getting one of those cycle computer things. I go more by "feel" -- some days I can do more than others, etc. But I never was one to count miles. Quaility not quantity as they say. You can certainly have a 20 mile ride that's more productive than a 50 miler. Don't you agree?



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

Yes, I do weight training. I have my own gym up in the attic with free weights, bench, and one of the universal-type Weider gyms. I also enjoy boxing workouts and have a heavy bag and speed bag.

Age:67. Since Ive only ridden for 4 years, I feel that I am still improving as a cyclist. My biking includes daily 20 to 30 mile rides with weekend rides in the 50 to 60 mile range. Six centuries so far. In 2005 was able to get in a little over 4000 miles. I ride approximately 6 days a week. I do Keiser machines and free weights for upper body fitness. I also enjoy the week long rides like Bike Florida, Cycle North Carolina and Bike Virginia. I have (2) road bikes, a Litespeed Ultimate and a KHS Flite 800. I cycle to stay a little bit in front of the Grim Reaper

Great thread.

Bikes you ride?
1984 Centurion Elite 12 rebuilt, 2002 Masi Gran Crit, 2003 Haro XCR hardtail, 2003 Jamis Eclipse

Supplements?
Will not touch them, my father in law DIED from kidney stones. He was a huge vitamin & sup fan.

Have you slowed down?
Of course, but it is only a state of mind.

How long biking?
Since a kid but with a remarkable 14 year absence until last spring. Got back into biking to contorl weight and could not enjoy it more.

Types of rides?
Any but mostly rail to trail to keep in shape. Getting more comfortable on the road again after such a long layoff.

How often?
Several times a week during the season here in W. PA. Indoor trainer at least 3 times a week during cold season.

Other activities?
Clearing the &%^&5 snow from the drive when the blower is acting up, also try to get several times a week on the Total Gym. It has really worked and is very convient vs. going to a gym.

I am 55, male, and started biking again to control my weight. I went from 174 to 144 in six months. This is alot as I am 5'6''. I have the following advice if your goal is the same. Stop drinking all booz. Burn more calories than you eat. Exercise as much as time or your aching body will allow. Don't give up, it takes more time than you think to get fit. I have a 70 year old freind who runs 10k's & he dusted my rear on a 100k bike run.

Hello, just an addition to this thread rather than a reply - forgive me if that's not the way to join in

51 years old. Tandem and lightish Specialised road bike. Now living and biking in the middle east, originally from UK. As a teenager I was a keen tourist, as well as bringing up the rear in English Schools Cycling Association national finals in road racing, cyclo cross and time trials - but they were kind, they let anyone play who had a bike!

About biking in middle age and beyond - I'm the young new guy in my cycling club here, and I can't hang with them for more than a couple of pace line pulls! 'Just do it' seems to be the truth.

And to share an inspiring memory about fitness despite the years - in 1990 when I was about 36 I trained a bit, and finished the NYC marathon better than I was hoping for, and just before the finish line I saw some press attention. It was for the fellow in front of me, winning the category "males, 80 and over".

Never, never, never stop, as a rock band states!

How fun.

Turning 55 in a couple of weeks.
Started commuting to work by bike for environmental reasons a little over a year ago (we just cannot keep trashing the planet and expect to live well ourselves) and got healthier myself so am trying out winter commuting this year.

- got a Specialized Sirrus, Wear a flashing light on my leg a friend made me, a light on my helmet, a flashing tail light, and a handlebar light am getting appropriate reflective taped clothes as I can afford.

I take a big multi and some extra niacin (niacinamide doesn't have the vasodialating effect of B3 niacin which some recent medical research in the UK shows may help prevent Alzheimers ) and extra E, some extra C when I feel the need. (You can tell if you are feeling toxed.) P.S. The kidney stones thing somebody mentioned on this thread was likely an imballance of cal and mag and vit D - if it had anything to do with the suplements.

Speeding up not slowing down. With the way the trend for lifespan increases are going - we can look at making it to about 120 yrs. I don't plan to be in a wheel chair for half a life if exercise can help it. But I hate exercise plans and such - can never stick with them - so I don't use elevators and I bike to and from work (about ten miles ) and do my own snow shoveling and raking of leaves. Why pollute the air to clear away snow and blow leaves around when you can breathe clean air while you work out instead - and you accomplish something by the work other than time logged in an exercise program??? Seems oxymoronic (You know oxymoron = self conflicting statement like "military intelligence") that somebody would hurry from work to a paid-for gym by car so that they can get some exercise because they are having breathing problems caused by air pollution from cars - kinda like an environmentaist flying in a fossil fuel buring jet to a conference on global warming, or a student riding the elevator to get to a health class...

I biked as a teen - intermittantly a few years ago ..country rides for an hour once or twice a week in the summer - now its most every day. I'm not set for really bad cold or snow yet. THough the commuter and folder forums I just found might help me find out what to do in that way.

Cheers to you all - Dr J

Tell me about the bike and barge trips in the netherlands. sounds really interesting. is it a formal group thing - or make your way on your own? DrJ

Tell me about the bike and barge trips in the netherlands. sounds really interesting. is it a formal group thing - or make your way on your own? DrJ

I'm not sure to whom you are addressing this question, but since I have done it, I will chime in with an answer.

I went on one of these trips with some members of my local cycling club, actually organized by one of our local ski clubs. There are many Dutch tour organizers that offer bike and barge tours of differing lengths and routes. You can sign up with any of them as an individual or as part of a group. The common denominator is that they have smallish ships with 20+ staterooms and a dining hall. When you get there, they assign a bicycle (hybrid) to everyone unless you want to bring your own. You also get a stateroom assigned.

Every day after a typical Dutch breakfast, there is a point-to-point bike ride planned, usually led by a ride leader. While the bikes are travelling down the road and seeing the sights, the barge navigates the country's extensive canal system and shows up at your stopping point. Our trip provided boxed lunches for on the road. When you arrive in the destination town, the barge is waiting for you and you are free to board to shower and change. Dinner is served on the boat. You are free to walk or ride around the new city/town to see the local sights. Then after sleeping on the barge that evening, the same process is repeated with the next city on the tour being the destination.

We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would recommend it to tourist cyclist types. Some of us felt stiffled by the slow pace dictated by the slowest riders (no drop rule), so we asked the ride leader for maps and toured in a self-guided mode and met the other riders at the barge at the destination. This arrangement worked out very well. The Netherlands is a scenic country and is the most cycling-friendly place that I have ever visited. There are provisions for bicycles everywhere - special paths in big cities and along the sides of the roads in the countryside. Makes for a great vacation.

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

My wife and I ride Diamondback comfort bikes. Santa is bringing me my first road bike, a Trek Pilot 2.1 w/clipless pedals (Look A5.1) and Road shoes (Shimano R098).



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 feel better. I lost 32 lbs this last year and now weigh 150 lbs.



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

New, been riding 6 months.



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

We have a "rails to trials" here (Chief Ladiga Trail), only 1.5 miles from my house. It is flat and paved for 50 miles. I live in North East Alabama, and soon it will connect to the Silver Comet Trail in Georgia. Then I can ride 100 miles one-way to Symrna, Ga. northeast of Atlanta. I normally ride the entire 50 miles on weekends and half of the trail severals times a week.




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

During DST, maybe 4-5 times a week. Annual mileage is about 2500 miles.



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??

I will be 54 on January 8 (Elvis Birthday). BTW, I found out last year, Elvis is my 6th cousin, no kidding, same birthday. Strange.

Also, please see a list of all the contributors:

age- 51

1. What type of bikes ?

Commuter- 9 speed REI Buzz, w/rack milk crate on the back and (winter) Nokian Studded snows.
Road- a custom Tanguy frame (1976) Reynolds 531DB with aero bars and a new Campy Chorus Gruppo.
MTB- Gary Fisher Super Caliber- stock


2. supplements/vitamins/minerals ?

a multi-vitamin and saw palmetto daily.



3. "slowed down"?

I have cycling journals all the way back to age 16 so I can make pretty accurate comparisons. Most changes have to do with mileage logged and consistency in training reflected in increases in speed and endurance. If I do not ride for a month or so it seems to take more time to get up to speed again. Climbing and body weight are definitely related and I have had to work hard to add weight to my body (at age 17 I was 150 lbs-6'3"-and my current weight ranges from 175-185 lbs.-due to weight lifting). I still climb well but was an exceptional climber at the lower body weight.



4. How long have you been biking?

Bought a Astro/Daimler Puch Folding bike from the Sears catalog in 1969 when, at age 15, my mother got sick of driving me to my karate lessons. I've been a bike commuter to every job I've had since age 16. Was a hippy eco freak in the 70's and totally anti-car culture, bike toured all over the US/Canada and raced. Have also done some touring and commuting in Europe. Later did triathlons and in the 90's started Mountain biking but I have poor technical skills compared to MTB'ers of similar fitness. Was a mechanic, salesman and manager in bike shops over a period of 8 years and a bike messenger for a brief period of time- 3 winter months- tough job in Boston.


5. What type of biking do you do?

I commute consistently 24 miles round trip/day. Use the bike for errands daily. I do training rides but don't race anymore. I mountain bike and do lots of LSD all summer. (no, not the drug- long slow distance)



6. Your approximate annual mileage?

I have ridden anywhere from 3,500 miles to 12,500 miles per year for the past 36 years.




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

Weight lift, X/C ski.

I just turned 63. The question is. What kind of bikes do 50+ riders like? Not sure about them, because I’m 60+ and I like my Felt B2 TT bike, Litespeed, Specialized Tarmac with Mavic SL wheel set. Now if you are thinking what is this old guy doing with these racing bikes? Beside being able to afford them, I like competing in Road Races and Time Trials. In 2005 I participated in 8 races placing in 7 of them. My PR for a 20K time trial is 32:00. Not bad for a guy 63 years old with no cycling background I've only been riding for past six years.

Please tell us your age = 57

1. What type of bikes do I ride? see strap line below

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

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any? Tricky; the bikes have definitely got faster, though ;)

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life? Since I could walk, but there was a gap in the 70's - 80's where I did little biking.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race? 2 hours off-road, shopping (2 miles) and 9 mile commutes to the gym.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage? 4 times/week ~ 1500miles (? - the new recumbent may increase this).

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.? Pilates, circuit training and dinghy racing.

AGE: 58
BIKES: Phoenix "Ditch Pig" a generic mountain bike from Cyclepath, 15 years old and soon a recumbent folding bike (A SatRday from Bike Friday)
SUPPLEMENTS ETC? No
SLOWED DOWN? Was never very fast, satisfied with where I'm at.
HOW LONG AT IT? Some when I was young, restarted on an occasional basis about 15 years ago, then more intensively 3 years ago.
TYPE OF BIKING: Commuting to work until there's ice on the ground, about 22km there and back. Weekend rides of up to 50km maybe once a month. Hoping to get into some longer rides with camping or B&Bs- any in the area who would like to join me?
MILEAGE: Last year did 2500km
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Karate beginner.

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

Me - GT Outpost
Wife – Schwinn Mountain Bike

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?

Not much, except when Sciatic Nerve flares up.

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

Started at age 6. Quit at age 16. Started again at age 55.

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

Recreational and short commutes


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

4x / week. Not sure about mileage.

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

Work on our Corvette. Positions are frequently similar to Yoga positions.


Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??

Me – 55
Wife - 53

Another 50+ rider ...

53 years old and ride a few bikes. Main ride is a Moots Vamoots SL but during the winter I roll out a Trek 5500 and a Litespeed Classic.

Don't take any supplements
Have been seriously riding for about 5 years now although have been riding for years off and on.
Don't feel like I've slowed down at all. Just keep working hard. Have done a solo, non-stop, unsupported century in each of the last three years in sub 5 hour time (4:33 best).
Ridden 10,000+ miles in each of the past 2 years and 40,000 in the past 5.
I like rding my bike ... a lot!

Ok..I'm 63. Competitivly cycled thru the 60s and into the late 70s.
Ran a bike shop in the 80s.
Wrenched for several teams in the 70s
Got back into cycling a decade ago after being off a bike for almost 10 years.
Ride with a Club (several of the members are well into their 70s and still doing centurys/3K mileage per year!)as well as ride solo to and from the part time job.
Have a: Fully restored 73 Bob Jackson
Concours cond. 92 Paramount (the series bike built in Taiwan,not one out of the Watermark factory)Converted 93GT that I have full steel fenders on for daily commuting and winter riding(if it's dry and above 40..I ride)
82 Ross Paragon in the restoring phase
86 Simplex equipped Motobecane I'm refurbishing
My mileage last year..with club 1835, Solo 1K+
Mainly touring rides up to 75 miles..average speed 14.5-16
Work part time for a fitness club (repairing the eqpt.)and use the satirmaster a lot..found it helps on climbing big time.
Also Kayak..have a Pygmy wooden Artic Tern I built.

Just responding to the request. I am 57 years old, have been riding bikes most of my life. I started mountain biking in 1998, and road biking three years ago. Road biking is my favorite. Last year I logged just over 4000 miles, most of them on my road bike. In addition to riding, I do some resistance training (for conditioning). Otherwise there isn't much else that I do differently.

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. 53 years

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Torque Titanium. Built by Litespeed. Time Trial/Tri set-up 650c wheels



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



3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Yep. Off the bike for a couple of years and I'm struggling to keep it up, Heart Rate that is, well, actually it's all abit dodgey right now.



4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Bike as transport, on and off for 20 plus years. Racing about 15 years on and off.



5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
My rides are short, 18-30 miles, 2-4 rides per week, Tuesday Crit with the real cyclists, odd race and metric century, soon to start back on the commute.




6. How often do you bike? 2-4x/week Your approximate annual mileage? Last year 2500 miles



7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Core work on the ball




Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply?? 53

Also, please see a list of all the contributors: (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=87533) That's the truth and I'm stickin to it.

Please tell us your age. 52

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride? Peugot setup as a fitness bike with 105 running gear, Mavic wheels, & other goodies.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older? CoQ10, vC (10g), Lysine (5g), Proline (3g), vE, vB+, Niacin, Folic acid (5mg) - these are the main ones. Tossed the prescription drugs out (especially the statins).

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any? In an acceleration phase!!

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life? Serious commuter as a kid (up to 18). Started again at 38 and rode hard for a few years. Started business, family, etc. - slob for 8 years. Back to it at 51 - for good this time.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race? Day rides with local touring club. Mid week group training rides. Some solo rides. Planning some multi-day rides.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage? Currently 800km/month. 4 days biking, 2 days swimming, 1 rest day.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.? Swimming, Aikido, light weights. Clubbies are trying to talk me into doing tri's and crits - resisted sofar, but it sure is tempting.

Please tell us your age.

50


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

Whatever kind they want? I have a Trek 7500 fitness bike, a RANS V-Rex SWB recumbent, an Optima Baron lowracer, and a homebuilt 2x26 recumbent. I'm also currently making a carbon fiber frame for another highracer, one with 2x700c wheels.


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

No special regimen, although I will occasionally use some recovery potions for after-ride.


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

I've gotten faster, but only by constantly graduating to faster bikes.


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

Most of my life, except for a short stretch in my late 20s when new job and family conspired against me.


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

I guess you'd classify it as recreational, generally 25 to 40 miles for evening rides and longer on weekends. I generally do 1 or 2 supported tours per year.


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

None to speak of in the winter, building as the weather gets warmer and there's more daylight in the evenings, until I peak at 5-6 days per week in August. I average about 4000 miles/year.


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

I take a fitness swimming class at the junior college and swim 1700-2000 yards of intervals, twice a week. Also I do a lot of work in my yard - I planted 50 saplings last year to make up for all the trees and brush I cut down the year before. I'll be planting more this spring.

I have several bikes, Mongoose for the winter snow, Giant mountain bike for communting, trek for communting, and another bike for long distance on the weekends. I just got the Trek 4500 so I am riding it to work and back (32 miles round trip)

I take a daily vitamin supplement for seniors. I also take a liquid iron supplement on some days. I don't think that I have slowed down because I have more free time. My children are grown and that allows me more time to myself. Therefore, I try to commute to work and do my chores by bike as often as possible.

I belong to at least two bike clubs, Sisters-n-cycling, which consists of middle-aged women. I also like to join a national group like Advbenture Cycling. I have to re-new my membership. In additon to riding in the city I also particpate in long distance riding tours. I am 51 years old.

hi
http://www.6boards.com

hi
http://www.6boards.com

Do you even bicycle? Is this just Spam?

Hello everyone,

I have reached the top of the hill (the big 50). I here it is all downhill from here and downhill can be the most enjoyable part of the ride as long as you keep it under control and the brakes don't fail.

Here's my rides:
- 2006 HP Velotechnik Scorpion (Trike Recumbent Touring bike)
- 2005 ICE Trice Micro (Trike Recumbent Racer)
- 2005 KMX X-class (Trike Recumbent Trail bike)
- 2003 Invacare Top End XLT-Gold (Hand Crank bike)
- 1996 Specialized Globe (Cruiser/Commuter bike)
- 1979 Schwinn LaTour (Touring/Road bike)

The handcycle is the only one of the bunch that I purchased used and although all of my bikes were purchased new, neither the 79 Schwinn nor the 96 Specialized have more than a few hundred miles on them (in fact they both still have original set of tires). I have been car-free for over three years and just recently decided to get serious about biking/triking and possibly working my way up to doing some long distance touring.

I am in pretty good health (or so I thought - more on that later) and most folks tell me that I look 30-something. I have done some weightlifting over the years, but now I might spend half an hour with the dumbells after a run. I have been a runner all my life and I will run 50mi/wk during the summer months. My plan is to cut back on the running and add the trikes for some cross training; maybe a couple days each week of running, and riding the recumbent trike and the handcycle.

I have been on and off multivitamins all my life and a couple of years ago I went liquid. I am also back to taking a protein supplement (especially after a good workout). Last year I began breaking bones; hadn't broken a bone in all my life, but I broke half a dozen bones last year. Had bone density test done and found out that I am borderline osteoporosis. Doc is having me take additional calcium and vitamin D for a few months and see what happens. It is OK for me to ride trikes, but I am not supposed to ride any bikes (yet anyway). I just found out that osteoporosis runs in the family and my condition may be hereditary, but I have never given any thought to my calcium intake and never realized that you don't get but a trace of calcium with your multivitamins. I suppose the reason for this is that some of the minerals found in the multivitamins like iron and zinc will counter act with calcium. Therefore, I never take my calcium supplements with my multivitamins. I have found out that alcohol, soda and caffeine will also deplete your body of needed calcium. Although I don't drink much alcohol and never drink soda, I have been a pretty heavy coffee drinker for the past 20 years.

Being new to the group I don't know if anyone else here has preached on the importance of calcium, but I have become a believer. Besides, men typically begin losing 1% of their bone mass each year beginning at the age of 50. So even though I may run 50mi/wk and look 30-something, I have the bone density of 70-something. And I am afraid that some of these broken bones may be giving me arthritic problems in the future.

Being new to the group I don't know if anyone else here has preached on the importance of calcium, but I have become a believer. Besides, men typically begin losing 1% of their bone mass each year beginning at the age of 50. So even though I may run 50mi/wk and look 30-something, I have the bone density of 70-something. And I am afraid that some of these broken bones may be giving me arthritic problems in the future.

Welcome.

We have had a number of articles posted (by me and others) on the dangers of osteoporosis and bicycling, and how it can accelerate osteo. Do a search on osteoporosis and you will find them.

Here is one:

http://69.16.211.161/showthread.php?t=150181&highlight=osteoporosis

Good luck with your treatment. My son takes Fosamax.

Hi all,

I used to ck in with this forum but that was several years ago. Just started back riding and am very happy to see such an active 50 plus forum.

Let me answer a few questions.

I ride a canondale silk road 500.

I have always taken vitamins as long as I can remember and have added fishoil lately.

I really haven't slowed down very much and am working hard to get my avg up.

I biked in my 20's a bit and started back when I was 52.

My fav rides are when I spot riders ahead of me or coming up behind me as I love to race a bit
Most of my rides are around the 40 mile range.

At present I ride approx 4 times a week ; some of the rides are fast 20 milers (fast for me anyways*S*)
Weekend rides are 40 plus.

I did some olympic style weight lifting when I was young.

My dad is 87 and he still bikes.

I am 59 and my goal is to do a double century for my 60th birthday.

Looking forward to reading all the helpful posts and maybe meeting some locals in my age group.

Dudley
aka bikinguy
Spring TX

Some questions:

Please tell us your age.

middle age, I am 54

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

for me I ride a Dura-Ace 10 speed Waterford 2200 lugged 853 frame
Trek Madone 5.5 dura-Ace 10 speed
Razesa a 1980 SLX frame converted into a single speed
orginal 1978 Specialized Team Issue Tange Allez with orginal suntour components that I am restoring




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

Enchanced energy, multi vitimin, protein shakes,



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

average speed has dropped somewhat but endurance and power still seems to be there



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

Started serious road biking in 1978, first bike was schwin sport, followed by a nishiki, then an Allez specialized team issue



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

racing, club rides, solo rides, LSD rides and intervals ; any kind of ride is a good ride




6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
average 125 miles a week or more so around 5,000 a year.



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

avid weightlifter, especialy during the winter when riding is cut short




Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??

Also, please see a list of all the contributors:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
99 Lemond BA, 04 Windsor Leeds, 98 Spc HR Wife: 04 Trek 7300, 99 Spc HR Andy, 3 whlr Web

View the 50+ Rogue's Gallery

I joined this forum last August when I decided to take up biking (again). I didn't realize I'd neglected posting here until I saw Dnvr's post wondering where all the 50+ers had gone!

Here are my responses:

Please tell us your age.
55 last December.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
I bought a Marin Novato not knowing what sort of riding I would do. Now that I have a few miles under my belt, I would really like to add a road bike to my stable... something like a Trek Pilot 5.2. But the Marin works nicely for me.

Gave away my old Schwinn Collegiate 5 spd a couple of years ago. Naturally, the bicycling bug bit me not long after I did that. I bought this bike brand new back in 1964 or 65, iirc.



2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
I take a maintenance aspirin (81mg), vitamins and fish oil capsules.



3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Tough question to answer. I have no reference point since I have rode little since getting a driver's license at age 16.


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Started biking last August when I bought the Marin. Tried to drag my wife into biking with me and sorta pushed her into buying one (Trek 7100). Now she loves to ride too! We have two young children (8 and 6) who ride some, but they'll hopefully ride more as we encourage them.


5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
I ride around local streets. I have a 24 mile course that I like to ride with some traffic and gentle rolling hills (although some hills take me down to my granny gear and 2nd sprocket.. about 6 mph). Average for me tends to be in the mid 13's for this course.



6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Not often enough. I have just over 300 miles on the bike since last August. Work schedules (24/7 call), family duties and weather limit our availability to ride, much to our dismay. We'd love to ride twice a week, but are lucky to ride twice a month.


7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
I have recently begun working out on our hated Nordic Trak. But it's better than nothing... and yet a long way from biking.

I enjoy this forum but have taken a break over the winter with other projects having taken priority. Hope to spend more time here in the future.