Fifty Plus (50+) - Only as old as you think you are, but...

...you can't fool Mother Nature and have to have a realistic attitude about it. One reason why I'm in these forums and riding a bicycle at all this year is that I "retired" from motorcycling after 35+ years. I had been getting less out of it the last few years, especially with the more crowded roads, SUVs, drivers on cell phones, etc. I didn't used to worry much about the dangers, but I could also feel that I was not as sharp as in my younger days: slower reflexes, slower perception, and so on. I rode sporty road bikes (BMWs), usually pretty fast, and could see that I was less able to handle something happening at high speed. And riding "cruiser style" on a Harley or Gold Wing was never my style.

So I sold my m/c, bought a new bicycle, and have continued this year on two wheels. I ride mostly local roads and rail-trails, but that's plenty for now. We've got quite a bike-trail network being developed around here (Rochester, MI), so there will be plenty of places to go in the future. I've also found bicycling to be an excellent cross-training activity to supplement my running. This weekend I rode the day after doing a half-marathon and found that riding the bike helped take the soreness out of my legs.

I look forward to lots of good postings in this forum. Oh, and I'm 58 by the way.

-- Doug

At 54, I am not ready to give up either road or offroad cycling. I jog, hike, and lift weights, but bicycling is the only sport I have ever truly loved. I do pick my roads and weather conditions carefully, and I follow the principles of lawful vehicular cycling.

I'll be 60 in a few months and commute by bike 4-5 days a week. On the weekends and a few days after work I ride like **** on my road bike. I'm trying my best to fool mother nature and some days I win and some days I come in second. Some days I feel like I'm 35 and some days I definitely feel 50-something. :eek:
I have no plans to give up cycling anytime in the near future. Maybe when I'm 85 I'll slow down. :D

I am still ridind m/c's and work at the local hd shop I have a sporty and vrod ride 20000 mi year and love it. I also love bicycles but have not ridden a bicycle in several years bought a bmx bike today never owned a bmx thought I would give it a try

you can't fool Mother Nature and have to have a realistic attitude about it.

I don't quite know what "realistic" means in this context.

Realistic - I am getting older every second, so I will give up on life?

Realistic - I will try my damndest to get all I can out of every moment, and won't let pre-determined biases and attitudes sway me from my course?

"Realistic" is a word I find that most folks use to identify a mind-set of giving up.

Of course I realize that my body is aging - we all do, and that at sometime it will stop completely - as will everyone's on this forum.

However, MY "realistic attitude" says my "reality" is to do my absolute best to keep my body in shape, my attitude positive, my activity level high, within the boundaries that God and genetics has set for me.

This has been a rather difficult two months for me, as in September I developed a heart problem, despite years of a low cholesterol, low-fat, high exercise life style. It wasn't in my plans at all. Absolutely threw me off-base for several weeks.

Yet, I can feel myself getting better everyday. Today, I walked 3.5 miles at a faster pace than I have the last two months, and I am still going to hit 4,000 miles bicycling this year - I am at 3,900 miles right now, and the last 100 should be a cinch! I still bench press over 200 pounds and can do 48 full body dips in about 6 minutes.

So, "realistic is as realistic does" I guess.

Oh, I am 65, by the way!

stronger, smarter, faster, leaner, harder, quicker, wiser, toner, prettier .................. than I was yesterday and the day before and weaker, dumber, slower, fatter, softer, chubbier, uglier ................... than I'll be tomorrow and the day after :D Had over 1/2 a century to learn the secrets ;)

Being 50 + is a simple measurement of time. Some measure life again after something happens or they simply wakeup or become aware. Cycling can make you feel better many in ways. I like it because I am the one that is powering the bike. It is me that gets me from A to B and back most of the time. Sometimes I go fast and sometimes I enjoy the path better. My completive spirit has yet to age. I can say that it is more mature.

In my area which is well stocked with national class athletes in running, biking and triathlons, it is difficult to think in terms of less performance and giving things up. For example, last week, I competed in 4 time trial competitions - two on Saturday and two on Sunday. Well, a real "ringer" showed up from Ohio. He was a multi-state champion at time trialing, and a nationally ranked athlete. Now understand, the competitors were no slumps: Two ex pros, three that had done the race across america, one guy who had been racing for 31 years, and was on three world champion teams in his day. This chap I alluded to had the best time for all age groups (including the 50-55, and 55-60) from the 65-70 age group. I am 65, and I plan to kick his butt next year. He has been competing for 20 years, and I have been riding for 10 months. I'm just a gowing boy!

I guess what I am trying to say, is that I have a hard time relating to giving up things as we age. Hell, I didn't do my first skydive until I was 55, and became a master skydiver a few months thereafter. Oh, and yes, I am not giving up riding fast motorcycles - I am much too young for that!!

On Sunday, I will be hammering on a challenging 42 mile ride with the "A" group of the club - I can you that my 65 year old butt will not be one of the ones dropped. I plan to improve for lots of years, so as you can see I am having a diffiuclt time relating to anything that seemingly accepts less of ourselves.

And on April 15th I will do my debut singing solo at my church - first (and probably last) solo I will ever do - at age 65.

But, why not? It has been a ball taking singing lessons and hearing my voice improve. I never had the time nor opportunity to do this previously.

I think we should do everything we can do no matter the age.

Fox - you are the man!

I am 67 and leaving on a San Diego to Dallas solo ride on 4/18/05

Tom
Honolulu HI