Fifty Plus (50+) - Bicycle-Riding-For-Boomers Site

Just passing this site on.

http://www.bicycle-riding-for-boomers.com/index.html

Pardon me if someone else has already listed it.

Has lots of info... including chainless recumbants!

Hmm, seems to be an assumption that boomers are now all geriatrics! I thought the thing that distinguished boomers was that they'd stay young forever. Fifty is the new thirty, and sixty is the new forty. Hell, I'm 60 and I don't even feel like I'm 50 yet. But then I have been 19 years old for most of my life.

I think that boomers who discovered cycling earlier in their lives have already discovered the secret of eternal youth. This biking for boomers site seems to have arrived too late for the rest of the boomers! Well, it's never really too late, I hope they latch on!

L.

Here is another boom about bicycle lighting systems:

http://nordicgroup.us/s78/

Lots of articles and links.
Warning!: site contains some nudity, which may or may not be delightful.

Actually, this rather sickens me. It assumes boomers know nothing about cycling, when in fact, we WERE the great bike boom, starting in the late '60s (my dawning of interest) through whenever. There is some truth, in that if you've laid off for decade or three, you don't know how to navigate the market today, and the unfortunate assumptions made in most LBSs are just insulting.

It also assumes boomers are barely able to move. If we're the generation that would stay forever young (now why would we thing this is unique?), how can we all be toppling over? But again there is some truth ... we know who we are!

I see a lot about

you can cheat on an electric bike
you can roll slow but comfy on a converted mtb, a comfort bike, or a foot-forward,
recumbents are better than wedgies (the pejorative terms drive me crazy).

I see nothing about

one of the most popular things to do with your 50+ buds and budettes (not involving much beer) is to go out for a 40 mile ride together
good fitters know a lot about setting up road bikes so they don't hurt
gaining fitness gradually with riding (ride more!) still works even on 50+ers bodies
you can get cool gadgets to put on your bike to approximate what's in that Lexus
road bikes today are more comfortable than ever as well as fast
you can still have a beautiful, supple, long-lasting Brooks saddle
if you like the way the old ones looked and worked, you can still get one and ride it with proper setup
if you like the materials (LOWER CARBON FOOTPRINT!) of the older styles, you can get modern bikes in the same style and which can be maintained by the shop you bought it from, like a car.

What's that mandatory 401k distribution at 59 1/2 for, anyway? Go out and kedge!

Seems like a decent site for a wide variety of people. It's not all about comfort bikes and such. For example, http://www.bicycle-riding-for-boomers.com/road-bicycles.html

Does for boomers what Stepin Fetchit did for blacks.

Paul

This statement says it all:

"The days of bicycles being just toys for the young are long gone. Older folks are finding new bikes that are boomer friendly and new ways to enjoy them. " :lol:

Older folks riding toys!
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d126/telehammer/moab2005.jpg

Actually, this rather sickens me. It assumes boomers know nothing about cycling, when in fact, we WERE the great bike boom, starting in the late '60s (my dawning of interest) through whenever. There is some truth, in that if you've laid off for decade or three, you don't know how to navigate the market today, and the unfortunate assumptions made in most LBSs are just insulting.

It also assumes boomers are barely able to move. If we're the generation that would stay forever young (now why would we thing this is unique?), how can we all be toppling over? But again there is some truth ... we know who we are!



+1 No thanks.

"Expert repair advise (http://bicycletutor.com/) "

Can't anyone spell adviCe correctly. Sheesh!!

I don't qualify, being very much a pre-boomer. Anyone got a website for us? Oh yeah, that's right. The 50+ subforum at bikeforums.net. A neat site. They even have a 65-85+ thread.

I work with 3 others that are over 60 and coming up for retirement. They look more like 70 in their looks and actions. They are not mobile- not as agile as their job demamnds and always moaning about the job getting physically difficult.

I just moan about the job- but I am over 60 and have earned the right to be a grumpy old git after 30 years of working for the same company.

Interesting, and somewhat bizarre. We were the ones who brought about the bike boom of the 70's. This site does seem to assume that boomers know nothing about bikes at all. Think I'll pass.

So what age is a boomer?? I guess I've never thought about it enough to know what the term Boomer implies.

I think boomers are loosely defined as those born between '45 - '64-ish, basically kids of WWII vets.

I'd say a good chunk of the boomers helped fuel the bike boom of the late '60s, early '70s, but maybe people just think those above a certain age gravitate to other activities (like channel surfing, getting fat, stuff like that..) and forget all about riding a bike, and therefore need a refresher. :rolleyes:

Ok - the site isn't targeted for a typical 50+ forum member. Who said we were average? Your reactions are a bit harsh.
I only examined the site for a few minutes but it seems like an honest attempt to promote cycling. The "about" page describes the author as having cycled the last 15 years (sound familiar?).

Pardon me, I have to go take my fiber.

Has anyone discovered a "contact us" page? I wanted to provide a link to this firum.

Has anyone discovered a "contact us" page? I wanted to provide a link to this firum.

I couldn't find one.
Looks like some pay to be on there?

"I love riding bikes but found it frustrating that everything I read about bikes was written from the perspective of some young Lance Armstrong wannabe and nothing was available of interest to millions of mature bike riders."

From the website. No surprise there. Maybe his site will get more people out riding. It's not always about drafting and pacelines.

I started riding in 1951 at the age of four. At 12 I took my first 112 mile ride one week after buying a Schwinn Continental. In high school I rode a thousand miles from the Bay Area north and west by myself. I took three thousand mile trips by the time I got out of college. I own four bike (three road and one mountain) and ride them all. One at least once a day, at least 15 miles a day, often forty or more.

What's the problem?

Sometimes I think it's hard for those of us on this site to remember that we are in the minority. Most people our age don't do what we do. While there were parts of the site that were of NO interest to me, I can think of people I know my age too which many sections of the site would be appealing. It's tough to create a balanced site for a population as diverse as the "boomers". For me, if the site gets any other folks out there riding, then it's a good thing.

"I love riding bikes but found it frustrating that everything I read about bikes was written from the perspective of some young Lance Armstrong wannabe and nothing was available of interest to millions of mature bike riders."

From the website. No surprise there. Maybe his site will get more people out riding. It's not always about drafting and pacelines.






Sometimes I think it's hard for those of us on this site to remember that we are in the minority. Most people our age don't do what we do. While there were parts of the site that were of NO interest to me, I can think of people I know my age too which many sections of the site would be appealing. It's tough to create a balanced site for a population as diverse as the "boomers". For me, if the site gets any other folks out there riding, then it's a good thing.


That s OK, JUST AS LONG AS THEY DON'T CLOG UP MY MUP :)

"Expert repair advise (http://bicycletutor.com/) "

Can't anyone spell adviCe correctly. Sheesh!!

I don't qualify, being very much a pre-boomer. Anyone got a website for us? Oh yeah, that's right. The 50+ subforum at bikeforums.net. A neat site. They even have a 65-85+ thread.

and besides, we real boomers still need a Dad.

It's not so much that it doesn't address me very strongly, it's that it perpetuates stereotypes, the same ones that (I assume, I wasn't really here then) impelled Denver to start 50+. I think there are a lot of fellows in their 40s who would benefit from beginning to pedal, and have a need to start gently. It isn't only the boomers that need help and encouragement or information to get out on two wheels.

Now about that 401k distribution ...

and besides, we real boomers still need a Dad.

Ouch!!

Sometimes I think it's hard for those of us on this site to remember that we are in the minority. Most people our age don't do what we do. While there were parts of the site that were of NO interest to me, I can think of people I know my age too which many sections of the site would be appealing. It's tough to create a balanced site for a population as diverse as the "boomers". For me, if the site gets any other folks out there riding, then it's a good thing.

Well, yeah, it should do some of our cohort some good.

I work with 3 others that are over 60 and coming up for retirement. They look more like 70 in their looks and actions. They are not mobile- not as agile as their job demamnds and always moaning about the job getting physically difficult.

I just moan about the job- but I am over 60 and have earned the right to be a grumpy old git after 30 years of working for the same company.

Our neighbor across the street just passed away - 68, but acted rather older. In contrast, I went on my summer tour with my cousin who's 65 and a friend of hers who is 72. Both kicked my butt soundly. My cousin is the smoothest pedaler I've ever seen, and can crank out 15 mph all day on a skinny-tire Cannondale. Her friend is nearly as refined, but has a reserve of power that is just amazing - left me far behind at 18 mph versus his 20, trying to outrun a rainstorm.

It's not so much that it doesn't address me very strongly, it's that it perpetuates stereotypes, the same ones that (I assume, I wasn't really here then) impelled Denver to start 50+. I think there are a lot of fellows in their 40s who would benefit from beginning to pedal, and have a need to start gently. It isn't only the boomers that need help and encouragement or information to get out on two wheels.

Now about that 401k distribution ...

I feel those stereotypes all the time, as I get a bit older.

I hate:

"How are you feeling today, young man?" - that from a guy fixing the blinds in our house.

or

"Sir" said to me in supposed deference to my ancient being.

or

some of the attitudes in other BFN forums about aging and bicycling

or

Someone signing into the forum as a newbie, claiming they are "old" and "tired" - at age 50, yet!!

and, dare I say it -

50+'rs self-depracating themselves in the screen names they use and references to "geezers" and the like. I know I will never win this one, but there is enough of this from other folks. Why do we do it to ourselves? Ageism IS a reality. Let's work to reduce it. But, I know many disagree, and I am resigned to live with it.

I have to wonder if the term "Boomer" does not derive from our more 'jet propelled' emissions as we age? May not help on the climbs, but seems to increase speed on flats.:eek:

I feel those stereotypes all the time, as I get a bit older.

I hate:

"How are you feeling today, young man?" - that from a guy fixing the blinds in our house.

or

"Sir" said to me in supposed deference to my ancient being.

or

some of the attitudes in other BFN forums about aging and bicycling

or

Someone signing into the forum as a newbie, claiming they are "old" and "tired" - at age 50, yet!!

and, dare I say it -

50+'rs self-depracating themselves in the screen names they use and references to "geezers" and the like. I know I will never win this one, but there is enough of this from other folks. Why do we do it to ourselves? Ageism IS a reality. Let's work to reduce it. But, I know many disagree, and I am resigned to live with it.


LOL, Denver, it's like the saying, "It's not the years, it's the mileage"!! Yes, I'm a lot younger than you at 55 but with all the medical problems I have, (some chronic, some just a PIA), there are times I "FEEL" a lot "older" than I really am. I can't remember the last time I went to bed with the aches and pains and actually felt "rested" in the morning, I creak and pop (probably due to having Reiter's Syndrome), ect. so forgive me if I list myself as old! I know some 70's riders in our local club that can KICK MY BUTT for some reason they've got better genes than me I guess??? It's not personal, just the way it feel's! JMHO, YMMV.

so forgive me if I list myself as old!


If you keep it a secret, no one else would ever know. You ride so much - not having a car - that I can't imagine anyone thinking of you as old, except, it seems, yourself!! :)

If you feel the need to advertise it, feel free.

Aging is inevitable----Staying young is optional.

I can remember when I started riding 20 years ago that the comments were flying around about our group. 5 of us- all around 40 to 45- and we were ridiculed for thinking that we could mountain bike at our age. I still get the same comments at 63 on the road.

But not all those comments have been condescending or derogatory. One group of youngsters out on their lightweight full suspension Bikes and our group caught them going up one of the hardest hills on the South Downs. Passed most of them and waited for the rest at the top and one of the last came over to us- picked up one of our basic heavy hardtails and asked how often we rode. Our reply was that we were out twice a week- every week and normally did 30 to 40 miles at weekends and 20 in the evening at least once a week.--Unless we were out on an organised Enduro where we normally did 50 to 60 miles.

At this point he just said that he could not wait to get OLD so he could get the expertise and fitness that all of our group had. And that was only about 6 years ago.

I have to admit that this group were new to our area and if you do not ride these hills often- you do not know the right lines to take- where the ridable slopes are or where the easy route is. We just let them think we were a superhuman bunch of riders hardened and wizened by the amount of riding we do. That was far from the truth.

We just let them think we were a superhuman bunch of riders hardened and wizened by the amount of riding we do. That was far from the truth.

I don't think it was far from the truth at all! Sounds spot-on to me . . .

Rick / OCRR

Related to the OP's suggestion, here's another website/blog full of information for those new to biking: http://www.cyclingforbeginners.com/

Good! Thank you.