Introductions - 55 Year old returning to cycling after 30 years

I used to ride when I was in my 20s and now have returned and bought a new Felt Z100 and remember why I loved riding. I am 55 years old and had 4 way by-pass surgury about a year ago. I was 225lbs when I started riding and this morning I was 200. Looking to get down to 175, so I am halfway to my goal. I ride about 8 miles in the mornings and Saturdays about 20 to 25 miles. I only average about 14mph over these rides and am a little discouraged when I see the others saying they average 20!! Looking forward to my next ride!

Welcome to Bike Forums.
I too returned to cycling when I was 55. I'm now 66. And I too wanted to change my life and lose weight. I was ~245# when I bought my first bike. I dropped 40 pounds the first year and did my first metric century. Been in the 180s since.
It can be done. Don't worry about how fast others are riding. Just do what you can and feel comfortable with. It the speed increases, great. If it doesn't, you're still doing something fun and improving your health. And having fun is what it's all about. :)
Good choice in the bike, Felt Z100. :thumb: I picked up a Z4 last weekend. Awesome bike.
Post some pics when you get a chance.
Don't forget to stop by the Southeast Regional subforum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php/234-Southeast) and say hello. Lots of NC folks there.

Thanks RonH for the encouragement...and will check out the SER subforum...

14 mph avg is a great start. As you ride more and also longer distances. You will see your avg climb. Some folks have a higher mph avg due to riding in groups via pacelines; or even incorporating riding (down) hills into their ride.

Hills, I imagine, are not an available option in Wilmington. Congrats on your return to cycling and the weight loss.

%%%%%%

Kudos...I am 59 and have been riding now for 9 years. I ride a lot of group rides, all ages. Ride your own ride. The one thing that I have found is that if your group riders are constantly leaving you behind then it's not a group ride. So make it clear that someone is always going to be sucking hind tit. I have been on both ends. Just this year I was told to slow down for some of the newer riders. I was so use to riding last that I forgot to look up and see that I had left some of them behind. I was the strongest that I've ever been this summer. I and had gall bladder surgery in the spring. Look at it like you are an onion. Layer upon layer of muscle and experience. Just keep riding. Hell half of us don't even use computers anymore. We go out for a 40-50 miler on Sunday and give it all we have. Hills are your friend.

Welcome...And don't worry about your average speed! Ride because you love it, and as you become a stronger rider your endurance & stamina will bring up your average! :D
I used to ride when I was in my 20s and now have returned and bought a new Felt Z100 and remember why I loved riding. I am 55 years old and had 4 way by-pass surgury about a year ago. I was 225lbs when I started riding and this morning I was 200. Looking to get down to 175, so I am halfway to my goal. I ride about 8 miles in the mornings and Saturdays about 20 to 25 miles. I only average about 14mph over these rides and am a little discouraged when I see the others saying they average 20!! Looking forward to my next ride!

You're out there riding that is what is important not how fast you go. It seems you go faster than I do anyway.:thumb:

Welcome to Bike Forums.
I too returned to cycling when I was 55. I'm now 66. And I too wanted to change my life and lose weight. I was ~245# when I bought my first bike. I dropped 40 pounds the first year and did my first metric century. Been in the 180s since.
It can be done. Don't worry about how fast others are riding. Just do what you can and feel comfortable with. It the speed increases, great. If it doesn't, you're still doing something fun and improving your health. And having fun is what it's all about. :)
Good choice in the bike, Felt Z100. :thumb: I picked up a Z4 last weekend. Awesome bike.
Post some pics when you get a chance.
Don't forget to stop by the Southeast Regional subforum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php/234-Southeast) and say hello. Lots of NC folks there.

The Felt Z4 is sweet how has that bike compared to what you have and what did you ride before that?

Thanks for the kind words!