w2brdbkr

I know I can't say I'm a 50+ being only 48 but I bought my bike Feb. 25th & today we rode to Estes Park & I hit 2000 miles.

For some of the older riders that have ridden a lot I know that isn't many miles but for someone that this is there first year of riding since a teenager I am happy with it.

Last year at this time I was riding my hybrid & I thought 25 miles was a big ride, in fact my longest ride was 62 miles & that about killed me.

Now I've done one century, have another one planned Aug. 2nd & don't see any slowing down in the future.

I did join a great bike club (most are around my age) & we have all kinds of fun riding & that has really helped.

For those that are just starting out the best thing I can say is; JUST RIDE and have fun, it seems hard at first but it does get easier.

Jet Travis

And well done!

rck

48-close enough that it doesn't matter, at least to me, as long as you're having fun.

Tom Bombadil

48 eh?

We might let you in if you have a sufficient number of aches, pains, and medical conditions.

Yen

Well done! Yes, just ride and have fun.... do it your way, your style. Just keep doing it, mile after mile.

Louis

If you act weird enough, you'll fit right in, 48 or not. Good job on the 2000 mi.

stapfam

Trouble with youngsters- Too much energy.

Suzie Green

Nice riding, keep it up!!

We'll cut you some slack on the 48 thing. Have you started getting AARP junk mail yet?

DnvrFox

Do you realize that PCad is actually OLDER than you are?

Good stuff. 2,000 miles is a real achievement.

Did you join Denver Bicycle Touring Club?

Shudder. I'm old enough to be your DAD!

w2brdbkr

That is what I like about this sport, it doesn't seem to have an age limit & I really hope I'm still riding when I get the age of some of the veterans we have around here such as yourself.

As for the aches & pains, three back surgeries help with that. It takes a good hot shower in the morning with some stretching to get me going but then once I'm going watch out!!!

Here is a group picture from yesterdays ride, ages range from 47 to 62, (I'm the tall guy in the middle). I never noticed I ride with a lot of short people. It was the longest ride for some, biggest climb for others so it was just a fun day out with friends.

cranky old dude

Welcome. Keep on riding, posting reports and pictures. We do like pictures.
48 seems close enough I suppose.

Congrats on the 2000 mile mark, you're well ahead of me this year.

Happy Trails

doctor j

Young punk, huh? Well, congratulations on the two grand. The photo of your group reminds me of our little group, except that we don't have matching jerseys.

Kurt Erlenbach

Riding to Estes Park would cause one to infer that some altitude is involved. I'm at 2k mile this year, but with about 10 feet of total climbing. I took the family to Estes Park for vacation a few years ago, and this sea-level dwelling clan almost passed out for lack of oxygen. Two thousand miles there equals about 6,000 in a location that actually has air.

DnvrFox

But, you get to ride in HUMIDITY

We don't know what that is around here. When the relative humidity gets above 20%, the weather forecaster says be careful of the high humidity.

SO, I prefer no oxygen!

(Besides, one's body acclimates quite well. We happen to have more oxygen-carrying red blood cells than you do)

Kurt Erlenbach

So, it's hypoxia, but it's a dry hypoxia, huh? To have humidity, one must have air. I have great respect for anyone who can bike at that altitude.

CACycling

I'm also 48 and just hoping to be breathing by the time I get to the age of some of the veterans around here.

Congrats on hitting 2,000! I'm right at the 2,000 mile mark for the the year. Did 500 last year and about 10 per year for the 30 years before that. Like you, I truly hope I'm cranking the miles like those on this forum instead of just being cranky.

DnvrFox

Today, for the first time since her knee replacement, my wife (70) and I did some high country hiking.

We went from 10,000 feet to 11,000 (and down again) feet on a pretty rocky and mean trail for about 3 hours.

She is using hiking (walking?) sticks, and they really help. It seems just about everyone is using them, from the other folks I saw on the trail.

She did great, and I am so proud of her.

Mojo Slim

Your group looks like a fun gang. But were people embarrassed that they showed up wearing the same clothes?

w2brdbkr

No we all call each other to make sure we are wearing the same jersey's..

DnvrFox, that is great about your wife hiking already, my dad had both knees replaced at the same time & it takes a while to get back to where you were before surgery.

CACycling

OT (but you mentioned it)...
Bought hiking poles for my family prior to our 2 week camping trip to the Sierras last summer. Made a huge difference for all of us (even our teenaged sons).