Age, Exercise, performance
#1
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Age, Exercise, performance
This is meant to be a happy story for older folks. A message of that what is possible.
I have been able to winter for 4 months in Florida on a 46 mile bike trail.
I did 70 miles biking at top speed every second day for exercise and 60 miles with a tandem bike and wife on the other days.
We eat well and neither of us lost weight.
Speeds are measured with Cat-eye Computer Average speed. There are 25 intersections and you need to stop at a few of them.
Three years ago, Age 64, I had trouble averaging 16.5 MPH. Why this target speed? It was required for a CC Tour.
I am now able to do repeated 19.2 MPH for the round trip regardless of wind conditions.
We are doing 16 MPH with the tandem.
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My HR is below 150 doing that (Age 67.5).
I need to use Aero Bars for the 70 miles, all the time. Bike is a Trek Madone.
Nutrition is 4 Hammer or GU Gel plus 1 Energy bar. Preceded that by Triple oatmeal, fruit for BF and Omelette for Lunch. Dinner is a balanced meal with fish, veggies, starch, wine.
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I am pleased to see an increase in average speed over three years regardless of aging on this same bike path.
It will be interesting to see when increasing average speed will no longer be possible.
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BTW, I have been racing guys here at top speeds of 25 MPH for shorter distances.
I have been able to winter for 4 months in Florida on a 46 mile bike trail.
I did 70 miles biking at top speed every second day for exercise and 60 miles with a tandem bike and wife on the other days.
We eat well and neither of us lost weight.
Speeds are measured with Cat-eye Computer Average speed. There are 25 intersections and you need to stop at a few of them.
Three years ago, Age 64, I had trouble averaging 16.5 MPH. Why this target speed? It was required for a CC Tour.
I am now able to do repeated 19.2 MPH for the round trip regardless of wind conditions.
We are doing 16 MPH with the tandem.
-----------------
My HR is below 150 doing that (Age 67.5).
I need to use Aero Bars for the 70 miles, all the time. Bike is a Trek Madone.
Nutrition is 4 Hammer or GU Gel plus 1 Energy bar. Preceded that by Triple oatmeal, fruit for BF and Omelette for Lunch. Dinner is a balanced meal with fish, veggies, starch, wine.
----------------------
I am pleased to see an increase in average speed over three years regardless of aging on this same bike path.
It will be interesting to see when increasing average speed will no longer be possible.
---------------------
BTW, I have been racing guys here at top speeds of 25 MPH for shorter distances.
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I know two things about cycling: (1) You can always get better; and (2) there is always someone better than you. I get confirmation of the second point regularly. It's good to get confirmation of the first point once in a while.
#3
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Great stuff! I'm all about the integration of cycling and lifestyle too. Using something fun (cycling) to gage your performance makes a whole lot more sense than just looking at BP, cholesterol, etc.
If you're getting faster, you know that all of the other parameters are probably getting better too.
If you're getting faster, you know that all of the other parameters are probably getting better too.
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Congrats on your speed improvement. I hope I can do as well this summer at the "ripe old age" of 64.
Sounds like the Withlacoochee Bike Trail. Great place to ride.
Sounds like the Withlacoochee Bike Trail. Great place to ride.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
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You are correct that there is someone faster, always.
Meet Don of Floral City FL. He lives on this trail and bikes it every day as I do. Except he is 52. He owns a high speed Recumbent with feet up as high as his head and a Trek Madone. He does 35 miles per day at about 25 MPH and I can not do that.
There are also some Military types. I have tried to keep up but they do over 25 MPH.
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Great stuff! I'm all about the integration of cycling and lifestyle too. Using something fun (cycling) to gage your performance makes a whole lot more sense than just looking at BP, cholesterol, etc.
If you're getting faster, you know that all of the other parameters are probably getting better too.
If you're getting faster, you know that all of the other parameters are probably getting better too.
I also play Computer Chess. It is great to measure if your brain still works. It has a rating system were top rating is 2600. I am muddling around 1700 and try like hell to get better.
Biking is easier.
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OH, I forgot, there is the 50+ meeting in Colorado.
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At 69.5, I can do more weighted dips than I ever could in years past. I can do more than anyone anywhere near my age who works out in the gym. In fact, no one near my age can do any at all. I can follow those weighted dips immediately with 20 pushups - most of the other guys my age can't do 20 pushups, period.
I know there are guys who can do more than I can - I am certain of that, but, heck, they don't hang out at my gym!!
Like a good wine, yes, one CAN improve with age.
I know there are guys who can do more than I can - I am certain of that, but, heck, they don't hang out at my gym!!
Like a good wine, yes, one CAN improve with age.
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Hi Denver.
It is great to fine tune the engine and get more speed out of it. However it is boring to others to report it too often. There are very few people who prioritize health as I do. But as they say, it is my life.
I will try to do 100 miles at that top speed tomorrow which is the last day here for us.
It is funny that I am all nervous and keyed up for that challenge.
After that we will rest on the beach in Mexico Beach, FL for a few days hoping the weather will warm up in Illinois.
----------------
Helga and I are looking forward to our meeting in August.
It is great to fine tune the engine and get more speed out of it. However it is boring to others to report it too often. There are very few people who prioritize health as I do. But as they say, it is my life.
I will try to do 100 miles at that top speed tomorrow which is the last day here for us.
It is funny that I am all nervous and keyed up for that challenge.
After that we will rest on the beach in Mexico Beach, FL for a few days hoping the weather will warm up in Illinois.
----------------
Helga and I are looking forward to our meeting in August.
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It is Florida. So it is nearly flat. But it has wind. It was 15 to 25 MPH gust yesterday. That is a challenge.
https://www.traillink.com/ViewTrailPh...AcctID=6015678
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At 69.5, I can do more weighted dips than I ever could in years past. I can do more than anyone anywhere near my age who works out in the gym. In fact, no one near my age can do any at all. I can follow those weighted dips immediately with 20 pushups - most of the other guys my age can't do 20 pushups, period.
I know there are guys who can do more than I can - I am certain of that, but, heck, they don't hang out at my gym!!
Like a good wine, yes, one CAN improve with age.
I know there are guys who can do more than I can - I am certain of that, but, heck, they don't hang out at my gym!!
Like a good wine, yes, one CAN improve with age.
He says it would be good for me.
Alas, I am hooked on biking. It is the great Outdoors. There is nothing like slicing through a storm at 20 MPH on Aero Bars. It is unbelievable what feeling that creates.
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The Withalacoochie Trail is excellent. A couple of groups have organized centuries on it. It makes for a superb century with good support.
The wind is never much of a deal on the trail because it tends to have trees on either side that serve as wind breaks. Plus, the trail runs north and south and usually our winds are from the east or west but not always.
The wind is never much of a deal on the trail because it tends to have trees on either side that serve as wind breaks. Plus, the trail runs north and south and usually our winds are from the east or west but not always.
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Will, good stuff! What will next year bring? Probably not the anticipated decline.
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You are right of course BUT, yes there is wind. Always. Someone says that it is often from the side but 15 to 25 MPH wind from the side and somewhat from the front is work for 46 miles one way.
I struggled to get 18 MPH against that wind. Payback was the return with top speed as high as 26 MPH. Now that is fun.
I love this trail.
I struggled to get 18 MPH against that wind. Payback was the return with top speed as high as 26 MPH. Now that is fun.
I love this trail.
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For me the speed isn't a factor in my cycling. At 72 the physical fitness is the total goal, maybe speed will come later. However I've only been at this for going on 3 weeks. Yesterday my miles were 7.4 at a local park. I'm diabetic on 3 types of oral medication. Have had problems keeping blood sugar down any lower that 140, creeps to 160 at times. Last week sugar has been well within normal limits of 80-120, even got to 85 yesterday, so the pedal power is working wonders....and LOVING it. EVERY DAY, IN EVERY WAY, I'M GETTING BETTER AND BETTER!
#21
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The Withalacoochie Trail is excellent. A couple of groups have organized centuries on it. It makes for a superb century with good support.
The wind is never much of a deal on the trail because it tends to have trees on either side that serve as wind breaks. Plus, the trail runs north and south and usually our winds are from the east or west but not always.
The wind is never much of a deal on the trail because it tends to have trees on either side that serve as wind breaks. Plus, the trail runs north and south and usually our winds are from the east or west but not always.
The Wind.
A gusty wind with 15 to 25 MPH will slow you down. Yes there are trees and they help but there are open exposed undulating hills like by I-75. It was difficult to maintain that 19.5 MPH average at times.
Doing a round trip will average things out but not quite. I get a higher average with light wind as opposed to gusty strong wind regardless where the wind blows from.
I also noticed a few aggressive bikers doing 25 MPH regardless of conditions. I can not do that or I will blow a fuse. My HR is up to 150 as it is. This is about my maximum.
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#23
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For me the speed isn't a factor in my cycling. At 72 the physical fitness is the total goal, maybe speed will come later. However I've only been at this for going on 3 weeks. Yesterday my miles were 7.4 at a local park. I'm diabetic on 3 types of oral medication. Have had problems keeping blood sugar down any lower that 140, creeps to 160 at times. Last week sugar has been well within normal limits of 80-120, even got to 85 yesterday, so the pedal power is working wonders....and LOVING it. EVERY DAY, IN EVERY WAY, I'M GETTING BETTER AND BETTER!
I found out much later that you can go much further with less effort and much more comfort if you get your biking fine tuned.
For instance. Most bikers sit vertical on the saddle. That means that the full weight is on your rear end. Depending on weight that will hurt eventually. Distributing the weight over hands, legs and saddle is much better. Using Aero Bars will lower your wind resistance a lot and require less energy.
Having a fine CF Bike properly fitted is heaven compared to a poorly fitted rental bike.
Proper shoes, shorts, gloves, helmet, saddle all will add to your biking enjoyment.
It is a lot of fun to slice through gusty wind at 20 MPH and pass these typical bikers struggling at 7 or 10 MPH with the same effort because they do not have the proper equipment and skills.
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At 69.5, I can do more weighted dips than I ever could in years past. I can do more than anyone anywhere near my age who works out in the gym. In fact, no one near my age can do any at all. I can follow those weighted dips immediately with 20 pushups - most of the other guys my age can't do 20 pushups, period.
I know there are guys who can do more than I can - I am certain of that, but, heck, they don't hang out at my gym!!
Like a good wine, yes, one CAN improve with age.
I know there are guys who can do more than I can - I am certain of that, but, heck, they don't hang out at my gym!!
Like a good wine, yes, one CAN improve with age.
Alex
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At 69.5, I can do more weighted dips than I ever could in years past.
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Like a good wine, yes, one CAN improve with age.
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Like a good wine, yes, one CAN improve with age.
Do not give up but it does take effort.
Too many give up.