DnvrFox

Dave - welcome. Soon you will be doing centuries and riding across the country like Will Dehne, OXBIKR and others.

Tom Pedale

Please tell us your age: I will be 60 in July..and will be in Kauai..my thought is to get a good bottle of champagne, go down to the beach with my wife and howl at the moon..

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

I rode a Specialized Carbon Fiber Epic road bike for 15 years..just replaced that with a 2006 Specialized Tarmac Expert..nothing wrong with the Epic..I simply fell in love with the Tarmac


2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
No..I've read a fair amount of material indicating that a lot of the supplement, vitamin yadda yadda is
nonsensical and possibly harmful.


3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
I've read a number of posts in this thread that say " I have not slowed down at all"
Absurd..if this were true, Eddy Merckx would still be riding the big tours and Carl Lewis would still
be running the 100 yard dash at the Olympics. I've slowed down, but many riders will have to work
hard to catch and/or pass me.



4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
I've biked regularly for 33 years. I was in the cycling industry for 20 years.



5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
Most of my rides are 25 miles, medium to hard with a number of 50-75 milers thrown in around the
middle of the summer. I don't ride between Nov-Jan except for a stationary Lemond bike 30 minutes 3/4 times/ week (comment: I hate stationary bikes and would rather
have a boil removed as an alternative)



6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
During the good weather in the Northwest, about 4-6 times per week.
About 3000 miles/year



7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

In the winter, weightlifting (light weights, many reps). This maintains an acceptable cosmetic profile
hanging out around areas that require bathing suits. It also maintains bone density.
Yardwork: good exercise..also kind of a Zen thing..
Walking: done during the winter in inclement weather. An activity that doesn't require a helmet or
any special equipment.

Snorkeling: done in tropical settings..prior to drinking champagne on the beach and howling at the
moon....

DnvrFox

You don't wear a helmet while walking??

And what about a walking stick?

Welcome

Saracen

Please tell us your age.
* 71 years This October.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
* Saracen N-zyme MTB. Road Bike - LeMond Etape

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
* Cod Liver Oil Capsules, Selenium ACE, Zinc, Multi Vitamins and Minerals.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
* As I was quite overweight/unfit, I have actually speeded up.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
* Cycled as a kid, but only re-started October last year in response to being diagnosed with High Blood Pressure and Type 2 Diabetes.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
* Short training rides (12 mile hilly circuit)

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
* 6 days a week x 12 miles. (72 miles) – equates to 3744 miles per year

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
* Do weight lifting exercises, and use an exercise bike to increase my core body strength.

DnvrFox

Welcome, Saracen

eBent

Please tell us your age. 61

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

I just switched from a Ryan Vanguard to a Longbikes Slipstream

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older? No



3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

Yes, but I seem to ride longer

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

I started serious riding in the 1980's after a serious knee injury made me give up running and climbing

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

I was a communter and Century Rider but since I retired I do mostly self contained touring


6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

about 4000 miles a year

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

I work with weights off season, which in NH is 5 months a year

You can see what I am doing at my web site - www.ebent.com

JohnSmulders

1: custom made
2: no supplements
3: Not to my knowledge
4: about 20 years
5 : long ride 50 - 80 kilometer average, with several times a year till 200 km
6: 3 x week, yearly total about 4000 km
7: none

JohnSmulders

sorry, I forgot I am 61

centuryman

Please tell us your age. 59

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

Commuter - Litespeed Appalachian; Century / tours / recreation - Merlin; Vintage - Raleigh Pro
and a Guerciotti; Single speeds - Trek 2120 morphed & a Bianchi San Jose; Co-motion tandem

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

Does beer count?

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

Faster than I was when 30 years old. 10 - 15% slower than at 50.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

Been around the block a few times - 25 years.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

Commute / utility, ultramarathon, centuries, multiday tours - like to ride because I enjoy it.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

Ride about 75% of the days in a year - log 8000 - 10000 miles.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

Minimal hiking; walk to work when weather is too cold (below 15F) or roads are icy.

DnvrFox

Welcome Centuryman!

DnvrFox

"Old people" are boring - but none of us younger types here on the 50+ forum are!

anversois

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

I ride a Specialized Sequoia- basically a racing bike. It's super light and easy to pick up and place on a bike rack. (Amazing how this gets tougher every year!)

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

None--- yet- though the doctor recomended Vitamin D + calcium.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

I don't have the stamina I used to-- and can't climb the way I used to. I have to walk up steep inclines and marvel at the cyclists I see on mountains.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

I've been biking for most of my life-- but not avidly. It's only been for the last 10 years or so that I've been riding on a more regular basis. That's when they completed a bike trail from Amherst to Northampton, MA. I'll hit that trail about three times a week for about 8 miles each time I go out. It's great exercise and far less boring than an exercise bike.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

Although I do mainly asphalt bike trails, my wife and I have cycled on trails in most of the neighboring states-- RI, eastern MA, NY state, CT, VT, PA, OH, WI and MI. When we vacation, we often rent bikes and explore cities, college campuses and bike trails.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

Uusally-- short trips-- 8-10 miles each time we go out-- but when we travel to bike, we might do 30+ miles. (Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, Block Island).

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

During the winter months, I'll go to the gym and do a few aerobic machines and the treadmill. I've got constant scapula pain and cycling/machines can exacerbate the pain if I'm not careful.

8. Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply?

I'm 71 and feeling great. Slight loss of stamina-- but, still, raring to go.

DnvrFox

Welcome, anversois.

Congratulations on your and your wife's bicycling together. I (66yo) and my wife (68yo) are planning a trip to New England at the end of September. We are going to borrow a couple of bikes from one of the BF 50+ folks - Pastor Bob in New London, NH. We hill hit Maine, Vermont and NH.

Sandwarrior

I am 50!
1. Sedona Giant since 1992, Now a Bacchetta Agio recumbent
2. General Multi_vitamin, C, E, Zinc, Glucosamine
3. Quite a lot. I have become a very (overly) cautious rider. In 1989 was hit by a car while
stationed in Korea, 2000 and 2005 hit by cars in Aurora. I don't like getting hurt. I have become
such a NANCY
4. Most of my life. Up until I was 18 it was the only transportation I had. Now I ride to get back in
shape and get my BP, cholesterol and weight under control
5. Depends on my schedule. When working graves, I do short rides (12 miles) before work on the days
I work, and 23 milers on my off days. When I have a 3 day weekend, I try to get a 45 + miler in,
working myself back up to a century. When I am on day shifts, I usually ride to work (10 miles)
and do the 23 milers on my off days again.
6 My goal is to do 100 miles a week.
7. I do some minor weight lifting, and I have a Cross trainer that I use on days I can't ride

Flyover

Please tell us your age.

Big double nickle later this month.


1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

Giant Sedona


2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

Multi vitamin tab


3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

Mind says no, body says yes.


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

Rode constantly when a kid. Again when in college. Quit riding 30 years ago (actually, bike was stolen and I didn't replace it.) Started again 15 mo. ago for exercise.


5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

Probably what would be called short rec rides. 10-40 mi. stick mostly to trails or country roads.


6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

For the last month it's been daily. Hopefully I'll reach 1500 before shutting down for the winter.


7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

When I'm not riding I do some free weights.

DnvrFox

Welcome.

Where do you live?

Flyover

Atchison, KS

misterwhite

Please tell us your age. 53 and one half years old

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride? I have been on Treks most of the past 15 years but am about to purchase either an Orbea Onix or a Jamis



2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older? eat lots of fruit, drink water



3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any? I raced a lot in my 30's and early 40's but on 50th birthday quit playing basketball twice a week and started riding every day, doing 30-40 miles per day. Actually, have never been faster in my life. Race/ride with mainly younger riders and can climb with anyone despite being 6'0, 207 pounds. Also my sprint has improved in past three to four years. Did a flatland 38.5 mph turn recently



4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life? 28 years



5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race? medium to long rides, lots of hill climbing, group ride/races




6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage? every day, last year rode 8401 miles. so far this year I am at 6600



7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.? spinning twice a week along with what we call boot camp activities - light running, abs, etc.

carta

Just joined bikeforums a couple weeks ago. My wife's purchase of a Townie 7D--and my daytime commandeering of it while she's at work--reignighted my passion for biking. To answer your questions:

1. My bike is a 2006 Trek 6700. My "other bike" will be a Townie 7D once my LBS gets its order in and assembles it. (I got too many cat-whistles riding my wife's girl-framed Townie so I HAD to order my own boys-framed 7D.)

2. Should I? Well, how about a Tylenol...does that count?

3. My endurance has picked up only because I volunteered to help on my kids' Boy Scout bicycling badge. I did a half-century on my Trek two weeks ago. Now I keep a Tylenol in the seat bag. I found it wasn't hard going 15 to 25 miles an outing. So I probably have only now begun to ride at my fitness level.

4. Biked all my life. All day Saturdays until I got to college. When I became a professional, I biked an average of 10 miles a week--mostly around my neighborhood. When I became a stay-at-home working dad, I upped it to 25 miles a week. Now I enjoy doing about 7 miles a day, still around the neighborhood, while my computer churns away processing data. I'm glad it's slow.

5. Suburban streets, and thanks to the Scouts, county roads and a rails-to-trails ride.

6. Gotta get a bike computer to know for sure. My current rate may be about 1000 miles annually. I'd like to bike more, but there are no bike lanes or decent road shoulders where I live. If there were, I'd do my shopping every morning by bike.

7. I love hiking out west, which requires another thing I like to do--cross-country drives with bored kids and a CB blaring away. Bryce, Zion and Capitol Reef are faves. Otherwise, I do a lot of housework during the day.

Age...52 (going on 53).

Coloradopenguin

Randy Sunderland signing in, age 50
1. Current ride: 1989 Diamond Back Traverse
Waiting for a 2007 Trek 7.6 FX, changing out the crank/cassette to touring (48/36/28) w/ 12/34 cassette
Back in the day rode a pimped out Schwinn Stingray 5-speed!

2. No supplements - just try to eat right, mixed with lots of chocolate

3. When you are slow to begin with, slowing down is relative. Since 40 I've been eating better, exercising regularly and have steadily improved my fitness level so that I now am in as good a shape as I've ever been.

4-5. I've been on a bike all my life. Got hooked early when I conned 3 friends into riding out to a lake 12 miles outside of town when I was 7 or 8, got in all kinds of trouble when we finally got home but have been roaming ever since. Stepped up to a decent bike 17 years ago and have avg. 1,000 a year since. This year I've stepped up my routes to 20 miles, up from 10-12 mile routes last year, and should top 1,500 miles this season. Always ride solo or with my wife, never been too interested in challenging my skills in a group setting. Love exploring my home turf in western Colorado, mostly paved roads and gravel country roads, with the odd off-road trail mixed in. Poor knees, bad gear selection keep me off the serious single-track stuff.

6. I get out 3-4 times a week, plus the odd 5-mile round-trip commute to work. Goal is 1,000 miles per year, this season I'm working up to a century ride to Ouray in late Sept. so expect to be closer to 1,500 miles.

7. My other activities cut into my biking time. I love to hike - get out most weekends for a 5-6 mile trek with my wife and two dogs (also walk about a mile nightly with the dogs). In the summer my physical activities are yard work, biking and hiking. Once it gets cold I head for the gym 3 times a week for an hour of swimming and 30 minutes of core exercises in the water (routine set up by physical therapist after a bad fall a couple of years ago to help with a couple of compressed discs). I also love to snowshoe in the winter, and just got certified for open water scuba this year.

Coloradopenguin

PS: Dream ride is to get on the bike and head north to Alaska.

jp173

1. Age

57

2. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

Trek Pilot 1.2 with a mountainbike cassette for better hill climbing (it's hilly here in southwestern CT)
Also have a Specialized Sirrus that I've been converting into a comfort/errand bike -- but it really won't take any knobby tires, so I'm thinking of selling it and just getting an inexpensive hybrid.


3. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

No.

4. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

How does one slow down from escargot pace????

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

Biked extensively until I went to college
Biked extensively in my mid-20's to mid-30s
Came back to it again about seven years ago

So am I new or been around for a while???

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

Mostly 20-40 mile "touring" pace rides
Would like to do a multi-day bike tour

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

Try to bike both days every weekend. Doing about 1000 miles/year at present

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

Runner. Been since I was about 18. The return to biking was only supposed to be cross-training, but I find that I'm liking it more and more for itself.

mister2

59, so you'll have to have a 60+ thread soon

1. 2 MTBs Peugeot & Trek
2. not yet
3. not slowed down as much as getting arthritic
4. ~6 then stopped at 12, then again just now
5. short rec rides for now
6. 3 times a week around the subdivision development

DnvrFox

That has been discussed (well, actually a 65+ thread), but soundly rejected!

So, I (and others) will just have to put up with the punk 50 yo's!

john wood

Hi,I'm 63 years old,
1.I have a Bianchi Brava,Raleigh SC-30,and a Schwinn Super Le Tour 12.2
2.NO supplements,just try to eat right.
3.Don't feel that I've slowed down at all,feel even better since I retired last December.
4.Been biking on and off since childhood,more seriously last few years.
5.Mostly rec rides,but I did do a 100k Lupus fundraiser and the MS150 for the first time this year.
6.I try to get out every day (weather and schedule permitting.)I try to do between 10-20 miles each time out,unless I'm training for something special.
7.I like to cross-country ski and roller- blade.