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What level of cycling fitness are you seeking?

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Fifty Plus (50+) Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling.
View Poll Results: What level of cycling fitness are you seeking?
Master racing level: Capable of running with the fast dogs of any age
16
16.16%
Double century: Seeking to ride 12 or more hours at a moderate pace
18
18.18%
Hillclimber: Able to climb several thousand feet
15
15.15%
Regular exercise: Riding multiple days a week & 250 miles a month
52
52.53%
Fresh air & recreation: Just some weekend riding for fun
11
11.11%
MTB: seeking singletrack Nirvana
4
4.04%
None of the above, please describe
9
9.09%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 99. You may not vote on this poll

What level of cycling fitness are you seeking?

Old 06-05-11, 09:06 PM
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My answer really limits me, I rec. ride, lite touring, use my bikes for transportation/utility/errands, get exersize and keep me car free so my poor bike is used for "everything" BUT racing.
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Old 06-06-11, 12:47 AM
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I am riding for fitness, but have started riding 20 miles a day, and rarely take a day off. I don't see myself in a race, but hopefully will be able to finish a Century at some point, and do a few group rides.
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Old 06-06-11, 06:47 AM
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I've been riding for forty years as an adult. I do it for the pleasure and sense of independence it provides. I ride whenever I don't specifically need the car (abt 150-200 miles per week). No other goals in mind just the fun, everything else is just a fringe benefit.

Marc
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Old 06-06-11, 07:04 AM
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When I was a teen it was that sense of total freedom riding from town to town in our rural area that put a passion for cycling in my soul. That hasnt left. And now at 53yrs I'm still loving the freedom and riding a vintage Trek that has all the components and construction that I couldnt afford in a bike at that age.

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Old 06-06-11, 07:34 AM
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I am training for a century. I'm not sure how long it will take me to get there but I am gradually increasing my distance rides. My longest ride so far is 30 miles. Next weekend I plan on going for 40 miles.
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Old 06-06-11, 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by teachme
I am training for a century. I'm not sure how long it will take me to get there but I am gradually increasing my distance rides. My longest ride so far is 30 miles. Next weekend I plan on going for 40 miles.
And you'll get it. Just remember to pace yourself until the second half, evaluate your strength in the last half and ride accordingly. It really is an easy jump.
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Old 06-06-11, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by teachme
I am training for a century. I'm not sure how long it will take me to get there but I am gradually increasing my distance rides. My longest ride so far is 30 miles. Next weekend I plan on going for 40 miles.
You have made, and are making, tremendous progress. Keep up the good work.
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Old 06-06-11, 11:01 AM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by teachme
I am training for a century. I'm not sure how long it will take me to get there but I am gradually increasing my distance rides. My longest ride so far is 30 miles. Next weekend I plan on going for 40 miles.
I'm in the same boat - training for a century in September. My longest is 36. Found a saddle that I think will work, but my neck is still a problem.
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Old 06-06-11, 11:07 AM
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if your helmet has a visor, take it off. Make sure your glasses rims aren't blocking your vision and making you have to tip your head back. You should be able to look at the road just below your eyebrows.

If you have done all that and your neck still hurts, do wrestler's bridges to strenghen your neck.
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Old 06-06-11, 11:27 AM
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I'm a "none of the above" rider. I don't do any sanctioned racing, but weekend stuff, sure! Or even evening rides during the week. I gauge my performance by how many other bikes I pass on rides without being passed myself. At this point in the season, I'm still trying to beat myself back into shape after spending 7 months off the bike. I really oughta stop doing that! Last year I did a 100-miler with my buddy, relay-style (half done by each person) and averaged 25.1 mph for my half. No draft, of course.

No neck problems, I use a padded head rest.
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Old 06-06-11, 11:44 AM
  #36  
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Regular exercise here. I'm also training for the C&O canal 182 mile charity ride (2 days) in September and the Seagull Century. I have a long way to go and 20lbs+ to loose by then.
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Old 06-06-11, 11:48 AM
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A century this fall (from none in 65 years), an inch off my waist, less daily pain and a comfortable saddle. No racing, just a goal for myself. Only recently begun riding after a LONG layoff. I've been on the bike seriously now for about a month and my first 100 mile day is still a couple of weeks away.
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Old 06-06-11, 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Barrettscv
Congrats! (I think you surpassed the double century level)
Well, the first two days on the 1200k were 222 and 240 miles, the 400 for the SR was 256 miles, so that's basically double centuries plus a bit.
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Old 06-06-11, 12:03 PM
  #39  
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I love to ride but it is only part of what I do. I lift weights on the days I don't ride. I am 67 and I want to be all over fit. I like to keep my bike mileage down to about 100 miles per week.
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Old 06-06-11, 02:20 PM
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I'm going for as much as my body will give me. I still don't know what that is! I'm nothing more than an average person athletically, but I never even knew that until last year. I was a confirmed couch potato until just a few years ago - a little round blob! I started cycling in 2006 to loose weight and get fit for an up coming major surgery. After the surgery, I got back to cycling sooner than I was supposed to because I missed it so, and I was so afraid of not being able to get back to the gains I had made up to the surgery. Seven months after the surgery I did my first triathlon. After that, I started running regularly, and now I compete - yes, compete - in 10K runs! I've done two centuries so far this year, and one Olympic distance relay triathlon (I was the runner). There is more to come. Now, I just get stronger and stronger, and I am doing things I never knew I could - even though in the larger world of athletes, I am average! To me, I'm super woman, and I love it.

I do feel I'm up against the clock. As I age, I know I'll slow down, maybe get hurt, and who knows what else. I know something like that will happen sooner than later. For now, I want what I can get, and I'm having the time of my life trying to find just how much my body will give me.
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Old 06-06-11, 02:28 PM
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I chose Double Century, but I would like to add hillclimber, regular exercise, and fresh air/recreation as well. I rode my first double centruy last December, and will ride my next June 25 at the Grand Tour Double Century. Hearing some other club members refer to the Triple Crown, I would like to try for that next.

I just enjoy riding!
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Old 06-06-11, 02:34 PM
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I ride for fun,commute and mostly to cross train for running.I seek a high level of running which transfers nicely to a high level of riding.I do love to ride though and find that I have to make myself not ride sometimes when I am training for a specific race,as I enjoy it so much.
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Old 06-06-11, 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Ibslow
I love to ride but it is only part of what I do. I lift weights on the days I don't ride. I am 67 and I want to be all over fit. I like to keep my bike mileage down to about 100 miles per week.
+111111111 Thats what Im talking about!!! I am 34,and consider myself a runner,but am looking for the future also.I want all over fitness and when I am your age hope I am still out running and riding!!! Good for you man,keep it up!!!
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Old 06-06-11, 07:41 PM
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I ride to keep my 65 yr old body in the best shape my legs will allow.

If I make 150 mi a month I'm good. If I ever made 250 mi I'd do a happy dance.
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Old 06-06-11, 07:42 PM
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I'm with TSL. I want to be the best I can be, and get respect from the other riders. I'm the oldest regular rider in our club at 63, and though I've only been riding 2 yrs I'm a pretty solid b+ rider. I can hang with the A group for 20 mi or so.

At my age I'm in a race to get to "the best I can be" before I hit the down slope of the age related performance curve on it's decline.
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Old 06-06-11, 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by the cyclops
. . . I am 34 . . . .
I am 34 ??
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Old 06-06-11, 08:41 PM
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Originally Posted by DnvrFox
I am 34 ??
What are you asking??? I am 34 years old. The guy I qouted said he was 67...I said I was 34...
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Old 06-06-11, 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by the cyclops
What are you asking??? I am 34 years old. The guy I qouted said he was 67...I said I was 34...
Welcome to the 50+ forum!!

Enjoy
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Old 06-06-11, 08:54 PM
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New post(s) icon---Clicked---seen this thread---posted---my bad---
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Old 06-06-11, 08:56 PM
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Originally Posted by the cyclops
New post(s) icon---Clicked---seen this thread---posted---my bad---
You are welcome here. We just don't get many 34 yo folks, which is why I asked to be sure.
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