BettWalker

I appreciate the patience and kindness shown on all the forums on this site for bikers of all ages and skills. However, would love to see a Senior Bikers Forum if there would be enough interest to warrant it. What do you think? After all...you youngsters probably don't want to hear about what I enjoy on my rides, while your talk about mechanics goes right over my head. After all, I'm old enough to be Mom or Granny to most of you.


Don't get me wrong...I love you guys and gals who have such great biking knowledge and love to lurk and learn. Also you'll see me asking questions from time to time.

Thanks

DnvrFox

Joe recently set up a "Recreational and Family Forum" for those who pursue biking with perhaps a little less intensity and different goals. This was at my and others suggestion.

However, it has been used only a little so far.

My thought would be that there are great variances between "seniors" (whatever that is) in interests, riding ability and intensity. Just reaching a certain age does not necessarily make one a different type of rider.

Why don't you peruse the Recreational Forum? Perhaps that will meet your needs.

Also, we recently had a poll about "seniors". You might want to check that out if you haven't seen it already.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...threadid=28150

BettWalker

Hi DnvrFox...
Checked out the link and voted in the poll. Very interesting. Can't believe there are only two of us that are 70+. However, when I ask friends that are even younger, they seem to be concerned about falling and breaking bones. Can you believe that even my hubby's doctor recommended he walk and not cycle? Hubby is doing both -- I say good for him.

However, I do agree that there are not very many in my age group that are even into puters, so maybe there are more bikers out there than we know about.

Thanks for your response.

Gordon P

I put an old cruising bike together for my 73-year-old father. I thought that it would be good for him to get some exercise, as I read in a thread a few month ago how cycling has helped control the diabetes some Bike Forum members. So the other day I asked him if he has used the bike much and he just pointed to the places where he crashed it! Because of his diabetes he has become very un-coordinated in the past few months, thus making it difficult for him to walk or drive a car. So I guess crashing and braking bones is a serious concern for some and it is too bad, as cycling would do most aged persons some good.

I agree that a forum for “seniors” would be a good idea; it could be a place where aging cyclists could share their experiences, concerns and amity. There is plenty of room on the road and in this forum for experienced cyclists.

DnvrFox

I guess that for the same reason that my wife and I have refused to move into a "retirement" community, and have also refused to "retire," I, at least at this time, would not have an interest in a senior's forum

As I enjoy seeing the kids and young families in our neighborhood, I also enjoy interacting with the younger folks on this forum, and woul not want to create some sort of wall.

But, one of the things in life I have learned is never say never, and things are always in change. So . . . .

BettWalker

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DnvrFox
I also enjoy interacting with the younger folks on this forum, and woul not want to create some sort of wall.



You have a good point here.

trmcgeehan

I like the idea of a seniors section on Bike Forum. We seniors (I'm 65) encounter unique challenges which could be discussed and shared.

1oldRoadie

Even the thought of separating me from the youth is distasteful. I need their enthusiasm and energy, and they need a few of our experiences. I need to harrass the BMX'r....my grandson is online here (no I won't tell them who!!)... and I do enjoy pushing their button on occassion.

With the family unity now so very fragile, there are times when this is an extended family.

Kev

I'm not a senior, and I bet we share alot of the same experiences in cycling, and those that we dont' I would be intersted in knowing. It might benefit me in the future.

DnvrFox

What would some of the "unique challenges" be? I am at a loss to know what they are.

greywolf

Denver ,what have you done!!!! You've created a monster here . I allso think a seniors or " post 50s " forum would be great ,don't forget it was your suggestion ,albeit only in jest , but I do think it must be open to every body to read 'n post, there are some specific problems faced by older cyclists ,especialy some medical ones The younger bods can see that getting older does not mean its time to give the bike to the grand-kids & buy a recliner(although I would'nt mind one of those) & trade your cycling shoes for slippers When we feel tired &reluctant to venture out we can get inspiration ,when we read others posts
Lets go for it !! Denver has shown us we have the numbers !!!

cheers greywolf

DnvrFox

But, why can't we discuss those things on the regular forum? Why must it be a "senior" forum?

My basic tenets are that problems and concerns are not directly related to age, but are more related to fitness, newness to biking, etc.

It bothers me that just because we have reached a certain age, we must band together as if we have the same problems - simply because of the age issue.

Medical problems happen at any age. Lack of fitness happens at any age.

As the parent of children with profound handicaps, it was always suggested that we get together with other parents of children with profound handicaps for "support" (meaning sharing sob stories). Nope, didn't work. We had nothing in common except that our children had profound handicaps. We had different interest, different income levels, different family situations - different education. Definitely not peas-in-a-pod.

Same her. Our only commonality for a senior group is our age, nothing else. We may ride recreational or heavy duty, mtn bike, road or tandem, with or without spouses, groups or alone.

I think those things are much more common factors -

recreational or
heavy duty,
mtn bike, road or
tandem,
with or without spouses,
groups or alone
etc.

to get together on than age alone.

Hey, we ALREADY HAVE GROUPS ON THE ABOVE - a tandem forum, a recreational and family forum, a mtn bike forum, a road forum, etc.

So, I would rather be grouped by interest or activity then by the artificial grouping of age alone.

Same as in my church. I refuse to attend the "XYZ group" (meaning you are at the end of the alphabet, so to speak, in your life), because it is the artificial grouping on age alone.

Just because we have 50 50+ forum members doesn't necessarily mean we have any other commonality, does it?

BettWalker

Denver, I still think a 60+ group would be good. I understand what you are saying, and usually, I don't want to group myself with seniors either because I don't feel old in most areas of my life.

However, I do feel that we could keep each other motivated. It is difficult for some older people to get into biking for various reasons. When they see some that are doing great, it is an inspiration. After all, how many bikers under 60 do you know who have had bypass surgery, knee replacements, artery disease. Too, I don't think the young bikers want to hear about these problems, but they do exist whether we want to ignore them or not and sometimes we need to talk about how they effect out biking.

I realize you must be in great shape and that's good, but some of the rest of us are struggling and I think it helps to talk with others. I like support groups. I appreciate the support I get from other caregivers, plus I can vent to them because they understand when no one else gives a hoot.

DnvrFox

Okay - you need to convince Joe Gardner, not me.

Count me out, though. Just not interested.

Good luck.

trmcgeehan

Unique challenges: When I got into my 60's, my concentration started to wane. The other day, I was about to pull out onto a busy road with my bike. I looked to the left, and it appeared clear. But there was a car approaching that for some reason I didn't see. It just didn't register. Luckily, I looked a second time, a split second later, and there it was! Seniors have to be careful and ride more conservatively than the youngsters. Our brittle old bodies can't take major crashes, and if we want to keep riding into our senior sunset, we gotta be careful. That's enough for now. Off to the local Alzheimer's center! ;-)

DnvrFox

Everyone has times when they miss something on the road. I don't think this is necessarily age related, and if it is worth discussing on BF, it is therefore important enough for all to discuss, not just seniors.

I found that I started losing concentration and orientation when I stopped working. One of the reasons I went back to working. BUt, I no longer have that problem now that I am working my butt off again. It was not a problem of age (as it disappeared when I started working again). It was a problem of not working.

Again, a possible useful topic of BF. Probably applies to everybody.

Joe Gardner

For now i have to agree with Denver. I don't see why age should be much of a factor, but I'm just a kid...

ljbike

What the hell does age have to do with anything!? The fascination shown on these forums through the myriad of polls about it is just amazing to me. I'm sneaking up on 70 and don't do a damned thing differently on a bike (except ride slower) than I did when I was 40. I personally would shun a Senior room because I don't think our interests are any different than the 20 year olds here. Riding a bike is riding a bike no matter what your age. The questions about maintenance etc. are the same no matter what you're riding.
The only thing age means to me is that I have a much shorter life-expectancy than a 20 year old. So what?

BettWalker

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ljbike
[B]What the hell does age have to do with anything!? QUOTE]

It seems to me you guys keep missing my point. I think a 60+ group encourages others to get back into biking and enjoy. I believe it is a positive thing...not a negative thing. If you think you don't ride differently from a 20yr old, I think you are kidding yourself. I see all ages of riders in the park and believe me there are obvious differences. Not all bad.

DnvrFox

Agreed. But, I do think it is important for younger members to know that you can (and should) continue biking into your 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's (there was a pic in the newspaper this week of a fellow 80 years old who is going to Ride the Rockies). We now have 64 folks in this forum who have identified themselves over age 50, about 1/2 who have 5 years or less of experience. This is interesting and pretty noteworthy to me.

Sometimes the younger folks get the impression that you sort of "die" over age 50, being incapcble of much further activity. In some cases, this is due to examples they see in their own family, friends and community.

One more reason NOT to have a senior forum - visibility with the younger folks.

DnvrFox

Okay - I agree that we should encourage other folks our ages to exercise and get into biking.

I guess this is not the original intent I got out of your first posting, which I thought was to discuss those things that senior bikers have in common - both problems and successes, etc. See quote below:

My thought is that almost everyone who finds their way to these forums is already in some way committed to biking. Perhaps I am wrong.

Actually, I ride much better, longer and faster than I did when I was 20. This is due to interest, equipment, changes in perceptions and training.

I would never have thought of riding 100 miles in one day when I was 20. I have done that several times in the past 4 years.

ljbike

Dear BettWalker, I misinterpreted your intent of encouragement, as did Denver, but I'll take exception, if I may, to your stating that I'm "only fooling myself." That wasn't very nice, and not a very encouraging statement. Especially since you don't know me or the kind of riding I do. But I'm not here to chastise you or start an argument. Your intent, as last stated, is a noble one. Worthy of praise and support. I see only one tiny flaw: there is no audience here on the forums. Those who need the encouragement most do not come here for enlightenment about the efficacy and benefits of riding. They're too busy becoming plump and watching TV or doting over their grandchildren. That is the audience you should try to reach. A senior forum would be of zero benefit to them because they'd never see it. I would think the best place for proselytising would be the local senior center or in that park you spoke of. Everyone here is already a convert.
Even though I disagree with you, can we still be friends? I admire your enthusiasm, your pluck and your wit.

BettWalker

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ljbike
I'll take exception, if I may, to your stating that I'm "only fooling myself." That wasn't very nice, and not a very encouraging statement. Especially since you don't know me or the kind of riding I do. [QUOTE]

Please forgive me for making the above statement. I admit that it was uncalled for. I didn't mean to put anyone down. I have a cruel sense of sense of humor. Hope you will accept my apology.

Let's be friends. I'll try to behave myself.

ljbike

You're forgiven.

DnvrFox

Anyone who loves to watch the deer play as she rides in the state park is OK by me.

Sounds lovely. Wish I could ride there someday with you. It would be fun.