Barese Rider

Hello all, Have been following this excellent site with interest since I stumbled across it a week or so ago.. I have just recently have gotten back into cycling.. I cycled regularly though not intensely for about 5 years for fun and exercise in the mid 80s to early 90s but I have gotten away from it more and more and as a result have gotten fat and recently have felt old.Ill be 60 in two years and to pep myself up I bought a new road bike and put it on a trainer hoping to get used to the new pedals and cleats so I can get out there when the snow clears.One thing Ive found is that I have a little more fear of road injury now than I did when I was younger-maybe its the new cleats and pedals that have me nervous but I would have been out there by now 20 years ago.. Hopefully this will go away as I ride get to riding regularly....With a little luck Id like to get up to 60 to 80 mile weeks.. I have liked reading the threads here and they have helped perk my interest in cycling..I have always enjoyed reading about racing-all forms.. My father grew up in Newark NJ and remembers the old Newark velodrome and I got into road bikes as Greg Lemond was making his name in International racing.So the threads on racing are of special interest to me as are the threads for the over 50 crowd.. Im from the coast of central Jersey.. We have great places to ride around here.. Hope to maybe see some of you riding Ocean ave some day..

Terex

Similar situation to yours, just a little younger. Started mtn bike a few years ago with toe clips and got used to them. When I got road bike last fall, it felt like I was riding a razor blade - big fear factor. Extrememly hard, narrow tires, integrated shifters, fidgety toe clips. Rode by myself first few times to get comfortable. On first club ride, forgot to unclip soon enough at a stop and fell on my side - no biggie - just make sure you're wearing a helmet and absorb ground with whole body (scrapes & bruises), not just an outstretched arm (broken bones).

In 700 mi, that's the only fall I've taken. I would feel extremely unsafe without clip-in peddles.

Ride on your own to get comfortable, and then hook-up with a club in your area. Clubs - and the people in them - are great. Most of the bike clubs are recreational and composed of adults 35-80. Riding this winter in Central NJ has been great. Most weekends, roads clear. Just need to dress appropriately. Beats the heck out of riding the trainer. Good luck.

DnvrFox

You will start feeling younger when you start putting miles on that bicycle.

Lots of us in our 60's (I am 65) 70's and even 80's ride high tech road and recumbents.

Enjoy and get out there and ride. You can ride easily in temps of 45+ fahrenheit even with wind with proper layers of clothing. I know, I did 20 miles yesterday at 46F and winds of 10-15 mph.

Welcome. I didn't start serious bicycling until I was 58, so you are right in there with the rest of us.

BentandFolded

I did a couple of "laugh-in tricycle" falls too by failing to get unclipped in time when I first got back into cycling (at 50). It helped me to loosen the pedal clip-ins. Then I got used to them and now it's 2nd nature. Welcome back to cycling, and to the forums.

Barese Rider

Thanks all for the greetings, Ive been on the bike in the basement about 10 times now , 30 minutes or so at a time ... I think that I have gotten used to clips and as the weather's supposed to be decent today Im going to take a short spin.. Its nice to know that others have taken up or started cycling when near sixty and I appreciate the encouragement.. Ironically I had to stop at the bike shop today to pick up my old bike and on my way in a young woman in her early to mid 20s was being taken out for her maiden voyage on a road bike.. I could sense her apprehension..and thought to myself, Ive been through all that, I just have to get used to these new shoes and clips..

DnvrFox

Be sure to say "Howdy" in the 50+ forum.

I started riding in about March, 1998, and on June 15th, 1998, did a week-long 350 mile ride, "Ride the Rockies" over Colorado mtn passes - on a mtn bike, yet!

And lots of other 50+ folks have done similar (and much more challenging) things.

Here is a pic of me on that ride at 58yo



So, don't let age get in your way of having a great time!

Jamie

Welcome to Bike forums.

oldspark

Welcome and me too.
Used to ride in the mid 80's
Loved watching Greg Lemond give the euros the business
Am 53 so I am a young one but close to your age
Felt old and fat so had to do something
Started a year ago
Nervous about being on the road but trying to be careful and stay out of trouble
Once again welcome and enjoy your new life style (I do)