RPK79

Who you calling old, ya whippersnapper?

jerrycan42

1. Cycling is the new golf
2. It is an expensive sport

caloso

Congrats! It gets better. My twins are 11 years old now but 11 weeks seems like yesterday. One nice thing about that time was that you could swaddle them and set them on a blanket when you go to the bathroom and they'd still be there when you get back. Once they start crawling things escalate quickly.

RPK79

Yup, you can't wait until they can start talking and then they never shut up and you can't wait until they can start walking and then they're little hands are into EVERYTHING.

Scooper

Road cycling and credit card touring keeps us oldsters in shape and healthy.

dagray

because my wife kept shrinking my clothes when she did laundry, because cycling is no impact and exercise is critical to combat diabetes (I was diagnosed type 2 in 2012 and was having to take 78 units of insulin per night to even get close to a 130 fasting glucose level and now I only use 38 units of insulin), and it is an activity I can enjoy with both my sons (15 and 5 years of age).

And it gives me a place to hang out without having to spend money to build a "man cave" as I take part of a day once in a while to hang with the guys at the bike shop.

Oh and since I started riding last September I have dropped 40 pounds, lowered doses on medications, quit other medications, and I feel great

Bugstomper2000

The young (not younger) crowd right now is mostly into mountain bikes and bmx bikes. I ride to school, and out of the 25 bikes on the rack, I'd say 18 are mountain bikes, 4 are bmx, and 3 are hybrids. And I live in the city, so the only advantage of a mountain bike to most people is that they can just ride straight up curbs and their butt won't hurt as much. I myself have been riding my dad's mountain bike to school, but that's just because I refuse to leave my road bike in public places for extended periods of time since some kids broke the valve ends off. However, some days I won't have a seventh period, so I'll go home and do some homework then go back to school for after school activities and take my road bike. People look at me like I'm absolutely insane.

bbattle

+1000

jsjcat

This nails it. Well said.

Gonemad

As a newly empty nested boomer getting back into road riding, I don't really see any fewer younger riders than I did 25+ years ago when I was one those serious competitive younger riders. I do see LOTS of us aged boomers out there now, which really wasn't the case as far as I can remember all those years ago. So IMO the road scene has not digressed; it has only gotten better (with age, of course).

sriley4290

exactly what you said, my knees couldn't take running anymore, and now I wish I had taken up biking many years ago instead of just last year. I am 42 now.

PhotonDon

I'm 58, and started with the bike boom in 1970, along with my dad. Great times exploring the countryside with him. He's 87 now and cannot stand without help, but he remembers the trips we used to take, 40 milers where we'd meet the rest of the family for a picnic. The first "real" bike he bought me was a new '73 Motobecane Grand Record. With Campy/TA drivetrain, it was $275. I started dating Miss Susan the same month. I still have both, and they are both still beautiful.

I never really stopped cycling, though the school years and child raising years slowed me down at times. Now, I ride with younger guys who have not yet become bored with my stories of yore, and other empty nesters who are new to the sport. I suspect many guys of my vintage have pretty much the same story. If anything, I enjoy it more than I ever have. I don't worry about speed so much, and I take much longer rides into the country. It really gets my mind off work, and I think it keeps my blood pressure down, both b/c of the physical exertion and the way it allows me to clear my mind of a lot of crap that I shouldn't be worrying about. Gotta go now and clean my bike for my fide tomorrow.

jbenkert111

I agree with all that has been said about why most cyclist are older 40+. But one thing that drives me crazy is that you see many more older runners in there 60's, 70's and 80's then cyclist racing and the main reason is, other then a race here or there, there is no age group for these folks and they just quit racing rather then having to race against 50 year old's. I know there are many reasons for this, but it is true none the less.

dwmckee

I guess it depends on your perspective. I am 55 and think most riders are on the younger side. Most of us used to run and play hoops but we all have trashed knees, ankles and hips now and the docs tell us to ride a bike. Maybe the tell us that to get us all killed off by cars, but regardless we have found a great activity we can still do with great vigor into our 80s.

colnago62

I have a different take.
Running races have a long stream of runners; so no matter your pace, there is more than likely people running next to you and behind you. In cycling, you can get dropped and pulled from a race. A lot more pressure to perform. Also, running races, the participants tend to run there own pace. In a bike race, you're mainly riding someone else's pace.

BillyD

Oh really? Then how come they won't wave?

jsk

There's also less chance of crashing in a running race.

Stucky

Because it's the only sport we can do sitting down.

GravelMN

Perhaps the better question is "Why aren't more young people into cycling?"

colnago62

USA Cycling does not do as good of job promoting cycling to youth as little league baseball, or the youth basketball, soccer, and football ball leagues. I would like to see an equipment restricted race option for juniors. If your kid comes home excited about this new sport he wants to try and the parent is told by the child, the internet, or comes to the conclusion that for their kid to even have a chance they have to drop a couple grand, well, you get the picture. Maybe a no aero wheel race that kids could ride. Something that participating in bicycle racing worth trying. Most parents can pop for Jordans, the numbers decrease when we start talking about a competitive race bike.

Fox Farm

Yes, this exactly!

531Aussie

I'm sure this has been said, but, around here, a lot of guys play more mainstream ball sports, but then have to quit in their 30s because of injuries. Cycling is obviously more gentle on the knees than rugby or Australian Rules Football, so......

Shuffleman

Road cycling is not exactly known for being a hip sport. In the 90's I was a mtb guy and I hated the roadies and swore I would never be one. I backed into iit a few years ago as a form of cross training. I am 47 now and have grown to love it.
I think it just has little appeal to kids and younger people.

f4rrest

Kids are probably too self conscious about the Lycra.

Shuffleman

Let's be honest. Running is far easier and you can do it anywhere. One of the turn offs to me about biking is that you have a lot of equipment. When I travel, it is not practical to take a bike with me. I can easily take my running gear. In fact, the trunk of my car houses and extra pair of running shoes just in case. If I moved to a city, where I had to drive somewhere to ride my bike, I know that my riding would taper off or end.
Some Colleges may be different but I went to school in the North East. It was a small private school of about 2500 kids. I never, ever saw a bike of any kind. I know that at some schools biking is more prevalent but I doubt that it is road biking to a large degree. It is just not a popular sport especially with the younger group. There is nothing wrong with that either.