oilman_15106

Great thread.

Bikes you ride?
1984 Centurion Elite 12 rebuilt, 2002 Masi Gran Crit, 2003 Haro XCR hardtail, 2003 Jamis Eclipse

Supplements?
Will not touch them, my father in law DIED from kidney stones. He was a huge vitamin & sup fan.

Have you slowed down?
Of course, but it is only a state of mind.

How long biking?
Since a kid but with a remarkable 14 year absence until last spring. Got back into biking to contorl weight and could not enjoy it more.

Types of rides?
Any but mostly rail to trail to keep in shape. Getting more comfortable on the road again after such a long layoff.

How often?
Several times a week during the season here in W. PA. Indoor trainer at least 3 times a week during cold season.

Other activities?
Clearing the &%^&5 snow from the drive when the blower is acting up, also try to get several times a week on the Total Gym. It has really worked and is very convient vs. going to a gym.

I am 55, male, and started biking again to control my weight. I went from 174 to 144 in six months. This is alot as I am 5'6''. I have the following advice if your goal is the same. Stop drinking all booz. Burn more calories than you eat. Exercise as much as time or your aching body will allow. Don't give up, it takes more time than you think to get fit. I have a 70 year old freind who runs 10k's & he dusted my rear on a 100k bike run.

wobblyoldgeezer

Hello, just an addition to this thread rather than a reply - forgive me if that's not the way to join in

51 years old. Tandem and lightish Specialised road bike. Now living and biking in the middle east, originally from UK. As a teenager I was a keen tourist, as well as bringing up the rear in English Schools Cycling Association national finals in road racing, cyclo cross and time trials - but they were kind, they let anyone play who had a bike!

About biking in middle age and beyond - I'm the young new guy in my cycling club here, and I can't hang with them for more than a couple of pace line pulls! 'Just do it' seems to be the truth.

And to share an inspiring memory about fitness despite the years - in 1990 when I was about 36 I trained a bit, and finished the NYC marathon better than I was hoping for, and just before the finish line I saw some press attention. It was for the fellow in front of me, winning the category "males, 80 and over".

Never, never, never stop, as a rock band states!

Dr J

How fun.

Turning 55 in a couple of weeks.
Started commuting to work by bike for environmental reasons a little over a year ago (we just cannot keep trashing the planet and expect to live well ourselves) and got healthier myself so am trying out winter commuting this year.

- got a Specialized Sirrus, Wear a flashing light on my leg a friend made me, a light on my helmet, a flashing tail light, and a handlebar light am getting appropriate reflective taped clothes as I can afford.

I take a big multi and some extra niacin (niacinamide doesn't have the vasodialating effect of B3 niacin which some recent medical research in the UK shows may help prevent Alzheimers ) and extra E, some extra C when I feel the need. (You can tell if you are feeling toxed.) P.S. The kidney stones thing somebody mentioned on this thread was likely an imballance of cal and mag and vit D - if it had anything to do with the suplements.

Speeding up not slowing down. With the way the trend for lifespan increases are going - we can look at making it to about 120 yrs. I don't plan to be in a wheel chair for half a life if exercise can help it. But I hate exercise plans and such - can never stick with them - so I don't use elevators and I bike to and from work (about ten miles ) and do my own snow shoveling and raking of leaves. Why pollute the air to clear away snow and blow leaves around when you can breathe clean air while you work out instead - and you accomplish something by the work other than time logged in an exercise program??? Seems oxymoronic (You know oxymoron = self conflicting statement like "military intelligence") that somebody would hurry from work to a paid-for gym by car so that they can get some exercise because they are having breathing problems caused by air pollution from cars - kinda like an environmentaist flying in a fossil fuel buring jet to a conference on global warming, or a student riding the elevator to get to a health class...

I biked as a teen - intermittantly a few years ago ..country rides for an hour once or twice a week in the summer - now its most every day. I'm not set for really bad cold or snow yet. THough the commuter and folder forums I just found might help me find out what to do in that way.

Cheers to you all - Dr J

Dr J

Tell me about the bike and barge trips in the netherlands. sounds really interesting. is it a formal group thing - or make your way on your own? DrJ

Steve Katzman

I'm not sure to whom you are addressing this question, but since I have done it, I will chime in with an answer.

I went on one of these trips with some members of my local cycling club, actually organized by one of our local ski clubs. There are many Dutch tour organizers that offer bike and barge tours of differing lengths and routes. You can sign up with any of them as an individual or as part of a group. The common denominator is that they have smallish ships with 20+ staterooms and a dining hall. When you get there, they assign a bicycle (hybrid) to everyone unless you want to bring your own. You also get a stateroom assigned.

Every day after a typical Dutch breakfast, there is a point-to-point bike ride planned, usually led by a ride leader. While the bikes are travelling down the road and seeing the sights, the barge navigates the country's extensive canal system and shows up at your stopping point. Our trip provided boxed lunches for on the road. When you arrive in the destination town, the barge is waiting for you and you are free to board to shower and change. Dinner is served on the boat. You are free to walk or ride around the new city/town to see the local sights. Then after sleeping on the barge that evening, the same process is repeated with the next city on the tour being the destination.

We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would recommend it to tourist cyclist types. Some of us felt stiffled by the slow pace dictated by the slowest riders (no drop rule), so we asked the ride leader for maps and toured in a self-guided mode and met the other riders at the barge at the destination. This arrangement worked out very well. The Netherlands is a scenic country and is the most cycling-friendly place that I have ever visited. There are provisions for bicycles everywhere - special paths in big cities and along the sides of the roads in the countryside. Makes for a great vacation.

dbmcclus

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

My wife and I ride Diamondback comfort bikes. Santa is bringing me my first road bike, a Trek Pilot 2.1 w/clipless pedals (Look A5.1) and Road shoes (Shimano R098).



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?

I feel better. I lost 32 lbs this last year and now weigh 150 lbs.



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

New, been riding 6 months.



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

We have a "rails to trials" here (Chief Ladiga Trail), only 1.5 miles from my house. It is flat and paved for 50 miles. I live in North East Alabama, and soon it will connect to the Silver Comet Trail in Georgia. Then I can ride 100 miles one-way to Symrna, Ga. northeast of Atlanta. I normally ride the entire 50 miles on weekends and half of the trail severals times a week.




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

During DST, maybe 4-5 times a week. Annual mileage is about 2500 miles.



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

No.




Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??

I will be 54 on January 8 (Elvis Birthday). BTW, I found out last year, Elvis is my 6th cousin, no kidding, same birthday. Strange.

Also, please see a list of all the contributors:

buzzman

age- 51

1. What type of bikes ?

Commuter- 9 speed REI Buzz, w/rack milk crate on the back and (winter) Nokian Studded snows.
Road- a custom Tanguy frame (1976) Reynolds 531DB with aero bars and a new Campy Chorus Gruppo.
MTB- Gary Fisher Super Caliber- stock


2. supplements/vitamins/minerals ?

a multi-vitamin and saw palmetto daily.



3. "slowed down"?

I have cycling journals all the way back to age 16 so I can make pretty accurate comparisons. Most changes have to do with mileage logged and consistency in training reflected in increases in speed and endurance. If I do not ride for a month or so it seems to take more time to get up to speed again. Climbing and body weight are definitely related and I have had to work hard to add weight to my body (at age 17 I was 150 lbs-6'3"-and my current weight ranges from 175-185 lbs.-due to weight lifting). I still climb well but was an exceptional climber at the lower body weight.



4. How long have you been biking?

Bought a Astro/Daimler Puch Folding bike from the Sears catalog in 1969 when, at age 15, my mother got sick of driving me to my karate lessons. I've been a bike commuter to every job I've had since age 16. Was a hippy eco freak in the 70's and totally anti-car culture, bike toured all over the US/Canada and raced. Have also done some touring and commuting in Europe. Later did triathlons and in the 90's started Mountain biking but I have poor technical skills compared to MTB'ers of similar fitness. Was a mechanic, salesman and manager in bike shops over a period of 8 years and a bike messenger for a brief period of time- 3 winter months- tough job in Boston.


5. What type of biking do you do?

I commute consistently 24 miles round trip/day. Use the bike for errands daily. I do training rides but don't race anymore. I mountain bike and do lots of LSD all summer. (no, not the drug- long slow distance)



6. Your approximate annual mileage?

I have ridden anywhere from 3,500 miles to 12,500 miles per year for the past 36 years.




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

Weight lift, X/C ski.

ITT

I just turned 63. The question is. What kind of bikes do 50+ riders like? Not sure about them, because I’m 60+ and I like my Felt B2 TT bike, Litespeed, Specialized Tarmac with Mavic SL wheel set. Now if you are thinking what is this old guy doing with these racing bikes? Beside being able to afford them, I like competing in Road Races and Time Trials. In 2005 I participated in 8 races placing in 7 of them. My PR for a 20K time trial is 32:00. Not bad for a guy 63 years old with no cycling background I've only been riding for past six years.

squeaker

Please tell us your age = 57

1. What type of bikes do I ride? see strap line below

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

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any? Tricky; the bikes have definitely got faster, though

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life? Since I could walk, but there was a gap in the 70's - 80's where I did little biking.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race? 2 hours off-road, shopping (2 miles) and 9 mile commutes to the gym.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage? 4 times/week ~ 1500miles (? - the new recumbent may increase this).

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.? Pilates, circuit training and dinghy racing.

edzed

AGE: 58
BIKES: Phoenix "Ditch Pig" a generic mountain bike from Cyclepath, 15 years old and soon a recumbent folding bike (A SatRday from Bike Friday)
SUPPLEMENTS ETC? No
SLOWED DOWN? Was never very fast, satisfied with where I'm at.
HOW LONG AT IT? Some when I was young, restarted on an occasional basis about 15 years ago, then more intensively 3 years ago.
TYPE OF BIKING: Commuting to work until there's ice on the ground, about 22km there and back. Weekend rides of up to 50km maybe once a month. Hoping to get into some longer rides with camping or B&Bs- any in the area who would like to join me?
MILEAGE: Last year did 2500km
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Karate beginner.

olefam

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

Me - GT Outpost
Wife – Schwinn Mountain Bike

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?

Not much, except when Sciatic Nerve flares up.

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

Started at age 6. Quit at age 16. Started again at age 55.

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

Recreational and short commutes


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

4x / week. Not sure about mileage.

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

Work on our Corvette. Positions are frequently similar to Yoga positions.


Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??

Me – 55
Wife - 53

tobycat

Another 50+ rider ...

53 years old and ride a few bikes. Main ride is a Moots Vamoots SL but during the winter I roll out a Trek 5500 and a Litespeed Classic.

Don't take any supplements
Have been seriously riding for about 5 years now although have been riding for years off and on.
Don't feel like I've slowed down at all. Just keep working hard. Have done a solo, non-stop, unsupported century in each of the last three years in sub 5 hour time (4:33 best).
Ridden 10,000+ miles in each of the past 2 years and 40,000 in the past 5.
I like rding my bike ... a lot!

mcyak

Ok..I'm 63. Competitivly cycled thru the 60s and into the late 70s.
Ran a bike shop in the 80s.
Wrenched for several teams in the 70s
Got back into cycling a decade ago after being off a bike for almost 10 years.
Ride with a Club (several of the members are well into their 70s and still doing centurys/3K mileage per year!)as well as ride solo to and from the part time job.
Have a: Fully restored 73 Bob Jackson
Concours cond. 92 Paramount (the series bike built in Taiwan,not one out of the Watermark factory)Converted 93GT that I have full steel fenders on for daily commuting and winter riding(if it's dry and above 40..I ride)
82 Ross Paragon in the restoring phase
86 Simplex equipped Motobecane I'm refurbishing
My mileage last year..with club 1835, Solo 1K+
Mainly touring rides up to 75 miles..average speed 14.5-16
Work part time for a fitness club (repairing the eqpt.)and use the satirmaster a lot..found it helps on climbing big time.
Also Kayak..have a Pygmy wooden Artic Tern I built.

desertdce

Just responding to the request. I am 57 years old, have been riding bikes most of my life. I started mountain biking in 1998, and road biking three years ago. Road biking is my favorite. Last year I logged just over 4000 miles, most of them on my road bike. In addition to riding, I do some resistance training (for conditioning). Otherwise there isn't much else that I do differently.

hammerdocnomo

That's the truth and I'm stickin to it.

ozbiker

Please tell us your age. 52

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride? Peugot setup as a fitness bike with 105 running gear, Mavic wheels, & other goodies.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older? CoQ10, vC (10g), Lysine (5g), Proline (3g), vE, vB+, Niacin, Folic acid (5mg) - these are the main ones. Tossed the prescription drugs out (especially the statins).

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any? In an acceleration phase!!

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life? Serious commuter as a kid (up to 18). Started again at 38 and rode hard for a few years. Started business, family, etc. - slob for 8 years. Back to it at 51 - for good this time.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race? Day rides with local touring club. Mid week group training rides. Some solo rides. Planning some multi-day rides.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage? Currently 800km/month. 4 days biking, 2 days swimming, 1 rest day.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.? Swimming, Aikido, light weights. Clubbies are trying to talk me into doing tri's and crits - resisted sofar, but it sure is tempting.

BlazingPedals

50
Whatever kind they want? I have a Trek 7500 fitness bike, a RANS V-Rex SWB recumbent, an Optima Baron lowracer, and a homebuilt 2x26 recumbent. I'm also currently making a carbon fiber frame for another highracer, one with 2x700c wheels.
No special regimen, although I will occasionally use some recovery potions for after-ride.
I've gotten faster, but only by constantly graduating to faster bikes.
Most of my life, except for a short stretch in my late 20s when new job and family conspired against me.
I guess you'd classify it as recreational, generally 25 to 40 miles for evening rides and longer on weekends. I generally do 1 or 2 supported tours per year.
None to speak of in the winter, building as the weather gets warmer and there's more daylight in the evenings, until I peak at 5-6 days per week in August. I average about 4000 miles/year.
I take a fitness swimming class at the junior college and swim 1700-2000 yards of intervals, twice a week. Also I do a lot of work in my yard - I planted 50 saplings last year to make up for all the trees and brush I cut down the year before. I'll be planting more this spring.

urban rider

I have several bikes, Mongoose for the winter snow, Giant mountain bike for communting, trek for communting, and another bike for long distance on the weekends. I just got the Trek 4500 so I am riding it to work and back (32 miles round trip)

I take a daily vitamin supplement for seniors. I also take a liquid iron supplement on some days. I don't think that I have slowed down because I have more free time. My children are grown and that allows me more time to myself. Therefore, I try to commute to work and do my chores by bike as often as possible.

I belong to at least two bike clubs, Sisters-n-cycling, which consists of middle-aged women. I also like to join a national group like Advbenture Cycling. I have to re-new my membership. In additon to riding in the city I also particpate in long distance riding tours. I am 51 years old.

anoopjs

hi
https://www.6boards.com

DnvrFox

Do you even bicycle? Is this just Spam?

trailwarrior

Hello everyone,

I have reached the top of the hill (the big 50). I here it is all downhill from here and downhill can be the most enjoyable part of the ride as long as you keep it under control and the brakes don't fail.

Here's my rides:
- 2006 HP Velotechnik Scorpion (Trike Recumbent Touring bike)
- 2005 ICE Trice Micro (Trike Recumbent Racer)
- 2005 KMX X-class (Trike Recumbent Trail bike)
- 2003 Invacare Top End XLT-Gold (Hand Crank bike)
- 1996 Specialized Globe (Cruiser/Commuter bike)
- 1979 Schwinn LaTour (Touring/Road bike)

The handcycle is the only one of the bunch that I purchased used and although all of my bikes were purchased new, neither the 79 Schwinn nor the 96 Specialized have more than a few hundred miles on them (in fact they both still have original set of tires). I have been car-free for over three years and just recently decided to get serious about biking/triking and possibly working my way up to doing some long distance touring.

I am in pretty good health (or so I thought - more on that later) and most folks tell me that I look 30-something. I have done some weightlifting over the years, but now I might spend half an hour with the dumbells after a run. I have been a runner all my life and I will run 50mi/wk during the summer months. My plan is to cut back on the running and add the trikes for some cross training; maybe a couple days each week of running, and riding the recumbent trike and the handcycle.

I have been on and off multivitamins all my life and a couple of years ago I went liquid. I am also back to taking a protein supplement (especially after a good workout). Last year I began breaking bones; hadn't broken a bone in all my life, but I broke half a dozen bones last year. Had bone density test done and found out that I am borderline osteoporosis. Doc is having me take additional calcium and vitamin D for a few months and see what happens. It is OK for me to ride trikes, but I am not supposed to ride any bikes (yet anyway). I just found out that osteoporosis runs in the family and my condition may be hereditary, but I have never given any thought to my calcium intake and never realized that you don't get but a trace of calcium with your multivitamins. I suppose the reason for this is that some of the minerals found in the multivitamins like iron and zinc will counter act with calcium. Therefore, I never take my calcium supplements with my multivitamins. I have found out that alcohol, soda and caffeine will also deplete your body of needed calcium. Although I don't drink much alcohol and never drink soda, I have been a pretty heavy coffee drinker for the past 20 years.

Being new to the group I don't know if anyone else here has preached on the importance of calcium, but I have become a believer. Besides, men typically begin losing 1% of their bone mass each year beginning at the age of 50. So even though I may run 50mi/wk and look 30-something, I have the bone density of 70-something. And I am afraid that some of these broken bones may be giving me arthritic problems in the future.

DnvrFox

Welcome.

We have had a number of articles posted (by me and others) on the dangers of osteoporosis and bicycling, and how it can accelerate osteo. Do a search on osteoporosis and you will find them.

Here is one:

https://69.16.211.161/showthread.php?...t=osteoporosis

Good luck with your treatment. My son takes Fosamax.

Bikinguy

Hi all,

I used to ck in with this forum but that was several years ago. Just started back riding and am very happy to see such an active 50 plus forum.

Let me answer a few questions.

I ride a canondale silk road 500.

I have always taken vitamins as long as I can remember and have added fishoil lately.

I really haven't slowed down very much and am working hard to get my avg up.

I biked in my 20's a bit and started back when I was 52.

My fav rides are when I spot riders ahead of me or coming up behind me as I love to race a bit
Most of my rides are around the 40 mile range.

At present I ride approx 4 times a week ; some of the rides are fast 20 milers (fast for me anyways*S*)
Weekend rides are 40 plus.

I did some olympic style weight lifting when I was young.

My dad is 87 and he still bikes.

I am 59 and my goal is to do a double century for my 60th birthday.

Looking forward to reading all the helpful posts and maybe meeting some locals in my age group.

Dudley
aka bikinguy
Spring TX

HAMMER MAN

Some questions:

Please tell us your age.

middle age, I am 54

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

for me I ride a Dura-Ace 10 speed Waterford 2200 lugged 853 frame
Trek Madone 5.5 dura-Ace 10 speed
Razesa a 1980 SLX frame converted into a single speed
orginal 1978 Specialized Team Issue Tange Allez with orginal suntour components that I am restoring




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

Enchanced energy, multi vitimin, protein shakes,



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

average speed has dropped somewhat but endurance and power still seems to be there



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

Started serious road biking in 1978, first bike was schwin sport, followed by a nishiki, then an Allez specialized team issue



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

racing, club rides, solo rides, LSD rides and intervals ; any kind of ride is a good ride




6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
average 125 miles a week or more so around 5,000 a year.



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

avid weightlifter, especialy during the winter when riding is cut short




Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??

Also, please see a list of all the contributors:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
99 Lemond BA, 04 Windsor Leeds, 98 Spc HR Wife: 04 Trek 7300, 99 Spc HR Andy, 3 whlr Web

View the 50+ Rogue's Gallery

speedlever

I joined this forum last August when I decided to take up biking (again). I didn't realize I'd neglected posting here until I saw Dnvr's post wondering where all the 50+ers had gone!

Here are my responses:

Please tell us your age.
55 last December.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
I bought a Marin Novato not knowing what sort of riding I would do. Now that I have a few miles under my belt, I would really like to add a road bike to my stable... something like a Trek Pilot 5.2. But the Marin works nicely for me.

Gave away my old Schwinn Collegiate 5 spd a couple of years ago. Naturally, the bicycling bug bit me not long after I did that. I bought this bike brand new back in 1964 or 65, iirc.



2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
I take a maintenance aspirin (81mg), vitamins and fish oil capsules.



3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Tough question to answer. I have no reference point since I have rode little since getting a driver's license at age 16.


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Started biking last August when I bought the Marin. Tried to drag my wife into biking with me and sorta pushed her into buying one (Trek 7100). Now she loves to ride too! We have two young children (8 and 6) who ride some, but they'll hopefully ride more as we encourage them.


5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
I ride around local streets. I have a 24 mile course that I like to ride with some traffic and gentle rolling hills (although some hills take me down to my granny gear and 2nd sprocket.. about 6 mph). Average for me tends to be in the mid 13's for this course.



6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Not often enough. I have just over 300 miles on the bike since last August. Work schedules (24/7 call), family duties and weather limit our availability to ride, much to our dismay. We'd love to ride twice a week, but are lucky to ride twice a month.


7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
I have recently begun working out on our hated Nordic Trak. But it's better than nothing... and yet a long way from biking.

I enjoy this forum but have taken a break over the winter with other projects having taken priority. Hope to spend more time here in the future.