Melanie

Hi, my name is Melanie and I live in San Francisco, and I am a noob to this site - this is my first posting, and seemed an appropriate place to start!

Please tell us your age.
49 (OK, so I'm cheating - it's not that I'm in a rush to be 50, but I'll get there in a couple opf months, so...)


1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Buoyed by a sudden wave of nostalgia, I recently got a 1975 Opaque Blue Schwinn Varsity off of ebay, with touring handlebars and a matress style seat. I had a 1968 Campus Green racer style as a kid, so Schwinn has always had a special appeal for me. I forgot what a tank it was!


2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
I take Glucosamine "Joint Juice" faithfully, sometimes take a MVI/B supplement/and calcium. I need to
do better with the latter.


3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Yes, and that's exactly why I started riding again. I needed to get into shape, not so much to lose weight, as I am only 15 lbs. over my weight in high school, but to improve cardiovascular fitness and tone up the muscles. Losing some weight would be fine, though.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
I was on my bike ALL the time as a kid and into the 1980's. Then school and career took over and I am finally getting back into it again!

5. What type of biking do you do?
Right now, I am just getting my feet wet again, doing some ruising around the neighborhood and a bike loop (4.5 miles) around a nearby lake. I figure if I can manage to drag my Sherman tank of a bicycle around enough, I'll be fit for anything! It's like riding a 20 lb. road bike with an extra 25 lbs. in a knapsack on your back...

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Annual? Oh that's a bit premature for me to answer at this stage. I want to get out about 3 -4 times a week for now.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Nope. I don't haver a sedentary job, but neither is it a cardio workout. I had lumbar surgery two years ago and that took the steam out of certain activities I used to do. I am hoping biking will help with the back, though.

Happy riding!

Beverly

Welcome Melanie. No one will complain that you're not officially 50

Ken Brown

I think she is bragging. If they created a 62+ thread I would join and brag that I am a junior member.

Stringrazor

Hi, I joined a couple of months ago when I got the bug to buy something more modern than my pieced-together 10-spd. I'm 52.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
'07 Trek Pilot 1.2

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
I have a problematic left knee from 2 cartlidge operations in my teens (and a 'scoping about 5 or 6 years ago). Riding helps a lot as it strengthens the muscles and keeps the joint lubricated. My wife buys me glucosamine but I'm bad with taking supplements and always forget. I keep Rx Oxaprozin anit-inflamatory around but only need it occasionally.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Lots, unfortunately, hence the desire to get back on a bike. Neither my IT profession nor my rock band/recording guitarist hobby encourage me to be very active (except for maybe haulin' a crapload of gear...).

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Like most guys my age, I lived on my bikes as a kid. I rode as a young adult but pretty much gave it up when I got married almost 25 years ago.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
Right now, it's short rides, 5-20 miles. As I get into better shape, I'll try longer rides. I like on a hillside so even short rides involve some climbing and I've been trying to find routes to/from my house that make the climb back home more gradual.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Ask me next year...

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
some swimming but not much else. I used to SUCBA dive but it's been a while since I went on a dive. I really miss alpine skiing and hope to drop enough weight to go a few times next season. Yeah, I'm a clyde too.

---- Gary ----

OH306

I joined bike forums about a year ago when I started riding. I'm retired but used to ride to work about 20 years ago on a three speed.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
06 Specialized Crossroads Elite

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Blood Pressure Med, Vitamin C, Fish Oil, Niacin, Multi Vitamin, Aspirin

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Some of course, but not as much as many of my friends. I enjoy being active by riding as much as I can and playing golf a couple times a week. Occasionally I'll play 36 or 45 holes in one day. None of my friends can ride a bike 40-50 miles a day and are pretty amazed by what I can still do. I'm very fortunate.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
I biked as a kid of course, delivering papers and just getting around town. I biked to work about 25 years ago but after an encounter with a car I gave it up. My son talked me into getting a bike again last year and I'm very happy I listened to the kid.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
I do short rides of 25-35 miles most often on MUP's. Throw in some 20 milers and some 40 milers here and there. Sometimes I get the desire to engage traffic just to keep my skills sharp. I don't keep a log because I just ride for the enjoyment, but my stamina has improved dramatically so I must be doing something right. Even my doctor's eyes got big when I told him I ride 60-80 miles a week

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Four or five days a week depending on my golf commitments. My goal is 1500-2000 this year.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Just biking and golf. That takes up most of the days of the week. I think riding has helped my golf by strengthening my legs, improving my balance and getting more lower body into my shots.

8. Please tell us your age.
Sixty seven .. but feel like 25.

ftsoft

I'm 65, been riding since 1975

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

Bianchi XL Boron, Comotion Speedster

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

I use Hammer Recoverite after most rides

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

I started noticing a slowing around 60 and reckon I have slowed down around 1 or 2 mph overall for something like 30-50 mile rides

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


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

I do short recovery rides (20 miles), fast group rides of 30-50 miles, a few centuries (I did RAIN for the first time this year) and tandem rides with my wife.


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

5 days/week - 7000 miles/year

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

I lift in the winter

HiPockets

Please tell us your age. 61

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



2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older? None



3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any? Not much, ecept for my scotch consumption.



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



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




6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage? 3000 to 5000 miles a year.



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

Roadiedvm

As a point of reference, what are typical speeds for a fast group ride and your centuries? I either ride alone or with my 30 year old daughter so I don't really know where I would stand among experienced age-group cyclists such as yourself.

johnnyb

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Eddy Merckx Elite about 4 years old I just bought this summer on Craigslist with help from my son who is cycling nut (15 bikes, no car, cyclocross for fun, North American Cycle Courier Racing Champ, builds weird tall bikes, plays cycle polo for fun) in Portland, OR helping me. 15 year old Trek mountain bike with NO suspension...really old school but that's OK so am I.


2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Just some over 50 vitamins...I'm 59


3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Till recently yes was a stinking couch potato compared to my former activity level. Started cycling then went on diet and dropped weight from 195 to 178 so far....target is 170 and figure I could hit 165 if I try. My weight when younger was 155-160 and I'm 6'1". Doubt if I can keep up with the really young punks who are in great shape but my goal is to be able to kick most of their arses and build up to some serious mountain climbing.


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Forever....started with my kids in the late 80's mountain biking. Also got a Specialized steel road bike back then that I didn't ride much but I started riding it a couple times a week last year which got stolen then found my current bike and now am on path to get healthy and regularly be on the bike. Want to be insufferably healthy and not complain about my health for something to talk about.


5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
Right now almost exclusively road, 1 hour ish rides in morning at 5:30 AM every day if I can and then a 3-4 hour ride on the weekends. Haven't done much mountains yet but am in Colorado so that's coming. So...100 to 150 miles a week. Might like to build up to the triple by pass or ride the rockies rides.

goaliedb

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
07 Fuji Roubaix Pro

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
glucosamine, multivitamin, folic acid, acidophilus,omega complex

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
After a seven year layoff, I can say I havent slowed down as much as I expected. Maybe I'm just training smarter, having learned from my previous experiences.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Rode as a kid, and was remotivated in 1987 by Greg Lemond. Even more motivated at the thought of approching my 30th birtday as an overweight (250 pounds) chainsmoker. I took a seven year layoff. My life and health became a mess, so I pulled the bike out in mid March 2007, as I was approaching my 50th. I've lost 43 pounds to date

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

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Right now, at least 5 days a week. My annual mileage, cant say for sure. I'm going to have to deal with Ohio winter weather for the first time, as a cyclist.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
I did play hockey during my layoff. In March, I sold most of my goalie equipment. I did hold on to a few pieces just in case. I now wonder what it would be like to play at my new weight. I might actually be able to move! I can see myself playing drop in hockey and subbing in games as a winter diversion.

gcottay

Please tell us your age.

61

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

Primarily a 3.4 WizWheelz Terra trike. Every week or two Giant Sedona.

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

I am finally eating well-balanced meals.

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

Compared with a year ago I average at least 16 MPH faster.

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

Rode as a kid then got way too busy and fat until this year. (Fine example of a supposedly person being a slow learner.)

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

My most frequent distance is 18-20 miles at lunch time. Favorite distance is about 40 miles at a varied pace and rolling hills. Touring is still in my future.

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

Six or seven times and 120-200 miles a week. Annual mileage will be determined by how much fun cold weather riding turns out to be.

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

Walking, standard generic exercise.

George

ftsoft

Sorry, I din't see your post. My fast group rides are 21-22, Centuries vary a lot depending on how I feel (18-22). I averaged 20 even for RAIN.

Sevenrider

Please tell us your age.
56 but feel younger, but can tell that I am not as young as I used to be.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Latest addition is a 2007 Seven Axiom 007 tandem that I ride with my better half
1994 Litespeed Catalyst

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Take a bunch of stuff; multi-vitamin, B complex, C, Magnesium, E, and meds for HBP and HC

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
I know that I have slowed down but try hard not to let it show. Can still hang with most of my local group

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Started in 1983 after needing a change from running. Rode singles, then got our first tandem and rode tandem primarily for 16 years. Was away from biking for 6 years and now plan to ride forever.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
Primarily 25 - 65 mile rides. My longest ride is the Seattle to Portland ride in one day on a tandem. Ride for fitness and the great feeling it fives me.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
I try to ride approx 25 - 30 miles three or four days a week with one longer ride (50-65 miles) once a week.
7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Hiking, scuba diving.

DnvrFox

Welcome, and good luck on riding "forever!"

Oroluk Lagoon

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

Since I’ve lived on a sailboat for 17 years, of necessity I have always had a folder. I currently have two: 26” Dahon mountain bike, and 16” stainless, ultra-compact. I have the 26” in Gig Harbor, WA and the 16” down in Mexico where I live in the winter. But I’m getting more serious about riding, thinking of doing the Seattle to Portland (STP) next year, and consequently feel I ought to consider getting a road or sport bike.

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

Just turned 60 in July, and so far I don’t take any pills.

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

I don’t feel it, but when the 30-40-year-olds go ripping by, I SEE it.

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

Lived on a farm as a kid and had to ride my coaster to get anywhere. Didn’t start riding again until I started cruising on a sailboat and needed transportation wherever we tied up or anchored, so have been riding on and off for the last 20 years or so. However, I have only recently begun to ride just for the fun and benefits of riding.

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

My longest ride thus far is 33 miles (however, I once road the 16” 3-speed folder 40 miles on the California Delta levies, but that was over the course of an entire day with lots of stops). I hope to continue riding further and longer, building up the endurance to do the STP next year. The harbor where I live is surrounded by hills, so it is up no matter what route I take. So far I’m primarily interested in riding as a way of staying in shape and long road rides seem to suit me. Maybe I’ll get interested in touring someday. In addition to the STP I might like to do some other long rides.

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

I’ve been trying to go out at least three, sometimes four days a week or about every other day. I’m doing about 100 miles a week now. Don’t know if that will increase or decrease.

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

I was running but have quit since I started riding. While in Mexico I swim occasionally. I ride the bike the short commute to work 2-3 days a week.

sraphe

Age 56

1. Riding a 15 year old Trek Mountain Bike and a 2006 Trek 7.2 hybrid. Looking to get a road bike.

2. Not taking any supplements.

3. I don't think I've slowed down too much until I get on the tennis or basketball court with my son.

4. Have been biking for a little over a year.

5. & 6. I usually ride about 12 or 13 miles every weekday morning and Saturday on local greenways and 30 to 35 miles on the road on Sunday. Not as often in the winter.

7. Workout in the gym, light weights and aerobic.

jiminos

50. on a brand new raleigh cadent 2.0, no supplements, a little slower, been riding most of my life (but took the last 10 or 15 years off), 20 miles a day 5 days a week... 35-50 one day... i like to swim and run, too.

Roadiedvm

Thanks for writing back. Now that I know that RAIN is 160 miles, that's impressive. I was feeling pretty good about my century time for the Hotter n Hell until I saw that it was almost 5 mph slower than the top guy (but 3 mph faster than last year). At least it gave me encouragement that there is room for improvement, as do your times. Do you base your training on your experience, use a trainer or training program such as Friel or some combination of all these?

christo.murphy

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

Litespeed Avior and Pinarello Marvel both mainly fitted out with ultegra groupset - B17 saddles

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

No - don't believe in herbal, homeopathy, acupuncture or prescription medications if avoidable


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

Not much - but improvement gets harder and feel perpetually a bit (or a lot stiff). I have arthritis in most joints and the best I feel is when I get going and have warmed up on the bike. English weather - particularly this summer is very unpleasant.



4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Been cycling for about fifteen years - since first hip replacement. Now on my third!


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

Try to do about twenty miles a day. I fall short of this every week but not by much. Occasionally do a thirty or forty mile ride if the weather is good and I feel up to it.




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

Most days - about 3000 per year

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

Used to do stacks which is why my body is in a mess. Now I cycle do light weights and coach Judo and play with the lower grades to get a bit of a sweat on!

ftsoft

Hmmmm. I guess all of the above. I've done a lot of reading about training and up until a couple of years ago I followed a training plan, but recently I've just been winging it, since I seem to be slowing down no matter what I do. I ride a trainer around 100 miles/week in the winter, but I don't do as many really hard training days as I used to. The biggest problem at my age is recovery. So for instance, I've ridden pretty hard 4 days in a row just because of circumstances and ride invitations that were too good to pass up and I would really like to ride today, but I think I should just rest since my legs feel pretty dead. This happens a lot, but the upside is that I feel free to have a life off the bicycle. The hotter-n-hell is a tough ride (one of the hardest I've done) because of the heat. One of the things I liked was moving between different groups, but I was scared stiff during the first 20 miles, worrying that I would get dumped by someone falling in front of me.

chrehn

Please tell us your age.

59, I will be 60 in November. Yikes!

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

Bridgestone MB-2, she is a good friend.

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

Cholesterol medication, daily aspirin and a multi-vitamin



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

Major slow down. I have had bypass surgery and most of my bike riding is a 4 mile round trip commute for work. I do ride occasional 10-15 mile rides, however, most of my riding since surgery is for commuting. I have to remind myself that I am improving.



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

I have ridden a bicycle since I was 5 years old. I started commuting by bicycle when I was 22 and fell in love with bicycling again. I have ridden many centuries and a double century. I look forward to some light touring with my wife as I approach retirement at age 62. I may be slow, but, I have the Spirit of a Bicycle Rider!


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

Mostly a short commute to work and riding with our Grandchildren.




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

Currently 500-1000 miles a year.



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

I alternate walking to work. I have started Yoga. I came across a book called Om Yoga that clicked with me. It is helping me learn the basics and I feel better.

GeoLes

I happen to have just turned 56 yesterday. I ride an EPX 303 carbon road bike (you probably have never heard of the brand-made in Austrailia ('G day mate!).

I take Maga man vitiamins (the only vitiamins for me, of course). CoEnzyme q10 as well as occasional anti-inflamatory medication for tendonitis in my left knee. I weight train and recently have begun the veryl tough P90X sytem. I try to eat right, (so I can eat some junk when I want to). I rollerskate (I'm talkin' Roller Jamming - formerly known as Roller Disco). I golf when I can, usually 2 - 3 rounds a year, but I get to the driving range once a week, usually.

So if you put all this together, you will see that I am 56 years old going on 37. (I am also self-delusional).

Leigh_caines

Please tell us your age.
61

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
I ride all my bikes
Long home made recumbent [the LIMO]
Short home made recumbent [this is my tourer] [Yo Yo as it can be ridden both the up and down]
Folding bike
Road bike [old one]
MTB for off road [hard tail]
Beach bike [old and rusty from the salt but still a fun 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?
Sure a fair bit but I’ve never been it too much of a hurry.
Bum Liver slows me up a bit.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Last 25 years and as a kid a bit

5. What type of biking do you do?
I ride every morning for an hour or 3
Longer ride once a week
2 long tours every year [2 to 6 weeks each if I can]

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Over 6000

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Swim… surf now and then

lhphillips

Larry from Baltimore, MD

Please tell us your age.
57

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Started with a hybrid - Giant Cypress DX last August. Wanted a lighter bike but could not handle the drop road bars, fused lower back with two rods. Got a 2006 Giant FCR 1 with straight handle bars in 7/07. Absolutely love it.


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?
A lot. Use the bike for training puposes to lose weight and manage bp, sugar and colesterol.


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
As a kid I was always on a bike. 8/06 got back into biking with my wife. She has bad knees and this was the best form of exercise for her. She recently had knee surgery, both knees, we still ride for the exercise.


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

Short rec rides for now. I eventually want to do a century, my longest ride has been 20 miles.


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

Try to bike three times a week, annual mileage about 1000 miles.

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

Just biking.

sherbornpeddler

Please tell us your age.
56

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
90% New road bike Serrota Fierte fit by my LBS
5% mountain bike for bike paths
4% old road bike (1982 Raleigh Pro) when I park in the city at the train station
1% 2001 Easyracer Goldrush (preceding 5 years was 80% of my riding)

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
1 a day multi about half the days

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Was slowing down a lot over the last 10 years. This year I retired, lost 30 lbs and am back to where I was 10 years ago.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
All my life with a break between 1985 - 2000

5. What type of biking do you do?
All road biking now. I gave up mountain biking 6 years ago. Last 5 years avg 25 miles per week May through September
This year 3000 miles ytd (>100mpw), ride 5 days per week at much greater intensity.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
This year will be >4500 miles.
Avg last 5 years was 600 mpy

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
As I lose weight thanks to biking, I am trying to add running back in after 10+ year hiatus. I used to run far more frequently than biking. Now my feet hurt and I often strain something.