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Too old to ride? What then???

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Too old to ride? What then???

Old 10-18-10, 07:14 PM
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Too old to ride? What then???

Some of you might say I'm an old geezer. Others may think I'm just a kid. I'm 63, going on 64 in Decenber. I love riding my bike, and it's become an addiction. But I'm wondering...

What's it like when we one day find we're too old, too infirm, or just can't find our way back home? What happens and how? And what would you want done with your favorite bike?

I'm just wondering, seeing as how I've never been this old before and I'm not sure what to expect eventually...
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Old 10-18-10, 07:40 PM
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The word "pyre" comes to mind.

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Old 10-18-10, 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by ahsposo
The word "pyre" comes to mind.
Course only carbon fiber or magnesium would work for us.
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Old 10-18-10, 07:50 PM
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ahsposo has got it right. Eventually we all get decrepit and die. Cycling won't last forever any more than all the rest that we love.
Enjoy it while you can.

But I do know what you mean, Xizangstan - this aging thing is an adventure (misadventure?) without an instruction manual, map, or guidebook.
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Old 10-18-10, 07:52 PM
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One local rider was still at it at 95. A little slow and a bit wobbly, but still going out there. You have a long way to go. bk
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Old 10-18-10, 07:53 PM
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Originally Posted by xizangstan
Some of you might say I'm an old geezer. Others may think I'm just a kid. I'm 63, going on 64 in Decenber. I love riding my bike, and it's become an addiction. But I'm wondering...

What's it like when we one day find we're too old, too infirm, or just can't find our way back home? What happens and how? And what would you want done with your favorite bike?

I'm just wondering, seeing as how I've never been this old before and I'm not sure what to expect eventually...
At 64 1/2 I got it covered , mate! I own not only several bike but I also own a lowrider trike!!

If I ever get to the point I fall off a bike all the time I'll just sell the bikes and trike my way into to really old age !!!
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Old 10-18-10, 08:04 PM
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Old 10-18-10, 08:46 PM
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My dad, who hadn't been on a bike in decades, trained for a few weeks and did a 50-mile ride at 83 because my son and I were doing it. I was 58, and my son was 23--we just wanted to do a three-generation thing. He'd kept himself in shape, though, by walking and resistance training, so he wasn't starting from scratch.
I'm 65, and I have some vision issues that make it hard to ride in groups or traffic, but I can still get out on uncrowded roads. I gave up running for cycling in my late 40s, and I missed it for a long time before I got fully into bikes. I'll ride as long as I can, and I figure I've got another few years left in me (the eye thing is permanent, but not progressive). But I haven't had a bad fall in a long time; I might change my mind if I have a hard crash.
What comes after that? Not sure. I hate the gym. I live near some lakes where I could row or paddle a kayak in summer, but that's pretty equipment-intensive. I was traveling a lot on business when I was serious about running, and I liked being able to take off with just a pair of shoes and some shorts. Walking is too low-key for me...but it might not be when I'm 75.
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Old 10-18-10, 08:58 PM
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Golf.
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Old 10-18-10, 09:05 PM
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Old 10-18-10, 09:15 PM
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I'll probably buy a new boat with a big cooler.
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Old 10-18-10, 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by DnvrFox
There's always sex.
My bike requires less attention and maintenance than my girlfriend. Of course, my bike isn't soft, warm and squishy either!
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Old 10-18-10, 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Allegheny Jet
I'll probably buy a new boat with a big cooler.
There are some great deals on boats right now. Lots of repos on the market.
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Old 10-18-10, 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by xizangstan
What's it like when we one day find we're too old, too infirm, or just can't find our way back home?
I think that's when you buy a recumbent (...now running for cover...)
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Old 10-18-10, 09:19 PM
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My better half is 73 and riding more than ever, now that he's finally retired. I don't know what he'd do if he couldn't ride on his own. I guess we could always get a tandem.
One of our neighbors just had a hip replacement and is looking to get a step-through bike when he's through with the physiotherapy. So, if you're not too macho to ride a "womens" bike, there's always that possibility.
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Old 10-18-10, 09:25 PM
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Originally Posted by xizangstan
There are some great deals on boats right now. Lots of repos on the market.
I just purchased a new mtb today, so no new toys for a bit. Actually when I retire in two years, for the the 2nd time, I'll have time to ride and fish everyday.
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Old 10-18-10, 11:53 PM
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Old 10-19-10, 12:01 AM
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Old 10-19-10, 12:05 AM
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So this Italian gentleman was talking to his doctor after his physical and the doctor was amazed that the elderly gentleman was in such great shape at 70...

He explained that he rode his bike every day with his father and after riding 40 miles they would sit down to a sumptuous dinner and a glass of wine.

The doctor asked, "how old is your father ?"

The man says, "my papa is 90 and still rides like he was 20."

The doctor said, "I suppose your grandfather also rode well into his old age ?"

The man said, "what do you mean "also ?", He still rides with us nearly every day and he is 108 years old."

The doctor was astonished and asked, "did your grandfather ride with you today ?"

The man says, "no... he is getting married today."

The doctor says, "THATS wonderful".

The man says... "I didn't say he wanted to get married."
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Old 10-19-10, 12:25 AM
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If you go at it at a high level, you'll have nothing to worry about. When they graph the performance of racing cyclists of advanced age, performance stays reasonably constant until just before death, when it falls off considerably. So just keep riding, and when your body can't take it anymore, you're dead anyway! You won't even have a chance to take up golf.

I remember one awards ceremony after a cross country ski marathon. They gave out the award to the first place finisher in the 80-year age group, and he loped up to the stage and just sprang up the stairs, grinning all the way. That guy was really fit.

L.
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Old 10-19-10, 04:23 AM
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Tandem with a pretty, young female captain?
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Old 10-19-10, 04:31 AM
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Folding Kayak

Originally Posted by Velo Dog
My dad, who hadn't been on a bike in decades, trained for a few weeks and did a 50-mile ride at 83 because my son and I were doing it. I was 58, and my son was 23--we just wanted to do a three-generation thing. He'd kept himself in shape, though, by walking and resistance training, so he wasn't starting from scratch.
I'm 65, and I have some vision issues that make it hard to ride in groups or traffic, but I can still get out on uncrowded roads. I gave up running for cycling in my late 40s, and I missed it for a long time before I got fully into bikes. I'll ride as long as I can, and I figure I've got another few years left in me (the eye thing is permanent, but not progressive). But I haven't had a bad fall in a long time; I might change my mind if I have a hard crash.
What comes after that? Not sure. I hate the gym. I live near some lakes where I could row or paddle a kayak in summer, but that's pretty equipment-intensive. I was traveling a lot on business when I was serious about running, and I liked being able to take off with just a pair of shoes and some shorts. Walking is too low-key for me...but it might not be when I'm 75.
I bought a folding Kayak. It fits in a large backpack and is 16'6" long. (it will fit in the trunk of your car) It's a Folbot Cooper.

But, I like cycling better.........
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Old 10-19-10, 05:20 AM
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On the "crazy guy on a bike" blog last year I followed a California guy who, at 85. rode the southern tier from San Diego to St Aug, Fl alone. He averaged about 45 miles a day, camped and stayed in motels at times.
I watched him as he arrived in St Augustine. He was moving along just fine, good high cadence, looked quite fit.

The point is..you got a few more years to go, I wouldn't sweat it just yet.
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Old 10-19-10, 05:24 AM
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You never know what type of infirmity may eventually keep you from cycling. There may not be any, as was mentioned in an earlier post you may keep cycling until you die. So what else you do depends on what it was that caused you to stop cycling and what else it limits. I have lots of interests in addition to bicycling and it would depend on what I could still do. But my plan now is to keep fit and cycle till I die. I have no reason to believe this won't happen so I don't see any urgency for a contingency plan and, like I said, the contingency plan will depend on the infirmity and I'm not about to make one for every possible thing that could go wrong.
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Old 10-19-10, 05:29 AM
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