I'm 52
1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride? I was a bicycling enthusiast in the mid 90's and still have my bikes from back then. My Trek 1000 has about 4500 miles on it. The only upgrades have been new wheels with Phil Wood hubs and Mavic rims and a Phil Wood BB. My other bike is a second hand Trek 7000 mountain bike that I bough to use as a knock around or errand bike. When I decided to get back into bicycling I took a long look at both bicycles and decided that I did not need new bikes, but the old ones do need some TLC.
2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older? Not many. I take a multi vitamin and fish oil.
3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any? Lots. When I was riding 15 years ago I was one of the faster riders in the club. After taking a couple of experimental rides last summer and one during a warm spell last week, I could tell that hill climbing is going to be a challenge for me. Having said that, I am looking forward to making bicycling a regular part of my life again. It can only get better.
4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life? I rode as a kid like most everyone else. During college I rode to get around and took the occasional recreational ride. In the mid 90's when I was in my mid 30's I rode 2000 - 2500 miles per year, all on the road. Basic bike repairs are not a problem for me.
5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides. Historically I have done all of my riding on the road and most of my rides in the future will also be road rides, but I do plan to do some trail riding. We have some great trails in this part of Michigan. When I was riding in the past I focused on longer rides. Either training for them or actually doing them.
6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage? I guess I'll have to get back to that because I my journey to get re-addicted to bicycling is just starting. I currently do other forms of cario 4-6 times per week. As the weather warms up and I make upgrades / repairs to my equipment I plan to do most of my cardio work on a bike.