Originally Posted by
zeeway
Well, I am pretty sure I qualify for this thread because I am 73 and just bought a Trek 7.4fx two weeks ago. Haven't ridden any distance except a 10 mile ride in Germany three years ago. So now I am riding a little every day in our neighborhood...2+ miles...and it is beginning to feel good. Our neighborhood is very hilly, so i get to use all the low gears for sure. My hands were going numb, so I had a stem extension installed and that has helped a lot with an 80% improvement. Today I bought some gloves with the tricky little pads, so I am hoping that does the rest of the improvement.
I have been a regular gym go-er for the last six or seven years, and before that I was a runner...long distances and very slow. So while I have some aerobic base, my body is still getting used to this new activity. I have a lot to learn.
I am happy to find this thread, because I thought I was the only 70+ year old riding...but now I know there are other strange people out there like me.
Too much weight on the hands will do that. Had the same issue at about 5-6 miles as I was getting acquainted with new bike before I began adjusting stuff. Stem changes fixed that for me as well.
Started out with a mile to, max, two miles a day. Within a month my daily distance was eight. For some reason, maybe a lot to do with my current bike, this is now a hell of a lot less "work" and more fun than when I last rode at age 50.
Strange is good, imo. Tho, over 70 I believe we now get to legitimately get to claim eccentric.