OldCrank . . . 50 years old on Jan. 1st 2006
1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
I have a rare Cignal Road Series / All Campy for more spirited rides, and also a Peugeot PGN10 (reynolds 501/Huret) for more around town/relaxed riding. Previous ride was a Raleigh Professional (1974) original owner.
2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
As I continue to age, I try to get at least one serving per day of a good liquid protein source, such as MetRx or Instone Nutrition. I take a timed-release multivitamin (either GNC MegaMan or Prevention for Men), Cod Liver Oil, Brewers Yeast, Royal Jelly, and use raw, unfiltered honey for all swetening. On the personal advice of former bodybuilder Franco Columbu, I supplement one extra gram of Calcium for every hour of weight training, or 500mg per half-hour (calcium not only is for bones, for the electrical signals throughout the central nervous system -- which are severely depleted with weight lifting).
Other than that, I try to eat "clean" as much as possible -- and whole foods. My wife and I enjoying cooking so most meals are from scratch.
3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
I have "days" of feeling this way -- and other days of feeling that I am better than ever. I had a personal best with bench press earlier in this year. I do find myself getting more winded . . . but I attribute this to the on and off body weight gain that I experience throughout the year. Overall, I would say that my endurance has decreased, but my strength has increased.
4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
All my life since childhood. Was a bike commuter back in the day when no one knew what one was.
5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
I have been doing short recreational rides on alternate days of weight lifting -- in season. In the winter, I bike indoors on rollers, or use the stationary bike, if lazy. This year, for my 50th year of age, I want to focus more on riding and complete a century or two -- which I haven't done in close to 25 years. I'd also like to work on hill-climbing -- but that remains to be seen. The Mt. Washington hillclimb keeps pestering me to give it a shot, but I also realize the training and dedication it would take. We'll see.
6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
For years just on alternate days between weight lifting. I have no idea of mileage at all -- although I've been thinking of getting one of those cycle computer things. I go more by "feel" -- some days I can do more than others, etc. But I never was one to count miles. Quaility not quantity as they say. You can certainly have a 20 mile ride that's more productive than a 50 miler. Don't you agree?
7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Yes, I do weight training. I have my own gym up in the attic with free weights, bench, and one of the universal-type Weider gyms. I also enjoy boxing workouts and have a heavy bag and speed bag.