age- 51
1. What type of bikes ?
Commuter- 9 speed REI Buzz, w/rack milk crate on the back and (winter) Nokian Studded snows.
Road- a custom Tanguy frame (1976) Reynolds 531DB with aero bars and a new Campy Chorus Gruppo.
MTB- Gary Fisher Super Caliber- stock
2. supplements/vitamins/minerals ?
a multi-vitamin and saw palmetto daily.
3. "slowed down"?
I have cycling journals all the way back to age 16 so I can make pretty accurate comparisons. Most changes have to do with mileage logged and consistency in training reflected in increases in speed and endurance. If I do not ride for a month or so it seems to take more time to get up to speed again. Climbing and body weight are definitely related and I have had to work hard to add weight to my body (at age 17 I was 150 lbs-6'3"-and my current weight ranges from 175-185 lbs.-due to weight lifting). I still climb well but was an exceptional climber at the lower body weight.
4. How long have you been biking?
Bought a Astro/Daimler Puch Folding bike from the Sears catalog in 1969 when, at age 15, my mother got sick of driving me to my karate lessons. I've been a bike commuter to every job I've had since age 16. Was a hippy eco freak in the 70's and totally anti-car culture, bike toured all over the US/Canada and raced. Have also done some touring and commuting in Europe. Later did triathlons and in the 90's started Mountain biking but I have poor technical skills compared to MTB'ers of similar fitness. Was a mechanic, salesman and manager in bike shops over a period of 8 years and a bike messenger for a brief period of time- 3 winter months- tough job in Boston.
5. What type of biking do you do?
I commute consistently 24 miles round trip/day. Use the bike for errands daily. I do training rides but don't race anymore. I mountain bike and do lots of LSD all summer. (no, not the drug- long slow distance)
6. Your approximate annual mileage?
I have ridden anywhere from 3,500 miles to 12,500 miles per year for the past 36 years.
7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Weight lift, X/C ski.