1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

I had an old 10 speed my neighbor gave me recently and I put $100.00 in it for brakes, tires, seat, grips and started riding around my office during lunch to build up strength. After building up to 10 miles in 1 hour each day, I went to Wal-Mart and bought a new Mongoose XR-250 to ride it to/from work. (9 miles each way). People tried to talk me into a nice road bike but I wasn't looking for an easy ride to/from work. I wanted a bike that I could get a good workout on as well as one that could take a beating. (I have to jump curbs and the roads to/from my work are rough and strewn with glass and other debris) So this Mongoose fits the bill perfectly with it's dual suspension and big knobby tires! My brother-in-law rides quite a bit and he is always changing flats and such since his bike isn't made for the kind of brutality mine gets. My only issue with it was the handlebars and this morning I replaced them with a better set with new grips as well that I bought at Buck's Bikes here in Austin, Texas. I can't wait to see how much better it is going home today.



2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

I suffered a major coronary event in 2000 and was on many different medications for years that were dragging me down with all the side effects. I heard of an awesome total nutritional system made by Isagenix and started using those products in July of 2006. Since then, I'm off all my meds and I feel better than I did in my 30's! I've been using Isagenix everyday since then and my wife and I have even started the home based business side of it as well. It's unbelievable to me the wonderful results I've had using it. (if you are interested in more information about this, email me at info@4u2bhealthy.com and I'll get back to you)



3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

I am now more active than I have been even when I was younger. I love the outdoors and love geocaching. Unfortunately, I am in need of total knee replacement surgery which I have scheduled late this year and that's what prompted my riding a bicycle again since that's really all I can do! Now that I'm into it, I will continue riding to/from work after the surgery since I love it so much and it's great exercise.



4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

I've only been riding bicycles now for about 3 months. I rode quite a bit in my youthful years before I joined the military. (It was my only mode of transportation) I had an awesome 10 speed that I put a horrendous amount of miles on. I've ridden motorcycles all my life so really, I love anything with two wheels!



5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

Currently, I just commute to/from work (18 miles a day). I plan on adding a nice road bike to my inventory in about a year after I recover from surgery so I can incorporate leisure weekend, long distance riding into my schedule as well.




6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

Currently, I ride at least 3 days a week and starting this week, upped it to 4 days. My plan is to ride 5 days a week. So that will be between 72 and 81 miles each week.



7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

I converted a bedroom in my home into a gym (my 3 boys are grown and gone now so It's just my wife and I) and I was doing weight training 3 days a week until my knees gave out. the pain became so unbearable that my whole physical life came to a screeching halt until I had my knees checked and was told by my doctor that I could ride for exercise until I had my surgery. He's got me taking Alieve twice a day to manage the pain (which is working great) and I plan on getting back to weight training next year after I recover.




Perhaps, if you haven't already, you might indicate your age on your reply??

I'm currently 51 years young. I don't feel old at all!