I am a 62 year old diabetic. The bicycling has taken me off and kept me off diabetic meds.
1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Main commute/tour bike is a Cannondale T2000 Touring, the bad weather bike is a Specialized FSR Enduro Comp, and the backup is a Specialized Crossroads. Still have the ’81 MotobeCane grand touring as a backup. How about a Quadracycle for riding around the neighborhood with the grandkids.
2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Maxivision Whole body macular degeneration regimen
3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
I think I am only a little slower. The hills just get steeper and longer. I hope I can get a little better as I would like to do the STP (Seattle to Portland 212 miles) in one day. Last 3 years were done in 2 days.
4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
I biked as a kid on old coaster brake bikes. In 1979 went to Germany for 2 years without a car and put 3,000+ miles on an old 3 speed, 16,000+ miles on a Peugeot 10 speed and 3,000+ on a MotobeCane grand touring. In 1999 I started bicycle commuting 10.4 miles daily. I have missed very few work days since.
5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
I commute daily. I also ride as many local club rides as I can. I even lead club rides on weekends no regular ride is available. Club rides and those I lead average better than 60 miles. I am planning a 850 mile solo tour from Tacoma Wa and down the Oregon coast and return this summer.
6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
I commute daily 10.4 miles round trip. During the spring and summer I ride as many club rides as I can. I average 4,500 plus miles a year. My goal this coming year is 5,000 plus.
7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
I try to walk at least a mile at lunch weather permitting. I walk the dog a mile plus every day. The dog doesn’t care about weather.