Returning after a 20 year lay off!
07-07-15 | 08:35 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: England
Bikes: Giant Prop Giant SLX Specialized roubaix
Returning after a 20 year lay off!
First of all hi to all
I have just returned to road cycling after a 20 year lay off mainly due to the family way of life with kids etc and so i return
Boy, how things have changed in bike technology and although i think it is more dangerous its great to see so many more cyclists and it does not make me feel to old!!
I have just returned to road cycling after a 20 year lay off mainly due to the family way of life with kids etc and so i return
Boy, how things have changed in bike technology and although i think it is more dangerous its great to see so many more cyclists and it does not make me feel to old!!
07-07-15 | 09:10 AM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: Saginaw, Michigan
Welcome back!
I was an avid cyclist 25 years ago... then for one reason or another cycling fell by the wayside... I returned last Fall and for me one of the biggest changes I found was the winter clothing! 25 years ago I dreaded riding in the Winter, so when I decided to try and ride this Winter I really wasn't looking forward to it.. but the advances in cold weather gear made it completely enjoyable!
I was an avid cyclist 25 years ago... then for one reason or another cycling fell by the wayside... I returned last Fall and for me one of the biggest changes I found was the winter clothing! 25 years ago I dreaded riding in the Winter, so when I decided to try and ride this Winter I really wasn't looking forward to it.. but the advances in cold weather gear made it completely enjoyable!
07-07-15 | 10:14 AM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 330
Likes: 27
From: Arnold Maryland
Bikes: Cervelo S5, Cannondale AL1 Lefty MTB, Trek X01, Trek Farley 7,1951 Raleigh Sport, 57&60 Raleigh Tourist, 70 Raleigh Super Course, 80's Soma Prestiege,72 Raleigh Grand Sports, 85 Club Fuji, 76 Raleigh Competition, 85 Panasonic,70's Peugot u08. & more
Welcome back! Enjoy
07-07-15 | 12:56 PM
#8
feros ferio
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 22,409
Likes: 1,875
From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
That's an understatement. 
(See my signature -- noting newer than 1988.)
I started cycling at age 12, when my coordination problems finally enabled me to balance a bike, and it has been my absolute favorite sport ever since. Welcome back to the world's best addiction!
(See my signature -- noting newer than 1988.)I started cycling at age 12, when my coordination problems finally enabled me to balance a bike, and it has been my absolute favorite sport ever since. Welcome back to the world's best addiction!
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
07-07-15 | 01:47 PM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,654
Likes: 2,388
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
For me NOT cycling makes me feel old. Welcome back, hope to read more good things from you!
07-07-15 | 02:41 PM
#10
Life is good
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 18,208
Likes: 14
From: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro
If you run across some of the other 50+ stories you'll learn that many of us returned "late in life" like you. I took up cycling again at the young age of 55. I'm now 70. Get out there and just have fun. 
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
07-07-15 | 05:19 PM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Northern Maine
Returning? Heck, I just started at age 59! More dangerous, yes. Sometimes after a ride I find myself wondering about those 40 mph+ downhills. Should I really be doing that?? Congrats on the re-start, OP, enjoy!
07-07-15 | 10:53 PM
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 572
Likes: 128
From: By theBeach and Palos Verdes, CA adjacent
Bikes: One of each: Road, Hybrid, Trekking
Ha! This reminded me of a story I heard in my car racing days. Bobby Unser was asked how dangerous it was to drive around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at over 180 mph. His reply was that it wasn't going 180 mph that was dangerous. It's when you suddenly stop going 180 mph.
07-08-15 | 05:49 AM
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,158
Likes: 1,743
From: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Bikes: Canyon Aeroad, CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX, Guru steel & Guru Photon
Ha! This reminded me of a story I heard in my car racing days. Bobby Unser was asked how dangerous it was to drive around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at over 180 mph. His reply was that it wasn't going 180 mph that was dangerous. It's when you suddenly stop going 180 mph.
07-08-15 | 05:53 AM
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,158
Likes: 1,743
From: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Bikes: Canyon Aeroad, CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX, Guru steel & Guru Photon
I came to cycling in my mid-30s and rode until age 50. For reasons I won't go into I stopped and didn't get back on the bike until I was 59. It's been 10 yrs now and if I could offer one bit of advice it would be to be patient with your development at this point. It will take time but the benefits will be well worth it. Have fun.
07-08-15 | 06:07 AM
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 706
Likes: 17
From: Richmond, VA (West end - Henrico)
Bikes: 1985 Fuji Del Rey, 25" frame, 12 speed
Well said!!!
Welcome back to riding... I feel the same way about bicycle technology. I rode an old freebie Schwinn Alum Comp Mtb bike for a quite a few years, but always yearned for a road bike. STI's (Brifters(?)) really boggled my mind when I first saw them at a LBS. I saw bikes that were so light, I could almost pick one up with a bent pinky finger. Most alarming, I saw bikes that cost more than quadruple the mortgage payment of my house!
So....long story short, I searched both Ebay and Craigslist and stumbled upon an absolute mint condition, "garage queen bike", that was used my a local college kid. Once the kid graduated college, he put the bike on CL, and I snatched it up quickly. Old classic & vintage, 70's and 80's bikes are still out there and are still ridable. Nothing wrong with them. Most LBS's look at them as "old school" but in a good way and have no problems at all tweaking/upgrading them for you.
Like others have said, get out and ride! It doesn't matter what you're riding, as long as you ride!
Welcome back to riding... I feel the same way about bicycle technology. I rode an old freebie Schwinn Alum Comp Mtb bike for a quite a few years, but always yearned for a road bike. STI's (Brifters(?)) really boggled my mind when I first saw them at a LBS. I saw bikes that were so light, I could almost pick one up with a bent pinky finger. Most alarming, I saw bikes that cost more than quadruple the mortgage payment of my house!
So....long story short, I searched both Ebay and Craigslist and stumbled upon an absolute mint condition, "garage queen bike", that was used my a local college kid. Once the kid graduated college, he put the bike on CL, and I snatched it up quickly. Old classic & vintage, 70's and 80's bikes are still out there and are still ridable. Nothing wrong with them. Most LBS's look at them as "old school" but in a good way and have no problems at all tweaking/upgrading them for you.
Like others have said, get out and ride! It doesn't matter what you're riding, as long as you ride!
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