JavaMan

I have been riding since I was 32, and have never felt stronger or faster on my bike than I do now.

I also put in a lot more miles now than I did when I was younger, because I have more endurance.

Anyone else feel the same way? Are you faster, stronger, or have more endurance at 50+ ?

oldspark

Nope, nope and nope.

Velo Dog

I think I turned the corner about two years ago. I was definitely stronger and faster at 40 than in my early 30s (because I trained a lot harder), and held my own through my mid-50s. I turned 60 in January, though, and I've definitely slowed down. I sort of feel like I COULD still do what I used to--the distance, anyway, if a few mph slower--but it's so much harder now that I have a hard time making myself do it. I'm not about to stop riding or doing anything else I enjoy, but sometimes I'm content to cruise along at 14mph rather than busting my butt.

Sco++

My endurance is way higher now than 15 or 20 years ago - at the expense of some speed. I can plug along on either my road or mountain bike for a long ways. The part of me that gives out first on a long ride is my rear end. I get these little sore spots in the crease where the back of my leg hooks onto my butt. They can hurt pretty much...

Bob Gabele

Well guys...at 54, I'm called the "dinosaur dad" with a 3 year old and a 10 year old. This takes away my shots for much distance beyond 40 miles. I NEVER however, ride less than 25 - 30...with pace...and I ride six days/week.

I think...no, I know, that I am riding as strong, if not stronger than I did in my late 30's (when I started riding) and into my early 40's before I laid off (actually, I stopped in '95 upon the birth of my first child).

The only difference is that, since I don't have the time to roll up the base miles I'd like to, I get more juice out of the rides I have time for.

I definitely do not feel any deterioration. If anything, when I have to lay off for more than my one day per week (when I'm travelling, which is not a regular thing but it does happen) I find those old aches and pains creeping in.

Bottom line? Regular riding makes me feel like I am in my 30's again.

glassman

Well, I am 54 as of this month and six weeks ago I started riding again after many years, I never really rode like the people in this forum but decided to start as part of my excercise diet program. I did lose 30 pounds and I now ride 15-20 miles everyday. So I actually feel stronger now than any time I can remember.

Roody

I do feel stronger than when I turned 50--just six weeks ago.

I have been riding long and fast (for me) on country roads, and I am at a point where I actually feel improvement almost every day.

Digital Gee

You lost 30 pounds in six weeks? Wow! I'm 54 as well, just started biking ten days ago, and would LOVE to lose 30 pounds even if it takes three months or more. So far, I'm just riding 7-10 miles per day but hope to improve on that as I get used to it. Anyway, congratulations!

EXCALIBUR

I just turned 50 this year, and I am just happy to be alive.

berts

more power to you
with me-endurance seems steady but the power (force) has taken a beating.

phinney

Once in awhile but then my memory comes back.

glassman

Gary, I was up to 201 and now I weigh 169 and I am 5'8". I was a tight 39 pants and now I am 33. It was not really hard for me to lose the weight. My secret weapon was the Garmin 201 watch I bought. I have a job where I can walk while I wait for customers and since the watch measured it, I started walking 3 to 5 miles a day and watched what I ate. I was riding a walmart mtb until it broke and now I have a Lemond Tourmalet, I started riding the bike because my knees were hurting walking so much, but Glucosime has helped and now I still walk about 3 miles a day plus riding at least 10-15 miles a day. I feel like riding a bike with proper diet and excercise is sort of like a fountain of youth....I feel great now.

TrailRider

My last "treadmill stress test" at age 53 showed a marked increase in fitness from the previous test at age 48, 5 years previous. And that was from daily recreational walking. I bought a bike in April, joined a bike touring club and have been pushing myself more than I ever have. At age 56 I can't wait for my next stress test at the end of the summer!

I may not be a 20 something anymore but I welcome the challenge of seeing just how good I can get!

p8rider

Stronger, NO, but in better shape, YES!!

JavaMan

Glad to see so many of us in better shape than before! Any more?

glassman and TrailRider:
I don't walk much myself, but daily walking seems to be an underrated and powerful way to get into better shape. What could be easier than walking?

Seems like walking frequently leads to cycling - why is that, I wonder? Is it the "Need for Speed"?

rule

Ha

Haha

Hahaahaaahaaaahaaaaa


Err, sorry.

glassman

You do have a point, I bought the Garmin 201 to measure miles I was walking, I did get up to 5-7 miles a day then started cycling. Mainly becausse my knees were hurting a little, I started taking Glocosime and cycling and now do a couple of miles a day walking with no pain. Walking is definately good for me but I rack up more miles on my watch cycling...

bridgestone9

I turned 50 this year been riding recreationally for a few years , def in better shape now then say 39 when I was a lot heavier , no exercise, tired all the time, now I'm type 2 diabetic, but I watch what I eat a little closer and exercise and even though I still have borderline high blood pressure, I feel a lot better and can keep up with guys half my age on long rides.

stapfam

Definitely in better shape at 58 than I was at 50 even. Only one reason for that and that is I enjoy my cycling. Even that has changed over the years because the endurance type of riding has come in, and that does take fitness. Those Sunday rides are augmented with gym work now, as I am finding it harder to retain my fitness with just a gentle 30 miler on Sundays.

Litespeed

Not having ridden before the age of 45, I know I'm getting stronger. I can now beat other ladies up the hills and some guys too. I keep working to make myself stronger and can really see an improvement, especially when I couldn't make a hill before and now I can--big ego trip for me I'm now 53 and hope I can go until I die on my bike.

greywolf

no

greywolf

Yup , every day above ground is a good one !

1000 oaks

I'm 52. Seriously, commuting every day has turned my health around. I haven't been in this good shape since my early 20s.

bernmart

I wish I could feel the same way. I think it has something to do with keeping up lifetime sports, like cycling, which we begin in our youth. In my case I was a couch potato (except for, and perhaps because of, my army service) until my late 30s. Then I started running, backpacking, and cycling. For a lot of reasons, including a serious climbing accident, I let go of all three sports and got out of shape in my late 40s and 50s. Now in my mid 60s I've taken up backpacking and cycling again. I love both activities, but conditioning is coming VERY slowly!! (See my relevant thread "Those Damned Hills").

glassman

I like to ride in the evening, 7:15 til 8:15 or close enough, I always eat a little something before I ride and as I sit there, I sometimes think about just skipping the ride and doing some work I need to do but then I get up and go and I feel great when I get back and wonder what was I thinking about when I thought I might skip the ride, work comes 2nd to my cycling....LOL