middle of shins

about 57 years ago, I was very flexible in 5th grade & used to do amazing yoga poses & stretches like bending over backwards with only hands & feet touching the ground
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8c2cba3ca5.png

Nope. Never have and never will. Am i concerned? Nope

Without bending my knees? Oh, hell no.

And like rsbob, never have, never will, and am not the least bit concerned about it.

Sure can. But since both knee replacements I can no longer touch my heels to my butt when I stretch the quads. Not even close with that anymore.

Yes, if I make an appointment. Half a century ago I could put my hands flat on the floor any time I wanted.

Yes, and I'm 85. I don't do any kind of stretching exercises and I've never had to adjust my riding position.

Wow, I hope I am soo "blessed" but I will need to keep stretching which I do enjoy.

Bike fitter told me a couple years ago if I did not start stretching I would not be able to ride in 5 years. So I have been doing a yoga class twice a week for close to two years. That has made a huge difference and I can indeed touch my toes now. I was about 4 inches shy of that when I started.

Yes.
I couldn't until fairly recently, but I can now.

yep, palms flat on the floor as well.
yoga twice weekly and stretching nearly every day.
71.
stem still nearly slammed and same riding position as when i was a lowly cat 3 back in the '90's...if its not broke don't fix it.

No and never have been able. I lack flexibility in the hamstrings and hips. But…killer at squats when pressure is forcing the matter.

same. 57, palms flat. But…been doing it as part of my stretching probably since I was 20.

Only if I bend my knees just a little. Tearing a hamstring almost in two (bad enough that it took a piece of pelvic bone with it) when I was 16 might have something to do with that. At 75 I'm still fairly flexible and exercise regularly. Guess I could try yoga, but I haven't and don't plan to.

the principal thing is the hamstrings and not whether you can touch your toes or not. If you need to bend the knees, then that's ok too. The hamstrings need to stretch but it takes time to develop that condition. Too aggressive and the hamstrings will need remedial care.

Holding the position to feel the hamstrings stretch is the way to develop it. It might take a daily routine to achieve some results. Starting slowly with the duration of stretch, first with a few seconds, then repeat after a rest period and repeat. The duration of the stretch will progressively increase.

Another way, and actually different is the sitting down position on the floor like the yoga people do. Sitting down with trunk of the body at 90 degrees to the legs, then with arms stretched -- then touch your toes. At first it may not touch. This is similar with a rest period and repeats. The added benefit is the back along with the hamstrings.

good advise
I'll add, and reinforce again, the objective is not to touch your toes, it's to create more flexibility - muscles lengthened will be able to contract better over a longer range...
and
it's best/important to keep your back in-line ( a 'straight' back/spine ) and not curve your spine and over-reach, in the attempt to toe touch.
Straight Spine, fold as far as your straight torso will allow, allow the body to tell you how far it will go, THEN RELAX, allow the muscles of the back, the glutes and the hamstrings to relax and they might fold just a bit more....
hold that for some comfortable period.
To help that, keep your neck in line with the spine, keep your eyes/gaze forward and let it move downward at the same amount as you shoulders and upper back.
I do my forward folds with my hands on the tops of my hips - akimbo - then I fold forward and down. It assures I'm focusing on the fold , not reaching for the toes or floor.
Then you can always allow the arms to hang down naturally.
Breathing - Breathe in while standing erect, Exhale slowly to match the forward fold process. Small inhales while folded, with good exhales allow the body to fold just a bit more.
Gently contracting your abdominals as you fold forward and down, is a good thing. This also helps shield the back from being over-exerted/extended.
Whether one has a flat abdomen or any degree of belly, you will always benefit from doing forward folds within a range which takes your current state in mind.
If one has known back/spine or hamstring issues, beyond just being 'too tight', then you, hopefully, already know what you can do and what you shouldn't.
Ride On
Yuri

Yes, at 73 I can still touch my knuckles on the floor. For what it's worth, I have long legs and a short torso--does that make a difference?

No. I've always been tight. I joined the track and cross country teams freshman year in high school. After 6 months of stretching I could finally touch my toes. But after sophomore year I quit and haven't been able to touch my toes for the last 50 years. I'm 64 and on most of my bikes the drop bars are even with the seat, although I usually ride on the hoods.

I have been somewhat more flexible since switching from 3 to four cups a day of coffee to yerba mate, which has some anti-inflammatory benefit. Still can't touch my toes though.

I have a tendency towards flexibility and can still palm the floor easily. OTOH, I tend not to ride drop bars because I ride on trails and prefer to have a swept back grip position available, so I can keep my weight back when needed.

Otto

Around 10 years ago I started a 20 to 30 minute morning routine of exercises including range of motion, stretching, balance and calisthenics that I do 5 or 6 days a week. This includes touching my toes while standing and also when sitting on the floor. After this I often take a 30 minute swim or ride my bike for an hour. With this regimen I have fewer issues with joint pain due to arthritis.

In the university design department 40 years ago it was a known fact, stay up all night and by daybreak one can touch one’s toes.

not recommended but was a given.

Yep. Still quite east to touch toes. Have to be loose and a good day to put palms on the floor now.

same same

My guess is that people who cycle regularly, especially in a riding position that relieves pressure on and gently stretches the lower back, are getting in all the stretching needed. When my back feels tight, going out for a decent bike ride always makes it feel better.

Whether I can or can't touch my toes is irrelevant. Who thought that test up, anyway? Seems pointless and arbitrary to me.

Yes, at 85 at a stretch!

Yes I still can. I can feel the stretch though.