realway

I spend a lot of time lurking in this over 50's group and wonder if there are any other geriatrics like myself who enjoy some time on their push bike. I currently am riding a new Shogun Mach 2 with a few extras such as clipless pedals, a Sigma cadence reading computer and so forth. I live in Port Stephens which is about 50 kms north of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. Mainly local rides but have just started a bike riding group with our local Rotary Club. Average age of our members is over 65 and we were hoping that, rather than start a recruiting drive for new members, we may be able to cause a few of our current fellows to live a little longer!

I had heart surgery about 15 years ago and am currently on lipex blood pressure pills and a statin for cholesterol but have cut the dose of the latter back considerably due to leg pain which was not related to bike riding. I found that the exercise is keeping my LDL's down anyway.

I am trying to ride at least 100 kms per week at the moment and hope to increase this to around 150 by the end of the year. I am 6'2" and weigh about 94 kilos. Used to be a farmer and then a Real Estate Agent, now retired and spend my time cycling, sailing and fishing!

Hope to hear from a few fellow over 70's

Cheers

John.

maddmaxx 

I was told to "never trust anyone over 70". But that was back when they were over 30.........

DnvrFox

My wife, a forum member (but rare participant is) 70.5

I'm only 68.5

She married a younger man.

tlc20010

Well, I am a whole lot closer to 70 than I am to 50...... But still can keep up with the kids in the 50+ group on those weekend rides.

abqhudson

I'm 70 and try to ride daily M-F: usually 150 - 200 miles a week when the weather permits. Being outdoors in the sun seems to provide medicinal qualities. Going to ride the KATY trail in Missouri next week (weather permitting). As you can see, I'm a fair weather rider - don't like to ride in high winds or rain.

Jim

10 Wheels

I am 66 rode 371 miles last week.
75 miles Tuesday. Going for 75 miles on Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
Get used to the wind.

gcottay

70's are great.

Yes, we finally made there today and the riding was great even with 35 mph winds. There's a cold front predicted, but the 70's were great while they lasted.

zonatandem

Septegenarians unite!
Ages 75/73. Ride 100 miles week as a duo
Move it or loose it!
Growin' old is not for sissies!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

realway

Fantastic!! Who is the pilot?

zonatandem

The old dude with the beard . . .
Stoker is the little gal; she's the afterburner!
Been riding 'in tandem' for 33+ years and have covered 200,000+ miles TWOgether (5 zeroes after that number 2 is correct).
Not as fast as we used to be and don't do centuries and real tough climbs any more, but we're out there at 5 days a week on that twicer. Oh, we're both cancer survivors: She: 5 years, he: 3 years.
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

ollo_ollo

I'm closing in on 68 myself, just how much over 70 are you realway?

Metric Man

I rember the 70's. A lot of pot smoking and disco as I recall, but its kinda vauge.

alicestrong

I revere and aspire to emulate our 70+ members...

Deanster04

I ride in a Sunday group where there are a few riders in their 70s. They are a pretty hearty bunch and are able to ride the "hills" here in Boulder, CO.
I am 64 and have been riding since 1955 without any major brakes. When I meet older riders it reassures me that if I stay healthy and ride safely I should be able to ride to the grave...none too soon I hope. Keep riding!!!

DnvrFox

That must be really tough going down Flagstaff Mountain! WOW! Bet you get going really fast.

Cone Wrench

Uh..I think you mean not too soon. Big difference.

And if you want it to be not to soon, you'd better invest in some brakes.

Terex

A guy in our club is 84. He rides 5-6 days a week, and typically does about 15K mi per year. He doesn't go real fast anymore, but he can sure climb! One ride I did with him last year was 40 mi, 3500 ft climbing, and avg of a little over 13 mph. He's a retired chemical engineer.

deraltekluge

There's a saying..."If you remember them, you didn't live them."

deraltekluge

Or was that the 60's? I forget...

Metric Man

stonooka

Hi,

I started biking for the first time, since I was a kid, at age 78. Rode a vintage (1990 ish) lugged steel cross bike the first year with 700C X 28 tires. Made new wheels with narrower Mavic rims and 700x 23 tires and installed a 7 speed 13-34 cog set for the 2nd year of biking.

The cross bike weighs 28 lbs with water bottles and under seat wedge. I was able to climb long 5% grades at 9 mph during the 2nd year on 15-20 mile routes . But just barely able to make 10% grade routes. ( I live in a great road biking area with lots of great hills to choose from-South Bay near Saratoga and Los Gatos, California)

This year I purchased a cheap (Performance) aluminum road frame and transferred the drive train from the cross bike. The road frame has a carbon fork with very little trail so the bike is highly maneuverable. I enjoy the carbon fork, but tuning in the drop bar height and reach with the integrated head set means experimenting with various stems (was much easier with the old quill set-up).The bike weighs 22 lbs with water bottles and seat wedge. I really notice the 5 pound difference from the cross bike and my average flat cruising speed went from 15 mph to 18-20 mph. The 5% grade routes are much easier and faster and am waiting for warmer weather to try the 10% grade routes with this bike. I just turned age 80.

I can only bike 50 to 100 miles per week because I do all the domestic chores including shopping, cooking, house cleaning, gardening, home maintenance, etc for my wife and myself.

Cheers,
st

Catweazle

There are several 70+ folk in mu Sunday riding group too.

They are wonderful people, and I very much enjoy their company during slower portions of the ride. I'm sincerely looking forward to the day when I can keep up with them for the entire ride!

realway

Hi Ollo,

To be exact I am 70 years and 9.5 months, birthday in July unfortunately. I suppose the fact that I spent 25 years as a farmer, breathing all that fresh air and fertilizer dust has kept me young!!!

Cheers

John

w2brdbkr

I am very impressed with all the older riders there are. I'm not even close, but like my Grandma used to tell me; the older you get the faster time flies so I'm pretty sure it will sneak up on my quicker then I want but it is good to know I do have a chance of riding for a long time if I want to.

waldowales

Talk to me in a couple of years. I'm a mere child of 68.