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Originally Posted by Ronno6
(Post 20499155)
I am returning to cycling after about 17 months off due to inj8ury and laziness..
I am 66 tears old, 6'4", and weigh a plump 262#.. I pulled a hamstring in March 2017, followed by a sprained ankle in early April. When I went for a couple of short rides (22 and 16 miles) in early July 2017, my right knee started to hurt rather badly. I had the Big 4: torn meniscus. arthritis, Baker cyst and bursitis. Went for PT before getting injected. 3 Rooster comb shots and many months later, my knee is not perfect, but does not seem to be irritated by "riding." I use quotes because what I am doing now is a far cry from what I had been doing. I have done 5 rides this week, 8 miles each, and have averaged between 13 and 14mph. I try to avoid hills in the beginning, but will gradually feed them into the mix as my abilities return. Upper body fatigue, as always after a layoff, is my first hurdle. Saddle soreness also noticeable. I am trying to keep from overdoing things, but it is difficult not to be discouraged. I plan on increasing the mileage slowly, and ramping up the intensity....slowly, figuring that I need to establish and enhance my basic fitness before worrying too much about weight loss. does this sound reasonable, or should I be riding more (or, less...???) I've been getting back to riding but am being very careful about it. I've had some foot pain and some back pain this week, so I'll probably take it easy and go bass fishing and/or kayaking. It's a little discouraging, but one must make concessions to the aging process. Here in Louisville we are very fortunate to have the Parklands development. 19 miles of lovely bike paths free of cars. There is a 7 mile stretch right in the middle that is pretty flat so that's where I usually go. |
Progress is slow but sure (slow!)
Originally Posted by Dudelsack
(Post 20505542)
I appreciate this post.
I've been getting back to riding but am being very careful about it. I've had some foot pain and some back pain this week, so I'll probably take it easy and go bass fishing and/or kayaking. It's a little discouraging, but one must make concessions to the aging process. Here in Louisville we are very fortunate to have the Parklands development. 19 miles of lovely bike paths free of cars. There is a 7 mile stretch right in the middle that is pretty flat so that's where I usually go. Keep it up,Doodelsack !! I did 5rides 8 miles each last week. Took Saturday off. A "brisk" 8miles on Sunday (14.5 avg.....yeah, "brisk") I embarked on what I thought to be a 10 mile loop with a couple of hills on Manday. What a mistake! Couple of hills, no problem. But, several long grades that wore on me but good.............actually had to stop 2x in order to get my breath! Today I rode with my old riding buddy Sambo and his wife Miss Penny. I'm glad she came along cuz it kept the pace manageable. 9 miles with a couple of hills. Felt way better than yesterday. Tomorrow we'll stretch the distance some but keep things flatter. Upper body fatigue is abating, so maybe the muscle tone is returning in that region. |
Foot Care
I never had a problem with my feet until I had a blister on the underside of my foot. I didn't give it much thought, except to keep the area clean after the blister burst.
Long story short, the following episode started in March of this year. My foot ulcer has just started to heal after many visits to a foot doctor and wearing a protective boot. It all started with wearing the wrong type of sock which irritated my foot, specifically compression socks. I'm sure my age of 80 had a large part to do with the problem. But keep an eye out for any foot problems as they may happen. |
Originally Posted by CrazyIvan
(Post 20509478)
But keep an eye out for any foot problems as they may happen.
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After a couple weeks of short rides totaling maybe 100 miles, my knee decided to let me know that I am taking things too fast.
Time to scale back the efforts and rest more. |
Left knee has been a problem this year, but last year's saddle sore was not. Doc says MRI says, 'It's worn out.' But luckily, the pain is way less than would justify surgery, IMO.
Last week I noticed my natural foot placement was about a half inch from the inside edge of my pedals, so I ordered some pedal extenders. Last week I also noticed my saddle was pointing NNW instead of N, and I remembered I had done that to reduce pressure on the sore. No sore, so I swiveled it back so it was straight. I did this about 8 miles into what became a 22 mile ride. I rode a lot stronger after the change than before it ... and my symptoms changed. Now my right knee hurts a bit while riding. My left knee, which previously hurt only on the bike, now hurt off the bike, too, sometimes. And the sore started coming back. But, hell, I rode stronger. Install the pedal extenders. Cue the Body Glide. Cue the ibuprofen before the ride. Cue ice after the ride. Cue the PT. Wish me luck. |
The routine I've adopted works out to 2-1/3 outdoor rides/week--i.e., a ride in the wild followed by 2 days of recovery (just light spinning on a trainer, just to keep the legs going). I cannot necessarily recommend it over allowing 3 days of recovery but, I do like getting out more.
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Originally Posted by McBTC
(Post 20514363)
The routine I've adopted works out to 2-1/3 outdoor rides/week--i.e., a ride in the wild followed by 2 days of recovery (just light spinning on a trainer, just to keep the legs going). I cannot necessarily recommend it over allowing 3 days of recovery but, I do like getting out more.
I firmly believe the rest periods make make me a better/safer cyclist. So many 55+ friends have crashed this summer, it makes me want to embrace this sport with greater caution and more situational awareness. I expect to cycle well into my 80s (knock on wood), even if it has to be gently. |
Originally Posted by RonH
(Post 20449296)
Wildwood, where is your helmet?
Oh yeah! There it is. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a8104e4de.jpeg |
I rode 2 weeks and my knee began to twinge a bit.
Took 3 days off. Rode 2 days, 21 miles total. Today my knee is a bit stiff.............. I am uncertain as to the future of my cycling........... |
Originally Posted by Ronno6
(Post 20522039)
I rode 2 weeks and my knee began to twinge a bit.
Took 3 days off. Rode 2 days, 21 miles total. Today my knee is a bit stiff.............. I am uncertain as to the future of my cycling........... |
Well as of last Saturday I qualified to be part of this illustratious group. Geez 65 where did all the time go. On another note a friend of 30years called to wish me a happy 70th birthday. While I want to get there please don’t rush me. |
Originally Posted by justtrying
(Post 20527473)
Well as of last Saturday I qualified to be part of this illustratious group. Geez 65 where did all the time go. On another note a friend of 30years called to wish me a happy 70th birthday. While I want to get there please don’t rush me. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5980638162.png Happy Birthday... |
Originally Posted by Ronno6
(Post 20522039)
I rode 2 weeks and my knee began to twinge a bit.
Took 3 days off. Rode 2 days, 21 miles total. Today my knee is a bit stiff.............. I am uncertain as to the future of my cycling........... |
Originally Posted by Greenhil
(Post 20528026)
You rode every day for 2 weeks before you took a break? Then I rode 5 more 8-12 mile rides in a row, then took 3 days off. Then 2 rides, 10 miles each, and have been off since Tuesday.5 days now. I don't think that riding is bothering my knee as much as the yardwork I've been doing........... |
That’s not a bad idea thanks👍 |
I'm new to the forum but, an oldie which places me in this thread. Came back to two wheelin' a few years ago when a stress fx in my rt femur shelved my running obsession for 10 weeks. Thought I would perish without my preferred form of physical abuse but, found I could go harder and longer in the saddle and now limit my running( jogging) to under 10 miles@ week. Have noticed a strange paradox this past winter while being a Zwifter. It seemed and the analytics confirmed that I achieved stellar conditioning on my fluid trainer only to drop off once I moved outside. I average 60+@ week outdoors. The warm temps and high humidity have lessened my ability to do 3 workouts @ week, needing 2 days minimum to recover. Not that it really matters anymore but, the longer the summer heat and humidity endure, the harder it becomes to hammer. I guess a return to indoor zwifting and virtual competition will determine the why.
Just given an all clear from the ortho on the knee. Its all good regardless as long as I can delay the surgeon's blade once more. Just pulled the trigger on a Salsa Lumberjack. I figure why not since I now have the time and hope I handle my first crash without too much damage. |
Rode easy 30 miles Saturday with a friend. Sunday went out with older group (age 62 to 73) going 17-18 for 40 miles. Pleased given off bike due to travel for most of past 3 weeks.
Yes 73 YO and recovering from broken hip so all in all very pleased. |
20 miles and heavy winds - imagine 7mph going downhill. To make makes worse wind direction changed when it was time to start return uphill trip.
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20 miles in high heat and pretty high winds for around here. My 2nd ride with a pedal extender on my left pedal, which does, indeed, seem to reduce my knee pain, though I need more experience before declaring victory. I took some new roads which took me over Wilmette's brick streets. No matter where I turned, there were more bricks. Fortunately I remember how I got into the bricks, so I can avoid them in the future. I never want to ride on a brick street again. :)
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Originally Posted by philbob57
(Post 20531642)
20 miles in high heat and pretty high winds for around here. My 2nd ride with a pedal extender on my left pedal, which does, indeed, seem to reduce my knee pain, though I need more experience before declaring victory. I took some new roads which took me over Wilmette's brick streets. No matter where I turned, there were more bricks. Fortunately I remember how I got into the bricks, so I can avoid them in the future. I never want to ride on a brick street again. :)
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LOL! If I had had to do another half-mile on the bricks, I might have forgotten how I got into the maze. Then forget Paris-Roubaix - I'd never be able to ride in Wilmette again.:)
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Boom boom
Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
(Post 6693180)
So how hard can it be to understand?
"You must be 65 + to post on this thread." In other words, "NO BABY BOOMERS ALLOWED" |
With my odometer about to hit 70, I’ve signed up for my first cycling event. I expect I may be the oldest fogey in the 60K leg of the Cabot Ride the Ridges gravel grinder in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom this Sunday. Late-in-life milestones are nice. Maybe I’ll do their 100K next year! |
Originally Posted by Greenhil
(Post 20545547)
With my odometer about to hit 70, I’ve signed up for my first cycling event. I expect I may be the oldest fogey in the 60K leg of the Cabot Ride the Ridges gravel grinder in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom this Sunday. Late-in-life milestones are nice. Maybe I’ll do their 100K next year! |
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