I think you are on to something. Blaming age related loss of flexibility, core strength, a few extra pounds, etc, won't get me anywhere with my saddles but tinkering with the level might and I love tinkering. Plus I found the level on my phone and it is brilliant.

I'm 77, not far from 78. I know it. I have no problem giving my age when asked. But yesterday I saw 'age 77' on my medical record at a doc's office, and I thought, 'Boy, that's old.'

Bummer.

Why sure, blink twice more and you'll qualify.

My saddle is flat today. Completely. Used to pitch it more.

There's a blast from a decade or so ago.

Took my first ride around the block in my town yesterday. Although I've ridden in the last couple years (not much), it was the first time on these roads, Western RI is very hilly, more up than down I swear! I was passed by a woman on a hybrid bike - twice! Very embarrassing! Just goes to show how much out of condition I've gotten in the last 3 or 4 years. The town I lived in when I was at my peak was pretty hilly as well, but that was 10-15 years ago, so I should expect to be a bit slower even after I get my cycling legs back.


I'll get there, but I might just take my bike to flatter terrain just to have some more enjoyable rides.

Having a one-to-one gear ratio helps...

I am 2 weeks out from starting to recover from my second case of flu in a six week period. Both bouts took a toll, but the second one was 9 straight days of misery. Almost went to the ER a couple of times. We have also had a couple of winter storms and quite a bit of very wet and windy weather. I have had a lot of days off from riding this year. I am not keeping numbers this year, but as near as I can figure, today was about the 38th of 76 days that I did not ride in 2022. Yesterday I did a 17 mile ride and the last 4 miles my legs were feeling worn out. I did keep up a faster pace than I have in quite a while, 15.8 mph.

I

I might not need 1:1 but something better than my '72 Dawes has. (1.5:1). My flatbar bike has a 3rd chainwheel that gets me down to 1.07:1 not that I need it. Given the climbing gears I use, I'd probably be ok with 1.4:1 or so.

If all you need is a 1/15th improvement, more riding might give you the strength you need.

very good point. I'm hoping to build strength and stamina.

Ride more miles, build more strength and stamina. It's almost guaranteed. :)

I am 81 and never thought of myself as old until my right knee got so bad it was making it hard to ride about a year ago. February 10 i had complete knee replacement. I wanted to be back on my bike in one month but bad weather and lack of motivation stoped it from happening. At week five I was using a cane so I just grabbed my 92 Cannondale aired up the flat tires and got on it and rode for 15 minutes. Not much pressure on knee at all. Found many other muscles had gotten week. I still use a cane and my balance is not good so riding slow is more difficult than moving along at a steady pace. Starting up was the hardest part of the ride. Wife Rebecca took pictures on her iPhone but they would not load,odd as i do my iPhone all the time.
Ed. Note i went in and changed the date

[MENTION=97159]EddyR[/MENTION] - I'm impressed.
81 and wanting to get back on the bike.
Be careful.

Would like to solicit information from 65+ riders.

The thread in 50+ about typical power and speed of cyclists lists info that has been discredited by all those responding.
From your personal experience is this Bike Speed by Age chart correct? - Bike Forums
Most commented on their speed, which for my suburban road riding is meaningless from a performance perspective.

Everyone here knows I refrain from collecting&recording data. I have never used a power meter. BUT, my daughter/SiL bought a NordicTrack indoor cycle system. So curiosity got the best of me. How many watts can/do I generate? And what might be my FTP?

3rd time on the NordicTrack, I was confident that the position, saddle, bars, etc were good enough for a 1 hour ride. Having never done a full hour 'power ride', chose to start easy for 20 min (~230watts), then eval & adjust effort. The final result was 248 watts averaged for 20.5 miles. I chose a 2% grade and regulated the resistance to keep cadence between 70-80 for the most part.

At the end, I was sweating and breathing hard but not totally exhausted. So maybe a stronger ride was possible, but not by much. Maybe some carbs instead of just water might help.

How does an FTP of 248 watts over an hour stack up against other 65+ers?

For reference - 70yo, 195 pounds, 35 year cyclist, probably averaging 3000mi/yr over the last 5 years.

I've learned FTP doesn't mean a lot in the general scheme of things...performance riding, Zwift racing, etc.
I'm 66, 5'4", 147lbs...my Zwift FTP is 216 and my max heart rate in a Zwift race this winter was 182.
I've done well in the ZRL/WTRL racing and TTT leagues often beating out riders with much higher FTP.
Fitness and ability depends on a lot of different factors...I climb well but on the flats against larger riders/higher FTP's I have to work harder...typical in such a circumstance but I also TT quite well and that balances out my size/FTP against a bigger rider. While not a great sprinter I can beat others with higher FTP's as well...placing, knowing when to go, etc. as well as a high pain threshold also play a big role. But overall larger, stronger? riders will beat me in a flat out sprint.
It also depends on training. You have to work hard to achieve higher levels of ability with lower levels of exertion...as Greg Lemond says "it hurts just as much but you go faster" which can also mean at a lower level of effort it is easier because of your training. But if you don't push yourself with regularity to achieve higher levels your abilities are diminished and while you may be able to achieve a high w/kg or watts it is generally for a very brief period of time and recovery takes longer thus you lose ground in an event.

While age is a limiting factor, training and determination play a very big role in abilities.
You can stage the situation for numbers...as you state in your comment "The final result was 248 watts averaged for 20.5 miles. I chose a 2% grade and regulated the resistance to keep cadence between 70-80 for the most part." A controlled example compared to say a race where near max efforts for brief periods repeatedly may sap your strength and endurance because your body/mind have not prepared for that type of exertion...compare an ultra distance rider/TT specialist to a track sprinter as an extreme example.
Lastly it depends on what you are trying to achieve. Training to be more fit, strong and efficient is wonderful at any age but at the "seniors" level it is truly wonderful when you compare yourself to others in your generation. I also believe that the increased physical fitness also crosses over the mental fitness...you are improving/increasing your body chemistry meaning you also have to train your mental processes to stay focused on the task which improves/increases mental fitness.

[MENTION=145014]Kai Winters[/MENTION] - 100% agree about ftp being a minimal factor in a racing setting with much elevation change and/or surges in speed. Maggy Bäckstedt only won 1 major UCI race outside his own country. (edit: I could be wrong, but you get the point) Lots of FTP Power, maybe not so much watts/Kg Power.

I'm not a data analyst or racing guy, not seeking a coach. But I can agree the health+mental health benies.

I just wondered Power.
You know .... racing can be more than just about winning in the peloton of life.
There's always the fun bit - for us big guys.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1e70637945.jpg

"Great coffee this morning, made me edgy enough to square it with those wheel-sucking climbers when the road turns UP!"


FTP? Probably, because that's one standard the indoor machine makes easy - and should be decently accurate when measured over an hours' exertion.

Heck, the conditions were not even ideal. :rolleyes: No actual competitor to chase (Hunt the Rabbit syndrome). No nutrition, only water. Not my bike or my saddle, shoes, nor bars. And if the last song had been ZZ Top instead of Elton John, I would certainly have broken 250! :D

edit: About – Big Maggy's Coffee & Bike Shop (bigmaggys.com)

New bike?

edit for clarification:
Give her a new bike.
as opposed to:
Suggest she replace her current bike.

I am 75. I am officially old and ask uncomfortable questions. Why is there a National Guard soldier at the local medical center? There's man with a mask over there, a-tellin me I got to beware. I am not a typical 75-year-old. I can still throw a left hook hard enough to knock out a 200-pound man. I am lean and mean and take no prisoners. I will drop 30-year-olds on the road like a bad habit. That is all.

Good day for ridin with a wool jersey - enough sun for short sleeves!

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...71662c0cf.jpeg
Ride tubularly

I know a lot of people think 75 is old. At 77, I'm not sure I am. The people who I've known who think they're old are in their late 90s and older. Just sayin'....

What I have seen some folks don't do themselves any favors in their youth and these comeback to impact how one feels about aging.

yes i agree I live in a building with some very old people and most think I am in my 50’s because i ride a bike. I must admit i do not look my age. I have always been blessed with a looking much younger than I am. I must admit walking with a cane and still having a lot of pain in the knee does not lead one to thing one is still a active person. Yes I ride but that just seems so easy as I have done it for a long time. There are four large buildings in my apartment complex but I have never seen another rider in four years and most are in there 30’s.

I was riding out your way yesterday. I've ridden all the roads around Locust over the years. Who would have thought there would be all that growth in Locust.....sometimes I'll fight the traffic on Hwy 24/27 and eat lunch at Subway, then pedal down 24/27 to Reed Gold Mine Road past Walmart....when I'm feeling brave!!! Do you ever do the Morrow Mountain Loop from the school?

Most of my ridding in in short hops around my subdivision . I stay off all roads with a lot of traffic. I use to ride Lower rocky river to Locust on 24/27 twice a week and Reed Mine road loop once a month. Did you notice we have a bike shop in Locust now.
Did you ever come buy my place when I was a bike fliper when I lined on Lower RockyRiver rd and sold 700 bikes on CL
EddyR

My experience has been that, keeping to a schedule is best for the long term-- nothing worse than feeling great and upping the frequency only to be laid low by something going haywire as a result of the extra effort and losing a couple of months...

I didn’t know there was a bike shop in Locust. I’ll have to check it out.

I didn’t visit when you were on Lower RR. That’s a lot of flips!

Traffic has picked up everywhere around here. Houses and subdivisions continue to pop up. I still ride from my house but I’m riding with traffic for 5 miles now.

I turned 70 last September, bought a fat tire bike in April 2016. Today I hit 10,000 miles, I ride my neighborhood mostly, 5 miles a day (weather permitting has to be at least 55°).
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4fc2777087.jpg

You don't look a day over 50! I'm jealous! I've been trying to get into a good routine of 5 -7 mlles every other day, but between the New England weather and the hills in every direction, I can't seem to build the momentum.