Thanks for your experience with that salve. I use a generic too. I'll try increasing to four times a day. It's a bother to apply and wait for it to dry. But, if it works.
Seeing a specialist in few weeks. He did a knee replacement for my wife, last year. She's doing well. Will see what xrays etc show. And how much cushion is left.

​

Talk'n about the lycra shorts and, etc... y'all remember the first helmets when wearing'm became de rigueur? Just a big foam shell with lycra pulled over it for decorative effect. Old buddy had one of the first 'skid lids' that left a tanned cross on the top of his balding head.

Like this? Leather doesn’t really skid,…well.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c4aa7b9bd.jpeg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f0bf81510f.png
The skid lid apparently was associated with an increase in bicycle injuries...

Lycra over expended polystyrene was seen in second-generation EPS helmets. The first-generation helmets (Bell Biker, MSR) had hard shells (made of Lexan, I believe).

Gen. 1 hardshell bicycle helmets (early to mid 1970s)
 

I landed on my white Bell Biker twice:

• In 1980, I had mounted a 2-cycle engine to my 10-speed. One of its struts came loose and swung into my spokes. I was thrown over the handlebar at about 9 miles per hour, landing on my head and my open right hand. My right thumb suffered a Bennett's fracture, and to this day I can't touch my pinky with my thumb. As for my head, I became nauseated and started to black out. But I didn't.
• In 1981, my folding bike unfolded as I rode. I tumbled sideways, landing on my side and my Bell. This time, I felt no ill effects but bruises.

Skid Lid had a policy: Fill out our accident questionnaire anndcsend us your helmet from the accident (any brand). We'll send you a Skid Lid in you size. So I did. But then on, I wore a skid lid. But I never landed on it.

As a public service, I sent a photocopy of my accident report to five other helmet makers. Not one of them thanked me or even acknowledged my letter.

In 1976, while a medical student on the OBGYN rotation in Augusta, GA and on my way to the hospital, a pickup truck (actually the driver) decided that I was a hippie (breard and shorts) and side swiped me. I took a mean fall with my strap helmet. It was destroyed but my head was not. I did, however, spend some quality time in the OR getting my chin put back together. Anyone who does not wear a helmet IMHO, is nuts. BYW, nice having hair under the helmet...

Oh my, you gotta love a knee cortisone shot, I'm riding like I was 72 again.

Great guest essay on biking as a senior
 

The New York Times has published a heartwarming guest essay by Caroline Paul titled, "My Mother Got a Bike. It Changed Her Life." The mom biked from age 62 to age 80, when she developed Parkinson's.
As a subscriber, I've created an authorized guest link so anyone can read the essay. But as a new member of this forum, I can't share the link. If you're a more established member, please message me so I can share the link with you and you can post it in this thread.

No cortisone, but I like riding like it's 1972 again. I'm 72, too.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5663fc16c8.jpg
1972 PX10

Beautiful, is that a current shot? When I got discharged in 1971 I headed to the shop to get my dream PX-10 but realized tuition $ would not allow and the UO-8 did serve my college days well. If I ever see a mint PX-10 locally for sale I will have too many bikes +1.

This is a recent addition (with only a few miles by me) after reducing by ~ a dozen. Butt,…the frame & fork are so clean… I had to bite on the low price. I need to downsize again, but a desire to ride all the classics has me hogtied. Definitely a French fit, remarkably similar to my AustroDaimler, (tube lengths and frt-ctr), from 1980/81 = easy riding in th hooks. Looking forward to many comparative miles this summer.

current PX10 with only a cleaning and (slightly) better saddle. Needs overhaul + 700c wheelset.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...01220806d.jpeg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fa7ff005a.jpeg
AustroDaimler Olympian (poor man’s Vent Noir, as I let the VN go, :rolleyes:) from yesterday’s ride.

Welcome MarylandUSA. Looking forward to the link. Welcome aboard; you won't be disappointed, if not sometimes a little lost with all the content...

Lowering the gearing on my 3-speed
 

My 3-speed city bike is at my bike mechanic's house. Ever since I had him install flat-resistant tires, my 67-year-old legs have struggled on even moderate hills. The mechanic is replacing a 20-tooth cog with a 22-tooth. He sympathizes: He's 82.

Poolesville looks like an interesting place, near the B&O canal. Do you cycle there? I grew up in Oxon Hill, MD, btw.

Poolesville is a sleepy town with not much for tourists but it lies in the foothills and has lovely countryside. Downtown there is an elementary school across the road from the tractor factory.
You can reach Poolesville from the C&O but there are just small secondary roads from Sycamore Landing to same name road and then follow GPS or get a good map.
I live in Northern Virginia but have done the C&O with some stops along the way. Great fun when camping grounds are open.

I've been bicycling only since August 2023. For now, I just putter around the neighborhood, up to 10K (6.3 miles). I plan to bike along the canal with my DC daughter and son-in-law one day when they visit. That's why I installed flat-resistant tires, the Kenko equivalent of the German Marathon (front) and Marathon Plus (rear).

Kenko or Kenda?

Kenda. Thanks for catching that. Kenko makes lens filters.

Kendas and Marathons are both good choices. You might do a couple of longer rides on relatively flat surfaces to see how you feel. It is easy to get 10 miles up the canal road only to realize that you have to come back down...

Some days……. (ahhhh)
Especially, when it has been some days.
The sounds of frogs says Spring is near.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8115be875.jpeg

A white knuckle but beautiful morning ride.15 miles of ice and black ice highway shoulder.I rode mostly unclipped,anticipating a fall.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...850c6c851.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8bb066b32.jpeg

I'm 70. Still work every day at a 35 year old's job. Don't know how much longer, though. Was quite a cyclist in my younger days. I STILL try to ride a bit every weekend, maybe 12 or 15 miles. Still enjoy being out there in the sunshine with the breeze, shifting gears depending on conditions, talking to people along the way. I like vintage bikes, by my inherent laziness usually makes me choose this ride:
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ebfe3270b4.jpg
An 8 speed rear hub, hydraulic brakes and belt drive.
I call it "Green Beenie". LOL.

I don't think I have posted here before, despite turning 75 a couple of weeks ago. I fast skimmed through the posts to see what older folks are riding and was surprised to see mostly road bikes in the photos. I am thinking of switching from a road bike with a relaxed geometry to a hybrid or comfort bike for a more upright position. Everyone likes to go fast and long but for me long is more important than fast and by long, at this age I mean 10 to 20 miles a day 5 or 6 days a week, but not fast. I am wondering if many older folks are riding hybrids or comfort bikes for rides over a few miles. Is it too difficult to go 10+ miles on a more relaxed bike?

At 73 battling osteoarthritis and enjoying my cortisone shots before a knee replacement I am getting by at the time being with long stems (Nitto Technomic) getting the bars up to at least saddle height. On my more modern titaniums I am changing out stems and handlebars to as short a drop and reach as I can find and some moving the saddle forward. This is allowing for 20 mile rides but I can't bear to do this to my Italians which are not getting ridden.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ef5d5c0ef.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...67b90d21a.jpeg