Suspension is not needed, particularly at this price break - the suspension will not be very good.

21 gears will get you where you want to go with no problems.

Just as an interesting comment on being 65, I recently took a 6-day, 300-mile "catered" tour on the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath from near Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. This was a fairly tough route, being all on trails and with the C&O in particular not being particularly smooth (we actually had one day of a mudfest due to overnight rain). I expected most people to be 50+ with myself near the top of the age spread, so was surprised that I was only the 6th-oldest of 12 and there were only 4 people younger than 60!

It does me good to be around so many others in my age bracket who are in such good health and condition to tackle something like this, and everyone went through with flying colors. And I still remember once when we rode up some really steep roads to make a side-trip to Antietam; I thought I was leading the way to the top when the 75-year-old of the group just blew me away! He must have just been on a faster bike...

I was on an ACA Cycle Utah 6 day sagged tour earlier this month with about 75 others and was sort of disappointed that I was the oldest at 74. But earlier in April I toured fully loaded with a 70 and 76 year old in Big Bend. They were on bents though which saved me from being dropped on the hills.

I finally picked up a bike after several failed attempts on CL (sold before I arrived). It's a used Giant Escape 2, which is a low end bike, but good enough to get started on again. It has a few scrapes and scratches, but appears to have few miles on it. I tuned it and it's straight and true. So now the riding begins in 100+ heat.

Over the years I had bought my wife 3 different bikes. I doubt she rode each of them a total of 15 miles before hanging them up in the garage. They were all sold on a garage sale. I ride a Rans bent, and wanted a trike, mainly for my old age (im only 74). I bought it hoping in the meantime my wife might ride it. I was right, she really likes the trike and has ridden it far more than the regular DF bikes. And she continues to ride it. A trike may be the answer, as it gets rid of the fear of falling over. And they are really fun to ride.

On the riding- since I retired I have got into a Cost and fitness regime. If I can fit it in a Knapsack or in my pockets- I will do my "Local" shopping by bike. Will have to get the Beater bike set up with a rack so I can carry more.

No actual rides this week but so far I have done 80 miles on "Shopping" trips. Need screws so down to the hardware shop- needed some hasps and clamps so up to a Farmers- Sundry store to buy them- and many small trips into town for small shops. Only problem is carrying the lock and that is why I say Knapsack. Have a Krooklock and they are bulky but secure.

And this week--Finished the new run and coop for the "New" chickens- Scrubbed the decking round the pool and proofed it- Put the finishing touches to the fence I put up a couple of weeks ago and rehung the gate- And looked at the bike shed to strip it out in preparation for new shelving.

How did I find time for work before I retired?

Hey, 10Wheels, don't despair. I'm 70, up in Austin, and have run the Austin Marathon (as well as a lot of lesser races) for the last seven years. The last two years I didn't finish (got taken to hospital from the 19 mile mark in 2011, learned from that experience to do the sensible thing and convert from Full to Half (which I finished) in 2012. In both cases it was because I went into A.Fib.: I've had that fixed and am training for the marathon again - just today was thinking of entering the Sugarland in November. I shall die miserable if I don't finish a Marathon over 70! In the meantime, I've booked a ticket to Spain in three weeks and will ride Salamanca-Oporto-Santiago-Cap Finisterre-Bilbao-France. I've got 35 days and expect to do at least 1000 miles. A cousin now lives in the south of France, so I can afford to take my own bike (Bianchi Volpe) instead of renting one, as he will keep it for the winter.

A buddy the same age as me is organizing a group to ride the TransAm from Oregon to Virginia next summer - bring 'er on, boys!

Stapfam will appreciate this one. A couple of years ago I rode the Dutch and North German coasts from Amsterdam to Poland on a cheap folder. Flew to Gatwick with it, and decided to ride to London, but didn't have a map. So headed down the main road (A23?), mostly riding on the very poorly-maintained pavement (that's sidewalk to Americans), with no real trouble until I got to Sutton, where a policewoman told me it was illegal and to ride on the road. Fortunately, by that time I was really in London, so the drivers were relatively civilized. The next year (2010) I rented a Brompton in Edinburgh and rode the islands from Arran and Mull through Barra to Lewis, then up through Durness and J.o'G's to Orknew and Shetland. Terrific fun, rain wind and all!

Card me if you wish, I'm 66.
How do I spark interest at the Council on Aging hall. I joined the monthly meetings for men last week. It's going to be a hard sell, I need help.
I can tout the health bennies etc, the spike in positive attitude and the drop in blood pressure. What else?

I would suggest leading a VERY easy ride - 5 miles or less, where you, as leader, stop frequently to let everyone catch up, appreciate the beauty of nature, etc. Start with whomever will join you - 2 to 3 folks, if that is all you can get.

Beyond that

"You can lead a horse . . . . "

End at some social place where you enjoy an ice cream cone or coffee or something similar.

Thanks. I casually mentioned cycling as they stared at my tan. None have been on a bike in 50 years. They just sit around & chat like old men. It was raining that day or I would have ridden the bike there, maybe next time. I'll ride there today to see about bring it in to stir interest.
I inherited this bike from my older sister & become addicted again after 30 years.

Our local senior center (called the "Older Persons Commission") has a weekly 9AM "Ride for Coffee" activity where we just ride up a nearby rail-trail to a favorite place where we can get coffee and a donut. It's all about the company, but it has gradually changed over the past couple of years. Mainly, the newer, slower riders have ridden themselves into shape and now the whole group seems to have picked up the pace.

Although you only have to be 50 to belong to the OPC, this group is all retirees and our ages run from about 62 to 75 or so. Mostly men, although there's one regular woman this year who has also amped up her game over the weeks (we do this from about mid-April to late October).

If you think old, talk old, act old, move old - then you are probably old.
Not ONE person there? - or perhaps a walk to start?

Thanks, DougG. A 'Ride for Coffee' might entice some interest. I have to get them off their keesters. But first they need bikes.
I rode there yesterday to test bringing the bike in. Some old 'receptionist' didn't like it or me. I really don't think I'm old enough for that group. I have never left there better than when I went in, never. The Mens Group meets monthly, next time will be with an antique car show. How can I compete with that? The meetings are less than 90 minutes.

It doesn't sound like that group is your cup of tea. You can't help folks who are OK with where they are.

Most people don't want ANY HELP. Just take care of yourself and enjoy every second of your wonderful life!!

Ok,...HELP! <G>
 

Hey, I'd like some help, I'm just getting fatter and fatter, sitting at a sewing machine or computer all day doesn't help. Neither does the 100F temps.
Here in Texas, it doesn't really cool down much, either.

Gave my couldn't get used to it "comfort" bike to my son, need a suggestion on what kinds/brands of REALLY NOT THAT EXPENSIVE easy to ride, sitting up a bit straighter bikes I could look at. It's been so long since I really rode, I have no idea what's out there.
Oh. I'm also short. (5'5", 30" inseam MAX)......

When I rebuilding bikes for the kids in the neighborhood, it was obvious very quickly that older bikes mostly weren't worth the money I was putting into them, basically cause they were cheap to begin with. I moved a couple of times, don't have most of my tools anyway...sucks...

Take care,
Mary

Oh. I live right where the "Goatneck" ride is here in Texas, those guys riding last week looked a bit hot!

Hi Mary (same name as my EX)
I took a Schwinn Mountain bike, changed to street tires and two bigger chain rings and have used it for a city biker.

Watching Paint dry
 

May be OT but since retirement 4 months ago- I have been working my way through the list of chores and "May" be getting towards the end. Just reproofed the shed and been watching the proofer dry on the shed as it left the brush. Seems that was one job I should not have left till retirement. Just got the shed to re-asphalt- the woodwork on the house to paint- the hedges to cut and I will be finished for this year. Just aswell as several long rides I have to get fit for in October.

But bike riding. Not able to do much at present as My backside seems to be stuck to the armchair in the afternoons as The Olympics are on. Just as well as the weather is not conducive for it right now as it is either sunny- windy or raining in equal proportions of short spells- except for the wind that always seems to be here. But next week and the backside problem will be over as not much cycling after this week--Till "La Vuelta" starts and that is not far away.

Still better get on- as it is not raining- no cycling on the box and I need another tin of proofer to finish the shed. Better get the bike out and go and get some.

Mary

Seems burr has a good idea. Look for a Hybrid or mountain bike without suspension forks and set it up for road use. If on the road most of the time then I would suggest the hybrid route and they are basically a Road bike with straight bars.

May not be available second hand and even mountain bikes without the Bouncy things up front are rare but they are about. Main thing is to get back on a bike and ride. May have to be anything you can get your hands on till the right bike or finances do come along but the point to remember is that the first bike has a very good use behind it. It will tell you what your second bike will be.

We have had four weeks of rain so I put my road bike on my oil trainer in the car port and ride an hour while listening to the baseball game on the computer (+8 utc) or a good book.

My city bike is just great! I just jump on it for anything close if it's not raining!!

NO I CAN'T SEND SOME RAIN OVER THERE!!!

I'm 65 and just started riding last month, after a 15 yr hiatus. My bike is a Specialized Crossroads Elite Low Entry, and I love it!
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=265366

Welcome!!

What a nice thing to START at 65. Most people are figuring out what to STOP at 65. Welcome. My wife will be 75 in November, and she rides, also.

Welcome, Glad you're and post often!!

The woman with the balance problem may want to get her ears checked. That could be the problem.

I was just given an older Trek 1420 and a Schwinn High Plains and have the urge to ride again after many years off of any type bike. I have a couple of things to do to the Trek to get it ready for me and the Schwinn will take a little more work. I ride motorcycles, both street and dirt as my first hobby, and hope riding the bikes will get me in better shape. I'm OK, but could be better. I'm 69 and plan to stay active til I drop. I find this thread interesting and hope to learn some things here.

Tom
NC

Giv'em hell Tom!!

What part of NC you in???

[QUOTE=
What part of NC you in???[/QUOTE]


Burr,

We live in a little town (Pop. 800) on the coast by the name of Oriental. Really flat here, with road surfaces that aren't the greatest for skinny tired bikes, but fun none the less. They have a couple of organized bike rides here once or twice a year that draw a good crowd. A little too high tech for me, but it's good to see people out and about and having fun.

Tom
Oriental, NC

What town is near the Goatneck ride? I think a Trek 7000 might fit your bike needs. Not too pricey and mine serves me well.

It is great fun to find this thread! I am 68 today and started riding again 6 years ago after a car wreck that actually resulted in an improved lower back with 12 weeks of therapy. I'm tapping this out one-handed due to a broken collarbone from dropping my bike at a stop in a stupid Artie Johnson move (c'mon - Laugh In - you guys are old enough). Now, recommending bikes is like recommending a restaurant - it all depends on your taste, budget and preferences on a given day. Gender matters too, since some bike brands are better with women specific bikes than others. It also depends a lot on your LBS unless you are a FRED. I live in a small beach town, so I mostly ride a Cannondale Bad Boy Disc. It looks cool, so the young guys don't diss me, and it rides beautifully for my mostly around town, and fitness rides out to 12-15 miles. But, I've also had a Felt 80 105 and a Cannondale F6 MTB hardtail in the garage.

To get started again, just grab what you can find second-hand as you start out, get fit by riding, experiment with some upgrades, and you'll sort out what you really want.

Okay, now does anyone want to take a shot at giving me a recommendation for a comfortable road bike? ---- Right now I'm rebuilding my house, but I've promised myself a return to a faster bike for my 70th birthday in two years. It has to allow for riding in traffic, mostly without bike lanes, so more time is spent upright than on the drops, and you have to be able to get out of the pedals without thinking about it.

70 this year and bought these. Get your miles up to 10-12000 per year and any road bike will be comfortable. I now ride with half toe clips, no straps.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h.../RedBMC023.jpg

Now have 35,000 miles on my Felt F-80/85

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...s/105Front.jpg