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Not to belabor this subject too much, but this is one reason why I no longer enjoy going on those big week-long bike tours where you camp out as a group every night. I really hate having to get semi-dressed to crawl out of a tent at 3AM with a flashlight and stumble (literally) through the tent city to get to the nearest porta-john, not to mention if it's raining. I did my first small-group "catered" tour last June where we stayed in hotels and B&Bs along the route; it was like heaven to know there was a soft bed and a private bathroom with a hot shower waiting at the end of every long day!
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Doug
See going first class has its rewards. It only hurts your wallet. |
Last Wednesday I turned 65. Two days before that I did a 300K ride. That is 188 miles of riding. I had a ball and am looking forward to many more miles on the bike!!
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Originally Posted by DougG
(Post 15492968)
Not to belabor this subject too much, but this is one reason why I no longer enjoy going on those big week-long bike tours where you camp out as a group every night. I really hate having to get semi-dressed to crawl out of a tent at 3AM with a flashlight and stumble (literally) through the tent city to get to the nearest porta-john, not to mention if it's raining. I did my first small-group "catered" tour last June where we stayed in hotels and B&Bs along the route; it was like heaven to know there was a soft bed and a private bathroom with a hot shower waiting at the end of every long day!
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Originally Posted by bwrench
(Post 15558147)
Last Wednesday I turned 65. Two days before that I did a 300K ride. That is 188 miles of riding. I had a ball and am looking forward to many more miles on the bike!!
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Spring finally arrived here this weekend, with a glorious day yesterday (Saturday). My wife and I went for a long ride on our favorite rail-trail and had never seen it so busy with cyclists, especially out in the more rural section of the trail. Riders of all sorts, from the most casual to the tri-athletes and paceliners.
My wife also commented on how many younger riders there were, by which she meant people in their 30s and 40s. Then I reminded her that we usually prefer riding that route on weekdays and that's why we're used to seeing mostly "older" riders all the time! Gotta get those kids back to work to pay my Social Security and Medicare! :rolleyes: |
I'm whipped, but I do this every year: when the warm weather (finally) hits, I feel like I have to be outside doing something any time the sun is shining, and it's wearing me out! I'll run in the early morning, do some yardwork in the late morning, then go for a bike ride in the afternoon. In the evenings, assuming we didn't ride together in the afternoon, my wife wants me to join her for a casual ride or brisk walk.
It's almost a relief when June gets here and it's too hot to do so much. Anyone else prone to this behavior? (Those of you living in areas with year-round mild weather need not reply!) |
Week-long bike tours
Originally Posted by DougG
(Post 15492968)
Not to belabor this subject too much, but this is one reason why I no longer enjoy going on those big week-long bike tours where you camp out as a group every night. I really hate having to get semi-dressed to crawl out of a tent at 3AM with a flashlight and stumble (literally) through the tent city to get to the nearest porta-john, not to mention if it's raining. I did my first small-group "catered" tour last June where we stayed in hotels and B&Bs along the route; it was like heaven to know there was a soft bed and a private bathroom with a hot shower waiting at the end of every long day!
I completely understand your reluctance to get up in the middle of the night to visit one of the outhouses on those week-long bike tours. The urge seems to come more often as we get older and that doesn't help when you're trying to restore your body after pounding the pedals for 80 miles or so the day before. I live for those weeks of biking across states. I try to do 3 or 4 every year. Usually 2 or 3 new states and 1 or 2 revisits to states that I liked. Camping is my preference way above all others as I have enjoyed meeting new friends and shooting the breeze at the campsite until we hit the sack early. I'm 70 and need to hit the hay around sunset. To solve the problem of getting up in the middle of the night to walk to the outhouse, I bring along a collapsible 1 liter soda bottle (wide-mouthed ;o)) and pee in the bottle. At least 2 or 3 times a night this works for me and I haven't come near to filling the container yet. Of course, extra care is followed to prevent overflow or spilling. In the morning when I begin striking my tent, I carry the bottle to the outhouse (usually before daylight) and empty it. It's not a perfect way to solve the problem, but it works for me. Next month, I ride BAK, Bike Across Kansas. In July, RAGBRAI and in the fall, CNC, Cycle North Carolina. I've already done the Orange Blossom Express (Biking in Florida around the Tampa - Orlando area. In between, I have fantastic biking area in upstate New York. As I sit and write this, it is warmer in Rome, NY than it is in Dallas Texas. Go figure! Anyway, enjoy you're Golden Years and keep biking. It keeps arthritis away! LOL :thumb: Ed |
Originally Posted by eghaley
(Post 15593580)
DougG:
I live for those weeks of biking across states. I try to do 3 or 4 every year. Usually 2 or 3 new states and 1 or 2 revisits to states that I liked. Next week I'm going on a small group tour from the Road Scholar catalog (formerly Elder Hostel), riding most of the way across Missouri on the KATY Trail. I'll post a trip report when I get back (and I hope the weather improves for it). |
Thanks for the heads up on the Michigan Shoreline West. I did some biking along the Lake Huron shore in Michigan while sailing up the coast - sort of used the bike for some exercise and getting supplies. Enough to show me the beauty of Michigan. I'll have to add Michigan to my bucket list.
Over the years I've had to modify my quest for 'cross state rides and also include rides with at least a weeks cycling, such as Bike Florida, that don't necessarily travel across the state horizontally or vertically. I may have to ride across these state using my Bob trailer if there is no organized tour. That's the next step, no pun intended, of 'cross state travels. The only negative I have found in riding different tours, if one can actually say a negative exists, is not being able to ride again with the great friends I meet on every ride. And I mean some truly great people as well. If I dwell on the great people I haven't met yet on future rides, I look forward to new tours. |
I think I'm in too. 70 this year. But I'll leave if all we talk about is our infirmities. I belonged to an RV club in a retirement area & all they talked about was their operations. It was like they were just waiting in line for a dirt suit! More to life than that! Ride long, ride often and ride hard. If you can't do that, then work on your ride(s). If you don't, it will be tooooo late.
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Looking for opinions. 68yrs young M, getting in better shape. My problem is i have short legs compared to my torso. I've cheaped out buying mountain bikes off the rack because they give me standover height. But, they've never really fit me right and I probably could have bought a couple of custom frames for what I've spent over the years. I've decided to bite the bullet and have a custom frame built. I'm considering a road bike but I've never ridden in the aero position and am concerned about the effect on my back. Should I be? I've had back problems off and on and I've been told "you'll kill your back" and "it will help your back" Confused :twitchy:
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Originally Posted by eghaley
(Post 15593580)
DougG:
I live for those weeks of biking across states. :thumb: Ed RAGBRAI is on the B' List...and it need checking off. :-) |
H1 Phtom8k
Some thoughts: 1. I have VERY short legs - a 6 foot body (well, it used to be) and I wear a 29inch inseam on my pants. 73.5 years old here. 2. Standover height is HIGHLY overrated. Of all the bike fit dimensions, it is the very least important. I ride two road bikes with very little SOH, and all my parts are still with me. 3. You might consider a compact frame with a sloping top tube. 4. As far as the back - it depends onthe back. I was going through terrible back pain a couple of years ago and the only thing that helped - and was approved by the back doctor - was the leaning forward on the road bike as it stretchend out those hurting discs, etc. It really helped. An upright position, for me, simply put all thos vertebrae in alignment waiting to be further damaged by bounces and weight, etc. However, YMMV. Depends on the problem I finally solved mine with an L-4;L-5 fusion. 5. Nothing wrong with a custom bike - that would be great and go for it. If you are going to have back surgery, you might want to wait.
Originally Posted by Photom8kr
(Post 15619678)
Looking for opinions. 68yrs young M, getting in better shape. My problem is i have short legs compared to my torso. I've cheaped out buying mountain bikes off the rack because they give me standover height. But, they've never really fit me right and I probably could have bought a couple of custom frames for what I've spent over the years. I've decided to bite the bullet and have a custom frame built. I'm considering a road bike but I've never ridden in the aero position and am concerned about the effect on my back. Should I be? I've had back problems off and on and I've been told "you'll kill your back" and "it will help your back" Confused :twitchy:
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Comprehensive Fitness for the 70+'r
I have been into a comprehensive fitness program for many years, and am curious as to how many of you are also?
In addition to bicycling (road and mountain biking) 100+ miles per week, I participate in the following activities: Swimming - about 4 hours per week Walking - several miles per week (my body will not allow me to run) Resistance exercises - a whole mess of varied resistance exercises emphasizing the core, upper body - TRX, weights, elastic bands, bridges, exercise ball stuff, etc. Balance exercises using a BOSU ball, balance discs, balance board. Inversion table Prescribed stretching for some Achilles Tendon problems, ITB tightness, hip tightness. Nutrition - lots and lots of fresh fruit, little red meat and fats (although I do cheat now and then), veggies. OK, how about you other 70+'rs? Or even some 65+'rs. |
Originally Posted by DnvrFox
(Post 15622276)
H1 Phtom8k
Some thoughts: |
Originally Posted by Photom8kr
(Post 15619678)
I'm considering a road bike but I've never ridden in the aero position and am concerned about the effect on my back. Should I be? I've had back problems off and on and I've been told "you'll kill your back" and "it will help your back" Confused :twitchy:
I ride from 1000 to 2000 miles each summer on week-long tours (RAGBRAI, CNC, BRAN, CNC, etc) and probably no more that 500 miles to train. In addition, there are plenty of nice areas where I live to spend a morning or afternoon. In all my rides, my back has never been an issue. Stiff in the morning a bit but after 10 -20 minutes, all is well. I also have 2 artificial knees and these make me slow on hills unless I stand and pedal. Figure out what's good for you and get out and ride. It could be the start of a new life. :) |
Originally Posted by eghaley
(Post 15625230)
Figure out what's good for you and get out and ride. It could be the start of a new life. :) |
Well, I guess I'm legal now. Turned 65 two weeks ago tomorrow. Did 25 miles today in triple digit humidity I think. Rode my Trek 930 I've converted to a commuter.
Sitting out with my dogs unwinding from a rough week and fighting off the Mosquitos after all this rain. By the grace of God I'm still kicking pretty well save a bad right knee but as long as I don't do too much climbing it's not too bad. |
2 Attachment(s)
Had a bit of a health scare a month ago, when my PSA levels were up and the urologist felt a lump on my prostate. So they did a biopsy and fortunately it's just BPH, so I had to celebrate by buying my first ever titanium frame bike, a Salsa Colossal Ti. I'll be 67 in two weeks, so it's an early birthday present.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322838http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322839 |
Enjoy the Salsa. Ti is awesome. :beer:
My 12 year old Litespeed (Ti) is getting to be a bit heavy for me when I'm riding hills. Not as fast as my Felt (CF). Maybe I just need to HTFU. :rolleyes: |
Originally Posted by RonH
(Post 15733792)
My 12 year old Litespeed (Ti) is getting to be a bit heavy for me when I'm riding hills. Not as fast as my Felt (CF). Maybe I just need to HTFU. :rolleyes:
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Its not the gears. We weighed the bike the other day at the bike shop -- 20.5 pounds without the pump and seat pack. I think the Felt weighs about 14 pounds.;)
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Originally Posted by RonH
(Post 15735331)
Its not the gears. We weighed the bike the other day at the bike shop -- 20.5 pounds without the pump and seat pack. I think the Felt weighs about 14 pounds.;)
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69er checking in. I love this idea and the 50+ forum doesn't need to worry. We can post in both. I'm glad to see so many that are over 65. For a long time, I thought I was the only "ancient" person the city who rode a bike because "I want to, not because I have to." Call me ancient if you like, but I'll be riding to 100 years old or older.
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Originally Posted by Artmo
(Post 15559263)
You and I are of the same opinion. I can't think of anything worse than a)camping and b) camping in a crowded field, and all that you describe, after a long bike ride c) repeating b).
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Originally Posted by Mojo Slim
(Post 7072111)
If you old guys only post here, then we young guys won't be able to benefit from your "wisdom" without lurking, and that seems so dishonest, somehow.
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Originally Posted by Catweazle
(Post 7108409)
Yeah, you're right. Thread kinda looks like a wall filled with graffiti tags sprayed on by wobbly old geezers propped up on walking sticks, doesn't it? So no worries. I'll see if I can help! :D
It was my old dad you see! Gettin' on into his 80s now, and facing a medical for license renewal later in the year. Gettin' a bit concerned and depressed about it all, too, cause even though he can see what's going on around him when he's driving he can't read those ridiculous little little "Stand ten feet away and read the fifth line" thingumibobs! Of course, being the kind and concerned son that I am I addressed his fears, and sought to allay them a bit. "Guess you'll be riding a treadlie up and down to the shop, then?" He gave a bit of a "Hrrmmmpphh!" to that, as I expected he would. But a few days later I saw him wheel one of the bikes out of the shed and sneak around and up the drive with it, so I wandered out. I got around the front of the house only to see him pedal a few yards, wobble all over the place, and then stagger half way across the yard, red in the face, trying to get off the thing. "I can't bloody ride that thing! Face facts! I'm past it and I'm useless and ....." The muttering kept going all the way back up the driveway and into the shed. The face was gettin' kinda redder too. He wasn't really in a mood for conversation at that point in time, so I muttered over the top of his mutterings to say "Ya know, if it strikes ya fancy to try that again sometime I reckon you oughta let me know. I reckon that seat is a bit too high for ya, and I might have to drop it down so's you can ride the thing!" Later that day, after Mrs CW and I returned from a visit to our son's house, I saw him wander in to chat with her. "I'm not gonna tell him" I could overhear him saying "but I tried ring that bike while you were out and it was a bloody disaster! Fell arse over head in the driveway and it hurt so much it took me half an hour to get up again." I didn't say anything, on account of how he was whispering so loud and not wanting me to hear, but I had a chat with my son about it the next day. Shortly afterwards the old bloke wandered in, only to have his grandson say "You know, old bloke, there's about half a dozen old chooks in town who ride adult sized trikes and cart baskets around on them for the shopping!" My goodness! THAT sure sparked another red-faced muttering spasm episode! I'm kinda expecting him, sometime in the near future, to have a chat about lowering that bike seat down :) |
Originally Posted by zonatandem
(Post 7214876)
OK, the old guys are mouthin' off . . .
How many ladies out there (asides from Mrs. D'Fox and K/zonatandem) are willing to fess up to be more than 65 years 'young' and still pedalin'? |
Originally Posted by Jaxbike
(Post 7435600)
I qualify as a 66 year old. Don't feel that I have much to contribute to these forums but I sure have enjoyed reading the 50+ forum in the last two years.
I've been cycling for over 35 years and it is the biggest factor in maintaining my physical and mental health at levels that make me feel far younger than my years. I don't worry about equipment, techniques, clothing etc. anymore, just about getting out there and improving my fitness level on a continuing basis. I'm sure most of us at this age would agree that health and fitness, along with the fun of being out there are the biggest reasons we've stayed on the bike when far too many of our friends have become "couch potatoes". Agreed. My doctor can't believe that I'm 69 and do at least 20 miles (maintenance miles) per day. If I had the time, it would be longer miles. He also tells me that he can 't believe that I don't take any medications at all and that I'm the healthiest senior he's ever met. Cycling, I'm certain, had a lot to do with that. |
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