Nice to see a forum for older riders...I guess.

Question: What's different about us older folks versus "younger" bicycling folks?

I ride the same single track, ride the same hills, same roads so I was just wondering whats different in this forum.

Are you in front of them or behind.

Depending how 'older' you are . . .
Am about 50% slower than in my prime and ride about 50% less. Still average 100+ miles a week. BTW am only 76 . . . is that 'older?'

Got any questions about colonoscopies?

I'm mostly even with "them". I ride about as long as anyone else but then I don't have a large group to ride I do find myself testing my past riding against the accumulated data from my GPS. Sometimes I race myself.

I don't know that I had a prime when it comes to riding a bicycle. I never competed, I just liked to ride which is how it is now. I ride off road more now, and find myself plenty capable of hanging with others on the same trails be they younger or older than me but to be honest I don't look at the hills and trails with the idea of beating anyone, I just like to conquer them. I use them as a cardio workout and I admit I dig the rush of a steep uphill, and the decent mixed with rocks, roots, and sometimes just air.

I'm an avid motorcyclist too with some racing and lots of track experience. I never had a problem keeping up there either and in fast surprised lots of guys in the pits when I took my helmet off.

I'm 55, 230-240 lbs depending and 6'1". I've been hitting the gym very regularly for the past 4 yrs and sporadically before that. I don't thank any of this makes me any more special or different than the next guy. I work out so I can do stuff like ride bikes, hike, camp, drink scotch and smoke a cigar once in awhile.

It should be fun for a retired person.

Well one thing that's different here is the level of civility.
Edit: Oh yeah, and welcome.

Who's retired? I still work the same hours I always have.

I tried "retirement" of sorts about 8 yrs ago and its not for me. Not yet anyway.

Why that's easy. The things that they do with strength and skill we accomplish with experience and treachery.

More hair on our legs, less on our head

I think you get a little more focused advice in this forum, with a bit more of a well rounded perspective.

Sometimes the advice in other sub-forums at BF can be a little extreme; here I think the advice is a bit more mindful of "real world" considerations like different styles of riding, budget, time constraints, etc.

Question: What's different about us older folks versus "younger" bicycling folks?
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White beards.

Too funny!

Excellent choice of avatar.

We take our cycling seriously.................and with a dash of bran. Welcome....

We're older than them.

Based on my observation:

• Disagreements are more civil.
• Encouragement is more than a hearty HTFU.
• Questions are more insightful.
• Answers are more thoughtful.

The only other forum on this list that is as consistently pleasant to hang out on is the Clydesdales & Athenas. I don't qualify anymore, but they let me in as a "Clyde Emeritus".

Welcome aboard the 50+ forum. As stated you will find the discourse here to be pretty civilized with a good sense of humor. We range from highly competitive racers to club type riders to solo riders just getting some exercise, and everything you can or cannot imagine in between. The range od knowledge and experience here is vast and everyone seems ready to share with others. I hope you will make your BF home here in the 50+ forum with all of us in the asylum.

Bill

And ears.

EAR HAIR! Gross older guy stuff. Do women get ear hair?

New body parts for some of us, less hair. We also own and know most of the songs on the Woodstock album. I am tie dying a new shirt for riding this fall. I bet the kids out there can't so that!

The OP is about the same size I am, and 5 years younger. I also lift a weight here and there. I am a roadie, not a rock hopper.

I bring this up to show that there are similarities and differences, but very seldom do the cyclists on this site attack each other. Some sites carry on a "free-for-all" with very little civil discourse or intelligence. That gets boring quickly.

If you like it civil, stick around.

By the grace of God, we have been spared ear hair. Although, we are left with the responsibility of finding a way in which we can gently prompt our loved ones to do a little manscaping.

Biggest difference between the 50+ group and the other is the things 50+ folks encounter. Our bodies aren't the same as they were when we were 19, and there are more joint problems, our bodies can take longer to heal, our flexibility us usually different, recovery times are usually longer. Also, as you get older you start to lose muscle mass, which can lead to injuries if you're not aware of that, and you have to work harder to keep up with the younger crowd.

It's pretty relative, if you ride with a bunch of folks who are not used to riding or exercising, you'll be better off than them, but if you were to ride against yourself when you were in your late teens/early 20's, the "Younger" you would be better all around physically.

FTW! Pretty much sums it up. All other comments are superfluous.

not to mention eyebrows, back and nose.

And what about the Viagra discussions...