GrannyGear

I'll pitch in here (despite the fact that I'm new to these forums)......I think 50's should hang together...who else remembers how to care for a leather saddle or is still putting off investing in one of them indexer shifter things.

More seriously, at 57 and somewhat aware of diminished powers, I like to be inspired by my fellow graying road siblings with tales of 5,000 miles a year or recovering from injuries, overcoming expectations, etc. I'm also very willing to learn from those younger twirps...they seem a little more dialed into today's tech (like my son knows the workings of my pc better but has yet to develop an appreciation of poetry!).

Personally, my killer sprint has been lessened, my ability to stay in tall gears has shortened, etc. Still, my long distance endurance is much the same, steady climbing ability (if I don't stupidly blow myself up), and pure pleasure rolls on as before. I also am more sociable to riding partners and less head-down & obsessed.

What I don't want to read is a moan and groan recitation of aches, pains cautions. We need to keep a good sense of reasonable possibilities and not premature boundaries.

I also welcome any tales of picking off some young twirp....either by force or by guile.

Nice to be here!!!

wpflem

It seems to me that the dominant talk within this 50's group centers around achieving a certain cadence, speed, or distance endurance. That's all fine and well and has it's place, but I'm wondering how many in this group ride mostly for simple pleasure and gentle exercise, say going along slowly enough to smell the roses or departing from the home just long on the bike to fetch a pint of milk?

My wife and I often just ride around our neighborhood like when we were children. Those are some of our best days, no big speed, no great endurance, just delight.

DnvrFox

Welcome to the forum.

Well, you need to be aware that some of us DO discuss the effects of aging and the challenges associated with bicycling when certain conditions do affect us. For example we have several folks here who are bicycling on 70% heart output (me and others) due to certain heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation and pace makers, we have folks with diabetes, cancer survivors and hypertension, we have a rider with one leg who is 84 yo, and a variety of other conditions which we discuss regularly, generally trying to figure out how we can reduce the effects of the condition on our bicycling, and/or get rid of or ameliorate the condition.

If this is not of interest to you, you can use the "ignore" button or avoid certain threads.

I am happy that evidently you are 100% healthy, and wish you that continued state. If it ever happens that you might be so unlucky as to wake up with an uncontrollable irregular heart beat, you may desire to get other folks reaction on this forum.

Here is one thread I think you might want to avoid.

Good luck. Have a great day!

DnvrFox

My wife and I also enjoy just peddling around the area. I'm with you on that! I like to go fast, and I like to go slow. I like to ride long and hard and I like to ride short and slow! I like variety.

greywolf

owch Denver ,a bit tetchy today or what ?

DnvrFox

Okay, I toned things down a bit. Hope it reads a bit more positively now.

GrannyGear

DnvrFox,
Yes, it was short-sighted and insensitive of me. Apologies. Cycling at our age level does have many of us with accumulated injuries, conditions, etc. that impinge on riding and force disappointing limitations of the body. Perhaps the fact that people such as yourself and undoubtedly many others here continue to cycle as best they can with either hope for better days or acceptance of what is... perhaps this is a measure of character and commitment. Which makes this an even better place to hang out. In fact, all of us at some point will have to evaluate our cycling and other activities...we're just a tad closer than those above mentioned "twirps". Best wishes for smooth roads ahead of you.

And thanks for sensibly putting me in my place 8-)

DnvrFox

Thanks for your kind and gentlemanly comments.

Have a great ride sometime soon.

capejohn

54 here. I began riding serious again in 2004 after a long career of soccer playing. Now it's biking and racquetball. Both activities are pretty "age neutral" which allows many more opportunites to participate.

Add me proudly to the 50's group.

michaelnel

Hi folks

I'm 55 years old and out of shape. I've been away from cycling for a few years, but was pretty into it a while back. I built a Rivendell Atlantis from the bare frame on up (including building my own wheels), had several recumbents, and a Gunnar Crosshairs I built up from a frame.

Getting back into cycling, I bought a "comfort bike". It's a 2004 Fuji Del Rey. Nice bicycle, and it suits my needs fine for right now. Using parts I've had laying around from previous bikes, I've done several upgrades on it:

1) converted from 8-speed to SRAM 9.0 9 speed
2) Speedplay Frog pedals
3) Brooks B17 Champion Special (green) saddle
4) Thomson Elite seatpost (I hated the stock suspension one)
5) Specialized Nimbus EX Armadillo tires (no flats for me!)

I'm a recreational rider who rides solo for fitness and to lose weight. I ride mostly around SF, but in past lives did some touring / camping trips and would like to again when I get in shape.

Been doing these 10-20 mile rides for about 2 weeks now, and combined with watching what I eat have already lost 8 lbs. I'd like to lose about another 40.

This seems like a great group of folks here, and I hope I can make some useful contributions in addition to asking more than my share of stupid questions.

T-Mar

Hi gang! I just turned 50 to-day. I look forward to a new forum and friends. So is there a secret handshake, password or something?

TysonB

Congratulations T-Mar, on joing the Over 50 forum. The secret we all know, but some won't tell, is that it SUCKS getting older. It's like getting fatter, it's never good! Can have some good times on the way, though. Anyway, don't spend too much time on THIS forum, you've got to stay active on the vintage forum where your knowledge is so useful.

BTW, 3 hrs for the Oly-distance tri next week might be a little optimistic. I did a training tri on the same distance this Sunday and the run was disappointing. Overall 3:17 or so. Not race pace anywhere, but I don't think there is an easy 17 minutes waiting to be lopped off.

What's the saying? "Train your weaknesses and race your strenghs?" If I do that, I'll be out of the water right at 30 minutes and then be knackered for the rest of the race. I could just cruise the swim and get out of the water 4 minutes later wholly refreshed. What do you think?

Also, messed with the saddle height and positioning. HAve raised it a bit and opened up my femur/belly(torso!) angle a bit. Also find pointing the nose of the saddle down more than seems reasonable, has helped with comfort in the aerobars.

Anyway, thanks again for the tips. I'll post after the race if I don't hear from you before. Hope your shop is busy and profitable this riding season, sans undue stress.

Tyson

T-Mar

Overall, yes, but there are some benefits. I've moved up to a new age category and am at the bottom of it, which theoretcal gives me an advantage over the "really old" guys, who are like 53 and 54.

freeranger

I'm 54, my wife is 51, and we both mtn.bike on what nowadays would be considered overweight steel hardtail mtn.bikes. Mine is a GT ('98 chromo with Reynold seat tube) frame and wife's is a Kona chromo ('98 Lava Dome). We both enjoy trails, don't mind climbing, roots, or rocks, though we aren't great "technical" riders. I've thought of trading in my 30 lb! bike, but it keeps me in shape, though the climbs can be fun, with a 28T low gear on the cassette. Maybe someday I'll change to a 30 or 32, but it keeps me in shape.

Pierre Richard

I'm 57- -riding of and on for more than 15yrs- -only in the last 6 years have I gotten a little more serious- -but not hardcore- -40 to 80 miles per week- -rode with a fellow workmate last friday (he's 66) and stayed with me on almost all the hills we went up- -did 22.6 miles- -friday is ride day a work- -started with three- -now have six- -soon two or three more. .no health problems- -no medications- -no doctor- -(last time was for a CDL) 7 years ago- -natural medications- -ride on- -

Owen2

I'm 65 and have started riding for the second time since I was a teenager. Tried riding a diamond frame for several months a few years ago but it was much too painful; so this time I bought the new EZ Tadpole CX recumbent trike which I've found is very comfortable. Put on 150 miles in the first 3 weeks and I'm now trying to ride at least 20 miles every other day--slowly pushing up my average speed and watching my resting blood pressure and pulse slowly drop.

steel_knee

I'm 67 and recently started riding again. 20 Miles a day on a Dahon Speed TR. Never was a racer on a bike, but sailboats was another story.

glassman

I'm 54 and I think its ok to have a 50+ forum. It caught my eye since I am over 50 and decided to look around in here. A lot of people think people over 50 are couch potatoes and here we find people who want to be healthy and enjoy life. I love these forums and this one too.

desertrat30

I am 51, and I think this is a great forum. I have been riding since I was 6. When the kids came there was about 22 years of only recreational rides a few times a month, and an occasional commute. Now, I am back in the saddle again. the way I like it. I have 7100 miles in 2 1/2 years. I ride for fun, and fitness just happens. I mostly ride road / touring, but I love my mountain bike. Occasionally I play on my unicycle, when I have the need to be laughed at by my neighbors.

sirfrancis

Soon to be 56, but I have two young children (I started late). So, I get to bike with them around town and when we go camping. I used to own a bike shop and have been on a bike most of my life (including a short stint on a unicycle).

I have done some cycling in France and have seen the names of the famous racers painted in the roads. I joined the USCF and raced for one year in my 20's.

I never put on any impresive miles but the good health that I enjoy now is probably due in part to my cycling habit.

oldbobcat

Hey, I'm 53 and it'll be a cold day in hell before my handlebar stem is higher than my saddle. I can't stay on the drops as long as I used to, but I'm doing better than I was ten years ago.

hambug

I'm a newbie to the site, but I 49 and 7/8's as I turn 50 this October 18th.

peterjcb

I'm a newbie to the site. I just turned 54 this July and have been a runner on and off throughout my life. In spite of the glucosamine that I've been taking, my knees simply aren't as good as they were 30 years ago. I just bought a mountain bike and have been alternating between biking and running to give my knees a chance to recover in between. However, I just don't get the same workout biking that I do running.
I think that a 50's forum is a good idea. We can have a place where we can all complain about our injuries, discuss different treatments and compare our and healing times.... But PLEASE no discussion about golf.

larryb

hey there,

i'm a mid-50's guy, 4 yr oral cancer survivor. a decade ago, older guys inspired me to race canoes and kayaks. then they got me into biking (nonracing). These fellows are the ones who retire and ride their bikes solo across the US.

am i impressed by young folks going fast? no, they are young.
am i impressed by older folks doing stuff? yes!!

i recall the fellow who was entering the 70 mile General Clinton canoe race in NY. He had done it 10 times solo, starting in his mid 60's. he said that he was trending toward biking because there just were not enough older guys to compete with in paddle sports.

this up coming weekend, a 65 mountain goat from PA will pace me in a metric. i hope i can keep up with him.

so you old folks keep telling the tails of your great exploits.
i need the inspiration.

cu,
larryb

JPW

I am new to forum and think it’s GREAT. An over 50 section would be good. I am 65 and ride with McHenry County Bike Club in northern Il about 3 – 4 times a week going about 35 –40 miles with 16 –17 mph average. Most of the riders are retired and the group I ride with are 6 –8 guys all over 65. Most rides have about 25 people. We usually stop for something to eat about half way. Riding 125 miles a week helps keep my belly down. I have been riding for only 5 years so I can really learn from forums like this one. If any body would like to join us for a ride look at our website. John