Intro answers
 

Some questions:

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

A very simple Pacific Cycle

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

Just the standard one a day vitamin

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

I'm going to take the fifth on this one

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

Started riding again last August

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides.

Mainly ride 10-15 miles a day, street riding


6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?


Ride every day weather permits, since last August have done over 2,000 miles and killed one bike :rolleyes:

Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??

52

I am new to the forums so I thought I would reply to this thread.

Some questions:

Please tell us your age. I am 57

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride? I have a '73 Frejus TdF and hoping to buy a new road bike soon.


2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older? No


3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any? In some ways I feel I'm in better shape than I was 30 years ago, but I also realize I can't keep up with the younger set. :)


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life? I rode seriously 30 years ago while in graduate school, but now I am starting again after retiring two years ago.


5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race? 15 mile rides for exercise


6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage? Just starting but I hope to ride 50 miles a week


7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.? I run, do weight traing, and play golf

I too used to frequent BF, but haven't for a while because of some injuries. Now back on my bike, though, I'm glad to see a 50+ forum going strong. Here's my response to DnvrFox's questions:
1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
This one used to ride a Terry Symmetry, but it got the big salt water bath in Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Now I ride a Waterford 1900 and love it. Thinking about getting a Bike Friday this year, though.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Multi-vitamin plus calcium supplement, and some assorted other things that studies suggest protect against decline in brain function. Thinking about checking out the glucosamine/chondroitin that everyone seems to think so much of.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
After a series of back injuries and some knee problems, definitely. But the important thing is that I can still get out on 2 wheels.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Bought my first adult bike in the 80s and been biking off and on ever since then. Only serious about it since my late 30s though.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
I used to commute when it was possible, but now an interstate highway separates my home and my workplace. I've never raced, but done a handful of metric centuries. Some touring, lots of long day rides. Plus tooling around neighborhood roads in the early evenings.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
You know, I have no idea.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Start weight training to stave off osteoporosis. Love kayaking.

Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??
I'm 53 years old and I don't care who knows it. Don't get me started on people who don't want to tell their age. I hate the age discrimination in our culture and I think one way to start chipping away at it is to ditch this foolishness about denying our age. Like I said, don't get me started. :eek:

Anyway, glad to see a vigorous 50+ forum here.

Registered: Apr 2006


66 years old

1. Bike type: Just upgraded my 30+ years old Peugeot 10 speed road bike to a LeMond Reno.
Also have a 10 year old Specialized Crossroads hybrid.


2. Supplements: Just a multivitamin. Used to take all sorts of minerals, B-vitamins, C, E etc. The more I read about them, the more I think a good diet works better. Oh yeah, almost forgot the Saw Palmetto - hey I'm a 66 year old man.


3. Slowed down: You bet. Other riders pass me all the time. I wish they wouldn't snear though.


4. How long: Started regular riding about the time I turned 30. Various work related and sickness related breaks made it a sometime thing. This cycle has been repeated multiple times: Something comes up to interfere with my cycling. Then I put on weight. After a while I decide I better get in shape so I lose some weight. Then I start cycling again.

5. Type of biking: Never competed, never toured, just rode around local areas. I have always chosen to live in low traffic areas with easy access to a state forest, large park, etc. Prefer solo biking

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Retired now. Bike every day. 15-20 miles.


7. Other physical activity: Hiking, weight lifting during winter.

aaa

Please tell us your age. 50

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
I ride a Jamis Aurora, with Sugino MTB gearing crank, wider tires, fenders & a nice Brooks. I also ride a Fuji, early 80's straight pipe, a really comfortable bike in good shape.



2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

No

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

Some, but part of it might be wanting to slow down.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

Most of my life, but a large 20 yr gap when tobaco reigned supreme



5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

Some long (for me) rides, 60-75 miles. Originally planned to tour but new pup changed that. Pup and I ride together, he on the burley flatbed. Also do some shopping and other errands around town.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

1100 miles last year (pre pup)

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

Hike nearly daily in the winter and play basketball




Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply?? 50

OK, so the other thread brought me back to here so I'll post this time.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

I have a Sun EZ 3 SX

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

I take vitamins

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

I have balance problems with standing and walking so using my trike is a way to get out and stay active.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

Just started.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides.

I am building up my skills starting with my neighborhood but eventually who knows!

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

Everyday.

Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??

53

56
 

Please tell us your age.
56

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Road: Cannondale Comfort Road R800
Touring: Co-Motion Custom Americano with S&S Couplers
Folding: Dahon
Mountain: Specialized Stump Jumper

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Glucosamine, Calcium, One a day vitamins

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Injuries have slowed me down mainly, not my age.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
A lot in teens and twenties...toured from Minnesota to Newfoundland on my honeymoon in 1975.
Slowed down and then stopped for 20 years.
Got back into it in the 90's and now that I'm semi-retired I do a lot of biking again.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
Mainlly touring. Have toured in France a couple times, Italy, and New Zealand. This summer I'll be spending 6 weeks touring Ireland. All these tours are self-supported and self-planned and usually there's just 2 or 3 of us with ideas but no set itineraries. Serendipity travel is the best travel!

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
2-5 times a week. 3,000 miles a year.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Hey I live in a ski resort town, I'd better ski or get out of town!
I also hike and backpack in the summer, snowshoe in the winter.

ShortCircuit

1. Hi - I'm Glenn, I'm 58 and I'm addicted to lugged SLX Paramounts.
2. Take an old people's (silver, I think it says - no iron) high potency mulitvitamin and two aspirin every morning.
3. I'm so much slower today that I'm generally surprised that I don't simply fall over.
4. Rode a bike while growing up until left home after HS. Started again when got out of the Navy and went to college (Nishiki International with Suntour gear). Didn't ride much until '97, when I bought my first Paramount. Been at it ever since.
5. Mostly flat road riding in southern NJ. 25-65 miles, on average. An occasional real century. And try to ride the BTC every odd numbered year. But that is about to undergo a major change as we move over to the west side of Philadelphia in July. Mucho hills over that way. Nothing between me and being a good climber that the loss of 40 pounds won't cure.
6. Try to ride at least three times a week. Annual mileage is generally just over 3K. Best year was almost 6K (2001).
7. My other physical activities include lugging around a bunch of vintage solid-state stereo gear, which I am also addicted to, and lifting a good book to read.

I have never done this yet, thought it might
be fun. I am 55 years old.


Lightning Thunderbolt http://www.lightningbikes.com/thunderbolt.htm
Easy Racer EZ1-SC http://www.easyracers.com/ez_1_sc.htm

And I just bought a Rhoades Car, see below:
http://www.rhoadescar.com/store/nav4w1p.htm
I get MASSIVE amounts of Amino Acids
everyday in my Whey Protein Diet regime.
I basicly eat out of a blender.
I also take psych meds, BP meds, 2 multi's
150 mg C-Q10, 6-8 grams of Omega 3 fishoil
1 Glucosamine/Chondrotin
2 Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc Supplements
1 3 mg Melatonin at bedtime for sleep.
I occasionally take Glutamine for energy
and altertness and to squelch hunger on long
bike rides.

I smoked when I was in my 20s and in my
teens I grew up in SMOGVILLE USA, the
burbs of Los Angeles so I was slow then
and not too athletic.

I rode bikes in the 70s, 80s, and 90s for a
bit but suffered from bouts with obesity at
various times throughout. I wrecked a
Nishiki 10 speed when a truck broadsided me
in 82 and didn't get another bike til 87 when
I got a nice Schwinn Mtn. Bike.

Since 1999 I have been riding BENTS and
after solving my weight problems I can ride
faster than ever. I am NOT an athlete, but
I can ride for hours at a time and average
14-15 mph. And I am grateful for it. And
basicly, I am in better health and fitness now
than in most other times in my life.


See item 3 above. I ride lone wolf style and
do about 80 miles per week. I am in the
process of going VERY car lite and found in
research yesterday that I spend $200 a
month just licensing, fueling and driving my
91 Honda Accord less than 7,500 miles a year.


I use a bike for errands around town and
am starting to use it for all Doctor's
appointments, grocery shopping, etc.

I also ride recreationally at least 75 miles
per week, and have done a couple of near
centuries as a lone wolf. As I become
COMPLETELY car free, the amount of
recreational riding may go down, but
nothing beats the freedom of riding a bike
down the street listening to my favorite
rock'n roll from the 60s, 70s, and 80s on my mp3 player.

It is May 17th and I have over 1,200 miles
on my odometer on my primary ride. I use
the other bent (EZ-1) for grocery shopping
since it has a nice big basket.

None! I have a personal gym setup in
a spare bedroom with situp bench, free
weights, a stationary cycle and AB Machine
but I can never get jacked up about using
it when the open road beckons in sunny
South California.

I am 55, and barring a DEBILITATING stroke
I plan to be riding til I am at least 75.

My history
 

[QUOTE=DnvrFox]I thought there might be some interest in a thread such as this. If not, it will go the way of all threads - just die away.

So, here is my first contribution.


Some questions:

Please tell us your age.
I am 64 years old
1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
I have three bikes. Cannondale R2000 road bike, Cannondale Jekyl full suspension mountain bike and a Cannondale Killer V 900 mountain bike that I converted into a touring bike.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Triple Flex and vitamins.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
I haven't slowed down any as the more I ride the better I am getting.


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Practically all my life.
5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?
I do long distance touring and long distance day rides. Very seldom to I ride less than 35 miles on my day rides

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Last year I rode my three bikes for a total of 7,500 miles, the year before maybe 2,500 miles.
This year I am down to only 150 miles because I broke my leg at the end of last year in forty places and I am getting back to where I can bike again.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?
Nope except for therapy I do twice a week to get my left leg back to working right again.Perhaps you might indicate your age on your reply??
[B]64 years old;)

[

Well, I'll be 52 next month.

1. Bikes - 2006 Fuji touring and an '88 schwinn sierra mntn bike.
2. I take a daily multi vitamin
3. Just getting back into biking, so I'm actually getting faster.
4. I rode quite a bit as a kid, took about 30 years off to raise kids and get fat. I have just begun riding regularly in late March, 2006
5. Short rides, 10-15 miles per day on weekdays, will begin longer rides on the weekend tommorrow. I plan on riding my age on June 11th (52)
6. I ride almost daily. I expect to ride over 2,000 miles this year
7. Other physical activities - walking, used to run, but the knees complain when I try now.

have lost 14 lbs since I took biking back up... at this rate, I won't exist in 2 1/2 years. :)

Ken

I said the same thing 5 years ago, but I am still quite visible! :D

Welcome

Age: 52

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

Trek 7200 hybrid, but getting the urge for a road bike. Been reading the "under $700" bike thread.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?

Only if you consider a Dairy Queen "Cappucino Moolatte" sometimes before a ride to be a supplement.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

Only a little. I've been blessed with good health but never been especially athletic (so I didn't have anything to "slow down" from).

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

Re-entered biking about 3 years ago. Biked about 10 years in my 20s-30s. Actually, I'm more serious now.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

Club rides, about 30 miles @ 16-18 mph. Also shorter bike trail jaunts.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

2-4 times a week; don't really track mileage. (Earlier edited estimate pulled out of my...hat)

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

Weight lifting, mostly in off-season. Flat water kayaking. Cross country skiiing when there's snow.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

Hi I just turned 52 May 7th. I've been riding a Gary Fisher Big Sure for about ten years now and my wife purchased me a 06 Fuji Roubaix May 29th as father's day/birthday present

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have gown older?

Not for about ten years. I do drink oo-long and chrysanthemum tea, works very similar to saw palmetto.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

I would have to say yes, but not a whole lot. I've been very active through out my entire life.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

Since I was a kid. Started with an Schwinn candy apple green Sting Ray, been hooked ever since. I've had some nice bikes and some not so nice.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

I like to take long rides and touring would be something I'd like to have a go at.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

I don't have any way of knowing with the GF Big Sur, but the Fuji has that do-hickee that does everything, but ride the bike for me. I’ll chime in with some average mileage later.

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

I train and teach Tai Chi and Chi Gong. I work out at the 24 hour fitness club, strong abs work out, lot of stretching via Hatha Yoga, complete body Pyramid Strength Training via light weights and high reps and I like to swim once in a while.

You can delete it yourself. Just got to "edit" at the bottom and then delete. Once you have deleted, I will delete this reminder.

Thanks for your input.

Stats
 

I am 52
multi, calcium and mag citrate, saw palmetto, selenium, extra zinc, vit C through the day, flax oil, inj b-12
I have slowed down since when I was 17 and could tear up the road at the drop of a hat
I have been biking on and off since I was a kid.
I tried mountain biking but found it too dangerous and don't want to break my legs
I bike twice a week about 60 miles a week total
My annual mileage would be about 1,500 miles or less
My other physical activities are stair sprinting, walking, power yoga

Hi all! I'm 55 year old, live in beautiful Tustin, California (Orange County - So Cal). Am actually a native Southern Californian and think about moving out of state all the time but stay because the cycling here is just too good (and year around as well). I split my time equally between the road and trail but have lately decided to become a better mountain biker so have been spending much more time lately doing that until the weather gets really hot here and than it's back on the road.

I have a garage full of bikes, some good, some bad, some classic. My principle rides are a 2002 Lemond Zurich (steel is real!) and a 2004 Stumpjumper Hardtail and new 2006 Stumpjumper FSR Expert fully. I love the new MTbike. My old bike (which I still have) was good, but the new bike, with 5" of travel, have made downhills so much easier for me.

I ride with the Bicycle Club or Irvine when in the mood for a club ride, with friends when I want to enjoy myself and with buddies when mountain biking. I am also a docent for The Nature Conservancy and lead mountain bike rides through Orange County's Northern Reserve (Limestone, Blackstone and Weir Canyons). After a Canyon ride, my buddies and I can be found eating and lounging around at "John's" a local restaurant and 2 wheel biker hang-out.

I have been riding as long as I can remember - even as a little kid. In 1986 I took a year off work and rode cross-country (actually in a big loop). I can't say I was a serious rider than just younger and stronger. I became really serious about riding 4 years ago. I completed a number of centuries and other cycling events but last year (November) had to have surgery to correct a broken collarbone (fractured 7/4/03). Now I'm recovering and taking it easy. I am attempting to train for the Cool Breeze Century in August but have nothing else planned all year. Just want to have fun!!!

I also enjoy kayaking, hiking and just being outdoors. Yes I was that little kid that was always dirty for some reason!

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?

I will turn 52 on September 18th and I have been riding for about a year and a half on a Specialized Sirrus hybrid.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have gown older?

Just lots of coffee. :)

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?

Since I am a newbie I really have no clue as to how to answer that.


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?

Bout a year and a half.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides, commute, tour, race?

The longest I have riden is about 50 miles in a day. I usually do about 10-20 per day.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?

Probably around 3000

7. Do you do any other type of physical activities - weight lifting, skiing, running, etc.?

I hike, teach Spinning and Step aerobics.

Well I turned 50 this past January, and I've been putting off posting in this forum until now. You see, I suffer from Dick Clark's disease. Even though I'm 50 I could easily pass for ........... 48. :)

50

A flat-bar road bike

Some laxative for when I'm not regular

I haven't slowed down. I'm getting faster. I've completed four centuries this year (including the TOSRV, back-to-back centuries), and smoked a kid on a BMX bike who challenged me this evening when I was cooling down from a 20-mile ride. :D

I biked a lot when I was 17-18, but mostly just in the last three years

15-20 mile training rides, 30-40 mile club rides, centuries (longest was the LA Wheelmen century challenge - 122 miles). Just dipping my toe into the touring waters. http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journal/1505


2-4 times a week. I don't keep track of my mileage any more. I guess around 2500 miles per year

Running my mouth, jumping to conclusions, and 12-ounce curls

I'm 50 years young this past May.
1) Trek 4500 mtn, Fuji Cross
2) glucosamine/chondroiton, omega 3, multi vitamin, calcium
3) 4 years ago I never rode more than a few miles, now a 20 mile ride seems like a warm up
4) I have only been biking for 5 years since a knee surgery and the surgeon reccomended biking for excersize
5) like to get a 25-30 mile ride during the week and a 40-50 mile ride on the weekend. Did my first century last fall and plan to do another this year. Plus I participate in 2 local mtb races for fun and to compete against myself.
6) like to get out at least 2X a week, 3X is a treat. Last year just over 1700 miles, in 2004 only 500, my goal for this year is at least 2000 miles.
7) some weights in the off season but not much else due to a bum knee.

Thanks for sharing your info with us, and welcome.

1. Primarily the RANS Fusion; occasionally the Ross Mt. Whitney

2. "50+" multivitamin :)

3. It works the other way for me - lost 45 lb. two years ago, and only in the past 18 months have I been making any real effort to get in condition. So I'm in the best shape I've ever been, and working to improve that.

4. Enjoyed biking in teen years, then stopped until last year when I got the Mt. Whitney and put a cheapie electric drive on it. Then last month my wife and I got a pair of Fusions, and I started riding mine to the gym and elsewhere instead of walking. Only short rides so far - that'll change. A few weeks ago I took the electric thingie off the Ross (turning it from Frankenstein back into the machine it was intended to be) and have done a little light trail riding with it.

5. Short trips so far - there are enough hills in Asheville that I don't feel like I'm just slacking. Looking to do some of the easier Blue Ridge Bicycle Club rides (maps/cue sheets at their site) as I get into better condition.

6. Nearly every day, weather permitting. Still too early to guesstimate mileage.

7. Started at fitness center Jan. 2005 with treadmill and weight machines, dropped treadmill when I started walking there instead of driving. Riding there on the Fusion, the hills are slowly becoming more managable...

- Dave, feeling good at 58