Age: 53
1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
2006 Trek 7.3fx
2009 Fuji roubaix Pro Performance Bike shop special
2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
fish oil, 50+ One-A-days, and Lipitor
3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
Compared to my former vegetative state,none.
4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Since midlife crisis I quit smoking & dri.., smoking, changed jobs and bought a bike.
5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides.
weekend rides 20-30 miles on average. However, the more I ride the more intrigued I am with fully loaded touring. Well maybe not fully yet.
6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Try to ride every weekend, 1000-2000 miles annually so far.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
I am a 63 yo. My bikes are nearly as old as me! Trek 620, Trek 560, Bianchi Classica.

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?
Hmmm, not really, in fact with equipment improvements, lost weight and improved skills my riding continues to improve. After the my rides of more than 15 miles a nap is a necessity, not an option as was 20 years ago.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
35 years including the period between age 12 and 16 with my JC Higgins. Rebuilt my first hubs on that bike.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides.
Currently I am building my miles after an 8 month layoff due to a serious crash. Since June I have ridden 850 miles. Over the years I have enjoyed rides into the countryside of up to 70 miles while training up for Centuries, self directed extended touring, commuting in NYC on my beloved 3 Speed black Triumph, some extended touring, light Trail riding with friends, and more extreme mountain bike efforts.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
Now I am riding 4-6 days per week with commuting and errand running accounting for about 30% of my total miles. This year I expect to ride 2000-2500 miles.

If you haven't already, perhaps you might indicate your age. It helps others to see that folks 50+ do great things.

I started riding mountain bikes in the late 80's and took up the road a little over three years ago. I turned 55 this past July. Got rid of my last mountain bike a year ago.

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

Specialized Tarmac Expert bought new in 2006 -- Shimano Ultegra with 50/34 compact crank and 12/27 rear cassette. FSA K-Force carbon bars and Terry Buzz Off saddle. Earlier this year, I switched from the stock Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheel set to the Neuvation R28 SL5 front/SL6 rear to lighten the load for climbing. Early season, I used a 12/25 rear cassette. In general though, I find the 12/27 more to my liking, as it gets me up all the big hills with less effort and no knee pain. :D


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

Other than a little Advil, nope. Cytomax with Herbal Lift is about the strongest supplement I use.


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

I played hard in the mountains in my 30's and 40's and weighed about 160 lbs. I focused more on alpine style climbing and ski mountaineering then. Not so much now. I also had more power then than now. I got busy with other things and gained about 35 lbs from 1999 to 2005. Respiratory issues caused me to check up on diet and fitness a couple years ago. I now weigh about 175 and am more cycling fit than ever before; pushing bigger gears, climbing faster and riding faster average speeds. Recoveries are longer than 20 years ago. I also find that I climb bigger hills now than ever.


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

Owned a Schwinn LeTour in the 70's but wasn't an avid cyclist. Used it for casual riding and transportation in college. I took up mountain biking in the late 80's and rode the dirt hard for almost 20 years. Today, I consider myself an avid recreational road cyclist.

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

Back in the day, 5-6 hour cross-country/free ride epics were common on weekends. 2 hour trail rides 3 or 4 times a week were the norm. Since taking up the road three years ago, I've grown comfortable on 50 to 60 milers with an occasional 70 to 80 miler on weekends. Rode my 1st century last summer and have done 3 since. Living in the mountains, I tend to enjoy the canyons and big climbs, especially late season as the valley heat subsides and I get stronger.

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

In 2006, I did about 800 miles on the road plus several hundred off-road. Last year I gave up the dirt altogether and did about 3,000 miles on the road. This year, I've been getting out a few times a week for a couple hours with a 3-4 hour ride at least once a week, occasionally longer. I will have done about 4,000 road miles by year end in 2009.

[QUOTE=DnvrFox;590168]

I'm 61.:)

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

I ride this 1974 Raleigh...
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b9...e/IMG_3184.jpg


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

Nope.

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

I've always been a slow rider so I can't get any slower!:roflmao2:

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

54 years. Bicycled since I was 7... before that tricycled since I was 5.;)

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

I bicycle primarily for transportation... but enjoy riding regardless of the the reason.

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

At least a few miles most every day and long rides on nice days when I have the time.

About 2,000 miles a year.

[QUOTE=DnvrFox;590168][B][COLOR="Blue"]This thread was started in August, 2004, by DnvrFox, shortly after founding the 50+ Forum. The purpose was to give 50+ riders (new, returning, experienced) some idea of the range of what other 50+ riders do in their bicycling.




Please tell us your age. 52

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride? Trek 820, and a no name 21 year old steel pip bike, which is my main commuter



2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older? Hell yes, doesn't everyone?



3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any? I am reminded of it every day, when I ride up hills.



4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life? I backpacked for most of my life, so biking is only in the last 5 years.



5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides. Commuting, recreational and errands




6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage? At least 5 days a week, about 3000 miles

Age: 46. OK, that's not 50+, but it rounds to 50.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
~1980 Windsor Carrera Sport. Bought it new when I was 17.
2002 Specialized Sirrus. Converted to drop bars.

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?

My joints hurt sometimes. But on the plus side, I'm more willing to figure out how to remediate physical problems, so I can continue to ride. When I was younger, if I got aches and pains, I would just stop riding.

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

All my life, with several long breaks.

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

Long rides and short rec. rides.

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

Ends up being about 1x a week, because of other commitments. 1000-1500/yr?

46!!

You are just 2 years older than my oldest son.

Anyway, welcome. You will have to pay special pennance to be on the 50+ forum. Heck, at least you were honest - or maybe not? You might be 26!

Please tell us your age.
Turned 50 two weeks ago

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
I ride a Raleigh 3.0 Venture. I guess it's a comfort bike, and I know I'm not supposed to be able to ride it very far, but it's my only bike and I have ridden it on a metric century and last weekend I rode 55 miles in honor of my fiftieth birthday.


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



3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
A lot, because I didn't use to carry so much extra baggage. As I am shedding the pounds, I am getting faster :-)


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
I have ridden since I was about 5 years old, but not seriously. I did a couple of sprint triathlons and started taking riding more seriously. Then as I was running, I tore my meniscus and had to have surgery. The surgeon said no more running, we are going to turn you into a cyclist. So in February I started riding seriously. Just 4 or 5 miles at first. I told my husband about my crazy desire to do a half century when I turned 50, it just seemed kind of poetic. So he started riding with me to encourage me. I set a few mileage goals, and started blowing away my goals. Did the Ventura "Cool Breeze" metric in August. Joked to my husband that we had by far the least expensive gear, that some folks had clothes that were worth a lot more than our bikes. But we had a blast. Sorry for the long answer.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides.
Long rides, commuting and mini-tours.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
I try to ride a minimum of 70 miles per week. When I don't have to go to work, I ride about 100 miles. May not sound like a lot, but I ride slowly, so that's a minimum of 7 hours per week. Annual? DOn't really know, haven't been riding for a year yet, but my guess is about 3000.

Please tell us your age. 50, will be 51 in a month or so.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride? My experience is that they often have a C&V bike (or 2, or 4, or more) but also a modern bike or two.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older? No, just higher end beer. I probably should.

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any? Yes. As a former runner, I've slowed way down, but can train hard for 6-12 weeks and be about 80% of where I was. I can no longer just "hop on a bike" and run 22mph for an hour, and I'm at the point where I'm thinking "maybe I need a triple one of these days."

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life? My whole life, with big gaps when it wasn't practical, possible, or when I was simply into other things. I simply never prioritized my disposable cash in that direction, and now I do, somewhat, within reason (wife).

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides. My "dailies" are generally 15-20 miles as hard as I can go. I have an infrequent (tri-chick) riding partner who can keep up, and we generally go longer and a bit slower. I ride short rec rides on mtb with my wife, in the summer, and I prefer long group events for charity, for the support and fellowship. Plus, I get to look at lots of cool bikes.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage? Summer and warm weather, 5x a week if possible. The reality would be more like 3-4. Annual mileage? I don't know. I don't use a cyclocomputer or anything like that; I measure my courses with my car.

If you haven't already, perhaps you might indicate your age. It helps others to see that folks 50+ do great things. We do.

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
Trek Madone 4.5
Trek 6000D
Motobecane Fantom Cross Team Titanium Cyclocross Bike (just ordered, delivery 12/10)
Peugeot 1986 - P6

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

Centrium & fish oil

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

Actually i am starting to get faster, see next question

4. How long have you been biking?

Always enjoyed riding but haven't really done anythinf serious in the last twenty years. I quit smoking in June after 25 years and ordered the Trek 6000D mountain bike with
credit card points, began riding and decided I really needed a new road bike and after searching and trying a lot of bikes ended up with the Madone 4.5 at the end of June.

5. What type of biking do you do?

During the summer and early fall, my "dailies" were generally 15-20 miles with weekend rides of 20 - 40 miles. Now trainer during the week and weekend rides of
30- 60 depending on time available.

Since I just restarted in June, I set 3 goals for this year and accomplished each one as follows: 50 miles under 3 hours (done twice), ride my age and ride a metric century
(which according to a thread in Road Cycling may no longer be considered a valid century, figures that it came up right after I completed the goal, oh well next years goal
is to ride at least 3 real centurys).

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

Spring, Summer and Fall, 4 - 5 times a week if possible, winter just on weekends because of lmited light.
So far this year (from end of July), 1350 miles, hopping to Top 3K next year.

Finally, I can say I am 50+. Turned 51 back in October.

And I have every intention of doing this for 40 more years!

Introduction
 

Some questions:

Please tell us your age.

I'm 52

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

I have no idea about other "folks" but I'm addicted to buying and restoring classic lugged steel bikes. My favorite two bikes are (a) the Bob Jackson my son has absconded with and (b) the Raleigh Kodiak I just bought last month. But I have a host of other bikes, mostly mid-70's department store bikes which I put out on campus at the boarding school where I work.

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

Not so much "supplements" as "medicine (for high blood pressure)

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

I thought I was a reasonably good biker, but that's just because I lived in Savannah which had no hills. Now that I'm in Mercersburg PA, living on the edge of a mountain range, I feel newly challenged. As I'm quite a bit overweight, I'm quite a bit slowed down going up hills. Love those down hills though.

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

I didn't really bike much until I went to school in Boston (mid-life career change) and started commuting by bike. Since then it's been my main source of recreation and exercise.

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

Commuting to work, store etc. short rec rides of about 10 miles or so. I live near the C&O canal and plan on doing the DC->Pittsburgh trip this summer.

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

2-3 times per week.

If you haven't already, perhaps you might indicate your age. It helps others to see that folks 50+ do great things.

1. I am 51 years old

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
I am on statins and now beta blockers and asprin. I had bypass Dec 11th

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any?
I put 3200 miles on my bike last year. It was my first year riding. I felt a little slower then I thought I should. Now I know that it was my heart thus needing bypass.

4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
This is my first year with my road bike. I did ride before with my hybrid.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides.
I rode with a bike club. I did 2 benefit rides. One for Diabetes " tour de cure " 62 miles and a ride for MS, 100 miles on the first day and 80 miles on the second day. I did 3 century rides last year.

6. How often do you bike? Your approximate annual mileage?
I was riding 5 to 6 times a week. It was my first year but I put 3200 miles on my bike. I live in Cleveland, Ohio so riding everyday is not an option.

I am 61 and ride cruisers and street bikes mostly. Some of them are older then I am. I like historic racing bikes. I made a recumbent chopper but there are still a few things left to do in this reincarnation. I keep changing it. I try to ride every day around the small town I live in. I havent rode the mountain trails since I was 58. I ride all winter except for the coldest days and have been riding since I was 4 or 5 I guess. I love bikes and trikes. have electrics but seldom ride them because I love pedaling as long as I am able. It keeps me young. I dont know what my mileage is, I have slowed down, probably less then 100 miles a week.

Some questions:

Please tell us your age.

I am 57.


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

I ride a Specialized Sequoia and I am looking to upgrade to a Roubaix Elite.


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

I take Fish Oil and CoQ10.


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

I am much more active now, but have to say I have slowed down. I am not 18 anymore.


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

Just took up cycling two years ago. Got serious last year. Last time I rode was when I was 15. Once I got my license, I ditched the bike.


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

Week day rides during riding season are 15 miles or 1 hour. Weekends 40+ each day. Plus charity rides.


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

Daily. Due to illness only 2000 miles last year. Goal for 2010 is 4000 miles. Right now I get up at 5:00am and ride the trainer for 45 minutes. BORING.

I ride mostly cruisers but the occasional road bike and I got a recumbant chopper I keep taking apart and putting together but so far not much riding.

No supplements, just beere.

I havent rode a mountain bike in serious terrain since 2007.

Been riding All my life with a few years off here and there.

I do mostly short rides around the town I live in but sometimes I go 10 miles to the next town and back in a day.

I try to get out every day even in the winter except for the coldest days but havent been lately. I probably dont average a hundred miles a month anymore but won participaction in Saskatoon a few years back when I was in my 50s for the most miles biked in a month.

I am 61 years young and bike because I have had surgery on both knees making walking difficult.

What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
1. Age 60
I ride a 2005 Cannondale R2000 and a Kona Jake Cyclocross

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

one a day vitimins and fish oil

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

Not really. I just ride for fun and love riding on the bike trail

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

Biked all my life. I rode a lot pre children years. Slacked off on my riding doing my child rearing years. Now Retired and ride whenever I want.

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

I ride long rides on a bike trail and short rides on city streets.


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

I ride two 45+ miles a week on the trail and one or more 10+ miles riding around the city each week. I average 1600 to 2100 miles a year. Those summer vacations are fun but they really interfere with my biking. (smile)


If you haven't already, perhaps you might indicate your age. It helps others to see that folks 50+ do great things.

55.5 yo

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

Own a Fuji Sport 10 (garage sale), and a Schwinn Stump Jumper (Craigslist). Mostly ride the Fuji.

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

Added fish oil to a multi. Used to supplement C and E, but I'm becoming convinced that vitamins just make your pee more expensive...

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

Still as strong as ever. Endurance and recuperative powers have slipped some, and I wake up with a lot more mysterious aches and pains.

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

Bicycled everywhere as a kid. Decided I needed a bike about 20 years ago, and have been biking with varying frequency since.

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

Bike paths, mostly. Short rec rides, from 4-10 miles. Planning to add to that... <roll eyes>

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

2-3 times/wk. Unknown...

I am 72 yo
I ride a 2008 KHS Urban x and have a 2008 Specialized Tarmac Elite ( gift this past xmas from the wife) It was suppose to be a touring bike..haha ).
Multi-vitamin,fish oil,and whey protein.
Quite a bit.
I was a serious biker from 1972-1985, now after 25 yrs I'm back riding.
Hope to do touring this year. Mostly short rides on the Rail Trail (22 miles one way) Cape highway riding is suicide.

Riding season is from March to November. Hope to at least do 2000 this year.

I hope to sell the Tarmac and find a vintage Miyata 1000 or Trex Expedition bike for touring.

liamo43
 

Hi, Im 66 years old, took up cycling 4 years ago, Did a few centurys+ in the last 2 years I dont take anything on my cycles only a banana and water, maybe a energy bar or a few raisins, I have a Claud Butler 853 with 105 components and Im really enjoying the cycling, Ive been knocked off my Bike a few times by cars and pedestrians, just bumps and bruises, Made me be more careful I try and do a 70 mile cycle every Sunday and hills maybe twice a week, No pain No gain, Enjoy

I'm 68, I ride the road or touring bike 60 miles a week and do my running around on my city bike.

The city bike has folding wire baskets, rack and front bag. I also ride the city bike ten miles to the gym three times a week so that's 60 more miles.

Please tell us your age.
Just turned 50 today. :)

1. What type of bikes do 50+ folks ride?
I ride a large, steel framed touring bike with trekking bars and 26" wheels and a granny gear (which is a must for my lousy left knee), though I'd like to also have something that has me sitting more upright, for a change. I'd even look into a recumbent or semi-recumbent if I could afford one.

2. Do you take any special supplements/vitamins/minerals as you have grown older?
Sam-E, Vitamin B complex, Estroven Xtra stength, calcium, Acai, (when I remember) also I take FRS energy supplements and it's done a lot for my ability to get in a sustained workout without wanting to collapse altogether.
I think bike riding is the only thing that is keeping me from going completely out to pasture, in a manner of speaking...

3. How much do you feel you have "slowed down" if any? I used to be quite active, and was also a long distance runner in my teens and 20s. I started slowing down in my 30s, unfortunately due to a number of illnesses that caused me to get Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Not to mention raising two special needs kids, though one was just very hyperactive. now that he's grown and in the Army, I have more energy to spend on myself.


4. How long have you been biking? New, around a while, biked all your life?
Off and on, my whole life, I used to ride everywhere as a kid and teen, rode sometimes to the next town and did mini daytrip rides when I lived in Spain. Then I bike commuted in NYC when I was going to art school in the early 80s. I went into bike hiatus, then started riding more regularly about 2 or 3 years ago. It took a long time to get strong enough to ride ten miles a day, with some hills.

5. What type of biking do you do? Long rides, touring, short rec rides. Mostly I ride on the bike trainer when I'm not up to dealing with the road. Also like taking rides on the Monterey Rec. Trail at the non-busy end where I live. On my good days I like riding just to get around as well, instead of using the car, and I use my panniers as shopping bags. I'd like to go bike touring, someday soon. Likely a short tour to the next town for a start, but some day ride down to Big Sur State Park. It's 36 miles from home, though I've heard it's rather challenging in parts. If I took my time, I know I could do it. It's a goal of mine. :)

I'm 54, closing in fast on 55

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

Trek 7300 hybrid

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

Occasionally an aspirin

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

Have many more minor injuries that never seem to heal

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

Started biking probably 50 years ago, and started doing long rides 15 years ago. I just quit running, and will spend a lot more time on my bike.

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

Anywhere from 12 to 60 miles on smooth trails or roads

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

2-3 times a week last year - hope to do 5 or rides a week this year with annual mileage of 3000 mi.

I'm 53 and doing my first race Sunday, any tips?