Have not been active on here, as I have not been riding in several years, about 15 years actually.

I had a total hip replacement 15 years ago, and dealt with pain of that, and then was diagnosed with Gout, both knees were sore, and too painful to ride.

Fast forward to 4 months ago; Saw a new Dr, and got a full blood panel workup. Worked on getting my hormones, and vitamins/minerals in balance, and education on diet.

After changing my diet (eliminated red meat, all dairy, and gluten) and starting weight lifting 3x week, I am now pain free.

Rode a couple weeks ago (5 miles) and it went fine,

Did a club ride today (22 miles) and did great, longest ride in 20 years.

So, for those of you that are suffering from joint pain, get some blood work done, get some information on diet (Dr. Fuhrman is a good source) I am following the suggestions in "Eat to Live".

Looking forward to getting back into riding on a regular basis.

Good job! Yep, just ride for fun and build up the miles. Do an occasional club ride. Before you know it you'll be on the bike more than off.

Yep. That's the plan. I have no expectations, and I have a riding partner with a spare bike, so I don't have to shell out much money right away.

Spent 17 years riding the roads, and trails around South Lake Tahoe. Rode from Tahoe to Carson over the Spooner Lake Trail a couple times. Mr Toad's Wild Ride was one of my favorite local trails. I lived in Cave Rock and used to enjoy riding to Fallen Leaf Lake.

There is a great LBS that does local loops 3 times a week, so I expect that I will get in on a couple of those.

Feels good to be back in the saddle again.

Good for you. I was thinking just this week about it coming a time when I wouldn't be able to ride and how much that would suck. Now I'm 58, so that hopefully is a good way off, but worthy of the thought nonetheless. Glad you persevered and welcome back to the fold!

Just curious. Were you diagnosed with celiac disease, or did you go gluten free for its (putative) anti-inflammatory benefits? A lot of people swear that gluten aggregates their inflammation.

I agree you should never give up. There are several people I ride with that inspire me. One is a bit older than I am, has had open heart surgery, and he rides at least 3 time a week with our group, 40 to 60 miles each time. He gets in an additional 10 miles by riding to and from the meeting point. The other is a woman that lost her leg in a motorcycle accident several years ago. She had done three centuries with me and once had to pull me to a sag stop when I started to Bonk from poor hydration. we can do a lot more than we think we can. Or as they say if we think we can't we are more than likely confusing things with things we don't want.

For the anti-inflammatory benefits.

I had really high uric acid and terrible Gout in my knees. I started taking medicine for that, but the inflammation really never went away.

After 3 weeks into a detox diet, I could already feel the difference.

I am now off of my gout medicine, and have no pain.

I am also now off my cholesterol(simvastatin) and blood pressure (atenolol) medicine.

I am taking Niacin to help raise my HDL, and I take a supplement pack with vitamins and minerals twice a day.

Big change has been the elimination of red meat, and white flour/bread and white potatoes.

My diet consists mainly of lean protein (salmon, chicken, turkey) fruits, raw nuts, and lots of veggies.

Also drinking about a 120oz of water a day.

Rod

My wife has toyed with that diet but hasn't had the discipline to follow it, so I don't know how helpful she would find it.

As for me, I'm immune to the negative effects of food, except for my waistline.

Anyway, congrats on the comeback.

Sounds like you've got it together, and are riding for the right reason -- for the joy. (Health & fitness is extra added bonus, IMO...)

HMMM, niacin's good for the HDL? May hafta try that.

Three men, age 70 to 74 finished Ironman Canada on August 25.
To me that says you can bike as long as you like. Just don't stop.

[h=2]All Age Group 70-74 Male Athletes[/h]
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TH]Name[/TH]
[TH]Country[/TH]
[TH="width: 60"]Swim[/TH]
[TH="width: 60"]Bike[/TH]
[TH="width: 60"]Run[/TH]
[TH="width: 60"]Finish[/TH]
[TH="width: 35"]Div. Rank[/TH]
[TH="width: 35"]Overall Rank[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]KOSTIC, Milos[/TD]
[TD="class: right"]CAN[/TD]
[TD]01:42:36[/TD]
[TD]06:45:48[/TD]
[TD]04:13:34[/TD]
[TD]12:57:50[/TD]
[TD="class: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: right"]1070[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SCHWARTZ, Merrill[/TD]
[TD="class: right"]USA[/TD]
[TD]01:38:30[/TD]
[TD]07:14:18[/TD]
[TD]06:00:17[/TD]
[TD]15:15:53[/TD]
[TD="class: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: right"]1739[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]ENSSLEN, Dick[/TD]
[TD="class: right"]CAN[/TD]
[TD]01:27:09[/TD]
[TD]08:30:02[/TD]
[TD]05:43:16[/TD]
[TD]16:03:31[/TD]
[TD="class: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: right"]1870[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Congratulations, rgwinn. I hope you are forever pain-free and enjoy many rides to come.