50+ Fit => Fast
#1
Thread Starter
Hardening the F up
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
From: Galt's Gulch, New Hampshire
Bikes: 02 Litespeed Siena, 29# hard tail Tank
50+ Fit => Fast
Anyone remember "Foxy Grampa"? I remember reading about this old timer who was an absolute long distance crusher back when I was a teen and thinking "When I'm old, I want to be that guy".
Pretty sure the link is the same guy.
Who's in?
Who's already there?
I know you guys & gals are out there.
I introduced myself here.
I'm going to give this a try. Two weeks ago I switched from riding 3x per week to every day I can manage (weather is good now, so this has meant only two off days in two weeks). Last night I did my first set of timed intervals. I've got a long way to go.
Would love to hear your story, Foxy Grampas, Grandmas and aspirants alike. What works, what doesn't, what keeps you interested, share the experience man!
Pretty sure the link is the same guy.
Who's in?
Who's already there?
I know you guys & gals are out there.
I introduced myself here.
I'm going to give this a try. Two weeks ago I switched from riding 3x per week to every day I can manage (weather is good now, so this has meant only two off days in two weeks). Last night I did my first set of timed intervals. I've got a long way to go.
Would love to hear your story, Foxy Grampas, Grandmas and aspirants alike. What works, what doesn't, what keeps you interested, share the experience man!
#2
I need an equation for 50+ flabby.
I never heard of "foxy grampa" but I still remember someone I met when I was 7 or 8, on a vacation at the Texas east coast. This guy had biked from the west coast and was still going. He was over 50 - I thought "ancient" at the time - but nothing but lean corded muscle. Energetic, supremely confident and vastly enjoying the adventure. I thought he had to be an alien, but I wanted to be him when I got old.
I never heard of "foxy grampa" but I still remember someone I met when I was 7 or 8, on a vacation at the Texas east coast. This guy had biked from the west coast and was still going. He was over 50 - I thought "ancient" at the time - but nothing but lean corded muscle. Energetic, supremely confident and vastly enjoying the adventure. I thought he had to be an alien, but I wanted to be him when I got old.
#3
No, I am not "there" - probably never will be. But I do try and have a balanced approach to fitness for my own body. I.e., today 30 minutes of balancing and prescribed stretching, 45 minutes of weight lifting/resistance exercises to be followed by a 20 mile ride and a 40 minute swim. Yesterday, it was a fast walk.
This is what I enjoy, and, to me, that is the key. Finding what fitness activities you enjoy and doing that. Otherwise, one gets bored and gradually quits. This 74yo has been doing this for many years now. Don't plan on stopping, and I will make it to 75 in a couple of months.
This is what I enjoy, and, to me, that is the key. Finding what fitness activities you enjoy and doing that. Otherwise, one gets bored and gradually quits. This 74yo has been doing this for many years now. Don't plan on stopping, and I will make it to 75 in a couple of months.
Last edited by DnvrFox; 08-29-14 at 07:37 AM.
#6
Let's do a Century
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 883
From: North Carolina
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
A 60+ rider had the fastest Time Trial of the night at one of our events this year. And we have some very elite riders.......for some age is just number.
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Ride your Ride!!
#7
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 11,013
Likes: 24
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single
Rode with Foxy Grandpa Delano on a double century at Belle Isle, Michigan back in the 1970s.
Quite an unassuming gent.
Am now 81 and still riding 5,000 miles a year.
Have also ridden with Gordie Shields (another great CA octogenarian) in the Senior Olympics.
Quite an unassuming gent.
Am now 81 and still riding 5,000 miles a year.
Have also ridden with Gordie Shields (another great CA octogenarian) in the Senior Olympics.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,037
Likes: 12
From: Eugene, Oregon
I didn't meet Foxy until the mid-80s. He was a hoot at the weekly Tuesday night time trial on Putah Creek. By that time, he defined a successful night as one on which he was faster than all the women who showed up. He didn't succeed very often. He wasn't really sexist, he was just giving the newer female riders a rabbit to chase.
I remember him saying he liked going to nationals, but part of it was to see how many of his lifelong competitors were still above ground.
I remember him saying he liked going to nationals, but part of it was to see how many of his lifelong competitors were still above ground.
#10
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13,358
Likes: 665
From: northern michigan
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
My total goal is to be fast, keep up with some of the young guys and be an encouragement to those coming up into the ranks of time.









