Old man back in the saddle
02-07-18, 03:37 AM
#1
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Old man back in the saddle
Hi everyone.
I am 73 years old and have been wanting to get some good exercise for a long time.
I found a mountain bike that someone was throwing away and brought it home. It is a Huffy Rock Creek and I have been cleaning and taking it apart for about 2 weeks now. Replaced the shifters and patched a leaking tube. I've taken most of the bike apart and cleaned and greased the bearings. Most of what I have learned so far is from youtube videos and lots of reading from the internet. I worked most of my life as a electrician and some maintenance jobs. I don't have a problem with mechanical things by taking apart and putting it back together
Took it for the first test ride Monday and it worked great. I had to adjust the front shifter a little but not a problem.
I have a prosthetic below knee left leg that happened when I was 58 years old, so I have adapted well with it. I went back to work after 6 months of recovery jumping in ditches and climbing ladders. Riding was not a problem except for bending the knee was a little uncomfortable. My doctor has been telling me to get some exercise and I started back to playing golf again but it is very expensive to do anymore and just can't afford it now.
This is not the bike I need but it will get me back in the saddle again until I can decide which one to get.
The last time I rode a bike was when I was in junior high school and this ride brought back the feeling of being something fun to do. I will say there was a lot of heavy breathing and heart pounding from not getting any exercise for a long time.
The area I live in is very good for biking. The city has designated bike lanes and there is a paved 4 mile long walking and bike path following a river near me that a lot of bikers travel on. I haven't been on the path yet but will soon when it gets a little warmer.
Hope to contribute some to the forum and also receive some advise when I need a question answered.
I am 73 years old and have been wanting to get some good exercise for a long time.
I found a mountain bike that someone was throwing away and brought it home. It is a Huffy Rock Creek and I have been cleaning and taking it apart for about 2 weeks now. Replaced the shifters and patched a leaking tube. I've taken most of the bike apart and cleaned and greased the bearings. Most of what I have learned so far is from youtube videos and lots of reading from the internet. I worked most of my life as a electrician and some maintenance jobs. I don't have a problem with mechanical things by taking apart and putting it back together
Took it for the first test ride Monday and it worked great. I had to adjust the front shifter a little but not a problem.
I have a prosthetic below knee left leg that happened when I was 58 years old, so I have adapted well with it. I went back to work after 6 months of recovery jumping in ditches and climbing ladders. Riding was not a problem except for bending the knee was a little uncomfortable. My doctor has been telling me to get some exercise and I started back to playing golf again but it is very expensive to do anymore and just can't afford it now.
This is not the bike I need but it will get me back in the saddle again until I can decide which one to get.
The last time I rode a bike was when I was in junior high school and this ride brought back the feeling of being something fun to do. I will say there was a lot of heavy breathing and heart pounding from not getting any exercise for a long time.
The area I live in is very good for biking. The city has designated bike lanes and there is a paved 4 mile long walking and bike path following a river near me that a lot of bikers travel on. I haven't been on the path yet but will soon when it gets a little warmer.
Hope to contribute some to the forum and also receive some advise when I need a question answered.
02-07-18, 04:43 AM
#2
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Richard,
Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you're off to a great start.
Tony
Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you're off to a great start.
Tony
02-07-18, 08:33 AM
#3
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Welcome to Bike Forums Richard!
Where are you from?
Where are you from?
02-07-18, 08:47 AM
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WELCOME! bikes are fun!
02-07-18, 09:51 AM
#5
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Originally Posted by cb400bill
Welcome to Bike Forums Richard!
Where are you from?
Where are you from?
I'll add that to my profile.
Thanks
02-07-18, 12:46 PM
#7
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Welcome! It sounds as if you've made a great start. Enjoy the journey 
02-07-18, 06:16 PM
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Welcome to Bike Forums form another 73 y/o. 
Stop by the 50+ forum and say hello to the other old timers.
And while you're at it stop by the Southeast Regional subforum and say hello. We have quite a few NC folks on here.
Stop by the 50+ forum and say hello to the other old timers.
And while you're at it stop by the Southeast Regional subforum and say hello. We have quite a few NC folks on here.
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
02-09-18, 02:46 PM
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Man, that is so inspiring. Great stuff. Hope you find a bike you like and really take off with it. I hope to be riding when I'm past 70.
Its so cool how your prosthetic didn't even slow you down. that's super!
Welcome to the forum! I'm glad you're here
JACK
Its so cool how your prosthetic didn't even slow you down. that's super!
Welcome to the forum! I'm glad you're here
JACK
02-09-18, 03:07 PM
#11
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Originally Posted by jack002
Man, that is so inspiring. Great stuff. Hope you find a bike you like and really take off with it. I hope to be riding when I'm past 70.
Its so cool how your prosthetic didn't even slow you down. that's super!
Welcome to the forum! I'm glad you're here
JACK
Its so cool how your prosthetic didn't even slow you down. that's super!
Welcome to the forum! I'm glad you're here
JACK
I bought a Schwinn S7 yesterday at a bike shop and he gave me a bike rack for my car that someone had given him to give to someone that needed it. Lucky day that was. Now I can haul the mountain and criuser bike and ride both if I want to.
Just have to get my lungs back in shape. Spent a few minutes today in the back yard on the mountain bike and I was really huffing and puffing for air.
Thanks
Richard
02-10-18, 07:47 AM
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Welcome Richard. That is quite an inspiring story. Don’t worry about the lungs. You have lots of company with the winter we’re having.
Stan
Stan
02-17-18, 07:28 PM
#14
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Welcome! I hope you have many years of happy cycling ahead of you ☺️
02-20-18, 08:57 AM
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Wonderful to hear! I was faffing around with my bike outside the supermarket the other week and heard a guy ask if he could help me. I turned round and was quite surprised, turns out he was 83 and still cycling strong, inspiring.
