Greetings from the headwaters of the mighty Columbia River in Canada! I'm 63 and still love cycling. I've never taken part in a cycling race, but I do compete with myself. Currently riding a Trek Domane or an older Giant hybrid for winter. Also a tandem to share with my lovely wife. And a Gary Fisher MTB with slightly broken frame on my wahoo kickr. I had a non-cycling mishap in 2019 that mangled my legs, broke my spine, arm, sternum, and assorted other injuries. I am on the long road back to recovery and cycling has been a good part of my rehab. Stationary bike in year 1. Then an ebike in year 2 and 3 (after the casts were off). Transitioned to a hybrid bike years 4 and 5. In year 5 I beat a PR that had stood for 30 years, using the same bike that the former PR was set on. My reward was the new Domane, which is enjoyed every ride I never considered myself an athlete, just a guy who likes to bike. Recently it occurred to me that athletes know how to train (duh) and their knowledge could also benefit me. So since last year I am training more deliberately, like an athlete. I even have bibs now, lol. My fitness is now better than pre-accident 2019 levels and I want to see how far I can take it.

Welcome Old Man! Sounds like you have gone through a lot, but the most impressive thing is that you have persevered and it sounds like you are back better than before. Glad you found this site and glad you are here (even if you do ride a Trek ).
John

Welcome!

I'm slightly older, and still riding. Loving my new Domane.

Old Man Schmidt, Welcome to BF! That is quite the recovery story. Keep up the progress and enjoy the ride!

Thanks. The Domane was my first new bike since 2001 and my first road bike. I had previously ridden a hybrid or mountain bike mostly on pavement and it's great to finally have the right tool for the job. I was a little worried about it being geared low enough for my hills but that wasn't an issue. The less upright position took a little to get used to but now I prefer it. The Domane now has GP5000 tires, J's pedals, reform saddle, waxed chain, thudbuster seatpost, FSA VAS stem, garmin with varia, and paint protection film. Next updates for the bike are some quality TPU tubes, a proper saddle bag with bottle holder to clean up the junk attached to my frame, and an MTB style quick release bear spray holder for the top tube. Bears are a feature of my rides. The hydraulic disc brakes on the Domane let me stop well before the bear instead of at the bear, lol.

Oh man. I was on a ride in upstate New York last year, and a bear ambled across the road ahead of me. When I realized it wasn't a dog and stopped pedaling, the buzz caused it to pause and look at me. By then I was darn close, but it ambled off the road and into the woods.

We have mountain lions around here, as well as bear. The good news/bad news about a mountain lion attack is, you'll never see it coming. Mostly though, both critters prefer to avoid us.

Bears usually just amble off like that without a fuss. But don't get between mama and he cubs. I had to do that once because I couldn't stop in time so I just sped up. Hence the comment about better brakes.

I had a cougar growl at me once when I was cross country skiing alone near Lake Louise. Never saw it, but the sound was unmistakable. I had been following its tracks in the snow for the last half hour. I skied in the opposite direction and soon was joined by a dogsled heading in the same direction as me with a heavy load of tourists - safety in numbers. It might have been the most Canadian moment of my life.