CliffordK

How many miles? Per Day? Per Year?
HEIGHT/Weight?

I have knee issues in the family. By age 55 or so, my father had multiple knee surgeries, and was well on his way to bilateral knee replacement.

I've been a lifelong bike commuter, but maybe 6 or 7 years ago... how time flies, my mileage had dropped, so I'm not sure I was even doing 1000 miles a year.

Things changed a bit, and by 5 years ago I started riding much more and 4 years ago I went car-free. My annual mileage peaked at 6000 to 7000 miles a year, including several century rides. I don't ride daily, but I typically ride 20 to 50 miles in a day (stop and go errands) when I do ride. I'm a bit down this year due to numerous factors

I also lost some weight. Not a lot. From the mid 190's down to the mid 180's, and now into the low 170's.

Traditionally I'm more of a "masher", although I think my cadence is slowly increasing a bit. But, I push, pull, stand, and sit.

I've used toeclips since I was a kid, and a recent convert to clipless. I like the stable and straight forward attachment to the pedals.

Riding can be stressful on the knees, but I'm a firm believer in "USE IT OR LOSE IT".

Anyway, with the moderate weight loss and increased cycling, my knees are better than they've been in a decade.

I am somewhat addicted to cycling. So, I can feel it if I'm not riding for 3 days. And, after not being able to ride for a week, I've headed out for a "therapy ride", just to get the body moving again.

Now in the low 50's, I have no idea what the future will hold for me. But, cycling will be a part of it.

Metieval

for the sake of Kidney function. I would highly suggest not using ibuprofen long term or 'habitually'.

besides that only treats a symptom , and not the cause.

Trakhak

Started bike racing at 13, raced on and off up to my mid-30s, have continued training-level riding most days to present day, at age 68.

Never stretched, never took supplements or aspirin or ibuprofen, never lifted weights, etc. Since junior high, no athletic activity other than lots of cycling.

Any occasional knee twinges that I get disappear in the course of my usual hilly 3-hour-plus rides on my road and track bikes.

DaveSSS 

The doctor who replaced my knees says that everyone is different. Some people need replacements while still in their fifties, while others have cartilage like a young person, while in their eighties. He gets to see it all on the x-rays. My knees were bone on bone at 64.

wolfchild

My advice is to avoid taking pain killers, because they have absolutely no beneficial effect and are unhealthy long term and upset and compromise your natural ability to recover after exercise...Post exercise pain also called DOMS is normal and everybody who works out gets it from time to time, nothing to worry about, your body will recover and become stronger, no need for pain killers...If it's chronic pain then it should be diagnosed and treated by a specialist and not by taking pain killers and supplements...The best way to take of your joints is a smart, sensible and well balanced training/workout routine and a well balanced diet....There is absolutely no proof or evidence that supplements such as MSM, chondroitin and fish oil have any beneficial effect on the joints. Save your money and buy good food instead of wasting it on supplement which don't work...Remember that pain killers only mask the symptoms and don't solve the actual problem and they will make you weaker long term, it's best to avoid them.

Machka 

I've been cycling "seriously" since 1990. Got into racing for a while. Then got into randonneuring.

There was a point in time in my early 30s when my knees were bothering me to the point that I began to wonder about knee replacements.

Got a better bicycle.
Checked and double checked my fit.
Started taking glucosamine. After a couple years taking glucosamine every day, I cut back to now and then.
Added cross training -- walking, a bit of running, weights, etc.

And my knees have been good for the past 20 years. I'm in my 50s now.

gabymtl

good on you! I have also decreased my stretching routines over the years, for me 5min of dynamic stretching works well. Best.

gabymtl

tanks for the input. I am hoping too that some adjustment will do, as I don't feel any strong pain and when they're bothering me, it's not for more than a half a day. I'm thinking about glucosamine pill (I usually try to stay away from supplements). All the best!

gabymtl

I try to follow the principle which you stated. I can count on my ten finger ho w many times I've taken Advil in my lifetime. It sometimes get harder with age to not grab the pill container, and if I have to always go for less than the recommended dose. Thanks for the wisdom.

gabymtl

thanks for sharing, enjoyed reading your input, I def relate to you feeling the need to ride. I live in Montreal and sometimes have to give up cycling for many months due to long winters, and that affect my well being greatly (and occasional indoor cycling does not help, being outside and exploring are the major therapeutic benefits for me). Long and happy riding!

CliffordK

It gets wet here in the winter, but not that much snow.

Three are brave souls up north that go out with studded bike tires. I don't know if I'd do that, but it would depend on where. I have ridden in the snow in the past, and decided that I just don't need to do it now.

I've got one friend that puts in quite a few hours in "spin classes". I think it may help to have a social environment.

At least at home, I have troubles getting the motivation to sit on an Exercycle for more than a few minutes. But, I can ride a bike outside for hours. As a commuter, there is always a destination.