Midlife cyclist
#2
Facts just confuse people




Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 19,288
Likes: 7,035
From: Mississippi
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Only the pleasure of reading. You probably already have a decent enough grasp of the things it talks about.
Since you've been lurking around here for about 20 years, you've probably read and seen discussions of most everything in it.
And for the record, I have not read the book.
Since you've been lurking around here for about 20 years, you've probably read and seen discussions of most everything in it.
And for the record, I have not read the book.
Last edited by Iride01; 12-29-25 at 03:57 PM.
#6
just another gosling


Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 20,554
Likes: 2,667
From: Everett, WA
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Haven't read it. It says it's about cycling past 40. I read Cycling Past 50. It was OK. I think it would depend on how much you've already read about appropriate cycling training. The principles are pretty much all the same at any age. Main thing which is different is that as we age, strength training keeps getting more important. If you're not in the gym twice a week, you're making a mistake. Basically, you want a lot of zone 2 and a hard ride about once a week, which advice is about the same for any age, really. I'm 80. Take your morning resting HR every morning and if it goes up by 6 beats, you're in serious need for a couple days off. There's not much more to it.
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Results matter
Results matter
#7
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 100
From: Katy Texas
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix
Thanks, I’m sitting here with cycling past 50 right now. I bought it a while ago and I think I’ll just dig into it more now. I have high blood pressure and I thought I could get a little input on that subject.
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George
George
#8
I would go with Carbonfiberboy's recommendations, but you may also want to include some isometric exercises to help lower blood pressure as much as possible. And isometrics are also a great exercise for strengthening connective tissues/joints.
Believe it or not, isometrics beats all other exercises, by far, on reducing BP.
This attempts to explain the why in how isometrics is the best exercise to lower BP, but really we don't really know yet
#9
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 100
From: Katy Texas
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix
I just watched the video and it’s pretty interesting. I’ll have to try it out and see what happens.
I lost 17 pounds already but it didn’t stop the high blood pressure. I down to 190 pounds now and 6 feet tall. All the bmi scales say I should lose 5 more pounds but I don’t think I will.
Thanks again.
I lost 17 pounds already but it didn’t stop the high blood pressure. I down to 190 pounds now and 6 feet tall. All the bmi scales say I should lose 5 more pounds but I don’t think I will.
Thanks again.
__________________
George
George
#10
just another gosling


Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 20,554
Likes: 2,667
From: Everett, WA
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Medication is a pretty good way to lower BP. Talk to a doctor. I know that some can affect your heart output, not good for cyclists. I take clopidogrel 75 mg and don't notice any negatives.
Wall-sitting is a great exercise for skiers, used to do that. It sure won't hurt your cycling any! As the study author said, “Our main message is that actually engaging in exercise is fantastic and any exercise might reduce your blood pressure,” I just had a go, 2' was hard but I'm way out of shape. I seem to remember being able to go much longer, but that was back in the day when . . .
Way back in my 60s, I did 3 sets of 30 at the gym for a year. That really made a difference. Only reason I went back to doing shorter sets is that it took a lot more time. Super effective for cycling and other endurance sports. A major benefit is that the weights are light enough that injury is not an issue.
A really good and effective book about cycling conditioning is The Cyclists Training Bible by Friel. It's a manual, really. I think it works for everyone.
Wall-sitting is a great exercise for skiers, used to do that. It sure won't hurt your cycling any! As the study author said, “Our main message is that actually engaging in exercise is fantastic and any exercise might reduce your blood pressure,” I just had a go, 2' was hard but I'm way out of shape. I seem to remember being able to go much longer, but that was back in the day when . . .
Way back in my 60s, I did 3 sets of 30 at the gym for a year. That really made a difference. Only reason I went back to doing shorter sets is that it took a lot more time. Super effective for cycling and other endurance sports. A major benefit is that the weights are light enough that injury is not an issue.
A really good and effective book about cycling conditioning is The Cyclists Training Bible by Friel. It's a manual, really. I think it works for everyone.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#11
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 100
From: Katy Texas
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix
Yes, I was off the whole month of August, do to a bowel obstruction, lapicoptic surgury and I'm still not back to where I was. That's how I lost the 15 pounds. Im starting to feel decent again.
Thanks for the help and the videos and stay safe.
Thanks for the help and the videos and stay safe.
__________________
George
George
#12
Senior Member



Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 1,207
From: "Driftless" WI
Bikes: 1972 Motobecane Grand Record, 2023 Specialized Tarmac SL7,'26 Spesh Diverge, '22 Kona Dew+
You likely won't, unless you bruise yourself or suffer a cut. That medication affects how your blood platelets behave, typically has nothing to do with controlling blood pressure.
I was on it for about four years after having two stents place in one coronary artery early in 2006. Also prescribed two different meds for high blood pressure, Amlodipine and Benazepril. My PCP took me off the first one last year, I still take the second at the minimum recommended dosage.
I've read that book, found some of the content informative. You spend enough time reading posts here you'll get all the important points over time. Regular exercise is a good way to control BP if you can start without a lot of health-issue baggage to overcome. Best practice is talking with your primary doctor, see what they suggest.
I was on it for about four years after having two stents place in one coronary artery early in 2006. Also prescribed two different meds for high blood pressure, Amlodipine and Benazepril. My PCP took me off the first one last year, I still take the second at the minimum recommended dosage.
I've read that book, found some of the content informative. You spend enough time reading posts here you'll get all the important points over time. Regular exercise is a good way to control BP if you can start without a lot of health-issue baggage to overcome. Best practice is talking with your primary doctor, see what they suggest.
__________________
"Bramo assai,poco spero,nulla chieggio."
"Bramo assai,poco spero,nulla chieggio."
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 932
Likes: 768
From: Australia
Bikes: 2002 Trek 5200 (US POSTAL), 2020 Canyon Aeroad SL
I have read the book. It was interesting, nothing ground breaking, nothing you can't get from online resources, and you probably know most of what is in the book and what you need to do already.
If you like reading and are interested in the subject matter, then you'll likely enjoy the read.
#18
Senior Member


Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 729
From: Columbus, Ohio
Bikes: Lynskey R230, Trek 5200, 1975 Raleigh Pro, 1973 Falcon ,Trek T50 Tandem and a 1968 Paramount in progress.
Haven't read it. It says it's about cycling past 40. I read Cycling Past 50. It was OK. I think it would depend on how much you've already read about appropriate cycling training. The principles are pretty much all the same at any age. Main thing which is different is that as we age, strength training keeps getting more important. If you're not in the gym twice a week, you're making a mistake. Basically, you want a lot of zone 2 and a hard ride about once a week, which advice is about the same for any age, really. I'm 80. Take your morning resting HR every morning and if it goes up by 6 beats, you're in serious need for a couple days off. There's not much more to it.








