Originally Posted by
Ferguron
I am 52 years old.
Just as I was approaching 50 I went to a mandatory health screening for my job…and got a number of bad pieces of information - high blood pressure, most notably. I was scared straight...I had been planning for retirement at 55, which would not work if I was dead…
I changed my eating habits, started biking again (I had a mountain bike that I liked back in college) and dropped fifty pounds. Blood pressure now quite low.
Season #1 (2019) I bought a Giant Escape to start biking on the street.
Season #2 (2020) I bought a 2000 Trek 5200 (decked out like Lance’s first Tour victory bike). I set the season goal of 50 miles, which I did in the latter part of the season.
Season #3 (2021) I decided to go all-in on a new road bike but what I wanted wasn’t available. Instead I bought a Giant Propel Advanced SL1 on eBay. I have developed an unnatural level of affection for that bike.
This past weekend I hit my season goal of a 75 mile ride – completed in 4:22 for an average of 17.2 MPH, which I was happy with for rural / hilly northern New Jersey. I did twice weekly 50 mile rides to prepare.
Not sure what my point is…I guess it’s that I am a happier person now and that it’s never too late to change your habits.
Very smart to "get healthy" at 50 and super effort in 3 years getting to 75 at 17mph.
Plenty of time to continue working your new cycling life and start doing centuries, especially once you do retire.
Im at about the same point approaching retirement and spending 2..4 hours on my rides and not exceeding 70 miles. I would also like to complete some 100s in the coming years.