BikingMountains

Hello everyone,

I'm a 50+ bicyclist and a journalist. I'm writing a feature story for a major national publication about people over 50 starting biking for the first time--or reconnecting with a youthful passion.

For my story, I'm looking for people to speak with about their experiences becoming bicyclists over 50.

Would anybody be willing to chat with me?

All levels are welcome--you don't have to be a super advanced bicyclist. I'm looking to find out more about

You can reach me by PMing me on this site, or writing me at xxxx. Once we connect by email, I can give you more details and if you're still interested we can set up a time to chat on the phone.

Thank you!
Laura

BikingMountains

Hello everyone, I just realized I don't have PM privileges yet. I received a very nice response in my inbox, but I can't write the person back since I can't PM yet. If you would like to respond to this, or already have and haven't heard from me, please email me at xxx.

Thank you!
Laura

BlazingPedals

You just need more posts. Two and counting!

Is that a cyclist becoming over 50, or being over 50 when you first take up cycling?

baron von trail 

I've been riding a bike since age 5. But, I have done my best biking after age-50. Mostly it's due to getting the sense of cycling being the fountain of youth...or maybe it is just having something which I can do at high intensity without damaging joints and tendons. Hard to say, but I do know that I enjoy bike riding more now than ever.

Rwc5830

Hi Laura, sent you an email.

Regards,
Richard

OldsCOOL

How about those of us that never really got away from riding?

fietsbob

I had My Birthday # 50 in the middle of a Bike Tour I had been on for 8 months , while in Scotland.

I think you may do better with live geezer in the streets interviews where you live , OK its More Work,

I expect this is not the place for I just started yesterday riders.

They probably dont know this forum Exists

Gerryattrick

On the contrary I bet that plenty of people on this site started cycling past 50 or 60, or at least re-started something they hadn't done since their youth, me for one. I wish the op good luck in her research, this is an obvious place to start.

nobodyhere

I had a brief conversation with her. She has been flooded with responses from this site - folks who started or returned to bicycling over 50. This was a most unusual response as generally (for other articles) she gets just a couple of responses from an internet forum post.

RonH

What publication and when will it appear? Will people's names be used in the article/story?

Biker395 

I'm actually looking forward to reading it.

I am always encouraged by people who are willing to take charge of their life and make lifestyle changes to get where they want to be.

fthomas

Laura, cycling is improving lives providing exercise and challenges for Disabled Veterans - PTSD & Amputees on adaptive equipment. Good luck with your research and sorry. Look forward to reading it.

rwings

I agree completely with baron von trail.

When I was younger I focused more on running than cycling. I still run now but not like I used too and have focused mostly on cycling. On the weekends I am riding 75 miles but I need to work on improving my time. I changed jobs so I would have time for more frequent long rides, hopefully that will help.

big chainring 

It's the new golf.

BikingMountains

@big chainring, the new golf...I like that! @RonH I prefer not to list the publication in the forum, but I'm giving people more details when they contact me, and at that point they can decide if they'd like to participate. Yes, I need to use real names, but will only do so if we talk on the phone; won't use anyone's name just from an email. I don't have a publication date here, but I will post a link here when it appears.

And a big THANK YOU to everyone who responded so far! I've got a lot of great emails from forum readers. Based on hearing about this on my own group rides, I figured there were a lot of people in this category, but as @nobodyhere says, the response has been beyond my expectations! I'm responding to my emails one by one, so if you've written me you're likely to hear from me over the next few days.

Outnumbered

It may be but at least my bike always goes where I want it to as opposed to my golfball.

Mvcrash

Don't like golf, never did. Like to ride, mental and physical health and a good meal after!!

big chainring 

I meant it in a snarky, sarcastic way. An upper class white man's activity.

Gnosis

I couldn’t agree more. Golf is B-O-R-I-N-G and so is “playing cards.” When I’m so old that these are the only remaining activities for me, then please bury me even if I’m still breathing (though be nice and put a round through my skull first).

InTheRain

I have spent way, way, way more on cycling than golf. I play golf at least once a week and usually 2-3 times per week between May and September. In this area, it's pretty easy to find unlimited golf for 1200 - 1800 per year. I don't play enough to make that a good value. I probably spend $800 per year on golf. I spent $1000 in the last two weeks on my two bikes (and that was not the purchasing of new bikes.) I think you can bicycle quite inexpensively as well. If you want really nice equipment... you'll most likely pay a pretty penny for it.

It doesn't matter what it is... if it keeps you healthy and happy, it's most likely worth whatever you pay to do it.

BikingMountains

Hello everyone. The story appeared in the WSJ today. Thank you to all who spoke with me, and wrote me emails and PMs. I couldn't speak to, or quote everyone, but I appreciated and enjoyed all the responses I got. I was flooded with emails and PMs in response to this thread, which shows just how excited a lot of people over 50 are about biking!

Retirees Get Back on Their Bikes - WSJ

wphamilton

Nice article, even though literally none of it applied to my own experience starting at age 48. Maybe it was those two years that made all the difference

trailangel

That's a nice article. We are still here... from the bike boom of the seventies. 40 years ago you never saw 'retires' riding bikes.. just didn't happen. But we are still here.. still riding. We have started another bike-boom.. after careers, families,... etc., we have time now.

Boudicca

Yes, nice article, although not everyone over 50 is retired and it was pretty heavy on the risks of riding when 'old'. I wish people would get away from the idea that bike paths are always safer. They can be safe, but there are all sorts of hazards (overhanging branches, unfixed potholes, errant dogs and toddlers) that you probably don't get on the roads. And it may be harder to get help if anything does happen.

Just grumbing. My recent accident was on the trail system here. Mysterious pothole sprung up and flipped my front wheel while I was focused on the group of riders coming up ahead.

chasm54

Good grief. If this article is to be believed, the over 50s are practically moribund, so unsteady they are likely to fall off their bikes at any moment, and riding in a vain attempt to outrun an inevitable carcinoma. Clearly the stories of the many over sixties who ride upwards of 200 miles a week and are still racing didn't fit the desired, and rather patronising, narrative. Oh well, nothing like a good stereotype, I suppose...