Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Fifty Plus (50+)
Reload this Page >

What has Cycling done for your Health, Mental, Physical?

Notices
Fifty Plus (50+) Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling.

What has Cycling done for your Health, Mental, Physical?

Old 08-25-11, 09:25 AM
  #1  
borgagain
Oldtimer
Thread Starter
 
borgagain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Foothills of the Catskills in New York
Posts: 221

Bikes: 1972 Raleigh LTD, 1985 Cannondale SR300 (2), 1986 ROSS Eurotour, 1991 Giant Sedona MTB, 1992 Trek Antelope MTB

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
What has Cycling done for your Health, Mental, Physical?

This is in response to a recent post highlighting a doctor's unscientific fantasy conclusion that "If you are over 50, think twice before you get on a bicycle...The benefits just don't outweigh the potential consequences."

I've been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and COPD.

I'm 54. I ride nearly every day, including a couple of centuries a year. I also ride through the Winter. I can state with absolute certainty that cycling has helped with every one of these things.

Since I started riding, the only malady I treat is the AS, with Enbrel and Methotrexate. I have no trouble breathing. The dizziness and brutal headaches I suffered, as part of the CF symptoms, are a thing of the past. The arthritis in my knees doesn't bother me anymore. My muscle tone is great and my energy level is much higher than it was when I wasn't riding. Friends tell me I look great and I feel happy most of the time, something that definitely wasn't the case prior to getting back on a bike.

I'm curious to know what cycling has done for you? At what age do you think the returns will diminish? Have you reached that age?
borgagain is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 09:48 AM
  #2  
CraigB
Starting over
 
CraigB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 4,077

Bikes: 1990 Trek 1500; 2006 Gary Fisher Marlin; 2011 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 105; 2012 Catrike Trail

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
It's helped me lose 80 pounds over the last year, along with all the attendant health benefits that that brings.
CraigB is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 10:11 AM
  #3  
Barrettscv 
Have bike, will travel
 
Barrettscv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,392

Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2

Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 910 Post(s)
Liked 288 Times in 158 Posts
My father passed away after a long comfortable life about five years ago. I remember contemplating my mortality, and I had reason for concern. While my Doctor always insisted that I was in excellent health, I knew I was more than 50 lbs over weight and generally inactive. I decided that I needed to lose weight, and needed to become active. I also decided to get started while I still had the option.

In the last five years I’ve dropped about 40 lbs and I’ve been able to keep it off. I’ve also developed ample stamina for demanding activities, including skiing with local friends in the Rockies. It’s help professionally, and I’m able to travel globally and endure long flights and 12 hour jet lag. These things were very challenging prior to regular activity and recreation. Life is more enjoyable now.

Changes in my mental health have also been substantial. I make time for myself much more than before. I also demand more of myself.

My Doctor thought my cycling was amusing, but not significant. I found a new doctor.

Last edited by Barrettscv; 08-25-11 at 11:47 AM.
Barrettscv is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 10:14 AM
  #4  
bigbadwullf
Senior Member
 
bigbadwullf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: West, Tn.
Posts: 1,761
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Helped me get back in shape. The heat doesn't bother me as bad as it used to. I spent the summer riding with my daughter who is away in college most of the year. It was awesome spending time with her. May be the last time I ever get to do that. Thank you, bikes!
bigbadwullf is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 10:36 AM
  #5  
gcottay
Senior Member
 
gcottay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Green Valley AZ
Posts: 3,770

Bikes: Trice Q; Volae Century; TT 3.4

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Cycling brought me back from life lived in a desk chair on the way down to true couch potato-hood to being in shape, healthy and happy.
gcottay is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 10:42 AM
  #6  
BluesDawg
just keep riding
 
BluesDawg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560

Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times in 22 Posts
It made me strong enough to withstand the very aggressive cancer treatment needed to beat advanced throat cancer.
BluesDawg is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 11:11 AM
  #7  
Kurt Erlenbach
Senior Member
 
Kurt Erlenbach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Space Coast, Florida
Posts: 2,465
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I started riding while getting treatemnt for advanced colon cancer. I was in a 30% five-year survival rate category, which I passed last month. I can say without equivocation that cycling, good doctors, good medicine, and good luck saved my life.
Kurt Erlenbach is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 11:19 AM
  #8  
DEK
Senior Member
 
DEK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Danville, KY
Posts: 1,610

Bikes: '11 Felt Z85

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts
Cycling (and a slightly better diet) has helped me lose 35+ pounds. In addition, it helps me mentally because I can get out and ride and leave the day's issues behind.
DEK is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 11:31 AM
  #9  
Billy Bones
Senior Member
 
Billy Bones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Shanghai, West Virginia
Posts: 524
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by borgagain
...What has Cycling done for your Health, Mental, Physical? ...
I have a life-long problem with a depression worthy of a Dostoyevsky novel. “She” [depression] is my oldest and best friend and the one who has been my constant companion through thick and thin.

We have an arrangement, “She” and I. I accept her presence at all times and in all circumstances…there being no alternative. “She” agrees to live in the background…PROVIDING…

…I live a life of constant and intense physical activity…running, hiking, and cycling.

What has it done for me?

I get to live something like a normal life, a Blessing well worth the effort of getting out there and exerting effort. When I physically exert, “She” stays in her place.

In exchange, I get to sweat and see Earth in all Her moods…sunrise, storm, starlight, gloom, and all the rest…all in all, not a bad deal, eh?
Billy Bones is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 12:04 PM
  #10  
JohnTP
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Poulsbo WA (west of Seattle)
Posts: 57

Bikes: 2002 Lemond Buenos Aires

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
"I’ve also developed ample stamina for demanding activities, including skiing with local friends in the Rockies. It’s help professionally, and I’m able to travel globally and endure long flights and 12 hour jet lag. These things were very challenging prior to regular activity and recreation. Life is more enjoyable now"

My experience exactly.

I recently heard an advertisement on the radio promoting a medical program to help you look and feel younger. It started out something like "You may come into our program at 40 years of age but you will leave feeling 10 years younger with more energy, stamina and a youthful smile on your face".

I thought. Why not just buy a bicycle??
JohnTP is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 12:13 PM
  #11  
Nightshade
Humvee of bikes =Worksman
 
Nightshade's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,362
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
Cycling helps me control my depression symptoms. Messing with a bike, riding a bike are all I need to lift the cloud of negative thoughts that are part of PTSD.

As long as a person stays within their personal limits I fail to see how cycling could ever harm someone.
__________________
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.

Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
Nightshade is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 12:19 PM
  #12  
VertigoFlyer
Senior Member
 
VertigoFlyer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Balmy Snoqualmie WA
Posts: 172

Bikes: 2011 Trek Madone 5.2, 2010 Trek Fuel EX 8

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
For the person who's doctor told them not to ride I say find another doctor. As perfectly illustrated in the above posts exercise is ALWAYS a good thing! I can echo what the others have said. I've lost weight (40 lbs since last February). I feel vastly better! My mood swings have toned down. My outlook on life is better! If riding a bike at 51 is somehow a bad thing I say pooey on you! Some of my friends have done exactly that. They think my wife and I are nuts. It's interesting that the one's who make the most negative noise are the typically the one's who don't exercise at all. And it shows...

My wife and I will continue to ride until our bodies refuse to allow us to. If cycling is like crack then I am happily addicted!

So if you are reading these posts and wondering how to get back in shape do what the poster above said - Go buy a bike!!
VertigoFlyer is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 12:46 PM
  #13  
CACycling
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Oxnard, CA
Posts: 4,571

Bikes: 2009 Fuji Roubaix RC; 2011 Fuji Cross 2.0; '92 Diamond Back Ascent EX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 16 Times in 12 Posts
It has done a lot for me physically and mentally. In the 4 years since I started riding again, I've lost weight and improved my fitness level a lot. We spent a couple of weeks this past summer camping in the eastern Sierras. Hiking for miles at 10,000' + elevation would not have been possible had cycling not improved my aerobic health as well as reducing my weight. And the mental health benefits are great as well (though some might argue that my wearing spandex points toward a mental defect).
CACycling is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 01:07 PM
  #14  
rydabent
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924

Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II

Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,054 Times in 634 Posts
I retired 3 years ago, and started riding my bent most every other day in the summer. I have lost 20 pounds, and in the summer my A1c goes down to 6.1 with my type II diabetes. My doctor approves of my cycling and say keep it up. BTW im 73.
rydabent is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 01:55 PM
  #15  
stapfam
Time for a change.
 
stapfam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Posts: 19,913

Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
Physically It probably saved my life. I took up mountain biking in 1990 and in 99 I was probably the fittest and leanest I had been for years. Didn't help with the Heart attack though but the Cardiologist said that I was lucky to survive as the Arteries were well and truly blocked. Got over that only to two years later have prostate cancer. With the wonders of modern medicine and surgery that was not a severe problem to overcome- except the mental aspect of it. By the middle of 2002 I was still riding but not a great deal and not with a great deal of effort. I realised I was getting lethargic and lazy and could have given up cycling BUT- decided to give it one more try. Kill or Cure and set a target. A hard target of the hardest ride I have ever done and I had previously done it 5 years before. Well I did the ride but the training and commitment to that right put me right mentally.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.


Spike Milligan
stapfam is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 01:59 PM
  #16  
MinnMan
Senior Member
 
MinnMan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,735

Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4269 Post(s)
Liked 2,944 Times in 1,816 Posts
Originally Posted by gcottay
Cycling brought me back from life lived in a desk chair on the way down to true couch potato-hood to being in shape, healthy and happy.
Yeah, that.

Much better fitness, 30 lbs lighter, lower blood pressure, lower resting pulse, etc etc.

But also, great happiness. I spent 25 years devoted to nothing but career and family and hey, I'm not knocking either, but I needed *something* else.

I found it.
MinnMan is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 03:34 PM
  #17  
TomD77
Senior Member
 
TomD77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 572
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
The physical benefits from the 500-600 miles a month on average that I ride have been dramatic and are in the class as reported by the people who responded above but I do believe that the mental benefits have been more significant for me. Before I started riding two years ago, I was recently retired & relocated to an area where I knew few people, deeply depressed and, frankly, ambivalent at best as to whether I lived or died. My physical condition was at least as bad as my mental. Suffice it to say that the turnaround in my physical and mental state has been significant. Whenever circumstances restrict my riding for a significant number of days, I can feel the malaise creeping back. I don't have to burn the road to get the mental benefits. I had oral surgery earlier this week and, theoretically, I'm not supposed to be on a bike for another day or three. But I've been doing one hour rides while keeping my heart rate around 110-120 instead of my normal 130-145 bpm cruise range and I get back feeling great.
TomD77 is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 03:54 PM
  #18  
MinnMan
Senior Member
 
MinnMan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,735

Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4269 Post(s)
Liked 2,944 Times in 1,816 Posts
Can I just add that one of the (nice) challenges about all this is overcoming the urge to tell all kinds of people that they need to buy a bike and start riding? People I know who's health isn't so great or are suffering the effects of sedentary lifestyles. People I know who seem bored or in a rut. There's an inner voice I have that wants to evangelize for this great discovery I've made (and that so many of you have also made). But I'm old enough and wise enough to know that people don't want to hear it and, more to the point, won't listen. They need to make the discovery themselves. Besides, maybe for them, the discovery wouldn't be a bicycle but something else.

One of the pleasures of this forum is watching people go through this discovery process and seeing how their lives change as they continue to ride and post.
MinnMan is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 05:12 PM
  #19  
Giacomo 1 
Senior Member
 
Giacomo 1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Queens NYC
Posts: 3,175

Bikes: Colnago Super, Basso Gap, Pogliaghi, Fabio Barecci, Torelli Pista, Miyata 1400A

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 316 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times in 13 Posts
As I aged, I found myself drinking more alcaholic beverages when I came home from work. Not enough to be a real problem, but enough to make me say "hey, whats going going on here?" Cycling has changed that. Whatever the "high" that drinking was giving me, (endorphins maybe?) has now been replaced by the high that cycling is giving me.

So I'm all in for cycling!
__________________
It never gets easier, you just go faster. ~ Greg LeMond
Giacomo 1 is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 05:29 PM
  #20  
Robert Foster
Banned.
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Southern california
Posts: 3,498

Bikes: Lapierre CF Sensium 400. Jamis Ventura Sport. Trek 800. Giant Cypress.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Before I got back into cycling my weight was going up. I was 265 plus but when you are 265 you don't mention how much the plus is. Blood pressure was a bit high, cholesterol was high, blood sugar was moving up. Three and a half to four years later I am 210 and dropping. Blood pressure is good, cholesterol is the best it has ever been and blood sugar is normal. I tend to be in a better mood most of the time and I am more confident in my dealings with others. So yes, cycling has been, “berry berry good to me.”
Robert Foster is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 05:36 PM
  #21  
bobvonb
Senior Member
 
bobvonb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Apple Valley, CA
Posts: 74
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
As I approached 65 I began to think of how much longer I wanted to be active (read: go into the mountains and go deer hunting) and I decided that 20 more years wouldn't be unreasonable... IF I shaped up. 4 to 5 mile daily walks were helping, but not quickly enough. The bike give me that extra little edge, both mentally and physically.

2 years ago when I picked up my bike, used for $30, and started short rides it was a little scary. I didn't have the control I remembered from my youth and I fell a couple times. Made me think again. But I pushed on and now can go down ''the scary hill" at speed that I was really afraid of 2 years ago. So mentally it's maybe been just as important as physically.

And it helps me set goals: a 25 mile ride next month, 10 miles at 15 mph. (both close), and a metric century next year would be nice.
bobvonb is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 05:51 PM
  #22  
Sixty Fiver
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
 
Sixty Fiver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: YEG
Posts: 27,272

Bikes: See my sig...

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Liked 128 Times in 95 Posts
Can anyone play ?

I have been a cyclist for as long as I could walk and got my first trike and my participation has ebbed and flowed through my life although 5-6 years I ago I picked up the pace again, became car free, and have never looked back.

Have ridden road, especially in my younger days, mountain biked, rode ss / fg and cycle through all seasons and 3 years ago was riding at a 16,000 km a year pace and looking to enter master's racing.

And then, a disc exploded in my back and drove material into the nerve exits which has caused permanent nerve issues, left me in a state of chronic pain, and I have developed secondary MPS which can be excruciating.

Could not walk three years ago and my physical health and condition took a dive but slowly and surely I have worked to regain mobility and was able to ride before I could walk with any degree of surety or comfort.

Now I walk at least 3 miles a day when I am able and almost never miss my daily rides of 20km, I commute 100km to the frame shop on a frequent basis, and have knocked down numerous centuries and metrics.

Am on pace to ride 10,000 km this year and my doctor and specialists attribute my health and recovery to cyclng... I have had to adapt to not having full use of one leg and need those damned clipless pedals to keep my foot in place but now people are telling me that I am a hard man to keep up with on a bike.

Little old ladies with walkers can drop me easily but on a bike I can spin like a one legged gerbil on crack and don't worry about falling over, tripping, and most of the time the riding relieves a great deal of pain and lowers my need for mind numbing painkillers.

Cycling is also my business and being able to work in a limited fashion and as my health allows is good for my mental health and I hope to be able to do more if the current treatments is effective is reducing the pain levels.
Sixty Fiver is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 05:52 PM
  #23  
Sixty Fiver
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
 
Sixty Fiver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: YEG
Posts: 27,272

Bikes: See my sig...

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Liked 128 Times in 95 Posts
I also met my new wife because of cycling and this has changed my life more than anything... my wedding gift to her is a custom built tandem so look forward to enjoying a whole new aspect of cycling.
Sixty Fiver is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 08:04 PM
  #24  
miss kenton
Senior Member
 
miss kenton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Blueberry Capital of the WORLD, NJ
Posts: 2,095

Bikes: Trek '09 1.5 wsd, Trek '13 Cocoa

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Sixty Fiver
I also met my new wife because of cycling and this has changed my life more than anything... my wedding gift to her is a custom built tandem so look forward to enjoying a whole new aspect of cycling.
That is the most wonderful and romantic wedding gift I have ever heard of! Best wishes
miss kenton is offline  
Old 08-25-11, 08:15 PM
  #25  
danlikes
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 246

Bikes: Sab, Diamondback MB, Kawasiki MB, Huffy hybrid fixed gear junk yard build, Huffy cruiser motorized.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have been smoke free for 9 months. Did not really see any major changes in BP or endurance.
I have been a walker and Hiker for years 2-4 miles everyday, kept me a stable weight and is great training with the dogs, but no grate bounds.

After about 2 months of serous road biking now I have seen my BP drop about 5 points on top and 10 on the bottom end. Probably down 1 maybe two sized in the jeans not sure yet. Endurance is picking up in all activities noticeable.
danlikes is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.