E56789

This is in response to the " When are you too old to ride?" thread.

I'm 66 and really just starting to get serious about riding. Got rid of the couple of bikes in the garage that had never been well used and had a Gravel,Commuter,Touring bike built and plan on racking up some kms this year and for as long as I can.

Truth be told, my wife bought an ebike and wanted me to get one too. HELL NO; says me and now I am committed!!! Wish me luck and chime in with how old you were when you started cycling seriously.

Rajflyboy

Never too old.

DeadGrandpa

I've been riding off and on since the early 70s. Renewed efforts five years ago, and made a dedicated effort to bike ride daily earlier this year. Retired. Roll out of bed whenever, eat breakfast and go riding, 36 to 50+ miles depending on the weather, personal schedules, and whatever. Don't care what day it is, only how much daylight is left for riding. I'm 67. Back from a ride, it's open the wine, get into the hot tub and cook supper. Life is pretty good, and bicycling is a big part of my life.

Moishe

You’ve got at least twenty years. Me, I’m 68, started riding seriously five years ago when I retired, 3,500 miles a year, 4,500, faster stronger longer-lasting every year—so far. I hate exercising, love road cycling.

horatio 

When you can’t balance on a bike. Falls are not good for the elderly. There’s always the option of tadpole trikes. Lots of fun.

Retro Grouch 

When is it too late to get a college degree?

One of the nice things about getting older is we can do whatever we want and there's nobody to tell us we can't. Mrs. Grouch and I, by the way, are both tadpole trike people.

Wildwood 

Depends on prior cycling experience - balance and turning are not so easily mastered by '1st time' senior cyclists. But trikes have an audience

I worked in the assisted living industry and have seen too many people's lives destroyed by falls. And yes, anyone can fall while getting out of bed or just standing up. But for many the risk exceeds the reward.

Maelochs

I generally advise against people who have stopped breathing, to take up cycling. otherwise, go for it.

daoswald

My mom, 80, has neropathy from chemo, several pins in her foot and ankle from a fall that broke a bunch of bones, a plate on her femur from a fall, double hip replacement, and double knee replacement. She doesn't think as clearly as she did when she sang opera and taught college art courses. Her balance has become bad, and her hearing is declining. She is too old to start biking.

My father, 84, has bad hearing, but is otherwise pretty healthy. He hikes, fishes, camps, mows the lawn, shovels snow, and so on. He is not too old.

Age isn't actually the limiting factor, it's a factor that contributes to physical and mental decline. There are other factors that can mitigate the effects. And there are factors that can accelerate the effects. My 84 year old father could take up biking, probably with an ebike. My 80 year old mom could not. In their 60s either one of them could have. So yes, age has not been kind to my mom, but it's more about the things that happened in those years, not the years themselves.

(Neither of them are overweight, diabetic, smokers, drinkers, etc. But one had some bad health issues and a more sedentary lifestyle, the other had fewer health issues, and a more active lifestyle).

linberl

I hadn't been on a bike in 40+ years, but started riding again when I retired at 62. Started off with an e-bike, mostly for confidence that I wouldn't get stranded and to build up my stamina. A little over a year later I sold it to a similarly situated person and got a regular bike. Been riding around 100 miles a week ever since, sometimes more. I find having smaller wheels is easier for balance (hard to fall when you can just stick a foot down) so I love my 20" and 16" folders. They also accelerate easier from stops which is kind to my knees. And my Bike Friday rides as good as any full sized bike. But if you're going to ride where there is traffic, you do need to have your wits about you; not for the confused.

rando_couche

You aren't.

Connell

When you hear them shoveling the dirt on your coffin.

Rigsson

My dad had never ridden a bike in his life. Grew up during the depression so couldn't afford one as a child and never had the desire when older. In his mid 70s he asked to try one of my bikes and used it as a balance bike around the back yard. He said, "I think I can do this" and spent the next few years rolling up and down the street in front of the house. Never progressed to pedaling but still enjoyed it while he could.

308jerry

Started riding again at 62, two years ago after almost a 50 year hiatus. Still am enjoying it.