How Many of You People Are Baby-Boomers?
03-31-19, 07:36 AM
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Napa Valley, CA
Posts: 908
Bikes: Wife says I have too many :-)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 327 Post(s)
Liked 250 Times
in
158 Posts
If you are referring to the subject of this thread baby boomer cyclists, it isn't just limited to America. Cyclists reap the benefits of better health and living longer, There are many baby boomer cyclists out there.
Thought for the day:
You don't quit cycling because you get old. You get old because you quit cycling.
03-31-19, 07:51 AM
#52
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,118
Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 853 Post(s)
Liked 1,437 Times
in
819 Posts
DOB: 9/6/1952
I bought my first drop bar bike, motobecane, in 1971 and have owned one ever since. I still ride because I enjoy it so much. For me, I think the mental health aspect of it is as important as anything else.
I bought my first drop bar bike, motobecane, in 1971 and have owned one ever since. I still ride because I enjoy it so much. For me, I think the mental health aspect of it is as important as anything else.
03-31-19, 07:58 AM
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
Different sources I guess;
"People born before 1946 are called - The Greatest Generation. People born between 1946 and 1964 are called - The Baby Boomers. People born between 1965 and 1979 are called - Generation X. And people bornbetween 1980 and 2010 are called -Generation Y.Jul 26, 2013"
"People born before 1946 are called - The Greatest Generation. People born between 1946 and 1964 are called - The Baby Boomers. People born between 1965 and 1979 are called - Generation X. And people bornbetween 1980 and 2010 are called -Generation Y.Jul 26, 2013"
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
03-31-19, 08:44 AM
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 727
Bikes: Current: 2016 Bianchi Volpe; 1973 Peugeot UO-8. Past: 1974 Fuji S-10-S with custom black Imron paint by Stinsman Racing of PA.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 215 Post(s)
Liked 204 Times
in
142 Posts
Boomer here, 1953, but I really consider myself the Space Race generation as it consumed my interest until the moon landing. We all rode as kids, sometimes in great hordes of kids rangin from 8-14 years old. It was British blues and San Francisco sound music in the mid to late 60's and then my first adult bike was in college when I bought a Peogeot UO-8.in 1973, which I still ride occasionally and really enjoy the roots effect. It truely was freedom. Added a Fuji to the stable in 1974 and rode that on and off until 2014. My cycling was avid until work interfered. I did some informal track biking, mainly sprints in the gap between college and real work. But I did spent 3 years commuting by bike in downtown Philadelphia, and did a bit of commuting in DC area, where the track bike skills really helped. Slowly work and other pursuits pushed the bike use aside into intermittent use until I retired. I restarted cycling and actually bought my first helmut. Now at 65, I wonder how I ever did the traffic commuting thing and rode without a helmut. I even have a taillight!
I still see young cyclists, but not like before. I also see lots of women cyclists, but more women runners. In my area the traffic is so bad that unless near a Bike trail, road riding can be the last thing you want to do to relax. I also think watching the road and not the small phone screen leads many to withdrawal, so the bikes, if owned, just sit, or are never even considered. There may also be that effects from 'bike elitism' has taken a toll. New riders often speak of condescension when buying and getting the impression that cycling it too complex and expensive..
I still see young cyclists, but not like before. I also see lots of women cyclists, but more women runners. In my area the traffic is so bad that unless near a Bike trail, road riding can be the last thing you want to do to relax. I also think watching the road and not the small phone screen leads many to withdrawal, so the bikes, if owned, just sit, or are never even considered. There may also be that effects from 'bike elitism' has taken a toll. New riders often speak of condescension when buying and getting the impression that cycling it too complex and expensive..
03-31-19, 09:22 AM
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: 961' 42.28° N, 83.78° W (A2)
Posts: 2,344
Bikes: Mongoose Selous, Trek DS
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 941 Post(s)
Liked 319 Times
in
189 Posts
I was born in 1942. I can see this turning onto a political discussion which I don't want to do but I do not consider either myself or the people of my era worthy of "The Greatest Generation" Those were the WWII GI's. They won the war and then they really did make America great. I was still a baby.
03-31-19, 09:56 AM
#56
Senior Member
I think it must have been the music that was popular in the US during the 60s and 70s...
03-31-19, 10:56 AM
#57
minimalist cyclist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,745
Bikes: yes please
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1119 Post(s)
Liked 1,641 Times
in
944 Posts
I had one of those early fixies too ! I think I read '58 was the height of the Baby Boom and may still be the year of the most American births. I was early Nov of '57 and of course my baby nickname was Sputnik
sporting the obligatory cowboy outfit
Edit - just looked it up and it looks like '57 was tops -- I win https://www.bbhq.com/bomrstat.htm
sporting the obligatory cowboy outfit
Edit - just looked it up and it looks like '57 was tops -- I win https://www.bbhq.com/bomrstat.htm
Last edited by Deal4Fuji; 03-31-19 at 11:05 AM. Reason: new data
04-01-19, 04:51 AM
#58
Senior Member
Now 53 is old. Guess better put up the bike, hang up the running shoes and find a bingo game. {walks offf muttering something about them dadgum kids**
04-01-19, 05:32 AM
#59
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times
in
806 Posts
Born 1959 here. I began my journey as a bike commuter in 3rd grade, riding my Sears Spyder to school regularly in 1967/68. I've been riding since...
Respect your elders.
Respect your elders.
04-01-19, 05:46 AM
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,243
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18416 Post(s)
Liked 15,556 Times
in
7,331 Posts
What do you mean, "You people"?
04-01-19, 08:41 AM
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: LF, APMAT
Posts: 2,752
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 623 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 397 Times
in
226 Posts
It's all pretty artificial marketing categories...however, I was born in 1964, but have a hard time identifying with boomers. I think you had to spend your young adult years in the 60's early 70's to have the real boomer vibe. I grew up more in the 80's and it was totally different. Anyways, been riding since I could balance myself. Rode to elementary school from the first grade on.
04-01-19, 09:09 AM
#63
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
+1. You can find people of any stripe in any so-called generation.
04-01-19, 09:42 AM
#64
Junior Member
Baby boomer here. I think it was the mass quantities of weed we smoked back in the day. Thats what led to mass quantities of miles on the bike. And all those miles ridden without a helmet. Good times. Now I ride to keep in reasonable shape as I see and hear of friends of the past who have passed. Fire up a bowl and hit the road. And once in awhile take off that silly hemet and feel the breeze. Screw the sunscreen, get a tan.
04-01-19, 10:15 AM
#65
Junior Member
On two wheels since 1965.
I get the feeling that the largest group of people on just about any bike forum tend to be older and that makes boomers prominent since they're the biggest chunk of the over 50 population. Of course, I don't frequent BMX, MTB or other forums where more younger riders may hang out,so my personal experience may be stilted.
Us boomer aged cyclists had the advantage in our youth of many more outdoor activities and no virtual / digital activities that younger folks have everywhere now.. However, I kind of blame us for whatever our children / grandchildren do / not do with regard to outdoor physical activities. We hovered over them and worried about their safety, put them on buses or drove them to school, set them in front of the television everywhere and joined them in their digital instead of real-life adventures. It's a different world where some things are better but some things are definitely worse
I get the feeling that the largest group of people on just about any bike forum tend to be older and that makes boomers prominent since they're the biggest chunk of the over 50 population. Of course, I don't frequent BMX, MTB or other forums where more younger riders may hang out,so my personal experience may be stilted.
Us boomer aged cyclists had the advantage in our youth of many more outdoor activities and no virtual / digital activities that younger folks have everywhere now.. However, I kind of blame us for whatever our children / grandchildren do / not do with regard to outdoor physical activities. We hovered over them and worried about their safety, put them on buses or drove them to school, set them in front of the television everywhere and joined them in their digital instead of real-life adventures. It's a different world where some things are better but some things are definitely worse
04-01-19, 11:52 AM
#67
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
It's all pretty artificial marketing categories...however, I was born in 1964, but have a hard time identifying with boomers. I think you had to spend your young adult years in the 60's early 70's to have the real boomer vibe.
I grew up more in the 80's and it was totally different. Anyways, been riding since I could balance myself. Rode to elementary school from the first grade on.
I grew up more in the 80's and it was totally different. Anyways, been riding since I could balance myself. Rode to elementary school from the first grade on.
How Many of You People Are Baby-Boomers?
Likely because we were in our vigorous 20’s in the 1970’s, and thankfully kept up this beneficial lifestyle. See this thread, "Anyone around during the Bike Boom of the 1970s? Tell me about your story!"
Likely because we were in our vigorous 20’s in the 1970’s, and thankfully kept up this beneficial lifestyle. See this thread, "Anyone around during the Bike Boom of the 1970s? Tell me about your story!"
...Back in the 60’s in the Motor City, I had an “English Racer,’ and longed to tour at about age 14, but then joined the car culture.
In Ann Arbor MI in the 70’s I really realized the utility of bicycles for commuting, and began touring on a five-speed Schwinn Suburban, but soon bought a Mercier as did my girlfriend, later my wife. We toured in Michigan and Ontario.
In 1977 we moved to Boston on our bikes, as a bicycling honeymoon from Los Angeles to Washington, DC and then took the train up to Boston...
In Ann Arbor MI in the 70’s I really realized the utility of bicycles for commuting, and began touring on a five-speed Schwinn Suburban, but soon bought a Mercier as did my girlfriend, later my wife. We toured in Michigan and Ontario.
In 1977 we moved to Boston on our bikes, as a bicycling honeymoon from Los Angeles to Washington, DC and then took the train up to Boston...
...as noted above that while I may have had a predilection to get involved in cycling, the boom was already in progress, and did not necessarily entice me to become one of the small percentage of those who bought bikes at the time to become a life-long cycling devotee.
Actually perhaps a stronger prompt might have been the Aerobics phenomenon (by Dr. Ken Cooper) which I recall preceded the cycling boom in 1968.
Actually perhaps a stronger prompt might have been the Aerobics phenomenon (by Dr. Ken Cooper) which I recall preceded the cycling boom in 1968.
Being in college in the 1970s, I think I perceived of a Bike Boom as a distinctive phenomenon, as cardio excercise became more acceptable / desirable than in the 50’s; e.g. . That Boom preceded the mountain bike fad of the1980’s.
04-01-19, 08:58 PM
#68
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 763
Bikes: S-Works Stumpjumper HT Disc, Fuji Absolute, Kona Jake the Snake, '85 Cannondale SR900
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 219 Post(s)
Liked 217 Times
in
142 Posts
04-01-19, 09:21 PM
#69
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Also, it’s been years since I’ve seen a USPS jersey.
04-02-19, 09:54 AM
#70
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times
in
806 Posts
There's someone trying to sell a US Postal jersey on my local Craigslist right now. Been trying for a year.
I look at it, shake my head and say, "oh, no". It'll never sell...
I look at it, shake my head and say, "oh, no". It'll never sell...
04-03-19, 06:22 AM
#73
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 33,004
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92
Mentioned: 325 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11971 Post(s)
Liked 6,652 Times
in
3,485 Posts
__________________
See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon
04-03-19, 06:46 AM
#74
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 4,811
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,018 Times
in
571 Posts
The common generational distinctions make little sense to me. Born in the late 50s, I grew up in the 60s and I think have more in common with those who grew up in the 70s than those who grew up in the 50s.
04-04-19, 06:46 PM
#75
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Tucson Az
Posts: 1,678
Bikes: 2015 Ridley Fenix, 1983 Team Fuji, 2019 Marin Nail Trail 6
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 337 Post(s)
Liked 228 Times
in
138 Posts
60yr old boomer here, and I bought my first lbs bike in 73 when I was 14 with paper route money I'd saved up.
It was a candy apple red Coventry Eagle with low end Campy bits, bit I was 14 and I was riding on a bike with CAMPY!!!!!!
I thought I was the coolest.
It was a candy apple red Coventry Eagle with low end Campy bits, bit I was 14 and I was riding on a bike with CAMPY!!!!!!
I thought I was the coolest.