mtn.cyclist

Like my father used to say, it's not so bad when you consider the alternative.

Dan Burkhart 

The meaning of life in a single word.

zonatandem

Age 80; weight 135 lbs. Ride 100+ miles a week. Eat sensibly (very minimal fast food).
Can't wait 'til I get older!~

TiHabanero

You guys are alright! This feeling started when I went mountain biking with a 70 year old guy two weekends ago. It was his first ride and he didn't crash, was not fast, but loved the heck out of it! He also weighed less than me. That really got me wondering why I am so damned fat! I have taken up a new position, one where I sit all day long. I didn't ride as much as last year (2k vs. 3k) and my wife keeps baking good tasting cookies, cake, and brownies to die for!
Inspiration oozes from this thread. Thanks. I will take care of it.

DnvrFox

Hey Rudy - you don't have to wait - it is happening every second

Ali_Pine

I think you need a new hobby.

Chase women 1/2 your age.

You'll feel better - unless your wife catches you.

rydabent

I will be 75 in Dec and ride about 100 miles a week for about 7 months of the year. Im in the snow belt and dont ride when it is cold.

As others have stated getting old is better than the alternative. Keep active, and cycling is one of the best ways to do it. If you just set, you will rust, and hate even worse getting older. Rolling on two or three wheels is better than rolling on two front wheels and a couple of cut open tennis ball on the back legs of a walker.

DnvrFox

Rustoleum is the real answer

VegasTriker

I recently took to looking up friends from the past online and was saddened to see their obituaries pop up as the first item. One college friend died at age 50 and many have not lived long enough to enjoy retirement. While remaining active is no guarantee of a long life, it certainly lengthens the odds.

tarwheel 

I'm 59 and have lost 30 lbs over the past few years. Actually, I lost the weight two years ago and have kept it off. Before then, I had steadily gained weight for years even though I was exercising a lot. What worked for me was starting to track my weight and calories every day. I started when I got an iPhone about 3 years ago, and downloaded a tracking app (LoseIt!). With the program, you enter in all of vital stats (age, weight, etc.), your goal weight, and how quickly you want to lose weight. I chose a goal of losing 20 lbs at a rate of 1 lb/week, and I lost weight at that rate almost precisely. I worked so well that I reset my weight-loss goal to 25 lbs and then 30 lbs.

When you start tracking your calories, you quickly realize how much you are actually eating. You have to be honest, however, for it to work. You have to track every single bit of food or drink that you consume, and measure quantities carefully. You also get credit for how many calories you burn through exercise, and you have to be honest about that as well.

Along with tracking, you also have to start changing the way you eat. Cut back on portion sizes and second helpings. Reduce the amount of beer and alcohol you drink. Eat healthier foods with more fiber.

Rick@OCRR

I've been much happier since I turned 50 . Part of that (probably a big part) is that I got divorced from my non-cycling wife when I was 45 and married my cycling wife (11 years younger than me) when I was 52.

Now that I'm 63 I am loving life! I still have a good job, wonderful cycling opportunities, beautiful mountains in which to ride, a wonderful wife and several fun bikes. It really is all good.

Rick / OCRR

bkaapcke

Look at the bright side. You only have six more years to worry about being in your fifties. This fact alone ought to be enough to make your day. bk

Gnosis

Fear not, for soon enough you’ll be “out of this arrangement”. Try to be thankful for the time you presently have; embrace life to its fullest and don't sweat the little stuff...

mapeiboy

55 here . Love every moment of it even in great pain after each ride . I am is the age thing and there is nothing I can do about it . There are alot of people who don't even get to make our age .

rydabent

Think about when you retire, it will brighten your day. As I have stated, retirement is like being a teenager on summer vacation.

phread59

Stop the World I wanna get off. Getting old just plain sucks. The alternatives are more sucky.

Mark Shuman

Ali_Pine

That reminds me of days spent under the boardwalk and a number of formal (white shotgun) weddings.

Dudelsack 

I never have problems with beautiful young women. They're always happy to chat with me, especially the ones I meet on bike rides.

I'm told I remind them of their dads

DnvrFox

I hate to break the news, but I think you must mean "granddads"

Myosmith

"Growing old ain't so bad when you consider the alternative." George Burns

Dudelsack 

Honestly never been called that.

jmart2

wish i was ONLY 54 again. 71 and still love to ride.

PTar

Can't really get angry about aging. I'm 52 and still chasing my six year old around. Now that forces you to stay active. I still have trouble getting up at 4:45 in the dark to knock out a twenty five mile ride. But pulling into the driveway at seven feels good knowing that I got something done while many folks are still in bed. Stay active, plenty of time to rest when it's time to take the dirt nap.

rumrunn6

add it to the list of reasons to be a cranky old man

Gnosis

My excruciating near fatal heart attack in late August of 2009 at age 53 dramatically changed my perspective of life oriented matters. Every day since then has been a bonus round and reason to celebrate the extended time I’ve been given.

My ex-wife passed away suddenly in her sleep of a massive heart attack at age 53 and her mother passed away suddenly of a brain aneurism at age 53. My ex-wife worried that she’d pass away at age 53 just as her mother. What good ever came from worrying about it? None whatsoever! It didn’t cause her to quit smoking and consuming alcohol and neither did she commence any manner of exercise. She loved to go fishing and why not; it’s an easy “sit motionless on your arse” activity.

From my perspective, it would seem that 53 years of age is a potential danger zone in one’s lifetime. Make it past the dreaded 53 years of age and it appears there’s much more that awaits us.