65-85+ Thread
#1376
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Boynton Beach, Fl
Posts: 159
Bikes: 2011 Cannondale Synapse , M300 and Specialized Stumpjumper
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Just came across this thread and since I hit 65 in September thought I would join in. The prior poster 10wheels I know of from the weight an mileage thread and hope to get my mileage up to his levels. To give more of my background here goes.
Was an active golfer and mountain biker till my early 50's when my back which always gave me problems really started going bad and the back operations began. Two years ago I was now on disability and my golf hobby was gone when my neurosurgeon suggested I start riding a bike again to build up my lower back and hip muscles but road biking only. In 2011 I did 400 miles mostly on a hybrid until I bought my Cannondale Synapse the end of that year. In 2012 I did 4400 miles and my goal was 6000 miles for 2013. Unfortunately after almost 1300 miles by April of this year the back went out again which necessitated putting two titanium rods in my lower back this past June.
The road back has been slower than I had hoped with only 200 miles since mid September. Part of the problem has just been getting into shape again but the onset of cold weather has just been a killer for me in just getting my back to loosen up. The good news is this Friday I go down to my South Florida home from NY and hoping the warm weather kick starts my mileage and conditioning again. My riding buddies are waiting for me and average in age from 63 to 72.
Hope to be a useful contributor here.
Was an active golfer and mountain biker till my early 50's when my back which always gave me problems really started going bad and the back operations began. Two years ago I was now on disability and my golf hobby was gone when my neurosurgeon suggested I start riding a bike again to build up my lower back and hip muscles but road biking only. In 2011 I did 400 miles mostly on a hybrid until I bought my Cannondale Synapse the end of that year. In 2012 I did 4400 miles and my goal was 6000 miles for 2013. Unfortunately after almost 1300 miles by April of this year the back went out again which necessitated putting two titanium rods in my lower back this past June.
The road back has been slower than I had hoped with only 200 miles since mid September. Part of the problem has just been getting into shape again but the onset of cold weather has just been a killer for me in just getting my back to loosen up. The good news is this Friday I go down to my South Florida home from NY and hoping the warm weather kick starts my mileage and conditioning again. My riding buddies are waiting for me and average in age from 63 to 72.
Hope to be a useful contributor here.
#1377
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,337
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
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Just came across this thread and since I hit 65 in September thought I would join in. The prior poster 10wheels I know of from the weight an mileage thread and hope to get my mileage up to his levels. To give more of my background here goes.
Was an active golfer and mountain biker till my early 50's when my back which always gave me problems really started going bad and the back operations began. Two years ago I was now on disability and my golf hobby was gone when my neurosurgeon suggested I start riding a bike again to build up my lower back and hip muscles but road biking only. In 2011 I did 400 miles mostly on a hybrid until I bought my Cannondale Synapse the end of that year. In 2012 I did 4400 miles and my goal was 6000 miles for 2013. Unfortunately after almost 1300 miles by April of this year the back went out again which necessitated putting two titanium rods in my lower back this past June.
The road back has been slower than I had hoped with only 200 miles since mid September. Part of the problem has just been getting into shape again but the onset of cold weather has just been a killer for me in just getting my back to loosen up. The good news is this Friday I go down to my South Florida home from NY and hoping the warm weather kick starts my mileage and conditioning again. My riding buddies are waiting for me and average in age from 63 to 72.
Hope to be a useful contributor here.
Was an active golfer and mountain biker till my early 50's when my back which always gave me problems really started going bad and the back operations began. Two years ago I was now on disability and my golf hobby was gone when my neurosurgeon suggested I start riding a bike again to build up my lower back and hip muscles but road biking only. In 2011 I did 400 miles mostly on a hybrid until I bought my Cannondale Synapse the end of that year. In 2012 I did 4400 miles and my goal was 6000 miles for 2013. Unfortunately after almost 1300 miles by April of this year the back went out again which necessitated putting two titanium rods in my lower back this past June.
The road back has been slower than I had hoped with only 200 miles since mid September. Part of the problem has just been getting into shape again but the onset of cold weather has just been a killer for me in just getting my back to loosen up. The good news is this Friday I go down to my South Florida home from NY and hoping the warm weather kick starts my mileage and conditioning again. My riding buddies are waiting for me and average in age from 63 to 72.
Hope to be a useful contributor here.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#1378
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Hollister, CA
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OTOH, the Feds just announced that California has the worst roads in the country congestion-wise. Our road conditions are also terrible.
#1379
Life is good
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
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I'm a 67-year old cyclist who also USED TO suffer from leg cramps (and food, and chin, etc). The solution for me was to lap down a palm full of table salt - or take a couple of salt tablets if you can get them. Quick relief. You can also pop a pill or two of potassium gluconate with the table salt to maintain the necessary sodium/potassium balance. I'll be doing a 100K this Saturday and Angkor Wat (Cambodia) and will predictably need a jolt of table salt at about kilometer-90 to avoid laying on the roadside trying - unsuccessfully - to massage away the cramps.
I use it because potassium works best on cramps (when I do get them) for me.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
#1380
Senior Member
Gator Aid or Power Aid
Why do all of that? Just do like I do. Put Morton Lite Salt on a salad or other foods that are good when salted. Its approx 50% sodium chloride (table salt) and 50% potassium chloride.
I use it because potassium works best on cramps (when I do get them) for me.
I use it because potassium works best on cramps (when I do get them) for me.
#1381
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SW suburb of Chicago
Posts: 99
Bikes: 2013 Trek Superfly AL 29er hardtail, 2005 LeMond Tourmalet, 2004 Cannondale Road Tandem
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I'm a much better and stronger rider now at 70 than I was at 35 primarily because now that I've been retired for 5 years I have been able to ride many times each week, not just week-ends or before or after work. Joining an active bicycle club with many, many posted rides of various speeds, disciplines, and distances has also made a huge difference in knowledge and appreciation of all things bicycle related.
#1382
Junior Member
I'm a 67-year old cyclist...my son convinced me to try toe clips instead of the old-fashioned 'rat trap' pedals I like. So...how many falls does it take an Old Guy to get used to toe clips? The answer is 4 !! Wah, you really get one of those "Oh, ****." moments when you've forgotten to disengage, and know what's coming next...
But the Zen feeling of 'being one with the bike' is worth it. I now have the clips set on their loosest setting - they are easy to disengage, and I've not had them accidentally disengage at an inopportune moment, e.g. over a bump or up a hill.
But the Zen feeling of 'being one with the bike' is worth it. I now have the clips set on their loosest setting - they are easy to disengage, and I've not had them accidentally disengage at an inopportune moment, e.g. over a bump or up a hill.
#1383
Senior Member
Hi. Love riding in South Florida. Yesterday rode my age (68) for second time this year. New shoes, pedals and helmet lowered weight by a ton or slightly less. Averaged 16 MPH which is fast for me thanks to lower winds than normal.
just drank two water bottles with electrolytes until came home. Long ride but what a great feeling of accomplishment. How lucky are we?
Ed
just drank two water bottles with electrolytes until came home. Long ride but what a great feeling of accomplishment. How lucky are we?
Ed
#1384
Senior Member
Way to go
Hi. Love riding in South Florida. Yesterday rode my age (68) for second time this year. New shoes, pedals and helmet lowered weight by a ton or slightly less. Averaged 16 MPH which is fast for me thanks to lower winds than normal.
just drank two water bottles with electrolytes until came home. Long ride but what a great feeling of accomplishment. How lucky are we?
Ed
just drank two water bottles with electrolytes until came home. Long ride but what a great feeling of accomplishment. How lucky are we?
Ed
#1386
Junior Member
Hi. Love riding in South Florida. Yesterday rode my age (68) for second time this year. New shoes, pedals and helmet lowered weight by a ton or slightly less. Averaged 16 MPH which is fast for me thanks to lower winds than normal.
just drank two water bottles with electrolytes until came home. Long ride but what a great feeling of accomplishment. How lucky are we?
Ed
just drank two water bottles with electrolytes until came home. Long ride but what a great feeling of accomplishment. How lucky are we?
Ed
#1387
Road Runner
Also from Michigan, and I'm definitely not a cold-weather biker and put mine away over a month ago. I find my tolerance to cold getting worse as I age, but even back in my younger days when I rode motorcycles, I enjoyed having heated grips and a heated vest! I do run outside all winter -- snow and ice conditions permitting -- but that doesn't require as much bundling up as you would suppose since you heat up very quickly once you get going.
We are going to get an early break, though, as we are flying to Key West tomorrow for a week of warmth. I'm taking my running clothes of course, but our only biking will be on rental cruisers (probably all that's necessary there!). And the day we come back it could well be 80 when we get on the plane and 20 when we get off in Flint!
We are going to get an early break, though, as we are flying to Key West tomorrow for a week of warmth. I'm taking my running clothes of course, but our only biking will be on rental cruisers (probably all that's necessary there!). And the day we come back it could well be 80 when we get on the plane and 20 when we get off in Flint!
#1388
Junior Member
We are going to get an early break, though, as we are flying to Key West tomorrow for a week of warmth. I'm taking my running clothes of course, but our only biking will be on rental cruisers (probably all that's necessary there!). And the day we come back it could well be 80 when we get on the plane and 20 when we get off in Flint!
#1389
Hey, I AM peddling!
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Hastings Minnesota
Posts: 31
Bikes: Dahon Espresso 26" and Raleigh Passage 4.0
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Well, we here on the MN "Tundra" are pretty much done with bike riding for the winter too unless we are totally nutty. Last week we got a nice 1" underlayment of ice and then about 3 inches of snow on top of it so its too slippery to walk safely let alone try to balance on two wheels. The wind-chill factor today in the twin-cities is about -20 and the wind truly does cut like a knife. Luckily for me I have a workout room in my house with my Dahon bike on an exercise stand and a treadmill - plus lots of action movies to keep the imagination moving whilst I work to keep from losing my basic biking fitness that I worked so hard to attain last riding season. I turned 71 this year and see more and more of my old pals who thought I was nutty for working out and riding bikes or running - when I see them nowadays they are walking with canes or riding in electric scooters because they are weighing about double what they should. Biking doesn't cost us I firmly believe it keeps our worlds large and engaging. Merry Christmas to all you fellow "Geezer" bike riders. 8-)
#1390
Senior Member
Welcome to South Florida folks. Temps about 80 during the day with no humidity. Winds 10 to 15 or so.
lived in northeast all my life and family has 1898 cottage in Grand Haven, MI so familiar with winters. Love living here now and biking big plus. Two of us are planning a century Saturday, winds and bodies willing. My first attempt after doing 70 recently. Will post if somehow manage to make it.
lived in northeast all my life and family has 1898 cottage in Grand Haven, MI so familiar with winters. Love living here now and biking big plus. Two of us are planning a century Saturday, winds and bodies willing. My first attempt after doing 70 recently. Will post if somehow manage to make it.
#1391
Life is good
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
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Same here. It was ~70F when I left the house at 9AM for my ride. Lots of sun and wind from the south. No complaints from me.
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
#1392
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Hollister, CA
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I need a dose of HTFU. The last 3-4 days have been mid-20's at night (actually, at 0600) and I just too much of a wimp to ride at 0800 when it's sub-40. High temps have approached 50, but that's after lunch when I tend to get involved in other work. I should tear up my senior citizen man card. However, I'm treating this as am important element of my training, restoring my muscle tissue and building up fat reserves for the next cold wave.
#1393
Senior Member
May post more in 50+ place, but did want to say today did 101 miles! After TKR, and 2 years and 2 months of road biking and after losing 45 pounds in 5 years (and 80 pounds in 10 years). Two of us did although didn't draft and we had high winds of 10 to 15 mph, against us the whole way home. Who da thunk?
If I can do it at 68+ many others can join the club. Right now feeling very tired but also elated.
Ed
If I can do it at 68+ many others can join the club. Right now feeling very tired but also elated.
Ed
#1395
Senior Member
Merry Christmas and happy Holiday to all
Well, we here on the MN "Tundra" are pretty much done with bike riding for the winter too unless we are totally nutty. Last week we got a nice 1" underlayment of ice and then about 3 inches of snow on top of it so its too slippery to walk safely let alone try to balance on two wheels. The wind-chill factor today in the twin-cities is about -20 and the wind truly does cut like a knife. Luckily for me I have a workout room in my house with my Dahon bike on an exercise stand and a treadmill - plus lots of action movies to keep the imagination moving whilst I work to keep from losing my basic biking fitness that I worked so hard to attain last riding season. I turned 71 this year and see more and more of my old pals who thought I was nutty for working out and riding bikes or running - when I see them nowadays they are walking with canes or riding in electric scooters because they are weighing about double what they should. Biking doesn't cost us I firmly believe it keeps our worlds large and engaging. Merry Christmas to all you fellow "Geezer" bike riders. 8-)
#1396
Hey, I AM peddling!
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Hastings Minnesota
Posts: 31
Bikes: Dahon Espresso 26" and Raleigh Passage 4.0
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I am not built well enough to go more than about 1700 miles a year - at least with our riding season here in MN but during the riding season I ride around 15 to 20 miles a day for 5 days a week and I enjoy every mile but in reality - knowing my body the way I do - that's about the limit of my endurance. I ran for 6 years - 4 days a week year around and never was able to get my body to have the endurance of most of my running pals. We are all built different with different capacities and I say to go with what your body will allow and you get great health benefits out of it. At 71 years of age I do not take any medications except an anti-histamine and I credit that to my keeping active and trying to eat right. Plus I have had the good luck of getting some good gene's too. Do what you can but do something - like that Nike commercial saying: JUST DO IT. Have a great Holiday Season fellow riders and Best Wishes!
#1397
I am not built well enough to go more than about 1700 miles a year - at least with our riding season here in MN but during the riding season I ride around 15 to 20 miles a day for 5 days a week and I enjoy every mile but in reality - knowing my body the way I do - that's about the limit of my endurance. I ran for 6 years - 4 days a week year around and never was able to get my body to have the endurance of most of my running pals. We are all built different with different capacities and I say to go with what your body will allow and you get great health benefits out of it. At 71 years of age I do not take any medications except an anti-histamine and I credit that to my keeping active and trying to eat right. Plus I have had the good luck of getting some good gene's too. Do what you can but do something - like that Nike commercial saying: JUST DO IT. Have a great Holiday Season fellow riders and Best Wishes!
"Hey, I AM peddling! "
OK, what are you peddling?
#1398
Life is good
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
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I am not built well enough to go more than about 1700 miles a year - at least with our riding season here in MN but during the riding season I ride around 15 to 20 miles a day for 5 days a week and I enjoy every mile but in reality - knowing my body the way I do - that's about the limit of my endurance.
I think the problem with your endurance may be the bikes you ride. I'll be 69 in a few days and ride with folks in their mid-70s and some of them can whip me on the bike. We all ride road bikes. Maybe you should consider getting one. You don't have to get a $3000+ carbon fiber bike. An entry level aluminum or steel bike will suffice, and you can find them in the $700+ price range.
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
#1399
Hey, I AM peddling!
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Hastings Minnesota
Posts: 31
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Nope -due to a neck injury i have to ride a comfort type bike so i'm sitting up pretty straight. 12 mph is my average speed and to really make miles you gotta go faster than that. My faithful Raleigh Passage 4.0 and i get along fine.
#1400
Full Member
I am 71 and had been suffering bad neck and shoulder pain on rides over 35 mi on my specialized s works Tarmac in the last 6 months. I even used a short 35 deg. stem with lots of spacers. I thought I would get an S Works Roubaix but tried Cannondale's new Hi Mod Synapse, Felt's Z2 and the Roubaix. The last bike I tried was a Trek Domane. I was amazed at the bump and rough asphalt damping on the Trek and ended up with a 6 series with DA 9000. So far I have ridden up to 50 mile rides on the bike with about 3500 feet of climbing. The neck and shoulder problems have almost gone. I was able to get a 22 cm head tube so am higher but of course slower into the wind. I guess we try to ride race frames as long as possible. The Domane doesn't have the snap of the Tarmac but still climbs well and is stiff out of the saddle on sprinters hills.