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84 and onward

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Old 11-07-23, 12:26 PM
  #1  
gobicycling
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84 and onward

I'm sharing that I'm celebrating my 84th birthday today so that others who are younger might know you can still ride a bike at 84. I got a short ride in yesterday, and maybe even one this afternoon. So don't give up hope. A friend of mine who is the same age stopped bicycling 2 years ago because he said he lost his balance. I really think he lost his nerve. But I don't know for sure. Denver
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Old 11-07-23, 12:33 PM
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PeteHski
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Happy birthday!

I keep reading that balance exercises are important for our later years. Keep on riding!
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Old 11-07-23, 01:06 PM
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late
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Originally Posted by PeteHski

Happy birthday!

I keep reading that balance exercises are important for our later years. Keep on riding!
Very true.

You slowly lose a number of abilities that contribute to balance. Strength and flexibility in the ankles and the hips tends to get overlooked. It shouldn't be, if you're old. I can go over this if there is interest.

There are a number of Youtube videos that have balance exercises at various levels of difficulty.

I imagine you think this is just for old fuddy duddies..


Last edited by late; 11-08-23 at 09:26 AM.
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Old 11-07-23, 01:17 PM
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I'll be 82 a month from today. I have an inner ear problem in both ears that messes up my balance and several other hearing things. There is a nasty surgery, for each ear, but it won't help balance.
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Old 11-07-23, 07:28 PM
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big john
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Happy birthday D. Please keep posting here and tell us about your riding.
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Old 11-07-23, 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by big john
Happy birthday D. Please keep posting here and tell us about your riding.
Diddo
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Old 11-07-23, 08:56 PM
  #7  
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Happy Birthday!

Always great to hear these success stories.

I have already resigned to the possibility of one day getting a trike, maybe even one that is pedal assist to help with the hills. But till then…

John
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Old 11-07-23, 09:36 PM
  #8  
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Congrats , I plan on continuing as long as I can , even if it’s shorter rides than I do now .
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Old 11-08-23, 05:29 AM
  #9  
BTinNYC 
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Wow! Happy Birthday!!!!
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Old 11-08-23, 10:01 AM
  #10  
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Awesome! Just yesterday I was riding with a couple of buddies and we were talking about how long we think we'll be able to keep riding. You're an inspiration.
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Old 11-08-23, 10:12 AM
  #11  
Mtracer
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Happy Birthday and keep on pedaling!

I'm 62, so a young rider from your perspective. I plan to ride as long as possible. Hope I can still be riding at 84.
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Old 11-08-23, 01:44 PM
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Good to hear. I ride rollers and dress, including shoes, while standing. Every little bit helps. I have a friend who brushes her teeth standing on one foot, changes feet every other day. We had a 90 y.o. rider on her years ago. He said eventually your balance just goes and that's that. I hope we ride long enough to find out. That obviously doesn't happen to everyone.
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Old 11-08-23, 02:35 PM
  #13  
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83 here Denver and still going.
By the way, what SMP saddle are you using? I seen it in a picture you posted a while back. I finally got a Dynamic and love it.
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Old 11-08-23, 05:12 PM
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Happy birthday!
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Old 11-08-23, 08:41 PM
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Originally Posted by gobicycling
I'm sharing that I'm celebrating my 84th birthday today so that others who are younger might know you can still ride a bike at 84. I got a short ride in yesterday, and maybe even one this afternoon. So don't give up hope. A friend of mine who is the same age stopped bicycling 2 years ago because he said he lost his balance. I really think he lost his nerve. But I don't know for sure. Denver
Happy Birthday! This is what we youngsters love to hear. (I'm only 73.) I also recall from a photo you posted a while ago that you're riding a LeMond. Both of my bikes have drop bars and I wondered when I got them whether as I got older I'd want straight bars instead. I enjoy riding on the drops now, and am hoping that will be true for years to come... and your experience gives me some hope in the regard. Of course, my first challenge is that I have to survive another 11 years before I can stay on the drops that long.
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Old 11-08-23, 09:01 PM
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Congratulations.

I'm 62 and keep thinking how long I can ride for? Then I think that there will be a time when I'm going to need a pedal assist or ebike. But that's the kind of thing that will contribute to not helping maintain strength.

And today I learn about loss of balance. I'm also thinking that if you keep it up, it helps maintain your ability to balance. But nothing is forever.
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Old 11-09-23, 06:45 AM
  #17  
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Happy Birthday, inspirational and thanks for your gift of hope! Many more
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Old 11-09-23, 06:57 AM
  #18  
staehpj1
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Belated Happy Birthday! I hope you have many years of riding left.

I am 72 and hope I can look forward to many more years myself. I am still trail riding every day on singletrack trails and still hope to do some more long tours. My dad rode pretty much daily until 79 when he died of a stroke. Mom stopped riding when dad passed.
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Old 11-09-23, 07:40 AM
  #19  
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72 When I crashed and Damaged my Brain.
Now 81
Went Trike and all is Good.
Green Speed GTO 81 Gears.
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Old 11-09-23, 08:03 AM
  #20  
Kai Winters
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I'm only 68.
Happy Birthday ! Ride On ! Chapeau to you and all of us still able to ride.
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Old 11-09-23, 09:24 AM
  #21  
WaveyGravey
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Congratulations!!! Hope to follow in your footsteps. Or should I say pedal strokes?
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Old 11-09-23, 09:56 AM
  #22  
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Happy B-day, and ride on!!!
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Old 11-09-23, 11:55 AM
  #23  
John E
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I haven't lost my balance, but my physical coordination has been well below average since infancy, due to dyspraxia, and I tend to be more cautious about everything, particularly descending stairs. I have also gravitated toward somewhat wider tires.
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Old 11-09-23, 12:10 PM
  #24  
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Happy 84th! I hope I'm still riding at that age, but the way I'm feeling at 59 it's not looking good.
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Old 11-09-23, 12:57 PM
  #25  
gobicycling
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Originally Posted by RB1-luvr
Happy 84th! I hope I'm still riding at that age, but the way I'm feeling at 59 it's not looking good.
Well good luck to you. I didn't start bicycling until I was 58, if that helps any. About one time I weighed 247 and now I weigh 158.

Last edited by gobicycling; 11-09-23 at 01:04 PM.
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