View Poll Results: Do you Feel old?
No, I still feel middle aged
47
45.63%
I feel younger than I look
30
29.13%
Yes, I definitely feel my age
21
20.39%
I feel older than my chronological age
8
7.77%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 103. You may not vote on this poll
How many “Old guys” actually feel old?
#51
20+mph Commuter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Greenville. SC USA
Posts: 7,534
Bikes: Surly LHT, Surly Lowside, a folding bike, and a beater.
Liked 340 Times
in
225 Posts
An unscientific pole to see how the 50+ crowd feels about cycling and aging. Yeah, I know it is worthless, but what the hell.
I for one, at 69, don’t fell old unless I look in the mirror. Sure there are the aches and pains, but in general am fortunate to be doing ok. How about you?
I for one, at 69, don’t fell old unless I look in the mirror. Sure there are the aches and pains, but in general am fortunate to be doing ok. How about you?
I'll be 66 in April and 100% at peace with my riding just now.
Likes For JoeyBike:
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: North Florida
Posts: 546
Bikes: 2019 Specialized Diverge, 2021 Cervelo Caledonia
Likes: 0
Liked 391 Times
in
205 Posts
I'm a relatively new cyclist, having started six years ago, and as far as cycling goes, I've noticed no reduction in my capabilities. I'm riding 100+ miles almost every week and feel like I could do a lot more if I had more time to devote to it. I'm 73 and feel like I can keep up that amount of cycling forever. I know that Father Time can't be denied, if I think about it, but I FEEL like I will be able to keep cycling at this level forever. As a recent convert to cycling, I'm comparing my current performance with my performance at age 67, when I started, unlike some of you who have been cycling longer and can compare your current performance with how you were in your 30s.
Prior to cycling, I was a runner, and took up cycling because I had to quit running because of knee problems. Mostly, I ran for mileage and didn't time myself, and I never felt like I was getting slower over the years. But I ran the same ten mile race every year from age 38 to age 66 and kept track of my times. I was running 6 minute miles when I started doing that race, and by the time I had to quit, I was running 8:30 miles. So even though I felt like I was just as fast, the evidence showed otherwise. And it's probably the same with my cycling. Even though I don't feel like I'm riding slower, I'm not timing my rides, and there's a good chance I am getting slower. As I said, Father Time can't be denied, but I feel like I can keep up my current cycling regimen forever. I felt the same way about my running,.. until the knee issues forced me to quit.
Prior to cycling, I was a runner, and took up cycling because I had to quit running because of knee problems. Mostly, I ran for mileage and didn't time myself, and I never felt like I was getting slower over the years. But I ran the same ten mile race every year from age 38 to age 66 and kept track of my times. I was running 6 minute miles when I started doing that race, and by the time I had to quit, I was running 8:30 miles. So even though I felt like I was just as fast, the evidence showed otherwise. And it's probably the same with my cycling. Even though I don't feel like I'm riding slower, I'm not timing my rides, and there's a good chance I am getting slower. As I said, Father Time can't be denied, but I feel like I can keep up my current cycling regimen forever. I felt the same way about my running,.. until the knee issues forced me to quit.
Likes For Random11:
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,617
Liked 9,454 Times
in
4,640 Posts
Do I feel old? Well, I am 69, have COPD and a-fib. Several joint injuries, 2 back injuries, vision is crappy, severe hearing loss in the right ear and some loss in the left.
Lately, been getting arthritis symptoms in my neck so I have started using a rear view mirror on the bike. So, yes. Definitely not 55 anymore.
Still, feel pretty good on the bike, considering. Did 50 miles yesterday with 3700 feet of climbing front loaded. I wasn't the slowest in our group of 8 but they worked me pretty good. Haven't done a century since 2019 and haven't done the long rides in the mountains that I used to love in way too long.
Lately, been getting arthritis symptoms in my neck so I have started using a rear view mirror on the bike. So, yes. Definitely not 55 anymore.
Still, feel pretty good on the bike, considering. Did 50 miles yesterday with 3700 feet of climbing front loaded. I wasn't the slowest in our group of 8 but they worked me pretty good. Haven't done a century since 2019 and haven't done the long rides in the mountains that I used to love in way too long.
#54
In the wind
At 65 I'm still fast, but don't have the ability/desire to do the long distance rides any more. My biggest problem is joint pain that I get after a few hours on the bike, although I suppose I've been suffering from various osteoarthritis aches for over 20 years now. I just don't want to live on ibuprofin.
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Golden, CO and Tucson, AZ
Posts: 2,864
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Elite Disc, 1983 Trek 520
Liked 789 Times
in
444 Posts
The rest of the post is here. It's mainly about risk and reward. I found the blog after my wife and I had retired at age 40, after brief careers in engineering during which we shared a car, commuted and toured by bike, living easily on half our income. We didn't realize the biking would keep us acting young, too.
Happy Holidays, everyone.
Likes For BTinNYC:
#57
Senior Member
I'm 58. I don't know what "old" is supposed to feel like yet. Athletically, I'm not near the person I was in my 20s/30s. Still fairly athletic for a 58 year old. For those that say they're still close to what they were at a young age, I'd say that's BS. Even if we're talking about cycling, the bikes themselves have improved so much that comparisons to the past aren't really valid. Go out and do some hard labor for a week or two and see how you compare to your younger self. Back slapping/brass playing threads tend to be filled with BS. I think as long as a person is remaining med free, then they are doing a good job of aging. If they have to get up each day and pop a bunch of pills or other stuff though, the fountain of youth talk is not accurate.
Last edited by seypat; 12-25-23 at 07:48 AM.
Likes For seypat:
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Missoula MT
Posts: 1,811
Bikes: Handsome xoxo, Serotta atx, Canyon Endurace CF8
Liked 2,000 Times
in
878 Posts
I'm 58. I don't know what "old" is supposed to feel like yet. Athletically, I'm not near the person I was in my 20s/30s. Still fairly athletic for a 58 year old. For those that say they're still close to what they were at a young age, I'd say that's BS. Even if we're talking about cycling, the bikes themselves have improved so much that comparisons to the past aren't really valid. Go out and do some hard labor for a week or two and see how you compare to your younger self. Back slapping/brass playing threads tend to be filled with BS. I think as long as a person is remaining med free, then they are doing a good job of aging. If they have to get up each day and pop a bunch of pills or other stuff though, the fountain of youth talk is not accurate.
Likes For jadmt:
#61
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: "Driftless" WI
Posts: 408
Bikes: 1972 Motobecane Grand Record, 2022 Kona Dew+
Liked 154 Times
in
115 Posts
That pic shows enuf for me!
Where I am now it's 12/25 yet it's been raining since 1 PM, temp's @ 50°F right now. There've been years here (this is our tenth) when we've had 18" or more snow by now and temps on Christmas run to the single digits. (I'll let you choose whether to add a + or a - to that number!)
Back when we lived 40 miles NW of Chicago there were Christmas days like this in the late '70's but a couple years later it was -20°F or more & two feet of snow by Jan. 1.
Winter of '14 we'd just moved here. I was 'commuting' 215 miles every week / ten days to the place we'd lived for 37 years getting it fixed up & ready to put on the market. There were trips when I recall driving through plowed trenches 25 feet deep both sides of US Rt 12 near Whitewater WI watching snow blow across the top well above my MINI's roof in the middle of the day. Probably pretty commonplace for MT but here?
Where I am now it's 12/25 yet it's been raining since 1 PM, temp's @ 50°F right now. There've been years here (this is our tenth) when we've had 18" or more snow by now and temps on Christmas run to the single digits. (I'll let you choose whether to add a + or a - to that number!)
Back when we lived 40 miles NW of Chicago there were Christmas days like this in the late '70's but a couple years later it was -20°F or more & two feet of snow by Jan. 1.
Winter of '14 we'd just moved here. I was 'commuting' 215 miles every week / ten days to the place we'd lived for 37 years getting it fixed up & ready to put on the market. There were trips when I recall driving through plowed trenches 25 feet deep both sides of US Rt 12 near Whitewater WI watching snow blow across the top well above my MINI's roof in the middle of the day. Probably pretty commonplace for MT but here?
Last edited by spclark; 12-25-23 at 05:48 PM.
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,919
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Focus Mares AL, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Volae Team, Nimbus MUni
Liked 2,135 Times
in
1,126 Posts
At fifty I discovered randonneuring after a lifetime of recreational riding. I've never been a racer, so there always been a lot of headroom in my fitness. In the last thirteen years, I've learned enough about endurance cycling to more or less compensate for the undeniable athletic loss. Nutrition, fit, time management, pacing, mental attitude. Honestly not sure I could have done PBP at 30; patience was lacking. At fifty I was median age for rando; at 63 I'm older than all but a few.
The smile on my face at the end of Paris Brest Paris this year is genuine, not posed. I rode a calm pace, slept enough, took care of myself, and rolled in ezpz at 88:57. Barring anything serious, I plan to be back in 2027.
The smile on my face at the end of Paris Brest Paris this year is genuine, not posed. I rode a calm pace, slept enough, took care of myself, and rolled in ezpz at 88:57. Barring anything serious, I plan to be back in 2027.
Likes For downtube42:
#63
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 2,142
Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
Liked 1,987 Times
in
957 Posts
I'm 58. I don't know what "old" is supposed to feel like yet. Athletically, I'm not near the person I was in my 20s/30s. Still fairly athletic for a 58 year old. For those that say they're still close to what they were at a young age, I'd say that's BS. Even if we're talking about cycling, the bikes themselves have improved so much that comparisons to the past aren't really valid. Go out and do some hard labor for a week or two and see how you compare to your younger self. Back slapping/brass playing threads tend to be filled with BS. I think as long as a person is remaining med free, then they are doing a good job of aging. If they have to get up each day and pop a bunch of pills or other stuff though, the fountain of youth talk is not accurate.
Mostly removing old flooring, demo of a patio and similar type work.
I feel the strain mostly in my anatomy from previous injuries - shoulders, hip and lower back.
My cardio is great but it is the lifting and walking with weight that is not easy at almost 60 y/o.
I count those labor days as a workout.
My only meds are Ibuprofen 400 mg QD.
#64
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,162
Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
Liked 1,491 Times
in
842 Posts
Kind of subjective, what constitutes feeling old? I will say, physically, I feel much better than I could ever have expected. But, 71 years ago, 71 was considered very advanced age. I have aches and pains, not as much energy, and I am okay with that. I have younger siblings that can barely walk around their home. I absolute believe long term cycling to be a large factor in my general good health.
#65
#66
I do know that I can ride a bike and work out pretty well and do a 2 minute plank and a variety of other physical measures. But, I don't know if other 84 year olds do this. So it's difficult to answer the question. I do know that my physical abilities have decreased these last few years. But I'm working hard to keep them as good as possible. I guess that's all I can do!
Likes For gobicycling:
#67
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: Fountain Hills, AZ
Posts: 189
Bikes: 1995 Trek 990 (configured for road), Hotrodded Dahon folder, Trek 1400 (not ridden any more), Iron Horse 3.0 homebrew e-bike, 1984 Trek 770 (trying to resurrect)
Liked 131 Times
in
80 Posts
At 64 I'm just starting to feel things that seem related to age and not merely lack of fitness or training. But so far, everything still seems able to improve if I just put in some work. By getting back into cycling, I'm pretty sure I'm fitter right now than 10-15 years ago when I was only playing table tennis. So when I notice something that makes me feel "old", I just find some bit of exercise or movement to add in somewhere/somehow to address it. As a simple example, a few years ago I stopped sitting or kneeling to tie my shoes and instead now stand on one leg and lift the other up to tie the shoe. The goal was to improve/maintain balance. But a few weeks after I started doing it, I noticed improved flexibility too. Anyway, that's the general plan. When I notice something getting worse, start adding some activity to address it. The more I can integrate it into daily life, the better. Another example is that I don't drive anywhere locally. If its in town, I generally use the ebike. I know its all ultimately a losing battle. But I like being physically able. I'm not willing to let it go easily.
#68
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: "Driftless" WI
Posts: 408
Bikes: 1972 Motobecane Grand Record, 2022 Kona Dew+
Liked 154 Times
in
115 Posts
So when I notice something that makes me feel "old", I just find some bit of exercise or movement to add in somewhere/somehow to address it. < > Another example is that I don't drive anywhere locally. If its in town, I generally use the ebike. I know its all ultimately a losing battle. But I like being physically able. I'm not willing to let it go easily.
I was just shy of 56 when a (mild) heart attack opened my eyes to what my body had been trying to tell me. I'd watched family and friends decline starting much earlier, over a variety of practices that they had various degrees of control over.
The morning I was driving to work, only to find myself suddenly wondering if I had time to find an ER on my way (once off expressway) to work, caused a sea change in my behaviors over avoiding issues deserving more of my attention. Making time for getting back on my MB and into the local indoor pool once again offers gratification despite a lapse of a decade since our willful uprooting in '13.
Likes For spclark:
#69
Senior Member
You are always the same age inside.---Gertrude Stein
#70
I’ve just turned 56 and still feel much like I did in my 30s, in some ways slightly better from improved nutrition and more consistent exercise.
I do notice a few more niggling aches and pains and recovery is a little slower, but my aerobic fitness is as good as it ever was and I have actually dropped a few kg in weight without losing any muscle. I’m certainly fitter than I was 10 years ago in my mid 40s when I had dropped off a fair bit from my early 30s.
I take the view that lifestyle (especially exercise) trumps age, at least for now. But maybe it takes a little more effort to retain fitness. I could get away with a lot of bad habits in my 20s that would really take their toll in my 50s. For example I need quality sleep and nutrition now. In my 20s I could do all-nighters and metabolise pretty much any junk food!
I do notice a few more niggling aches and pains and recovery is a little slower, but my aerobic fitness is as good as it ever was and I have actually dropped a few kg in weight without losing any muscle. I’m certainly fitter than I was 10 years ago in my mid 40s when I had dropped off a fair bit from my early 30s.
I take the view that lifestyle (especially exercise) trumps age, at least for now. But maybe it takes a little more effort to retain fitness. I could get away with a lot of bad habits in my 20s that would really take their toll in my 50s. For example I need quality sleep and nutrition now. In my 20s I could do all-nighters and metabolise pretty much any junk food!
Likes For PeteHski:
#71
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: Fountain Hills, AZ
Posts: 189
Bikes: 1995 Trek 990 (configured for road), Hotrodded Dahon folder, Trek 1400 (not ridden any more), Iron Horse 3.0 homebrew e-bike, 1984 Trek 770 (trying to resurrect)
Liked 131 Times
in
80 Posts
Blue Zone studies have validated most of what you have written. I find it interesting that all of us have genetic switches, as it were, that can remain dormant or be ‘flipped on’ due to external triggers. These may be environmental, psychological - stress hormones, dietary, drug abuse, exercise, etc. Flip the wrong switch and you may go down the dark rabbit hole.
Last edited by Jay Turberville; 12-27-23 at 10:29 AM.
#72
I'm 58. I don't know what "old" is supposed to feel like yet. Athletically, I'm not near the person I was in my 20s/30s. Still fairly athletic for a 58 year old. For those that say they're still close to what they were at a young age, I'd say that's BS. Even if we're talking about cycling, the bikes themselves have improved so much that comparisons to the past aren't really valid. Go out and do some hard labor for a week or two and see how you compare to your younger self. Back slapping/brass playing threads tend to be filled with BS. I think as long as a person is remaining med free, then they are doing a good job of aging. If they have to get up each day and pop a bunch of pills or other stuff though, the fountain of youth talk is not accurate.
While I was at my fittest and strongest in my early 20s, the drop off from there has been pretty shallow into my mid 50s and my fitness peaks and troughs throughout my 30s and 40s have been far more in line with my exercise regime than my age. My lowest fitness was actually in my early 40s when I went through a period of little exercise and a lot of stress. I put on about 10 kg of weight, lost most of my aerobic fitness and developed a few aches and pains that I assumed at the time were age related. Turns out they weren’t. Once I got out of that little rut my fitness returned pretty quickly. My cycling endurance today is as good as it ever has been, even if other aspects of fitness are lower than they were in my youth.
#73
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: Fountain Hills, AZ
Posts: 189
Bikes: 1995 Trek 990 (configured for road), Hotrodded Dahon folder, Trek 1400 (not ridden any more), Iron Horse 3.0 homebrew e-bike, 1984 Trek 770 (trying to resurrect)
Liked 131 Times
in
80 Posts
Back slapping/brass playing threads tend to be filled with BS. I think as long as a person is remaining med free, then they are doing a good job of aging. If they have to get up each day and pop a bunch of pills or other stuff though, the fountain of youth talk is not accurate.
Last edited by Jay Turberville; 12-27-23 at 11:19 AM.
#74
Senior Member
You are only 2 years older than me, but from your posting history you sound much older, both in mind and body. I have no doubt that you are a shadow of your younger self, but that certainly doesn’t apply to everyone else.
While I was at my fittest and strongest in my early 20s, the drop off from there has been pretty shallow into my mid 50s and my fitness peaks and troughs throughout my 30s and 40s have been far more in line with my exercise regime than my age. My lowest fitness was actually in my early 40s when I went through a period of little exercise and a lot of stress. I put on about 10 kg of weight, lost most of my aerobic fitness and developed a few aches and pains that I assumed at the time were age related. Turns out they weren’t. Once I got out of that little rut my fitness returned pretty quickly. My cycling endurance today is as good as it ever has been, even if other aspects of fitness are lower than they were in my youth.
While I was at my fittest and strongest in my early 20s, the drop off from there has been pretty shallow into my mid 50s and my fitness peaks and troughs throughout my 30s and 40s have been far more in line with my exercise regime than my age. My lowest fitness was actually in my early 40s when I went through a period of little exercise and a lot of stress. I put on about 10 kg of weight, lost most of my aerobic fitness and developed a few aches and pains that I assumed at the time were age related. Turns out they weren’t. Once I got out of that little rut my fitness returned pretty quickly. My cycling endurance today is as good as it ever has been, even if other aspects of fitness are lower than they were in my youth.
Every year since 2013, I run 2 fall marathons. The same 2 events. I've run 3 before. And every year those times get a little slower. Same for the centuries/long bike rides. That's life, I'm happy I can still do it. One of these years that will end.
#75
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cental Illinois
Posts: 110
Bikes: 1990 Schwinn Curcit is my main bike
Likes: 0
Liked 51 Times
in
38 Posts
I will be 71 in 3 weeks.
I am still working 3 days a week. The folks at work assume I am 60ish.
I have ridden about 4000 miles this year. Including a trip on the Going to the sun road in Montana.
However, 70% of those miles have been on a "Pedal Assist" electric bike! I have gradually lost cranking cranking strength over the last 10-12 years.
Riding is still my first choice for free time use.
I am still working 3 days a week. The folks at work assume I am 60ish.
I have ridden about 4000 miles this year. Including a trip on the Going to the sun road in Montana.
However, 70% of those miles have been on a "Pedal Assist" electric bike! I have gradually lost cranking cranking strength over the last 10-12 years.
Riding is still my first choice for free time use.
Likes For Lambkin55: