Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Fifty Plus (50+)
Reload this Page >

Just starting again at 51, love it!

Notices
Fifty Plus (50+) Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling.

Just starting again at 51, love it!

Old 08-10-19, 03:29 PM
  #1  
CyclingBK
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 249
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 88 Times in 57 Posts
Just starting again at 51, love it!

Thought I’d make an intro here and welcome any comments, encouragement, and advice.

I started taking my fitness seriously about 2 years ago. Been in the gym doing the lifting/cardio thing regularly and it’s been a game changer. But, I just realized how much I hate cardio machines. Lightbulb went off...get a bike!

I got a great deal on a CTY 1.1, got all the gear just last Saturday. Been to Prospect Park 4 times and I couldn’t be more happy. The first 3 rides I did one lap, it’s about 3.5 miles with a sustained hill that, for me, is not so easy. Then today, I did 2 laps, silly, but Im proud.

The sights, the sounds, seeing all the serious cyclists to inspire you. And you feel like a kid again, such a blast from the past.

Hoping to get my bearing over the next few weeks, get up to 10 miles and beyond, and start cruising all over.
CyclingBK is offline  
Old 08-10-19, 04:35 PM
  #2  
rseeker
Senior Member
 
rseeker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Southeast US
Posts: 937
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 318 Post(s)
Liked 149 Times in 104 Posts
Great to hear, sounds like you're on the right track.

I know what you mean about the light bulb going off. One day I realized there was a new thing in my awareness, and that thing was the idea that I should get a bike. I have no clue where the idea came from, it was just there, but I'm so glad I followed through. I've been riding three years now, age 57. I feel one million percent (approximately) better, and it's so much fun.

Last edited by rseeker; 08-10-19 at 04:40 PM.
rseeker is offline  
Likes For rseeker:
Old 08-10-19, 05:25 PM
  #3  
OldTryGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SW Fl.
Posts: 5,604

Bikes: Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser

Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1063 Post(s)
Liked 771 Times in 499 Posts
and
OldTryGuy is offline  
Old 08-10-19, 08:53 PM
  #4  
B. Carfree
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 7,048
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 509 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts
Fabulous! Obviously, almost everyone here is going to be excited to hear about another person who has discovered our joyous activity. If it's affirmation you want, you've come to the right place. Very few activities provide for as many ways to have fun as riding a bike.
B. Carfree is offline  
Likes For B. Carfree:
Old 08-11-19, 07:49 AM
  #5  
BobbyG
Senior Member
 
BobbyG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,960

Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1359 Post(s)
Liked 1,658 Times in 822 Posts
Welcome and go, Go, GO!
BobbyG is offline  
Likes For BobbyG:
Old 08-11-19, 08:21 AM
  #6  
TakingMyTime
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Los Alamitos, Calif.
Posts: 2,478

Bikes: Trek 7.4 FX

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1026 Post(s)
Liked 912 Times in 535 Posts
Originally Posted by B. Carfree
Fabulous! Obviously, almost everyone here is going to be excited to hear about another person who has discovered our joyous activity. If it's affirmation you want, you've come to the right place. Very few activities provide for as many ways to have fun as riding a bike.
+1

Don't even sweat the mileage yet. One day you're going to look back at these first rides and smile about how proud you were. I remember when my wife and I got back into cycling, we were so proud we could ride 11 miles and only had to stop 3 or 4 time! LOL.
TakingMyTime is offline  
Likes For TakingMyTime:
Old 08-11-19, 10:44 AM
  #7  
CyclingBK
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 249
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 88 Times in 57 Posts
Thank you!

Yes, I’m checking my ego and just trying to maintain a good cadence so I feel like I’m working but not struggling too much. I’ll know when it’s time to push, I think. So many changes in grade ( if that’s the right word) in the park that I’m getting plenty of practice with the gears ; )

One of the best feelings is finishing the ride, pulling under a tree, cooling off, and sitting feeling content.
CyclingBK is offline  
Old 08-11-19, 12:19 PM
  #8  
Clyde1820
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 1,944

Bikes: 1996 Trek 970 ZX Single Track 2x11

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 610 Post(s)
Liked 558 Times in 423 Posts
Congratulations on getting back in the saddle.
Clyde1820 is offline  
Likes For Clyde1820:
Old 08-11-19, 06:32 PM
  #9  
horatio 
Hump, what hump?
 
horatio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: SC midlands
Posts: 1,937

Bikes: See signature

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 337 Post(s)
Liked 227 Times in 145 Posts
Welcome back!
__________________
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports


horatio is offline  
Likes For horatio:
Old 08-11-19, 09:40 PM
  #10  
Hondo Gravel
Life Feeds On Life
 
Hondo Gravel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Hondo,Texas
Posts: 2,143

Bikes: Too many Motobecanes

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4387 Post(s)
Liked 4,498 Times in 3,010 Posts
Originally Posted by CyclingBK
Thought I’d make an intro here and welcome any comments, encouragement, and advice.

I started taking my fitness seriously about 2 years ago. Been in the gym doing the lifting/cardio thing regularly and it’s been a game changer. But, I just realized how much I hate cardio machines. Lightbulb went off...get a bike!

I got a great deal on a CTY 1.1, got all the gear just last Saturday. Been to Prospect Park 4 times and I couldn’t be more happy. The first 3 rides I did one lap, it’s about 3.5 miles with a sustained hill that, for me, is not so easy. Then today, I did 2 laps, silly, but Im proud.

The sights, the sounds, seeing all the serious cyclists to inspire you. And you feel like a kid again, such a blast from the past.

Hoping to get my bearing over the next few weeks, get up to 10 miles and beyond, and start cruising all over.
Yup I’m stuck at 51 I’ve been slacking but here when the temps go to 104 Mother Nature makes you take a break. The advice I have is just go ride and go from there Don’t be surprised when you’re wind and endurance improves faster than you think.
Hondo Gravel is offline  
Likes For Hondo Gravel:
Old 08-18-19, 08:23 PM
  #11  
CyclingBK
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 249
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 88 Times in 57 Posts
Originally Posted by Hondo Gravel
Yup I’m stuck at 51 I’ve been slacking but here when the temps go to 104 Mother Nature makes you take a break. The advice I have is just go ride and go from there Don’t be surprised when you’re wind and endurance improves faster than you think.

Im very happy my body is responding to the “work load” and Im trying to set little milestones. Like this weekend, I was able to take this long hill in the *second easiest gear , lol.

Theres an expression in lifting weights, not sure if there’s an equivalent in cycling, called “newbie gains” where you make big improvements your first few months. Im getting those and It’s very encouraging. And seeing all the serious guys blowing around the loop is really motivating.

Last edited by CyclingBK; 08-18-19 at 08:39 PM.
CyclingBK is offline  
Old 08-18-19, 09:41 PM
  #12  
B. Carfree
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 7,048
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 509 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts
Originally Posted by TakingMyTime

Don't even sweat the mileage yet. One day you're going to look back at these first rides and smile about how proud you were. I remember when my wife and I got back into cycling, we were so proud we could ride 11 miles and only had to stop 3 or 4 time! LOL.
Those shorter rides that just stop you cold can happen any time. About a quarter-century ago my wife and I took a short break from riding. (I don't remember why or even how long, but it was likely just a couple months.) Prior to that break, we would ride 135 miles to the coast about every fourth Saturday and ride back the next day, so we had a few miles under our belts. Anyway, we were restarting so we headed out for what we thought would by a typical 30-60 mile ride through the local farmland. The county is laid out in a grid with each numbered road being a mile from the next one. We lived at Road 99. As we reached Road 95, we had both had enough so we returned home.

We still laugh about Road 95 to this day. It was just one of those days when turning the cranks didn't feel good and we weren't in the mood to push through to see if it all came together. As I recall, we did get it together in time to ride the annual local double century.
B. Carfree is offline  
Likes For B. Carfree:
Old 08-22-19, 10:53 AM
  #13  
freeranger
Senior Member
 
freeranger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,579

Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline mtn.bike

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 421 Post(s)
Liked 689 Times in 430 Posts
Congrats on starting to ride again! It's a great non-impact sport and can get you back into shape and a great stress reliever also! Just to add some encouragement, a female friend just bought her first mountain bike-at 66-and has taken to riding trails like she's been doing it for years!! She has been an avid road rider, so was in good shape, but off-road is a bit diff. So keep on riding-you never know where it will take you!
freeranger is offline  
Likes For freeranger:
Old 08-22-19, 11:53 AM
  #14  
KraneXL
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: La-la Land, CA
Posts: 3,623

Bikes: Cannondale Quick SL1 Bike - 2014

Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3405 Post(s)
Liked 240 Times in 185 Posts
Like riding a bike. Wait...what?
KraneXL is offline  
Likes For KraneXL:
Old 08-22-19, 12:28 PM
  #15  
frogbiscuit
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Spotsylvania, VA
Posts: 90

Bikes: Specialized Sirrus, Cannondale Catalyst, Diamond Back Extreme TG, Schwinn Mesa Runner with an 88cc 2 stroke engine

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 47 Post(s)
Liked 25 Times in 15 Posts
fantastic. I started back at 55. I love bikes.
frogbiscuit is offline  
Likes For frogbiscuit:
Old 08-22-19, 07:55 PM
  #16  
Digger Goreman
Quidam Bike Super Hero
 
Digger Goreman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Stone Mountain, GA (Metro Atlanta, East)
Posts: 1,150

Bikes: 1995 Trek 800 Sport, aka, "CamelTrek"

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 331 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times in 282 Posts
Bought the Frankentrek in Dec. 2013. I weighed 244+ lbs, with hypertension and severe acid reflux. Going vegetarian, and that cycle, cleared all the problems. I couldn't get up a moderate, freakin hill at first... now nothing stops me! Today was another "icing on the cake" as I weighed in at less than 180 lbs!!! After consulting with the gym coach, and re-zeroing the machine, realized that I haven't been this light/healthy since I was 20

I turned 58 last May.

Even if it takes over 5 years, and many regressions, YOU are worth it!
Digger Goreman is offline  
Likes For Digger Goreman:
Old 08-22-19, 08:45 PM
  #17  
CyclingBK
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 249
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 88 Times in 57 Posts
You ladies and gents are getting me pumped!

Riding has quickly become one of the things I look forward to most.
CyclingBK is offline  
Old 08-22-19, 09:46 PM
  #18  
Hondo Gravel
Life Feeds On Life
 
Hondo Gravel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Hondo,Texas
Posts: 2,143

Bikes: Too many Motobecanes

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4387 Post(s)
Liked 4,498 Times in 3,010 Posts
Originally Posted by CyclingBK
Im very happy my body is responding to the “work load” and Im trying to set little milestones. Like this weekend, I was able to take this long hill in the *second easiest gear , lol.

Theres an expression in lifting weights, not sure if there’s an equivalent in cycling, called “newbie gains” where you make big improvements your first few months. Im getting those and It’s very encouraging. And seeing all the serious guys blowing around the loop is really motivating.
Not going to bore you to death but the muscle fibers ya gonna use for cycling you regenerate fast so everyday riding will improve fast IMHO ok, slow twitch muscles recover pronto. Weights in my experience rips ya apart and made me useless for days and yes you get stronger but in the meantime you lay around recovering so to speak. At 51 cycling is more beneficial in overall fitness but I do enough farm/ranch labor to take care of that part of the fitness spectrum. Lifting for one hour then 48 hrs to recovery just bored me to death. When I work it’s 8-10 hours a day lifting all different weights then I’m fried and a bike ride gets to blood circulating and muscles recovered. Will I be strong as a dedicated strength trainer? Probably not but my strength endurance will be more efficient. Just my two pennies.
Hondo Gravel is offline  
Likes For Hondo Gravel:
Old 08-23-19, 02:19 AM
  #19  
KraneXL
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: La-la Land, CA
Posts: 3,623

Bikes: Cannondale Quick SL1 Bike - 2014

Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3405 Post(s)
Liked 240 Times in 185 Posts
Just so there's no confusing here, lifting does more for your muscles than farm work -- or any other continuous work -- provided its at a high enough level. No, lifting 10 lbs won't help you. The trick in weight training is the progressive resistance. If your body can already do the work, there's not need for it to improve.
KraneXL is offline  
Likes For KraneXL:
Old 08-24-19, 09:39 AM
  #20  
CyclingBK
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 249
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 88 Times in 57 Posts
Originally Posted by KraneXL
Just so there's no confusing here, lifting does more for your muscles than farm work -- or any other continuous work -- provided its at a high enough level. No, lifting 10 lbs won't help you. The trick in weight training is the progressive resistance. If your body can already do the work, there's not need for it to improve.

I’m trying to figure out when to best fit in “leg day” so I can recover enough and ride 4 days a week. I don’t go crazy heavy, I do Goblet Squats and dumbbell deadlifts but 10 sets total and in a rep range to fail around 10 reps per set. So I’ve noticed it takes 2 full days after to recover well enough to ride. I really like the leg routine since besides Quads, you really feel the strength build and stability in the glutes, hams, lower back and core.

It’s actually tough to juggle things since it seems I need to ride 4 days in a row no matter when leg day is. Unless I ride on leg day.

Overall, a good “problem” to have; )

Last edited by CyclingBK; 08-24-19 at 10:01 AM.
CyclingBK is offline  
Old 08-24-19, 12:32 PM
  #21  
KraneXL
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: La-la Land, CA
Posts: 3,623

Bikes: Cannondale Quick SL1 Bike - 2014

Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3405 Post(s)
Liked 240 Times in 185 Posts
Originally Posted by CyclingBK
I’m trying to figure out when to best fit in “leg day” so I can recover enough and ride 4 days a week. I don’t go crazy heavy, I do Goblet Squats and dumbbell deadlifts but 10 sets total and in a rep range to fail around 10 reps per set. So I’ve noticed it takes 2 full days after to recover well enough to ride. I really like the leg routine since besides Quads, you really feel the strength build and stability in the glutes, hams, lower back and core.
Whether you're riding or working out in the gym your body needs rest to grow and recover. Despite popular opinion working out every day is not the best strategy.

It’s actually tough to juggle things since it seems I need to ride 4 days in a row no matter when leg day is. Unless I ride on leg day.

Overall, a good “problem” to have; )
If you ride on leg day you'll likely do more harm than good. A good leg day needs a full day of rest. A killer leg day to failure needs two.
KraneXL is offline  
Likes For KraneXL:
Old 08-24-19, 04:58 PM
  #22  
Clyde1820
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 1,944

Bikes: 1996 Trek 970 ZX Single Track 2x11

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 610 Post(s)
Liked 558 Times in 423 Posts
Originally Posted by KraneXL
A good leg day needs a full day of rest. A killer leg day to failure needs two.
Of course, for many of us, the amount of recovery time required significantly increases as we age.

Myself, I once was a fairly decent middle-distance runner with moderate cycling abilities.

Back in the day, in my 20s, I found that I could generally tolerate a single "killer" leg day weekly, plus possibly a single additional leg day that focused on different usage of the legs. Needed the rest for recovery.

These days, several decades later, I've got to cut a good third (even half) the intensity out of the "killer" day on legs, and occasionally skip the additional "leg" day altogether, if I'm going to recover within the week. Just the way things go, by comparison to the 20s.

Turns out a longer-term build-up of stamina oriented exercises generally works best, for me. While I can uncork a "kiiller" day now and then, I often limit it to only two or three particular exercises on a given day that are "killer" (in intensity or quantity or weight). Anything more than that, and I'm generally "blown" on other harder workouts (ie, a long bike ride or other similar activity). Much better and more effective, for me at least, to generally stick with the stamina-oriented exercises and shoot for the longer-term gains.

Of course, everyone's different. YMMV.
Clyde1820 is offline  
Likes For Clyde1820:
Old 08-24-19, 08:12 PM
  #23  
CyclingBK
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 249
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 88 Times in 57 Posts
Originally Posted by Clyde1820
Of course, for many of us, the amount of recovery time required significantly increases as we age.

Myself, I once was a fairly decent middle-distance runner with moderate cycling abilities.

Back in the day, in my 20s, I found that I could generally tolerate a single "killer" leg day weekly, plus possibly a single additional leg day that focused on different usage of the legs. Needed the rest for recovery.

These days, several decades later, I've got to cut a good third (even half) the intensity out of the "killer" day on legs, and occasionally skip the additional "leg" day altogether, if I'm going to recover within the week. Just the way things go, by comparison to the 20s.

Turns out a longer-term build-up of stamina oriented exercises generally works best, for me. While I can uncork a "kiiller" day now and then, I often limit it to only two or three particular exercises on a given day that are "killer" (in intensity or quantity or weight). Anything more than that, and I'm generally "blown" on other harder workouts (ie, a long bike ride or other similar activity). Much better and more effective, for me at least, to generally stick with the stamina-oriented exercises and shoot for the longer-term gains.

Of course, everyone's different. YMMV.
I think we are on the same page. Given my age, I’m doing a leg workout that is not of an intensity that requires a whole week to recover. 2 days is fine. The other two lifting days, one for back and one for chest and shoulders also require 2 days to recover but they don’t impact cycling.

I think I can shoot for 3 days of lifting and 3 days of cycling and put “leg day” on wed. I can cycle sat and sun (my favorite days to ride) and then on either mon or tues and still not have to double up on training days and also get adequate rest between leg day and cycling days.
CyclingBK is offline  
Old 08-24-19, 08:55 PM
  #24  
KraneXL
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: La-la Land, CA
Posts: 3,623

Bikes: Cannondale Quick SL1 Bike - 2014

Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3405 Post(s)
Liked 240 Times in 185 Posts
Just so we're clear, some folks believe that they can workout in the gym on day one, then go cycling on day two. After all, since they're not training on two consecutive days with weight they're taking the day off right? Wrong! Rest means no training of any kind -- nothing, nada, zip.

As for everybody being different, sure we recover at different rates but all things being equal, that rate is small. In other words, don't neglect rest and recovery. Otherwise, you do more harm than good.
KraneXL is offline  
Likes For KraneXL:
Old 08-24-19, 09:32 PM
  #25  
CyclingBK
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 249
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 88 Times in 57 Posts
I never had an issue lifting 3 days a week and doing cardio 3 days a week. I’m just changing my cardio to cycling. Been doing that for 2 years. You get to know your body and how it recovers. So my workouts are geared towards time and intensity in line with what will be sustainable.

I agree the importance of not overtraining, resting, eating (my favorite ; ) and if your feeling like you need a break, taking rest days when needed. 6 days a week of excercise is a very realistic goal. Even 7 on certain weeks. I’m in it for the long haul, if I miss a day...always go get em tomorrow ; )
CyclingBK is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.