Ferguron

I am 52 years old.

Just as I was approaching 50 I went to a mandatory health screening for my job…and got a number of bad pieces of information - high blood pressure, most notably. I was scared straight...I had been planning for retirement at 55, which would not work if I was dead…

I changed my eating habits, started biking again (I had a mountain bike that I liked back in college) and dropped fifty pounds. Blood pressure now quite low.

Season #1 (2019) I bought a Giant Escape to start biking on the street.

Season #2 (2020) I bought a 2000 Trek 5200 (decked out like Lance’s first Tour victory bike). I set the season goal of 50 miles, which I did in the latter part of the season.

Season #3 (2021) I decided to go all-in on a new road bike but what I wanted wasn’t available. Instead I bought a Giant Propel Advanced SL1 on eBay. I have developed an unnatural level of affection for that bike.

This past weekend I hit my season goal of a 75 mile ride – completed in 4:22 for an average of 17.2 MPH, which I was happy with for rural / hilly northern New Jersey. I did twice weekly 50 mile rides to prepare.

Not sure what my point is…I guess it’s that I am a happier person now and that it’s never too late to change your habits.

rumrunn6

that's a heck of an average speed for that distance! congrats!

Gunther20

If you can do 75 miles at 17.2 then you can easily do a century at 15-16. Always gotta have another goal ahead.

Ferguron

The thought of 100miles terrifies me...

big john

Then don't do it.

PeteHski

That's a great effort. Definitely worth celebrating! Just keep on going and set new targets. A century ride should be easy for you now.

Iride01 

No point needed.

Most of us here at BF are happier when we ride and because we ride.

Fussing here on BF though sometimes gets our blood pressure back up. <grin>

But then we can just go ride some more.

zacster

I've only once done 75 miles solo and it was quite an effort. I doubt my average was 17+mph too. Congrats. Keep going. When you decide to do 100 though do it as part of an event, it'll be easier if you can fall in with a group that is doing your speed no matter who you start with. There is always someone faster, and always someone slower, but when you find someone riding your pace it'll be better.

OldTryGuy

GREAT BIKE, Mine is a 2013 SL3 and I also enjoy it immensely. Rode my 2014 IRONMAN FLORIDA 112 miles non stop on it at age 64. Left Bergen County in 1986 for SW FL and really enjoyed the riding especially up 9W to Bear Mtn. and back.

Riding a CENTURY should be very doable so my suggestion is JUST DO IT!!! after a bit more preparation.

Good LUCK and enjoy.

Lazyass

I'm from Texas but I lived in Mount Laurel, NJ for a few years when I worked at Princeton Univ. The cycling was actually pretty good there but I was riding in the south. I didn't think there would be many good roads in the northern part of the state. Didn't even know there was a rural area up there haha

Ferguron

A lot of the stereotypes of Jersey are pretty accurate but in extreme northwest part of the state I have routes that take me through absolutely beautiful forest & farmland...

mwatt65 

Congratulations on a great ride, I started off like you last year. 55yrs slightly high blood pressure. I bought a Giant escape disc 1did 2200 miles from June last year, this May I bought a Giant Revolt Advanced 2. 1800 miles so far this year hoping for 3500.
I just did a 100k on Wednesday, which took 4.06. I live in Newark & ride out the suburbs. How far up are you in Northern NJ? I would love to do a 100 mile this year but I need better roads.

Ferguron

The "suburbs" of Newark would be really congested by my standards. On a lot of my rides I can go 15 mins without a car over-taking me.

You should give Sussex / Warren county a try...I think you'll find it's worth the 45 minute drive.

If you look up my user on RidewithGPS (user = RonF) I have some a variety of great routes that depart from a nice state park.

OldTryGuy

SW FL riding buddy (50yo) is now back at his Summertime Penn. house riding up to High Point and back, on a home made gravel bike, numerous times just cranking out the WATTS. He's 21 years younger than me and lights the road on fire. I've only been to H.P. once when back North.

jppe

Averaging 17+ mph solo over that distance is very good. You’ve also selected a really nice bike for your rides. I know it’s hard for you to believe but if you can do 75 miles at that pace 100 miles is very doable. It’s really just a matter of riding 5 or 10 more miles at a time until you get to 100. You might feel like crap at 80-85 miles but just push through it and enjoy the ride.

I used to think the same as you but now it’s just a number. A couple months ago we rode 100 miles 3 days in a row with some bags on our bikes. The longest ride I’ve ridden in one day is 212 miles. My average ride distance is around 60 miles.

Whatever you do continue to enjoy riding!!

Wildwood 

i like the look of that Giant.

Wondering how much easier 75 hilly miles would be than on my 20 yo 19# carbon and 40yo 24# steel bikes?

BlazingPedals

Yeah, I'm impressed too. Way to go Ferguron.

rsbob 

congratulations on attaining your achievement at really healthy average speed. If you can do 75 at that speed, 100 will be easy at an average of 16. Just pace yourself and conserve energy, hydrate and be sure to keep your calories up. If 100 scares you, just try 85 and I bet you will surprise yourself. A very good attainment and now go for all the marbles, be a centurion.

leftthread

75 at 17.2,?
100 is just another water bottle and half a PBJ sammich.

joesch

Very smart to "get healthy" at 50 and super effort in 3 years getting to 75 at 17mph.

Plenty of time to continue working your new cycling life and start doing centuries, especially once you do retire.

Im at about the same point approaching retirement and spending 2..4 hours on my rides and not exceeding 70 miles. I would also like to complete some 100s in the coming years.

Jumpski

Congratulations on the ride. Cycling is an investment in your health. Nice bike too- enjoy.

saddlesniffer

Wow. Great job (golf clap!!). 51 years young here. It would be a dream for me to avg 17mph for 75 miles here in very hilly southern Cal. Best I can do maybe 14-15 on a good day. With the wind behind me.

Terex

Great job! I did kind of the same thing but all the riding in the world didn't affect my BP. We used to live just north of Princeton and I rode everything north of there up to the Water Gap and into PA. Also did group rides in Monmouth County, which is much flatter. If you're not already using NJ Bike Map, get it. Only available on FB these days. https://www.facebook.com/njbikemap/. NJ north and west of Princeton is an absolutely beautiful place for road cycling and a great place if you like hills. In general, riding in that area of NJ is some of the best riding in the country and the drivers are, for the most part, very courteous. Also, very close to zero loose dogs. I did numerous 100 mi/10K ft. rides and most of my rides were 1,000' climbing for every 10 miles. Like others have noted, you're prepared for 100 miles at this point but but select a route with a modest amount of climbing for your first time. Keep riding and have fun!

Ferguron

"...the drivers are, for the most part, very courteous. Also, very close to zero loose dogs."

I agree on both counts...the drivers are actually weirdly courteous around here. And I've also never had a problem with a loose dog but I've had some other animal encounters...reflective of the area I bike through. I came across a family of pigs eating by the side of the road, I had a number of encounters with bears (one really uncomfortably close). On the more obscure side I came across an emu and a cow (on separate occasions)...both walking right in the middle of the road.