New Older Cyclists

[pyxichick]

I've taken up cycling at the age of 36. (I'm amused at the idea of starting a sport at the master level.) I'm not completely new to physical activity, as I've been a nordic skier for several years, but I feel like my body is still adjusting to cycling.

I'm out there riding 100+ miles a week, try to train smart with varied workouts etc., but I still get smoked by the 25 year olds on my rides. I'm not sure if it's their youth or cycling experience that beats me.

I'm interested in doing some races, but wonder if I'll ever have the potential to be competitive, based on my late start.

I'd like to hear about other women's experiences with starting a new sport later in life.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Older? Late in life? To me, 36 doesn't qualify for either of these labels. I don't consider myself "older" or "late in life", and at 54 I'm almost 20 years older than you.

As far as your speed goes, some people are naturally faster than others - I suspect it's experience and not your age that is letting others pass you.

--- Denise

[SadieKate]

I'm trying to compute "older" and "36." :rolleyes:

[mimitabby]

yeah, me too! my "real age" on that health test is 45 BECAUSE i'm biking.
I'm going to be 55 in November. I was all excited, wanting to read about some 66 year old gal who just got onto a bike for the first time.

having said that;

You're not older, you're about middle of the road. And why not bike? It's low impact aerobic exercise...

have fun.

[SadieKate]

Ok, now for a more thoughtful answer (and on a Friday!). Last night's insomnia reading (let's talk about "older" :cool: ), was Joel Friel's Cyclist's Training Bible. He feels that anyone just taking up cycling with the dream of racing needs to spend a year just riding. Their bodies need to adapt to the motion and stresses, etc., of cycling before they start to train for racing. That was very badly paraphrased, but I think it is the same thing Denise is saying. It takes experience and muscle memory and a whole bunch of other things to become competitively fast. If those 25 year olds have been training since juniors, you have a long way to go, baby. Just don't give up. Do some reading, get a coach, train smart.

[SadieKate]

Mimi, my friend Marty went from 0 to 100 at age 65. She started cycling in July 2005 and in June 2006 rode her first century at the Little Red Riding Hood in Utah. She wasn't 66, but is 65 close enough?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Older?? ....36 is like being a kid just out of the starting gate! ;)

Lisa- 52 and just hittin' my stride...

[Trek420]

Older? Older? Bwaaaahaha :D I need another cup of coffee now and to clean the screen :rolleyes: Thanks :p

Somewhere here there's a thread "over 40 show of hands" which changed to "over 50 show of hands" here:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=7782&highlight=oldest

and suspect we'll need "over 60..." etc soon, sure hope so

Trek-I'm 50 but it is the new 30-420

[SouthernBelle]

I'm checking for decrepitness here.

[Squeaky]

I've taken up cycling at the age of 36. (I'm amused at the idea of starting a sport at the master level.) I'm not completely new to physical activity, as I've been a nordic skier for several years, but I feel like my body is still adjusting to cycling.

I'm out there riding 100+ miles a week, try to train smart with varied workouts etc., but I still get smoked by the 25 year olds on my rides. I'm not sure if it's their youth or cycling experience that beats me.

I'm interested in doing some races, but wonder if I'll ever have the potential to be competitive, based on my late start.

I'd like to hear about other women's experiences with starting a new sport later in life.


Sounds like we have the same goals. I'm "old" too at 39 (I guess that makes me older than dirt) and just started. I think you had a valid question about whether or not it's silly to consider racing as a goal, since you're just starting out "at your age." But really, how cool is that?? I know we're still spring chickens in the scheme of things, but it doesn't always feel that way.

Anyway, the thought of being fit enough and good enough to race one day really gets me motivated. Sadie Kate had some good ideas. It's definitely a long term goal and one that I'll reevaluate after at least a year. In the meantime, I think it's great and you should go for it!

Um, did you say master level? Oy! Talk about making someone feel old. And don't think about those 25 year olds... if you don't ever catch them, that's okay, and if you do... teehee....

[Eden]

Don't worry or give up! Many of the top level women cyclists in this country are in their 30's or older.

I started riding competitively this year and I'm 34. Many of my team mates are older than I am (who can kick my butt by the way). Just remember that even if you are already fit, it takes time to "get your legs", some people say about 2 years and that sometimes knowing racing tactics is more important than merely being strong. Keep riding and you'll be smoking the 25 y/o's.

[Trek420]

pyxichick, you may be our new Jeannie Longo.

TE gals, isn't she still competing? She still makes riders not even born when she started to race suffer, she's 2 years younger than me? IE; decrepit :D :p

As she says ~

"Everyone is trying to put me out to pasture. Maybe I just haven't found the right field yet," -- Longo-Ciprelli

[pyxichick]

Thanks for the responses, and I deserve some of that criticism for my bad choice of words.

I'm sorry, I didnt' mean to imply that anyone is decrepit :o
And by "older" I just mean relative to others I've met who are new to cycling.

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Pyxi

You should not compare yourself with senior women's levels.

You may be faster than some women either older and younger than you in training or recreational cycling, but if you are thinking competitively, then dont compare yourself with women in their 20s who are "at their peak" as far as age goes.

The sad truth is that the further we move away from 30/35, the further we move away from the potential we might have had in our 20s.

Compare yourself to the same age categories for guidance as to what is realistic to achieve and revel in being the best you can be.

I started cycling 2 years ago, and started competitively in March this year. I will never know what I might have achieved as a cyclist in my 20s, but man am I setting my goals high for what I can achieve alongside women within a ten year age span around me.

[SouthernBelle]

Thanks for the responses, and I deserve some of that criticism for my bad choice of words.

I'm sorry, I didnt' mean to imply that anyone is decrepit :o
And by "older" I just mean relative to others I've met who are new to cycling.


I don't think any of it was intended as criticism. Maybe, um, chiding.

:D

[SadieKate]

We were just laughing at, erm, with you. :D

[Bluetree]

I'm 39 and plannning on competing starting next year. However, because crit racing is so uber-competitive here I am focusing my training on triathlon. In tri, I can enter in age-group categories.

I have a cycling buddy who didn't start training until he was 40. Now in his mid-fifties, he recently completed a major tri in under 2:30, averaging nearly 22mph in the bike leg. As a comparison, my early-40s BF (a former collegiate track/cycling star who has been doing this most of his life) finished the same race in 2:40, averaging 19mph on the bike.

It's never too late to start!

[Cassandra_Cain]

Absolutely you can do it!!!

I hope to race one day as well, having started riding now at a little over 30, like you.

Plus another thing is that cycling has categories for all ages, masters, seniors, etc. In addition, all the literature I've seen of vo2max & muscle decline is very, very slow. So at say, 50 you may be a hair slower than at 35, but that would be a thin one indeed - assuming you train and stay fit.

Look at Jeannie Longo - she set the Mt. Evans hill climb record for women in 98, as a perky 40 year old and finished 10th in the olympic RR in 2004 as a whippersnapper of then just, 46.

Like I said, you can do it :D

[GLC1968]

I'm in a similar boat as you! I started cycling last year at 37 and while I was already quite fit and adapted well...I'm still working on my cycling skills (and I've got a long way to go!). It is odd to think that I am just starting out at this while a couple of guys I work with are 'retired' from racing and they are only a couple of years older than me. Of course, they've been competitive since they were in their early teens and now they want to raise their families...so the situation is very different.

I agree with what everyone said about giving yourself some time to get used to being on the bike. I completed two centuries this year and regularly commute to work, but I know that I still need a lot of experience before I'm ready to race. I've always looked young for my age...so maybe it'll come in handy! ;) Oh, and my guess is that the 25 year olds are faster because they've been riding longer...not because their bodies are younger.

Keep it up and you'll get there...and likely it'll be long before you get decrepit! :p

[RoadRaven]

Oh, and my guess is that the 25 year olds are faster because they've been riding longer...not because their bodies are younger.




As I posted earlier... if you trained the same way as a 25 year old, and had the same genetic talent - the advantage goes to the younger rider.

However, if you train harder than 25 year olds, and they are not as committed as you, you will better them...

Its all relative... focus on yourself, because ultimately, that is the only factor you have control over. Enjoy :)

[Bikingmomof3]

You can do it.

I just learned to cycle this summer at age 37. I have every intention of doing a triathlon and some racing. :)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey SadieKate-
I was trying to figure out in your avatar what Liberace had to do with bicycling....then I finally read it right. Ha Ha, I guess that kinda dates ME!! :D

[CyclChyk]

PyxiChick - I am .... ahem..... 38 :eek: and I jsut started riding in July. I too average about 100+ miles a week (when I manage to stay "upright" that is).

This is how I look at it:

I am becoming the tomboy I always wanted to be. I am reliving my youth the way I would have wanted to the first time. I am getting HEALTHY for the first time in ... well.... EVER. I want to do a triathalon BADLY (altho I think my feet will prevent that from ever happening).

I live off MTV (lovelove the RealWorld/RoadRules challenge shows); teenage agnst movies are my favorite. And in my mind, I am 23.

Am I too old to cycle?? Who cares. I am just having the time of my life!! And stick around here for a bit. You will find you are far from being alone.

[rocknrollgirl]

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Older...who you calling older??? 44, and riding, racing, and training hard...It is all about the age groups my friend! Win your age group!

[annie]

pyxichick,

Been there, done that. I waited till my thirties to start serious cycling. Got married, had my babies, and needed more in my life so took up cycling, since I had a younger brother who raced and I ALWAYS thought that was SO cool! Anyways, started riding, found others who rode, was encouraged to race, so did various road races in the midwest area. I was competitive, but not one of the best and where I was in my life, I still had other areas that needed the majority of my attention. Re: husband and children. I could never justify the time and expense it took to be gone racing every weekend. I just wasn't THAT good. Which was okay with me. I still loved what I could do. Raced when it fit my schedule. Rode with younger guys and gals, pushed myself to keep their pace and was mostly able to do so. I guess my point is, don't hold back. Go for it NOW, don't wait. Because, much as I wish it was not so, age will catch up with you. It gets us all eventually. Aerobic capacity declines. Muscles can't quite build to where they were 5-10 years ago. One becomes an 'age group' competitor, rather than an overall competitor. (NOT a bad connotation, please. Just not quite what it was....... :( !) As part of the "50 and Older" contingent on TE, I feel like a wise old mentor :rolleyes: . Don't hold yourself back. Don't be timid. Go out and try. Show those 20 yr olds HE** when you race with them! It is most definitely do-able. Just don't wait too long. And have fun!!

annie

[Dogmama]

I was 36 when I started riding. I'm 52 now. I used to ride about 5,000/year but neck problems & surgery got in the way the last couple of years.

I think I have improved because I've learned a lot about bike handling, how to fuel during a ride and when to lay back.

I've never raced, nor had any desire to do so. I'm sure my aerobic capacity has declined but it has been so subtle that I haven't noticed it. I ride to keep my head on straight.

[pyxichick]

This is why I love coming here. Such great inspiration and encouragement! I love to hear about other women's accomplishments.

I'm not going to worry about racing until I feel like my body has had time to adjust to the bike. I guess if I think about it, it took a few years for me to get that body memory for skiing, too. I'm just so excited about cycling, I want to dive right in. But I know that I've already pushed myself beyond what I thought I would do on the bike in my first few months, so I'm happy with the strides I've made and I can look forward to only getting better. :D

[velogirl]

Hey there Pyxi

You should not compare yourself with senior women's levels.

You may be faster than some women either older and younger than you in training or recreational cycling, but if you are thinking competitively, then dont compare yourself with women in their 20s who are "at their peak" as far as age goes.

Compare yourself to the same age categories for guidance as to what is realistic to achieve and revel in being the best you can be.

Unfortunately, in the United States, with rare exception, all women race together by category, not by age. So, she will be competing with women younger (and older) than her.

Women's racing is pretty diverse in this country. There are certain parts of the country (CA, CO, NY) where there are lots of women racers and there are separate races for separate categories. In CA, it's not unusual to race in a full field of 50 women. In other parts of the country, there might be one women's race for Pro through beginner and only 10 women show up.

Occassionally, you'll find a master's women's race (usually 35+). Even in CA, where we have tons of women racing, we don't see this very often. It's more common at District and National Championships, where you can race against your peers in 5-year age groups. The other exception is the rare mtn bike with age categories.

Now, back to your original question. You're not too old. Most women don't even begin to ride until their 30s. And then it takes 3-5 years to hit your potential. And yes, the 20 year olds are tough to beat, but you can be a successful bike racer into your 40s. In mass start races (crits and road races), being smart can win races just as much as being young/fit.

Give it some time. Train smart, learn everything you can, ride with groups, take a clinic, watch some races, and compete when you're ready.

[Mimosa]

This year (at the age of 32), after a decade of not cycling due to other commitments (work, relation, house etc), I started it all up again. I was so fed up with the fact that I was slowly gaining weight and having a poor health level.

That training really got me into the spirit again, up to the level that I am currently doing 150-200 miles a week. For next year I want to have a go (again) at competition riding. Luckely I found a team nearby which is of mixed age so I can start at club level with the team and gradually work my way up to the elite level. Which is going to pretty hard since that is a very high competition level. Still, you got to have goals in life. I will be one of the 'older' galls in that highest competition but over the last couple of years some of the 'oldies' have returned to the competition and proven to be able to defeat the youngsters.

My advice would also to just cyle for a year long and gradually increase distance and speed to slowly gain strength and technical skils. Riding offroad is also good to improve steering qualities. What you can do in that same year is to look for entrance level races near you and at first just look at how racing goes. And see if you can find a team to join, girls already driving can learn you the required race driving skills (how to I attack a curve, driving in a group, using the other driver to sit out of the wind etc) and race tactics.

[ClockworkOrange]

PyxiChick - I am .... ahem..... 38 :eek: and I jsut started riding in July. I too average about 100+ miles a week (when I manage to stay "upright" that is).

This is how I look at it:

I am becoming the tomboy I always wanted to be. I am reliving my youth the way I would have wanted to the first time. I am getting HEALTHY for the first time in ... well.... EVER. I want to do a triathalon BADLY (altho I think my feet will prevent that from ever happening).

I live off MTV (lovelove the RealWorld/RoadRules challenge shows); teenage agnst movies are my favorite. And in my mind, I am 23.

Am I too old to cycle?? Who cares. I am just having the time of my life!! And stick around here for a bit. You will find you are far from being alone.


YAY.............I could have written this myself, with two exceptions. I don't want to do triathalon and I am slightly older than you hun.......hmmmmm, nearly 57!

I am like a big kid, I get up early to do my boring housework etc then regardless of weather, I have to go off on my bike before work, although I don't start work until midday.

If I can't go out for whatever reason, I sulk cos http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Missbe/Itsnotfair.gif


Sally

[senior rider]

Hi, I'm 63, started cycling last January. Wish I had started 20 years ago, but...... Cycling makes me feel wonderful and is keeping me young and thinner (I'm working on thin, not there yet) My DH and I ride together, our longest ride was 40 miles (we're working up to a metric century) and our pace is between 14 and 16 mph. Cycling has nothing to do with age, it's all about your attitude and health.:cool:

[mimitabby]

Welcome, Senior!!

You are an inspiration! I will be 55 in 2 months and bike riding is the best thing me and DH have ever done (well, that is, besides getting married and having two great sons)

I miss riding the most on days like THIS WEEK when all i do is sit here at work
and then go home and do a million OTHER things and dont' get to ride.

[RoadRaven]

Unfortunately, in the United States, with rare exception, all women race together by category, not by age. So, she will be competing with women younger (and older) than her.


Yeah... we race by ability at club level, so my grade at Ramblers ranges from 15 - 60+, both men and women.

The club champs are graded by age and gender; under 15, under 17, senior, then the vet categories.

Our club races all the vet women together (because there is not usually a big turnout for the champs by women, though this year it was bigger than usual) so I raced against women last weekend aged from 35 up.

At National level it BikeNZ sticks to what I thought was international categories defined by age... I didn't realise that the USA didn't categorise people by age - thats very unfair.

[spokewench]

You're still a puppy. I started riding in my late 20's. I started racing maybe a year after I started up riding and my only aerobic activity before that for many years was riding horses (doesn't get you ready for bike riding/racing). Raced mostly in my 30's off and on. Got back into it again in my early 40's - did a lot better - now I don't race anymore except for a few cyclocross events.

It really depends on what you want out of racing. What kind of racing do you want to do? Mountain/Road/cyclocross?? Do you want to race into shape or are you the kind of person who just can't stand being beat? I'm the kind of person who got beat for years before I ever got good enough to be competitive and that was okay. I was never really super competetitive but I have had my moments.

Road racing will be harder - cause you have to keep up with the pack and if you get dropped its very discouraging. Mountain biking you can race at your own speed and it is not as discouraging. There are all levels of racing and you should start out at the bottom to find out where you are. Cat 4 (mix it up with younger 20's girls); The masters women are usually just as fast at the 20 girls in 4's and sometimes 3's; and they have more experience. Some of hte master girls are 1's and 2's so beware you can hit a field that is really fast so don't be discouraged when you move up to masters. Masters are USUALLY Safer cause they usually have more experience (there are always exceptions to be careful)

Anyway, racing should not be all about winning! It should be about improving on your personal best at first. If you start winning, Yahoo, that's icing on the cake. Try a time trial if you are road racing. It is safe, you are by yourself and you can gauge your fitness against your peer group. Mountain biking, just enter in your age group, beginner and see where you stack up.

Any more specific questions?

[Bike Goddess]

Senior Rider- What does make a difference as you age (I'm now 66) is time for recovery both on hills and after long rides. I also take awhile to warm up my muscles. After about 25 miles, I'm usually up to speed.

Now that I have a carbon bike, recovery on hills is a little faster than on my steel bike. This has something to do with the nature of carbon.

[Jen]

You are a mere child.

[suzieqtwa]

Ill be 53, in November ,and last year I ran the Portland Marathon ,I just bought a bike 3 months ago ,and I plan to train for a Century next October. I love it ,and it keeps me fit ,and feeling young. Age is a state of mind.........:)