Are there many, some, a few of us over 50??

[smittykitty]

What a great post! I'm gonna be 56 next mo!!! How did that happen? I'm a long way from being strong or really active, but.... I'm way more active the last several years than the previous 50.

It's been really fun finally learning to push my body a bit to get stronger. I hope I can continue being active for a very long time.

I have learned it is so important at this age to never slow down. I'm afraid if I stop, I might not be able to start again.

I have relatives in their early 60s. They are totally inactive and overweight with diabetes. They would be so much more fun if we could do active things with them. I worry about their health. I guess they are good motivation to take care of myself and stay healthy and active. But so sad for them.

[Berrybiker]

Now this a group that I'm proud to join. I feel so inspired after reading all of your stories. I turned 55 in May of this year and started looking for a new bike a few weeks later. I didn't even make the connection at the time. All I could think of was that I just realized I missed biking (after 8-10 years away from it) and wanted a new bike to start riding. So maybe I subcounsciously gave myselt a great 55th birthday present. The great thing is that I always enjoyed cycling before--I love it now! I love the way it makes me feel when I am riding, and the way I feel like I have so much more energy afterwards. I had a lot of fun this summer and fall just getting used to riding again, and I have learned much--both on the bike and from this forum. Now I want to keep riding and learning. I want to set goals for myself--improve my skills, go for longer rides, maybe soon/eventually get involved in some group rides and charity events. The exercise, along with feeling healthier, is a great bonus, but the main thing is that I'm having fun, and I look forward to having even more fun!!!

I think I appreciate everything so much more than I could when I was younger. The only downside: It is a little more of a challenge to get/stay in shape. My riding is really limited to weekends (when I can manage that) this time of year, and I can really tell the difference when I have been off of the bike for a week and start again. I rode last Sunday, and then couldn't ride again until today, and it felt like I was starting all over again. But, on the plus side, at this point in my life I have learned there is always a solution. My plan now is to get a trainer (as soon as my wallet will allow) so that I can stay in shape for those weekend rides--and for next spring. And I am so looking forward to next spring!!!!

[newport5]

Hi All,
I am 62 and spending a lot of time in the gym and on the road with my husband. We are riding around southern California and loving it.

[spazzdog]

56 as of this past October... and AARP has been hounding me with junk mail for years. wish they'd save paper and just skip my name :)

[ladyicon]

spazzdog ( I have a dog that fits that name). I know what you mean about AARP mail. I wish there was a way to opt out. :confused:

[Crankin]

My 29 year old son received mail from AARP, at my address.
Oops.

[AppleTree]

Now this a group that I'm proud to join. I feel so inspired after reading all of your stories. I turned 55 in May of this year and started looking for a new bike a few weeks later. I didn't even make the connection at the time. All I could think of was that I just realized I missed biking (after 8-10 years away from it) and wanted a new bike to start riding. So maybe I subcounsciously gave myselt a great 55th birthday present. The great thing is that I always enjoyed cycling before--I love it now! I love the way it makes me feel when I am riding, and the way I feel like I have so much more energy afterwards. I had a lot of fun this summer and fall just getting used to riding again, and I have learned much--both on the bike and from this forum. Now I want to keep riding and learning. I want to set goals for myself--improve my skills, go for longer rides, maybe soon/eventually get involved in some group rides and charity events. The exercise, along with feeling healthier, is a great bonus, but the main thing is that I'm having fun, and I look forward to having even more fun!!!

I think I appreciate everything so much more than I could when I was younger. The only downside: It is a little more of a challenge to get/stay in shape. My riding is really limited to weekends (when I can manage that) this time of year, and I can really tell the difference when I have been off of the bike for a week and start again. I rode last Sunday, and then couldn't ride again until today, and it felt like I was starting all over again. But, on the plus side, at this point in my life I have learned there is always a solution. My plan now is to get a trainer (as soon as my wallet will allow) so that I can stay in shape for those weekend rides--and for next spring. And I am so looking forward to next spring!!!!

Totally agree with everything you say.. I am turning 55 next year, and have been cycling (with a passion!) for almost five years now, and loving it even more each day. This year I completed the Seattle to Portland bike ride (204 miles) for the first time and looking forward to doing it again next year.

My husband was very involved in hiking and backpacking for years, and I never could quite get interested in that much, but we have both loved cycling and enjoy our cycle outings together (even though we ride at different paces). I only wish we had started even sooner than we did.

[tealtreak]

Just curious, I'm 54 and when I'm on my bike I feel pretty young. My issues
are a little different than younger gals' issues are; but in general are the same.

For perspective, I remember riding around the block on my bike with a little american flag and chanting "Kennedy for President!"

:)
It is hard to tell how many of you are out there in my age group. Who's the oldest gal here?

mimi
Hello! I am 50 and just getting into Mt biking (: I was a big time roadie pre kids, then no riding for many years............My sons bought a Mt bike for Mothers Day (we have always hiked and kayaked together) I am loving the trails- does make you feel younger (except a few hours after a wreck!) lol

[tealtreak]

I'm 55 and think I'm fairly fit, back in my late 20's/early30's I was a runner. I want to get back into running - that was my plan late last year, but last December 2nd, I broke my ankle in 3 places and its been a long recovery stretch -orthopod wanted me a year out before I started jogging. I spent alot of time on my bike. Need to do some weight lifting and maybe try a spin class this winter. My biggest issue with being over the age of 50 - is lack of training buddies, DGF doesn't share my 'exercise' enjoyment. Anyone else with the same problem of lack of exercising buddies? Any suggestions?
wow can I relate! I love to Mountain bike- but my main "riding buddies" are my teen sons- love them- but they are so far ahead of me technically it is demoralizing! I do enjoy keeping up with them climbing..........The few women I have connected with that want to ride have a totally different schedule than I do, (they are younger with no teenagers) so I ride solo often..........

[OakLeaf]

My biggest issue with being over the age of 50 - is lack of training buddies, DGF doesn't share my 'exercise' enjoyment. Anyone else with the same problem of lack of exercising buddies? Any suggestions?

Is there a bike club near you? My husband doesn't ride or run either. I prefer to run alone, but for cycling, I join club rides, and now that I've gotten to know some of the club members who ride a similar pace to me, we'll do impromptu rides on our own schedule sometimes too.

[marni]

spazzdog ( I have a dog that fits that name). I know what you mean about AARP mail. I wish there was a way to opt out. :confused:

Move house overseas for four years, move back and then move twice again in the next three years. Somehow I have managed to shake all of the missionaries of various sects and the AARP. Of course those 4 moves kicked me over 20 major moves with and without children but always with pets in 36 years of marriage.

I didn't start riding until I was 59 but still do as much as I can.

marni

[shootingstar]

Hey folks, we broke the 15,000 views barrier on this thread! :D

It's kinda of inspiring that we keep this thread alive over...the years. Like a little running chain of support, hope, looking back and forward as we get older...we answer our next age. :rolleyes:

[szsz]

spazzdog ( I have a dog that fits that name). I know what you mean about AARP mail. I wish there was a way to opt out. :confused:

Ladicon, I see you are in SanDag. Do you have a group you ride with?

[carolp]

I am 59 and will do my fifth AIDS Lifecycle in June. In NoCal there are so many groups to ride with. I mainly stick to the AIDS Lifecycle Cat2 training rides. No one gets left behind.

[beccaB]

I'm 50, and I just competed in a mountain Bike race in November!

[Bike Chick]

I'm 53 and competed in the Illinois and Missouri Senior Olympics last year in cycling and triathlon. What fun!!! And I was one of the youngest ones there!

[jusdooit]

Way to go Bike Chick. I am thinking about competing in Senior Olympics this year as a 50 year old baby.

[Bike Chick]

Way to go Bike Chick. I am thinking about competing in Senior Olympics this year as a 50 year old baby.

You should do it. It's really a lot of fun. A lot of our "younger" friends made fun of us but I didn't care. There was a 90 year old man in both Illinois and Missouri that competed. How inspiring. I don't think I could even get my leg over a bike at that age much less competing in a time trial and a road race.

[tealtreak]

I'm 53 and competed in the Illinois and Missouri Senior Olympics last year in cycling and triathlon. What fun!!! And I was one of the youngest ones there!
Wow! way to go! (: Do they have a mountain biking competition?

[tealtreak]

I'm 50, and I just competed in a mountain Bike race in November!
awesome! Where/when was it? I am getting the bug, but exterra (which is here) is out of my technical ability (strictly xc at this point)

[janine]

I started riding when I was 49, I've done some centuries and triathlons, looking to do a half ironman this coming summer. love mountain biking also. Even better I've integrated it into my everyday life and do most of my grocery shopping on my commuter bike.

janine

[emily_in_nc]

I started riding when I was 49, I've done some centuries and triathlons, looking to do a half ironman this coming summer. love mountain biking also. Even better I've integrated it into my everyday life and do most of my grocery shopping on my commuter bike.

janine

Good for you, Janine! I'm always inspired when I see women here who started riding relatively late in life. Just shows that it's never to late to change your life for the better. Welcome!

[OakLeaf]

I'm relatively new to running, and so far my times are continuing to drop as I gain race experience. But at 52, the day can't be far off when I start slowing down. I'm going to need a new sport ...

[Catrin]

I'm 50, and I just competed in a mountain Bike race in November!

Wooot! I am 52 and just learned how to mountain bike this year :)

(then came the fall that aggravated the neck arthritis that took me off the mountain bike until next year, but it is a wonderful start :-)

[tealtreak]

I started riding when I was 49, I've done some centuries and triathlons, looking to do a half ironman this coming summer. love mountain biking also. Even better I've integrated it into my everyday life and do most of my grocery shopping on my commuter bike.

janine
Yeah!!!!!!!!! Happy to hear from you! I just got a mt bike for mother's day! Love it (: (I am 50....................)

[Crankin]

I started riding at 47. Despite the fact that I had been active for years (inside), once I started riding, it opened up a whole lot of other activities that now consume my life. I really wish I hadn't wasted 20 years holing up in a gym.

[goldfinch]

I started riding and losing weight at 56. I'll be 57 in three weeks and am the healthiest and in the best shape I've been in for years. Late, but better than never. :)

[beccaB]

awesome! Where/when was it? I am getting the bug, but exterra (which is here) is out of my technical ability (strictly xc at this point)


Iceman cometh challenge-Kalkasa to Traverse City MI

[missjean]

It make me happy to see so many saying the mtb! I'm 51, and I have to say that sometimes I feel a bit self-conscious gearing to ride in a parking lot full of much younger people. I always hope they are not thinking what is the old lady doing here?

[pardes]

It make me happy to see so many saying the mtb! I'm 51, and I have to say that sometimes I feel a bit self-conscious gearing to ride in a parking lot full of much younger people. I always hope they are not thinking what is the old lady doing here?
I'm 70. I gave up my car 8 years ago to go GREEN and I've never missed it.

[ny biker]

Oh my, I now qualify for this thread -- I'm 51. But I'm one of the youngsters in my bike club -- the folks over 60 are the ones who put in the most miles. One is almost at 10,000 miles for the year, another (who's over 70) is closing in on 5000 miles despite a major injury last spring.

[emily_in_nc]

Oh my, I now qualify for this thread -- I'm 51. But I'm one of the youngsters in my bike club -- the folks over 60 are the ones who put in the most miles. One is almost at 10,000 miles for the year, another (who's over 70) is closing in on 5000 miles despite a major injury last spring.

Yep, when this thread started I didn't qualify either -- now I'm 54, will be 55 in April, so it's been going on for awhile! Retirees in good health have more time to ride, so it makes sense that the older members of your bike club are putting in the serious miles. Since I'm in Mexico, this has been a very low-mileage year for me, but last year was 7500 miles, my biggest year ever. Not sure I'll ever manage that again as it took a serious obsession and neglecting other activities I also enjoy, but I'm hoping on a much better cycling year next year than this!

[Crankin]

Happy belated birthday, Murienn.

[lauraelmore1033]

What a nice walk down memory lane! I'm 52 now and it's gratifying to think how far I've come since this thread started. I was just thinking the other day that the crash had knocked me back to square one, cycling wise, but maybe not.

[ny biker]

What a nice walk down memory lane! I'm 52 now and it's gratifying to think how far I've come since this thread started. I was just thinking the other day that the crash had knocked me back to square one, cycling wise, but maybe not.

Physically you might have catching up to do, but the skills and lessons learned are still there.

[lauraelmore1033]

Physically you might have catching up to do, but the skills and lessons learned are still there.

yeah, I know...