Are there many, some, a few of us over 50?? [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

Kano

06-26-2006, 04:32 PM

about once every year or three we get a hot spell. and remember, to us,
82 degrees is hot and we don't know what to do about it..

Thank you Mimi! I was wondering how warm it was there that you all are grumbling! I have to agree that for you folks, that IS hot. I've gotten on a plane here at 80 degrees, gotten off there an hour later, and MELTED! 80 here is very pleasant in comparison (I do like desert heat!)

I bet our 95 and sunny feels better than your 80-something!

Karen in Boise

Fredwina

06-26-2006, 04:38 PM

does 45 count?

jeannierides

06-26-2006, 04:38 PM

I turned 56 last month!:eek:

salsabike

06-26-2006, 05:03 PM

Not to thread-hijack, but at the moment it's 89 here--mimitabby was speaking metaphorically about the "82--don't know what to do" thing (she's quite right).

And I'm still 54 (just to stay on topic...).

What is also interesting to me is when people started riding AGAIN---that is, for those of us who haven't been riding for years. I hadn't been on a bike since high school, till I started again a few years ago. Had to learn about gears for the first time. I have other friends in that boat, hesitant to ride because they're sure they'll never figure out the gears, brakes, clipless, etc. It can all be done! So in addition to your age, how many of you had to learn really new skills?

Geonz

06-26-2006, 05:12 PM

46 ... rounding puts me there...

mimitabby

06-26-2006, 05:46 PM

Speaking of Idaho... when i was about 22 years old tops, I went bike riding with a group of friends of mine on some "nice" 95 degree summer day in Boise, IDaho where i lived at that time. We went less than 1/2 of a mile when we all decided that it was too hot and no fun.
I didn't ride again until my husband gave me a 10 dollar bike it was a PUGH and had little short straight handlebars and 3 speeds, only 2 worked though. I couldn't go much over 9mph for whatever reason, and after not very long, i literally ran out of steam; could not muster the strength to go very far.

He bought me a better bike, because by now he was in training for the Seattle to Portland ride and rather gung ho, but even with the better bike (with cool click shifters on the handlebar ends) I still had no "guts" so to speak.
So, on that bike i learned a lot of stuff; shifting, sensible use of my energy; but after one gruelling and all day 35 mile ride on mostly flats (my poor husband, we must have been going 6mph !!!) I decided i didn't like to ride more than 5 miles or 10 at the very most at a time.
Meanwhile, he had our sons training for the STP and Tom at 10 and Jo at 12 did a 200 mile bike ride (in 3 days, 35 miles the first day, 80 the second and the rest that sunday)..
time passed, boys left home, husband lost his best biking buddy (moved to California) and he had no one to ride with.He had just gotten a diagnosis of plantar fasciatis, so we couldn't go hiking anymore; He was depressed and gaining weight; and i was gaining cholesterol.
So I decided, i'd start riding again. The year I turned 50, he trained me (my very own personal trainer!) so I could do that STP in two days. He bought me a new bike on mother's day; 6 weeks before the STP (it was my raleigh cross) to help me get the ride done even though I wanted to do it on my trek. No, I"m not stubborn, no, really i'm not.
As you know, your significant other is NEVER easy to train or teach anything; but we persevered and I did it.
Even though I did not enjoy that ride and never want to do it again; I am very glad to have done it because that one ride is what turned me into a biker... at the age of 50.

Aint Doody

06-26-2006, 05:50 PM

I turned 57 in January--I guess that makes me 57 1/2! Remember how we did that as children?!

Hot here in Eastern OR, too--about 101 today--but no humidity. If you're in the shade it feels OK.

Bad JuJu

06-26-2006, 05:56 PM

I'm 53, or, to go along with Aint Doody's reasoning, 53 1/2. Did lots of riding in my 40s, just getting back to it now after a couple of injuries. Loving it!:D

brok

06-26-2006, 06:14 PM

I hit the big 50 in April:cool: I had a road bike in college and have started again due to restriction on running from a knee "issue".

DebW

06-26-2006, 06:30 PM

I'm 50. Never quit riding or wrenching since the early 70s, but haven't had a major bike upgrade in 25 years. Just keep riding the Columbus steel frame and replacing those chains and freewheels. Downtube friction shifters still do the job! And a 22 lb bike is still pretty decent. But I do need a new headset now. Maybe I'll splurge on a new frame one of these years and enter the modern era (freehub, cassette, more than 12 speeds, STI shifters, threadless headset). I do lament the demise of certain favorite components, like the Regina Oro chain and freewheel. And I can't find Campy grease anymore (but Pedro's is just as good).

withm

06-26-2006, 07:03 PM

54. Not the oldest and only been doing this for 4-5 yrs. But those first 4 yrs were on a bike that was way too small and I came home sore and tired for days. It was killing my knees. In August I bought a fabulous bike, and it's a whole new ball game now. :) What a joy to ride!

I am lucky to live in a very mild climate so I can ride nearly year round. I don't like to ride if it's colder than 42-45oF, wind over 20-25mph, or not sunny (must have 2 of the 3 conditions) but can almost always meet that except for in February. I live a mile from the Atlantic Ocean so it's pretty flat. I did 26 miles yesterday and plotting the route on that new routeslip.com program that someone mentioned on here the other day, managed to climb all of 20 feet! The graph looks more dramatic than it really is. :D

Welcome to the fold.

wavedancer

06-26-2006, 07:24 PM

I'm 57 and really got into cycling about 3 years ago.

The last bike I had was a Motobecane 10-speed that I found in a snowdrift in my yard in Welfleet during the Blizzard of '78. Too big for me, but the price was right and I rode it around the Cape for several years.

I got into mountain biking a little over a year ago, and have to remind myself that I am not 20 anymore! Full suspension helps.

Really enjoying road cycling and working toward that benchmark century this fall. Did my longest ride this year today: 48miles. Felt pretty toasted, need to get better with the fuel and fluids thing.

bcipam

06-26-2006, 07:26 PM

I'm 55. I finally qualify for senior discounts! Whoo - Hoo!!!

Trek420

06-26-2006, 07:36 PM

Fredwina "does 45 count?"

yes, 45 counts :) Fredwina and Geonz, rounding up puts you with us.

Flatlander

06-26-2006, 07:41 PM

I'm 49 and just got into cycling a few months ago. My fast little bike still scares me sometimes--especiallywhen I go downhill!

I don't remember riding around campaigning for Kennedy, but I do remember decorating my bike with crepe paper every fall for the hometown's State Fair Parade. Blue and gold were my favorite color combos for the parade...

P.S. This is my first post on this forum. Hi y'all!

Tuckervill

06-26-2006, 08:01 PM

Round me up, too.* I'm 44. I saw a women's bike tour for the over 50 set and I'm aiming for that!

What I want to know is what folks were doing before you started riding, if you began riding (or began again) after 40.

Karen

*oops...round me down. lol.

margo49

06-26-2006, 08:03 PM

I am 50 years,3 months and 3 days old *today*
[can you hear the singing in the background? Oh, look they've made me a cake too!]
Learned to ride at 12 as b4 then we lived up-hill
Never been off 2 wheels since; tho' at times have had more and less gears (sometimes simultaneously eg messengering in central London in the early 1980's on a G-D knows-how-old Raleigh Sports with 3-speed Sturmey Archer and a Raleigh Touring 14 of my very own on which I toured in USA and Europe)
Rode while pregnant, rode through chemo (not much tho')...

That is my herstory...
the rest you-all know from the forum
and of course
The Best Is Yet To Come

Quillfred

06-26-2006, 08:08 PM

I'm 51!

I'm older than Trek, ha-ha-ha ha-ha-HAAA :D

I shock the "kids" at work when I sing it to them. :rolleyes:

salsabike

06-26-2006, 08:10 PM

See---what great stories we're getting!

I was a quite serious dancer (ballet, some jazz; not professional but small regional studio/school) for about 14 years, from about 1976-1990. It was and remains the only thing I loved so much that I let it "own" me, so to speak. At the height of it, I was taking 2 hours of class a day, 6 days a week. Got fibromyalgia and had to quit dance because I kept pulling muscles. Took a long time to find something else my back would tolerate and that I loved. Cycling doesn't feed ALL the same needs, but I do love it and am so happy it came along in my life. Thanks to spouse for helping with that!

Kitsune06

06-26-2006, 08:17 PM

I just wanted to put in a little note...

you ladies are a huge inspiration to me. Sometimes I think "Gawd... I can't do this... These hills... these legs/joints/underused muscles/abused lungs!" or I look at my 10 mile potential work commute and go "That's just TOO FAR!" ...then I read about your races, or your 35 mi "just for fun" rides, etc etc (need I go on) and I'm just inspired to whip out the arnica and try 'er again tomorrow.

Thank you.

Lise

06-26-2006, 08:26 PM

i'm 45 11/12. ie: 46 next month. Looks like a bunch of us born in '60. I'm most definitely encouraged about the next decade, looking around at the company I keep here at TE! :D L.

annie

06-26-2006, 08:33 PM

51 and so happy to be there! :D :eek: :rolleyes: :) Tho' it STILL surprises me when I actually state my age. Don't feel nearly that age........ or at least what I thought this age would feel like when I was in my 20's. My kids are mostly grown. I've got an enjoyable job (most of the time.) I have not as much free time as I'd like, but enough that I can't complain. I feel healthy, strong, and fairly fit. And I give most credit to the fact that I have been riding a bike regularly for 21 YEARS and absolutely LOVING it all that time. I honestly believe it's the best thing I have ever done for myself. Stress relief,exercise, comraderie (I've met my BEST friends through biking) and the pure joy that comes from riding. For me, nothing compares. (I guess this should be in the "Why do I ride" thread? ) And I truly believe it keeps me feeling younger than my years. So ride on, women of TE! Whatever your age and ability. It's all good......... :cool:

annie

Trek420

06-26-2006, 08:38 PM

Quillfred "I'm 51! I'm older than Trek, ha-ha-ha ha-ha-HAAA :D"

neener neener neener, I'll catch up, no wait, I won't

"I shock the "kids" at work when I sing it to them. :rolleyes:"

I think we all shock the kids at work :) :D

Today I lowered the ergonomic desk and while taking calls doing modified push ups off the lip. "Kids" walking by shaking their heads.

History: totally unathletic as a child, last one chosen for any team. In college discovered there are other sports than team sports! Who knew? Hiking, climbing, backpacking...

Took up martial arts then, still do that. Aikido is a non-violent art but it's an impact sport....with the ground. Probably why I have arthritis and tendonitis all around.

Cycling brings it all together, aerobic fitness and it's sooooo fun.

When I ride the knees, the joints...they all feel great and I can train.

kjay

06-26-2006, 08:40 PM

Hi all. . . I'll be 63 in July. I didn't exercise much at all during my career life. With mostly 10-hour work days and one hour of commuting, I didn't have much time for anything else.

I started biking about ten years ago when I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis (hip), which resulted in having a total hip replacement nearly five years ago. The only comfortable exercise was biking, as my weight was supported. (I'd still rather bike any day than walk.) I've ridden a GT hybrid all those years, and decided to let 'er rip by joining a WomanTours ride around the island of Hawaii last November. The longest I've ridden in one day is 40 miles (in the rain and downhill from Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii to Hilo). . . the best day I've ever experienced on a bike.

After riding 35 miles in the Wine Country Century (northern Cal) in early May on my hybrid, I knew I needed a new bike. I now have a Trek Pilot 2.1 WSD and can carry it up the stairs with one arm. Am riding in the week-long, 400-mile Candisc tour in August. I LOVE biking and plan on biking for many more years to come! And I'm hooked on touring.

EvilTwin

06-26-2006, 08:40 PM

Just turned 50 a week or so ago. Started riding in Feb. of this year. I hadn't really ridden since college. I started dating a biker last fall after my divorce, and decided to ride Bike Idaho this summer, so that's my training goal right now. My BF has been riding for years, and has been my personal trainer this spring. He's very patient with me.... it helps. I love riding, and my 3 grown daughters have been able to see some very positive things that have happened since I started riding. They see me as stronger, more positive, happier, and in way better shape than I've been in years. Yeah cycling!!!!

dachshund

06-26-2006, 09:54 PM

I rode steadily from grade school until my late thirties. (50 now) My last bike was a 10 speed racer, and I stopped riding it because couldn't do hills without hurting my back. So I sold the bike. I decided to try again recently as an alternative to the gym. I found this forum pretty quickly, which was a huge help.

Technology has changed, of course, with all the carbon and those shift levers up by the breaks. Clipless pedals. And 30 gears! But I'm much more careful now, MUCH more willing to stop and make sure there are no cars coming before crossing intersections, etc.

I don't what happened this last year... I got back into several hobbies I had lost interest in. Funny how things cycle around (yuk yuk.)

My only reservation is climbing hills with a lower back problem. I'm surprised that riding doesn't hurt my back so far, nor does it bother my hands. I guess I should read up on technique for doing hills, correct position, etc. I'm sure I'll find it here somewhere. :)

Triskeliongirl

06-26-2006, 09:59 PM

48, so I'm close..... actually 14 months away to be exact.

arnaew

06-27-2006, 03:19 AM

51 and a half. Hadn't ridden since I was a child until a couple of years ago. I used to walk into university (mature age student) then the office, but when we moved more than a mile away from the CBD (downtown?) SO bought me an old beater bike to commute as I don't drive, and I was past relying on our (appalling) public transport. Didn't ride much more than 20k until last year, when we took off for France (en famille) in July as part of my 50th celebration year (yep, I celebrated the entire year!:D ). Took my bike, intending to poodle around the Tour DF, and for the first week didn't do much more than the requisite 20-30k, before the motor home turned up behind to pick me up (they would pack up the site, do the shopping etc while I rode on ahead). One day, they didn't turn up behind me, so I kept riding until they did. 90k later, I heard that familiar beep behind me... they'd had a flat tyre, with attendant dificulties, and tried to 'phone but I was out of range. I was exhausted, but exhilirated, and I've never felt so safe riding anywhere as I did on French roads - such respect for cyclists! But having done it once, I did it again and again. That's almost a year ago, and now I register for every long road ride going around here. Even on my regular runs (Sat and Sun mornings) I don't feel as though I've been on a decent ride unless I do a minimum 50k. I've upgraded the bike to a Daccordi Race Fiber (full carbon fibre with Campagnolo Record) and I'm just loving it. I will never be as good as any of you who started early or who exercised throughout their lives (my claim to exercise in my 20s was careering around a stage singing in a punk band, then strengthening my right arm by lifting glasses of interesting but generally volatile liquid) but you know, every time a sweet young thing passes me by, as they often do, I just acknowledge that I am who I am, I'm doing what I do, and to my mind, I'm doing it bloody well. And as for being in my 50s? I'm the strongest, the heathiest, the smartest and the most confident I've ever been. Oh okay, some days I fall over and get a case of 'the olds', but then I get on the bike; 30k in, and I'm okay again. I'm back in the zone. 51, and still punching holes in the ceiling with my fist. :p
A

crazycanuck

06-27-2006, 04:28 AM

Umm..I get to be the cheeky young chick who hijacks the thread...nya nya (i feel so young...33yrs old)

What i want to know is and feel free to start a new thread for you oldies k...(you're going to hit me soon aren't you...)

1-What were the 50's-60's like? Ike, Kennedy, cold war, cuban missile crisis, marilyn monroe,the films..(hitchcock..!!), ritchie valens/the big bopper, nixon, etc...

2-What did you think of elvis, the beatles, mamas & the papas, the beach boys-Which beatle was your fave? Did you get to watch them on the ed sullivan show???

3-Do i dare ask about the 70's...?

:D

c

Nanci

06-27-2006, 04:54 AM

Lise

06-27-2006, 05:02 AM

It was more like The Monkeys and Bobby Sherman!
Nanci
Oh, Yes!

1st record album: The Monkees. On my pillow one day when I came home from first grade (1966). Why? Who knows. Mom just gave me a spontaneous, and very important gift! I will never forget it.

I once dated someone for 18 months basically because of a strong resemblance to a young Bobby Sherman. Didn't realize it until we'd broken up, and Bobby was going on a nostalgia tour with Mickey Dolenz and Davy Jones. OF COURSE my sister and I got tix! Very, very sadly, the tour was cancelled mid-way through for some reason. It was humbling to realize that I'd probably stuck it out as long as I had in that relationship because, at some level, I thought I was dating Bobby Sherman...:rolleyes: :confused: :p

Remember "Here Come the Brides"? "The bluest skies you've ever seen, in Seattle, and the hills the greenest green, in Seattle..."

jobob

06-27-2006, 05:35 AM

Too funny! My first album was Bobby Sherman :o

And yes, I looooved Here Come the Brides. But I was more crushed-out on David Soul.

SouthernBelle

06-27-2006, 06:02 AM

I shall be 51 on the 9th. You don't have to send presents, cash will do.

1-What were the 50's-60's like? Ike, Kennedy, cold war, cuban missile crisis, marilyn monroe,the films..(hitchcock..!!), ritchie valens/the big bopper, nixon, etc...

Mostly a good time to be a kid. Most moms in our neighborhood were SAHM moms and we played outside all summer. Most of the things you ask about here weren't on my radar. I was totally unaware of the cuban missile crisis at the time. I did think JFK was handsome and I liked that he had little kids.

2-What did you think of elvis, the beatles, mamas & the papas, the beach boys-Which beatle was your fave? Did you get to watch them on the ed sullivan show???

Meet the Beatles was my first album. I still have it. I used to play it over and over. I loved Paul. My best friend loved John. Yes, I first saw them on Sullivan and we discussed them in great detail the next day on the playground.

3-Do i dare ask about the 70's...? Eh. I went to a disco once. Had a floor just like in Saturday Night Fever. But I really can't dance.

Crankin

06-27-2006, 06:06 AM

I'm 52 (53 in November). I've been riding around 5.5 years. Did lots of gym stuff before that, since I was about 25. I also was the last one chosen for any team in gym class. But, the one thing that i did do on a pretty consistent basis was ride my bike. I didn't learn to ride until i was 10 (too uncoordinated), but once i did, I was rarely home. I had a Schwinn with coaster brakes and 2 three speed Raleighs. Had a huge generator light on the front of one of them. I lived in a suburb of Boston that had lots of hills... now I can't believe i went up them on a 3 speed. Well, moving to Florida and then Arizona near the end of high school pretty much stopped the riding. Too hot and everyone drove everywhere. I did a lot of walking in AZ, along with the gym stuff, but somewhere along the way, a boyfriend bought me a 5 speed road bike. I used to ride it to grad school classes in summer school, when i first started teaching. I have a distinct memory of riding in a sundress with a backpack on! A few years later, my husband bought us 12 speed bikes. I rode a little, probably never more than 10 miles, at a very slow speed. That ended when I was 7 months pregnant and I stopped short, behind my husband and the down tube shifter went into my stomach. I went into premature labor, but all ended well.
I started riding again because my husband got me into it, along with one of my sons. I do feel pretty young when I'm riding, although I think I need to take a few more rest days than I do! A funny story that happened this year was one day when I was chaperoning at science camp last December, i went on a short, but steep hike up a snowy, icy trail with the other teachers (the oldest one was 34). A couple of weeks later, one of them, who is about 25, told me that they "all want to be like me when they get old..." I knew it was a compliment, but it didn't sound right.

By the way, the sixties were cool. My own kids could never surpass anything I did back then...

Trek420

06-27-2006, 06:34 AM

crazycanuck "1-What were the 50's-60's like?"

well, I was pretty young maybe 3 or 4 but my first memory was being in a little red wagon pulled behind my parents in downtown (was barely a town then) Santa Rosa it was either a tiny anti-war march or a civil rights march. I remember a woman on the sidewalk yelling "go back where you came from!" and thinking "but I am home?" :confused:

But also what others sed, simpler time, my Mom worked, but I still "had milk and cookies when I got home". We lived in the country it was a great place to be a kid, we were outside a lot; played in creeks, built forts, fished for crawdads, and close with our neighbors.

Oh growing up in Sonoma County. You think it's pretty now? It was so beautiful.

2 "Did you get to watch them on the ed sullivan show???"

yes :)

3-"Do i dare ask about the 70's...?"
I had just moved into the city, Oakland in about 1975 or 6 to share a Victorian flat with my college sweetie and two other women. You can ask, but the 70's are a blur :p In a good way sort of.

I found work, went back to school, became re-acquainted with my passion for art and also found a great community. In those days I was working my way through college as a cook, and I'd met some great friends through that work. I know friends come and go but these guys: Bryan, Markham, Tom, Nikho, Rick, Asa....I could go on but I'm getting all misty eyed....really thought I'd grow old with these wonderful men as my friends.

They're all gone and that's why I'll ride in June.

hibiscus09

06-27-2006, 06:46 AM

I'll be 45 in September. I remember loving Bobby Sherman, Donny Osmond and the Jackson 5. :D

mimitabby

06-27-2006, 07:12 AM

Quillfred "I'm 51! I'm older than Trek, ha-ha-ha ha-ha-HAAA :D"

History: totally unathletic as a child, last one chosen for any team.
.

ME TOO!!!!
I was so clumsy they were talking about putting braces on my legs!!!
(because i toed out)

dachshund

06-27-2006, 07:32 AM

Ditto with the SAHM.
I vividly remember when Kennedy was killed, and the funeral. Then his brother sometime later. But I didn't pay attention to politics until the Vietnam war, which was a big part if the late 60's into the 70's.

Yeah, the Monkees. They even had a TV show. Then there was the British Invasion. The 70's were kind of an extension of the "sexual revolution", in my opinion. It was kind of like, now that we've evolved, what do we really want to do? We went from Ed Sullivan to Laugh-In. Feminism was gathering steam when I started college in '74. Remember that tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs?

Honestly, though, the music was the big deal for me. Hearing songs by the Beatles, Stones, etc., on the radio when they first came out. Those are good memories!

Quillfred

06-27-2006, 07:44 AM

1-What were the 50's-60's like? Ike, Kennedy, cold war, cuban missile crisis, marilyn monroe,the films..(hitchcock..!!), ritchie valens/the big bopper, nixon, etc...

A:60's: Kennedy - kind of like the Clinton era but we were more naive ;) life was good. Prosperity felt permanent. Still recall that horrible announcement...Cold War/Cuban Missle - getting under my desk in school to practice for a nuclear attack :eek: Nixon - blech! I wanted to be a hippie when I grew up. I lived in Marin Contry (north of San Fran) and we would hitch-hike to Sausalito and Mill Valley to buy Fillmore and Avalon music posters and slogan buttons. Got to see Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead and knew that was IT. Peace and Love! Unaware of the drug problems occuring. Pretty sheltered by my conservative parents --a good thing ;) Films: Few and far between. They were an event. Saw them over and over and over.....

2-What did you think of elvis, the beatles, mamas & the papas, the beach boys-Which beatle was your fave? Did you get to watch them on the ed sullivan show???
A: Beatles! I was in 3rd grade when they were first on Ed Sullivan and I wanted to watch another show instead. But my brother won out and I came around quickly. I loved John, then Ringo, then George, now Paul--finally got to see Paul-first time about 4 years ago. Worth every penny. I came to love the Beach Boys over last few years. Got to sit 3rd row to hear Brian Wilson's "Smile". I don't think I've ever heard a better sound quality in a concert.

3-Do i dare ask about the 70's...?
A: You can ask but :confused: :D More like a slow extension of the 60s until late 70s and Disco hit and I moved to Seattle/came out in 1978. Polyester baby with big collars, Yeah!

DebW

06-27-2006, 08:18 AM

I just discovered the downside to being 50. I'm at work and I can't find my glasses and I have no idea if I was wearing them when I rode to work this morning. But I do remember getting dust in my eye on my ride. Maybe that's a clue. I wish I could just wear my glasses all the time, but the bottom of the bifocal only works at less than 16 inches and the top at more than 3 feet. Luckily, those (bifocals, memory) are my only complaints about old age so far, unless I'm forgetting a few. :D

Lise

06-27-2006, 09:00 AM

....I could go on but I'm getting all misty eyed....really thought I'd grow old with these wonderful men as my friends.

They're all gone and that's why I'll ride in June.
I know.

Remember the first time you saw the NAMES quilt? Trek, you probably saw it long before we did, out here on the prairie. I went down to Navy Pier, when it was just a bunch of empty warehouses, not the carnival it is now. Standing before the quilt of names and names and names and names...with tears streaming down my face for all the lost friends, and all of us who had lost them, and thinking, "try and tell me we don't love each other now."
.................................
The 70s' happiest memories for me were movies. Jesus Christ Superstar (saw that one 13 times in the theater), STARWARS!, Saturday Night Fever. I went to Peru as an exchange student in 1977, when they were ruled by a military dictatorship. That was interesting!
.................................
I recently got to explain to a friend what that "Fallout Shelter" symbol on a school building meant. "You could go in there and be safe from nuclear fallout.", I told her. "How?" she asked. "By hiding under the desk." We had a good laugh at that one. Oh yes, we would also practice hiding in the bathrooms. I wondered how it was that she didn't know this, as we're about the same age. She reminded me that her dad was in the military, "The entire base was a fallout shelter." Oh, yeah.

mimitabby

06-27-2006, 09:11 AM

Crankin

06-27-2006, 09:52 AM

Re: questions about the 50's, 60's, 70's....

I remember the 50's being idyllic. My mom walked me to preschool. We had one car until I was 5. Drove dad to the trolley station on Wed. so mom could have the car for grocery shopping. Nothing was open on Sunday or at night (except Thursdays). I watched Ed Sullivan every week! I spent loads of time playing in the woods, skating, sledding, and being on the beach all summer. The beginning of the sixties were pretty much the same. I was in fifth grade when Kennedy was shot. i still remember how white the face of my principal was, when she came in to tell the teacher. That was the year the Beatles were on Ed Sullivan. Every Saturday afternoon, I would open the windows and blast the album Meet the Beatles with a friend! The neighbors did not like that. When i was about 12, I started hanging out in Boston and Cambridge with friends. We had a lot of freedom. Things were still pretty preppy until I was about 14. I was one of the first to wear bell bottoms. I remember going to the Army Navy store and buying them for $5.00. Those pants, plus a black turtleneck and long silver earrings were my uniform for a few years... I hung out on the Boston Common during the summer of 68 when all of the hippies came here. Did lots of things that i won't discuss here, but I wouldn't change a thing. I discovered politics. This all ended when I moved to Miami in 1969. Let's just say that the "revolution" had not arrived. But I managed to hang in there and graduate high school, with a lot of trips to Boston in between. The early seventies were more of the same. Music was really important and really good foreign films. I moved to AZ pemantly in 1975 and finished college. Again, I felt like a fish out of water. Then the disco revolution started. Boy, were those clothes ugly. Everyone just seemed a lot more open then. No fundamentalists telling us what we should think or do. I met my husband at the end of this era. He came to the door for our first date in an all white 3 piece "John Travolta" suit a la Saturday Night fever. It seems like things started changing in the early 80's, with the Reagen era. Of course, by then I had changed from a hippie to a yuppie, but I have discovered that those old values never went away, at least for me. I raised my kids the same way i was raised, with a lot of freedom and they are fine grown ups.

Granny M

06-27-2006, 09:54 AM

Almost 48!

MomOnBike

06-27-2006, 10:38 AM

I'll be 51 in less than a month.

Hated the Beatles - because they were so stupidly popular.

I remember going to Sunday school with my cousin the Sunday after JFK was killed. Someone asked "Why?" I still haven't gotten that answer.

Saw Hair on stage. We had front-row balcony seats.

Several of my friends came back Not The Same from Vietnam. The one I've kept track of has never recovered.

We watched Ed Sullivan, and Sing Along With Mitch, and Friday Night Boxing. There were 3 possible TV channels at the ranch, one that came in reliably.

Fredwina

06-27-2006, 12:06 PM

I remeber having 3 channels too. Also, having to state your phone number as
CI(circle)3-xxxx

emily_in_nc

06-27-2006, 12:41 PM

I'll be 45 in September. I remember loving Bobby Sherman, Donny Osmond and the Jackson 5. :D

I turned 45 in April. Ditto all of the above music loves! :D

My first bike was a upright-handlebar blue Schwinn. I'll never forget finding it under the Christmas tree and being soooooo happieeeeeee as a kid! :p Second bike was much cooler - pink sparkly frame, banana seat, high-rise handlebars and streamers! Oh, and a white basket with flowers! :cool:

It's been all downhill since then.... :D

Emily

PAP103

06-27-2006, 12:58 PM

51 yesterday. I loved (and still love) the Beatles, the Who, Rolling Stones, etc. I spent the 60s going to school, the beach and family camping. I remember Kennedy being shot but was mostly oblivious to the world outside my own. I was in high school in the 70s and don't remember much. The drinking age was 18 and so was I!

Denise223

06-27-2006, 01:03 PM

I'm 45 & 1/2..... :D !!

pink sparkly frame, banana seat, high-rise handlebars and streamers! Oh, and a white basket with flowers! emily_in_nc

I had one of those, too!! I don't remember having flowers on my basket, though... The worst memory I have on my banana seat bike was riding over a curb, (in most cases, usually not a problem)....but, my front tire was loose.......... :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: I & my "girlie bits" landed on the bar -- I can't even explain in words the PAIN!!! OMG!!!!
This happened when I was 8 or 9, and I can still remember seeing STARS!!!!

Music memories --- Bobby Sherman, The Carpenters, David Cassidy, Donny Osmond.... Posters all over my room!!

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated 4 days before my 3rd birthday, and I still remember that day today. My mother, brother (he was 5) & I were strolling (I was in a carriage), down Moody Street & that's where we heard the news. I still remember the silence, the tears...even at that age. It was a very, very sad day!! :(

Denise

Trek420

06-27-2006, 01:04 PM

Lise, I think it would have been about '83-4 when I saw the quilt filling the Moscone Center.

I don't think I can talk about it. :(

I've read with interest that the quilt concept's been adopted in Africa as "Memory Books". These are books. scrapbooks of written and oral histories, memories for HIV+ parents to pass down to their kids should they predecease them.

Oh and the memory thing at 50? I hear that (at least I think I do, loosing my hearing too), I just cut my noon workout short because I remembered that I did not know where my keys are.

Drove to BART, locked my car with the remote they have to be somewhere right?

They are on my desk in my pack, usual spot of course.

I was in 1st grade when JFK was shot. Our teacher Mrs. Delasantina I think, took us out for a walk on the playground untill someone noticed the flag at half staff and asked why. That brought up a discussion of what had happened and we went back inside.

She really was a good teacher.

kaybee

06-27-2006, 01:23 PM

I'll be 48 in November.

60's- My first TV memory is President Kennedy's funeral. Because I liked the horses. Too young to be scared of missiles. Too young to appreciate the Beatles or Elvis. It was more like The Monkeys and Bobby Sherman!

Nanci

Oh, yes, Nanci, I can relate! I'll be 48 (oh my gawd!) in February, so we were watching the same things on TV at the same time.

KB

mimitabby

06-27-2006, 01:36 PM

I remeber having 3 channels too. Also, having to state your phone number as
CI(circle)3-xxxx
OR(orange) 6-6570!! how do i remember this? that was in 1957!!!

we had more channels though, 10 miles from manhattan! 2,4,5,7, 9, 11 & 13!!

Lise

06-27-2006, 02:14 PM

Can you blame me?
http://www.bobbysherman.com/

With all love to Donny and David, but oh....those eyes!

We had 4 channels, as I recall: 2, 5, 7, 9. Then PBS came along, and we got 11. Big city life. Remember turning the dial from VHF to UHF when we got those channels? and the coat hanger you could use if you didn't have an antenna?

Nanci

06-27-2006, 04:50 PM

MIdway4-8692. Do we ever forget our first phone number??

Surlygirl

06-27-2006, 05:13 PM

I turned 46 in May. We grew up on bikes, rode on the sidewalks, through the woods, fields, streams, all on stingray bikes my dad pulled out of the dump and fixed. He even spray painted them to make them look new. Got my first new bike at 10, a green Schwinn 3 speed. My next new bike hubby bought me when I was 23 and then last year he bought me my beautiful purple Orbea. I've come a long way since the dump bikes.

I also loved Bobby Sherman better than David Cassidy and Donny Osmond, and the "Hey Hey for the Monkeys" were my favorite.

Denise223

06-27-2006, 05:46 PM

TW(twinbrook)3-2728 !!! That was our telephone number in the early 70's. Some things are permanently etched in our brains...

I have a pretty good long term memory....but sometimes, I can't remember what I did even hours before :confused: ...... I guess that's common at my age :rolleyes: .
I've purchased Gingko Biloba a few times in the past several years, only I can't remember to take it!!!

Have a nice evening!

Denise

Bike Goddess

06-27-2006, 06:09 PM

Well, so far I'm the elder of the group- 65. What can I say for all these years I've lived on this planet-

40's- No freeways, no TV, no Cell phones, and if you were lucky, you had a private telephone line. Otherwise, it was a 2 or 4 party line. We always managed to have our own private line. The phones were black, only desk phones. Must have have weighed about 10 lbs.

When TV came along in the 50's I couldn't stand it because of the high frequency ringing which bothered my ears. As a consequence I never got hooked on TV and to this day don't watch it. Missed all the programs and a whole generation of TV stars. Instead, when I was growing up we listened to the radio every night- the lone ranger, fibber mcgee and molly, etc. Those were the fun times as we had to imagine the scenes!

In the 70s I was part of the alternative culture. Lived in a collective- we published a magazine called Vocations for Social Change. We advocated women's rights and environmentally sound businesses, alternative lifestyles, etc. It was an interesting time. I still keep in contact with two of the members of that group. I also did some drugs on an experimental basis- shant name them here!

During this time I was part of the Free Speech Movement at UC Berkeley, and SF State as well. After getting my Masters Degree in 1974 I became a teacher and entered the "straight" world. (That's what we called it then)

Started running in 1974 and ran marathons and other events until I couldn't due to arthritis in my knees which brought me to cycling in 2003. Since that time I've cycled over 12,000 miles including the Seattle to Portland ride for 2 yrs (am doing it for a 3rd time this year) and the SF/LA AIDS ride last year. This year I set a goal of 2 metric centuries a week, which I have followed regularly (the weather sometimes kept me down to 1 a week!) My overall goal this year is 7500 miles. I'm at 3200 something so I have a ways to go and some more centuries to do!

So there you have it. Never let age get you down. :p :p :p :p

Quillfred

06-27-2006, 06:57 PM

51 yesterday.

Hope you had a great day!

Quillfred

06-27-2006, 06:58 PM

and Bike Goddess, you RULE!!!! Hands Down!!!!! :) :) :) :)

withm

06-27-2006, 07:35 PM

Back in the 60s I got sucked into the folk music thing and I still like to listen to the old Bob Dylan songs, and a million other folk groups that very few people ever heard of, even still. In fact I just got the new Bruce Springsteen CD of "The Seeger Sessions" and can't stop playing it. His versions of "The Erie Canal" and "Shenandoah" really take me back. Sigh.

College in the late 60s-early70s was a weird time - Kent State - drugs - Vietnam. No cell phones. When the drug culture hit the protesters it was a veritable sea change. General apathy took over. "Like, wow, man."

Worse. No computers! When I went to graduate school many years later at least I was able to do SOME research online via FTP or dial-up directly to the university library. I had a whole phone book of computer phone numbers and a screechy 1200K modem.

Trek420

06-27-2006, 08:04 PM

withm "I just got the new Bruce Springsteen CD of "The Seeger Sessions" and can't stop playing it. His versions of "The Erie Canal" and "Shenandoah" really take me back. Sigh."

ooh, must get that. Not sure how many Pete Seeger concerts I went too, he's incredible, there are two I remember vividly one in the redwoods and the other in Berekely. Also think my Dad once met Paul Robeson. I never heard him perform live. Before my time.

and I agree, BG rules! I wanna be her when I grow up. :D

twin

06-27-2006, 08:26 PM

I am 51 and I have been riding a very loooonnnngggg time and I love to ride! I commute to teach art at the HS level and I have a twin that has taken up riding. I have a friend that will be turning 55 in august who has just started the Northern Tier.

Lise

06-27-2006, 08:45 PM

and Bike Goddess, you RULE!!!! Hands Down!!!!! :) :) :) :)
Absolutely. 20 years from now I hope to have built up to the same kind of annual mileage! Thanks for telling us.

I liked those old phones, by the way. I liked dialing a rotary dial. You knew you were doing something. Nobody got called by mistake! :rolleyes:

salsabike

06-27-2006, 09:06 PM

What an interesting thread this has turned out to be.

I was born in '53. At my 10th birthday party we saw a tape of Jack Ruby shooting Harvey Oswald. I have the same memory of the elementary school principal coming to my class the week before to say that Kennedy had been shot. It was as close as you get to a collective national mourning--everyone was devastated.

We did the get-under-desk-atomic-bomb thing at school (my, how silly). We watched Twilight Zone, the greatest. That Was The Week That Was. Laugh-In, Mod Squad, Room 222, 77 Sunset Strip.

Re the 60s: I couldn't have asked for a better time to come of age. It was exciting and inspiring (in the early days, anyway), politically, musically, socially. 70s and disco--sort of a mixed bag. Early 80s and Reagan--ugh. AIDS in the 80s--lost a whole generation of both dancer and psychologist friends.

I liked George, by the way, and yes, my sister and I watched The Beatles on Ed Sullivan. Never an Elvis fan---always a 60s rock fan, also soul music. First concert: Sonny and Cher, at age 12 1/2. Saw Jimi Hendrix two years later in a small local club. Saw Janis Joplin, saw the Doors.

Bike Goddess DOES rule!

crazycanuck

06-27-2006, 09:52 PM

Ohh...you saw Jimmy hendrix, janis & the doors..ohh...I envy you!! Am i showing my young age?

Did any of you funky chickies go to Woodstock???

Lise-the quilt-everytime i see pics i'm in tears..

c

off to look for early grey hairs...

jeannierides

06-28-2006, 04:32 AM

I was born in 1950. I have a very tattered picture of me on my bike in my little shorts and gypsy-style halter top & pony tail! I'm still pining for those days!;)
We didn't get a tv until the 60's, but I remember going to my grandparents before that & seeing Edward R. Murrow on the news... Laugh-In, Hullabaloo were the silly programs of the decade.:rolleyes: I was on the school bus to go home when I heard the news about JFK. I lost several friends in the Vietnam *conflict*, and a few more returned with serious emotional and physical disabilities.:mad:
I was absolutely NOT athletic at all... although I played ball with the neighborhood kids and rode my bike, I was very skinny and too much of a sissy to do anything remotely un-feminine!:o What a waste of time!:( I wish I had known how much fun I could have had!
I was 53 when I ran my first half marathon, and 54 when I got back on the bike...

Bike Goddess, you are my hero! :D

Tater

06-28-2006, 07:18 AM

I just wanted to say to Bike Goddess, I want to be like you when I grow up! What an inspiration.

mimitabby

06-28-2006, 07:29 AM

Ohh...you saw Jimmy hendrix, janis & the doors..ohh...I envy you!! Am i showing my young age?

Did any of you funky chickies go to Woodstock???
.

I actually had the tickets, I got them in the mail. But my guardian (long story)
wouldn't let me go.
I worked as a waitress at Howard Johnson's on the New Jersey Turnpike that summer and served lots of cute boys that day who were going to Woodstock. I was SOOOOOOO sad and jealous.

and YAY! Bike Goddess Rules !!

nancielle

06-28-2006, 02:19 PM

we took off for France (en famille) in July as part of my 50th celebration year (yep, I celebrated the entire year!:D ).

Now that's my idea of a birthday celebration! :D

Not 50 yet (49 in July so catching up fast!)

I remember being sent home from kindergarten after the JFK assassination and the funeral being on every channel (all 3 of them.) Hearing my dad wake up my mom to tell her of RFK's assassination. Knowing when it was time to leave for school during the Viet Nam war when they announced the body count on the radio (always at 8:20 a.m. then on to Howard Cosell sports.)
Many of my classmates had older brothers who went to Viet Nam and none came home alive. One vivid memory from the seventh grade was of hearing that my best friend's brother had been blown up by a land mine. None of us could really grasp that.

Was a total spaz as far as athletics went (dad was a jock but apparently all of my siblings got that gene and it just passed me by!) but if we wanted to get anywhere we had to use our bikes or walk. We lived on a hill and all of us would go to the top and try to be the fastest getting to the bottom. We had a pool in my yard so we'd often spend afternoons there after riding (and only if an adult were present. Heaven help us if we broke that rule and none of the other parents on the street had any qualms about ratting out those who broke the rules.)

Didn't ride for the longest time (lack of time and the repeated thefts of various bikes, despite being locked) but took it up again a couple of years ago but on a limited basis, between classes, working & various community things I'd gotten involved with. Got into it a bit more after knee surgery last year when my surgeon suggested riding again (and swimming! just like when I was a kid) to strengthen the muscles around my knees. Now it's woven into the working, community things & the rest of my life stuff. :D

Bike Goddess

06-28-2006, 05:11 PM

I just re read some of your stories and I too am inspired by what each of us has gone through in this crazy world. And here we are thrown together by a wonderful sport called cycling! How amazing is that!:) :) :) :)

I must say that this forum has renewed my love for women's groups (yeah, we had those "women's lib group meetings in the 60's and 70's too)and for the value I place on our friendships. There's just something special about being around all of you.

Saturday I rode with some women I'll be doing the STP with in July. It was so much fun. None of this hammering stuff, just riding along chatting away and enjoying the scenery. Yes, I ride with the guys too, but I must say it isn't the same. Just a different flavor if you will.

So, while I might inspire you, you all provide lots of inspiration for me! :D :D :D

Thanks, and keep on writing. This is an interesting thread that brings back many past memories for me too!

Grog

06-28-2006, 05:38 PM

I must say that this forum has renewed my love for women's groups (yeah, we had those "women's lib group meetings in the 60's and 70's too)and for the value I place on our friendships. There's just something special about being around all of you.

Same here (although I am only 28).

salsabike

06-28-2006, 05:49 PM

Bike Goddess, will you give us some identifying info so those of us on STP can say hi? I will be on a bright blue tandem with my husband, probably wearing red or yellow soccer jerseys.

And, by the way, a bunch of my friends went to Woodstock, but I was in the hospital having surgery when they did---although I have to say that my otherwise pretty liberal parents would NEVER have let me go anyway.

It was a ton of fun and I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

Lise

06-28-2006, 08:33 PM

I was born in '53. At my 10th birthday party we saw a tape of Jack Ruby shooting Harvey Oswald.
You saw WHAT? And nowadays they give goodie bags. What are they thinking?

Seriously, though, what I remember of JFK's assasination is the sense (I was just 3 years old) that my parents felt powerless. That is a very scary feeling for a little kid. Then my dad died (of a brain tumor) in 1965, then RFK was killed, then MLK was killed, and it all seemed so crazy. There was that sort of cheesy song about "Have you seen my old friend John...Bobby....Martin..." in the '70s, but it summed it up for me. The 70s and 80s (for me) were a time of no living heroes, and a lot of science fiction.

Nobody's mentioned the moon walk--it was a hot summer night, July 9, 1969. We'd been at the pool in Des Plaines, and got the ultimate treat: Drumsticks. You know, the ice cream cone with vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate and nuts? To tell the truth, since Mom never let us get those, I don't remember if that one time we actually did, or if the moon walk later that night was such a cool experience that my memory just threw in a bonus memory of Drumsticks at the pool! :p But we came home and stayed up really late to watch Neil Armstrong take his first steps on the moon. Amazing. One of my favorite movies is A Walk On the Moon, about that summer.

Fredwina

06-28-2006, 09:00 PM

I remember we were staying at a hotel in St. Louis when Dad called us in from the pool to watch it.
I also remember either JFK or RFK funeral. I was mad because they had pre-empted cartoons! the nerve!

Bad JuJu

06-29-2006, 04:04 AM

I remember all that stuff--pretty clearly, for how long ago it was.

We were sent home from school early the day JFK was shot, and I think that's my first memory of an historical event that was covered by TV news, and the first time we had the TV on at other times of the day than in the evening--very strange!

The moonwalk was very exciting. When Project Mercury began (Alan Shepherd, John Glenn), whatever we were doing in school was always suspended so we could listen to or watch the launches/landings. By 1969, it had all gotten kind of old, so the moon walk made it exciting again.

I was in high school when MLK and then RFK were shot--a scary and solemn time. My friend and I had had such high hopes for RFK--we even contemplated hitchhiking to DC for his funeral. But our parents caught wind of the plan and nixed it.

And my twin brother went to Woodstock, but I stayed home. *sigh*

Crankin

06-29-2006, 06:20 AM

I was staying with my aunt and uncle during the moon walk and Woodstock summer. My aunt had just had a baby and I was there to help them. I remember the moon walk so clearly, because my aunt had gone back into the hospital for something and I was exhausted from taking care of 2 kids plus a newborn (I was 15, almost 16). My uncle was totally obsessed with the moon landing. He was so amazed, I guess because as a child of the forties, it all seemed like science fiction to him. It's a really special memory, because he died young, at age 52. Even though he wasn't a blood relative, I felt very close to him. They would not let me go to Woodstock, even though they were younger than my parents, who probably would have let me go.
I saw Jimmy Hendrix at the Boston Garden in November 1968. Anyone else at that show?

Bike Goddess

06-29-2006, 11:51 AM

I saw the Jefferson Airplane at the Fillmore Theatre in San Francisco. Remember them? What about the Kingston Trio? They used to play at a bar called Rossottis in Woodside. My ex husband was a manager for awhile for Country Joe and the Fish. Oh the old days of jazz and funkie music!

Woodstock would have been fun!

kjay

06-29-2006, 11:58 AM

Any of you remember Bobby Vee? Well, I grew up in somewhat the same area as he, and used to follow him around the state from performance to performance and then meet him afterwards (during his early years). He was really cute then. Never did like his music, though, except for one: Susie Baby. ;-)

Bike Goddess

06-29-2006, 04:40 PM

Salsa bike- Look in the NWest section of rides- I posted there. :) :) :) :)

nancielle

06-29-2006, 05:30 PM

Nobody's mentioned the moon walk--it was a hot summer night,
July 9, 1969.

It was a hot summer night but it was July 20th. I remember it because it was my 12th birthday and we were all having birthday cake as we watched Neil Armstrong take those steps. :)

Lise

06-29-2006, 07:21 PM

It was a hot summer night but it was July 20th. I remember it because it was my 12th birthday and we were all having birthday cake as we watched Neil Armstrong take those steps. :)
You are so right! Where did I get the 9th? My birthday is the 19th (I was *9* that year, maybe that's where I got that number). I'll bet we did have Drumsticks at the pool that day. That's the kind of treat we only got for something like a birthday! Thanks for clearing that up. We're nearly birthday sisters! :D

newfsmith

07-04-2006, 06:46 AM

While Biking Goddess beats me for age, I'm only 59, I grew up on a farm in Wisconsin. My childhood memories seem older than hers: Our telephone was a wall-mounted, wooden, hand-crank model. There was a "peeping Tom" latch that let you pick up the ear cone to see if the 18 party line was clear (or to evesdrop) before you cranked out your call. Our ring was 2 shorts, my cousin's was long-short-long. To get the operator (a real person) you cranked 1 long, she then manually connected you to a phone not on your party line by connecting bananna plug wires on the switch board. She was the only person that wore a headset. I also went to a one-room country school with 8 grades and 1 teacher. She had to start the fire in the furnace in the morning (coal), there was one big floor register. Cold days the water that was piped across the road from the farm next door got there fine, but we couldn't use it to wash our hands because the sink drain just went out the wall and onto the ground. Any time it got below 10F (which was most of the time from mid-December to mid-February) the drain would freeze. Since the rest of the plumbing was two 4-hole outhouses, we all developed strong bladders and tending not to drink anything during the day in the winter.

I was in high-school, waiting for after lunch history class to start when one of the kids came in saying President Kennedy was shot. Several kids in the class that were Kennedy supporters attacked the president of the high school Young Republicans club, saying things like "Are you happy, now?" I never heard any of them apoligize to the poor kid, for venting their grief on him.

I was a newly-wed, visiting friends for the moon-walk. My husband was thrilled to the core (he went to MIT at 16, with advanced placement and was fascinated with space travel although he ultimately became a computer geek).

Although we didn't get television until 1959, I do remember "Rocky & Bullwinkle".

Bike Goddess

07-04-2006, 03:13 PM

nesfsmith- Well,you see, I grew up in the urban Bay Area. We had long since graduated from one room schoolhouses and manual telephones.

My partner Dave, however grew up in South Wayne Wisconsin - he lived and worked as a kid on the family dairy farm so he had lots of similiar memories to yours! (He's 56 - not far behind you)

PinkBike

07-25-2006, 02:03 AM

this is an awesome thread!! i'm 51, started riding again in '97 because i was trying to quit smoking and didn't want to gain weight. i quit smoking and didn't gain weight, well, until i turned 50. and what's up with that??
i loved the 70's. you never feel your age. the kennedy assassination and first moonwalk are probably all of our age-group's most memorable single events. my phone number growing up was whitney5-9222, and it still is, but a lot of area codes have been added. wasn't much into the beatles but definitely the monkees, bobby sherman, paul revere and the raiders and the cowsills. profanity was shocking. remember twiggy??? laugh-in?? thanks for this thread guys, it's fun!
nowadays i just wanna ride. . . . . . . .

Bad JuJu

07-25-2006, 05:01 AM

Speaking of the Beatles, anyone remember their first trip to the US and their appearance on the Ed Sullivan show? My best friend and I were such Beatle-maniacs!

SouthernBelle

07-25-2006, 06:40 AM

Speaking of the Beatles, anyone remember their first trip to the US and their appearance on the Ed Sullivan show? My best friend and I were such Beatle-maniacs!

I remember it distinctly. They were on 3 weeks in a row.

tulip

07-25-2006, 06:42 AM

With any luck, I expect to make it to over 50! Thanks for the inspirations, everybody!

mimitabby

07-25-2006, 07:20 AM

Speaking of the Beatles, anyone remember their first trip to the US and their appearance on the Ed Sullivan show? My best friend and I were such Beatle-maniacs!
Yes, and i was on the phone trying to get tickets. All 3 events were completely "sold out" immediately!

So we watched them in black and white....

esther231

07-25-2006, 06:26 PM

Bike Goddess, you're warming my heart. :) I was also raised in the bay area. I'm 54 and, even though you're ahead of me a bit, seems like we were doing some of the same stuff at the same time.

I remember Country Joe and the Fish playing at a park in Berkely. lol

Did you ever bike with the women at the Full Moon Coffeehouse in SF? That's where I fell in love with biking. Stopped except for little rides with the family as the kids were growing. Then stopped completely. Rented bikes on vacation this year and fell in love all over again. I couldn't figure out for the life of me why I ever stopped biking.

Feel lucky to have rediscovered it.

BleeckerSt_Girl

07-25-2006, 06:35 PM

I'm 52. Just started biking again last month, after about 37 years of not getting on a bike once. I feel like a kid again!

towanda

07-26-2006, 10:18 AM

Bike Goddess

07-26-2006, 11:47 AM

Esther- to answer your question about the Full Moon coffeehouse- no, I didn't ride with any of them. I was working on my master's degree then, and not doing any cycling! I think I mostly did camping and backpacking back in those days.

Towanda- Just find what works the best for you with regards to how often and how far you go. Sounds like you must have an "around the town" bike. Perhaps you can be a "spare the air" gal, and use your bike for those errands you'd usually do by car. I use my bike as a my mode of transportation to the doctor, the dentist, the bike shop, etc. Yesterday when I went to my doctor's they put my bike in a special room- wow- I had explained to them by phone the day before that I wasn't about to leave it outside!

mimitabby

07-26-2006, 12:59 PM

Your question prompted me to finally register at this site after reading around the discussions for about 2 weeks. I'm 57 pushing 58 and just started with my first adult bike 2 weeks ago - a frighteningly childish Townie 21. I too road around as a kid back in Jersey and am learning handbrakes for the first time - not to mention gears. Y'all give me inspiration down here in Georgia. With only about 8 miles/day under my belt for the past 2 weeks, any suggestions for a novice re: how often to ride, how long, what to reach for as I go?

Thanks.

Hey Towanda, welcome to TE!
please look around, introduce yourself on the getting to know you thread
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=2001
then find the entire "room" for newcomers, a lot of your questions will be answered there. I am 54 and when i'm on my bike when i'm not feeeling pain, I FEEL LIKE A KID!! :rolleyes:

so please introduce yourself and let's get acquainted.

SouthernBelle

07-26-2006, 01:57 PM

Who is the eldest among the posters?

We need an example!

mimitabby

07-26-2006, 02:06 PM

Who is the eldest among the posters?

We need an example!

i think it was Bike Goddess

Raindrop

07-26-2006, 04:02 PM

Hi, I'm 52 and have been riding MTB since the early 90's and finally bought a road bike (actually 2) last November. My poor mtb has been gathering dust.

I've been teaching Spinning/Indoor cycling classes since 1997 and am a full-time Personal trainer that has been doing in-home personal training since 2001. The best thing about being an in-home trainer is that I often take my clients out for bike rides as part of their cardio. It's nice being paid to ride:)

BeeLady

10-05-2006, 12:51 PM

51 - rode in the PH (Pre-helmet) days in the 70's.

Saw the Eagles when they were a warm-up band for the Moody Blues

Saw the Rolling Stones in their first "last" concert about 30 years ago.

Was 8 when Pres Kennedy was shot - was watching when Jack Ruby shot (all B&W then) Oswald then.

Loved roaming those Houston downtown streets on my Columbia 10-speed.

This is a cool forum with some awesome women. Sure beats my knitting group where most of 'em don't gas up their own cars and none have ever checked air pressure!

kjay

10-05-2006, 01:08 PM

Wow, you're amazing!
Thanks for sharing.

Sorry it took so long for me to thank you mimitabby, but I just now returned to this thread to read more responses. Anyway, thank you for your kind words.

I forgot to mention earlier that I also hug, groom, and clean stalls for 11 camels every week just because I love it. My passion is camels.

In my last message I wrote that my longest ride was 40-some miles. However, after having ridden in the week-long Candisc tour in August, my longest ride in one day is now 65 miles. A century in one day sounds undoable, and I admire anyone who can do that, so I shall continue to work toward that goal.

Duck on Wheels

10-05-2006, 01:14 PM

In my last message I wrote that my longest ride was 40-some miles. However, after having ridden in the week-long Candisc tour in August, my longest ride in one day is now 65 miles. A century in one day sounds undoable, and I admire anyone who can do that, so I shall continue to work toward that goal.

Ah, but to us Europeans, 65 miles IS already a century :) -- a metric century. In fact, 62 miles is about 100 km, so you've already PASSED the century mark! Congratulations!!!

Oh, and I've passed the 50-mark long ago. 57 and counting. DH just celebrated his 60th last weekend (2 weeks early, but on the day itself he'll be hiking in Yunnan).

Bike Goddess

10-05-2006, 01:29 PM

kjay

10-05-2006, 01:32 PM

kjay

10-05-2006, 01:39 PM

KJay- lover of camels- we had camels visit us in Benicia during the waterfront festival days in July. Now they don't come anymore :( :( :( :( . One year we had a momma and baby to see. Did you know we have a camel barn here????

Bay Area- hmmm where might that be- north or south?

Bike Goddess, I'm actually southwest of you in Foster City (San Mateo area). I've gone to the Benicia camel races a couple of times; the camels come from the Nevada Camel Company. However, I had no idea they weren't racing there anymore. I'll have to write to them to find out what happened. I've wanted to visit the camel barn in Benicia for some time, and simply must take time out to do so. Thanks so much for reminding me. I'm glad we live fairly near one another.

ClockworkOrange

02-09-2007, 02:22 PM

Soon to be a http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Missbe/images.jpg

Good enough reason to have a little dance about http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Missbe/penguins.gif

Hey Bike Goddess, you are really amazing, 7500 miles...........:eek:

Sally

cosc

02-12-2007, 08:56 AM

I'm an exciting 57, but only in 20's when on my bike.

IFjane

02-12-2007, 09:10 AM

I am 53....and in my 30's when I'm on my bike....but when I start climbing hills I think I age a bit to around 40. :D Or 45....:D :D

Duck on Wheels

02-12-2007, 09:18 AM

Duck on Wheels, will you not be hiking with your husband in Yunnan? I had to "google" "Yunnan" because I had never heard of it. How great to have such an adventuresome hubby. You are very fortunate. I love adventure trips (and refer to most anything as an adventure. . . even a bicycle tour) but always go alone (which I actually don't mind).

Nope, this was his trip. I saw the pictures afterwards, and though they were gorgeous I also could see how I would not have been able to do the hike. I have a fear of heights, and there were stretches of trail there where I would have frozen solid in fear!!! :eek: :eek:

p.s. Yesterday he watched a rerun of the Michael Palin series about hiking in the Himalayas. All serious and straight-faced, he came to my office door and harrumphed to signal an important announcement, then said that he had to go back to Yunnan again ... he'd used the wrong outhouse. (If you've seen the series, you'll know what he was referring to.)

Bruno28

02-12-2007, 02:05 PM

I'm 50. Don't know how it happened:confused:

five one

02-12-2007, 04:02 PM

Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest. - Writer/Reverend Larry Lorenzoni

:D :D :D

BleeckerSt_Girl

02-12-2007, 04:41 PM

Bike Goddess-
I read your TE profile and you are now my inspiration! :)

annie

02-12-2007, 06:06 PM

Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest. - Writer/Reverend Larry Lorenzoni

:D :D :D

Love it, love it, love it!!!! I always tell people I would prefer to have my birthday than the alternative. (I'm 52.)

Annie

Aggie_Ama

02-12-2007, 06:45 PM

Bad JuJu

02-13-2007, 05:39 AM

I have always been baffled by people who fear birthdays. Granted, I am only turning 26 Saturday but I enjoy them. I plan to be someone who embraces 50 with open arms (and still be on my bike).
I feel the same way about people who get all crazy about their birthdays--jeez, what's up with that? Like Annie said, you can either have your next birthday or...not--so I prefer to keep having them.:D

It makes me a little angry when people imply that I should be hiding my age. I'm 54 and I don't care who knows it.

In spite of the ridiculous cult of eternal youth that this society seems mesmerized by, we CAN embrace our age, still pedaling happily away on our bikes.

East Hill

02-13-2007, 05:55 AM

I think the worst thing about turning fifty is that's when the AARP comes after you. And they don't give up.

Other than that, it's just another birthday. I'm glad to have made it this far, and I like to ask people when they complain about getting older:

"You'd rather have the alternative?".

After they figure that one out they shut up.

East Hill

Jo-n-NY

02-13-2007, 06:15 AM

After just talking about this with someone the other day, I will add my two cents. I am 51, I look forward to my birthdays for the gifts, especially when it is a new bike and do not think twice about the age. And I am happy to say that I am in better shape now than I was at 21.

JoAnn

five one

02-13-2007, 07:03 AM

I think the worst thing about turning fifty is that's when the AARP comes after you.

I went ahead and joined when I started getting the "invitations". For $12.50 a year, you get a decent magazine and discounts similar to AAA. AARP is a very powerful lobby in Washington DC. We should be glad they are there fighting for us.

And I am happy to say that I am in better shape now than I was at 21.

I'll be 55 soon and I have to second the above. I'm not as thin as I was way back when, but I'm a h*ll of a lot fitter and healthier. To me, that is so much more important.

mimitabby

02-13-2007, 07:26 AM

we don't get aarp.
I think my DH got a couple issues and cancelled. I don't like the way they sold the american public down the river on that last medicare plan. They weren't fighting for us then. THey convinced people to accept that plan which was terribly flawed and more expensive than the last. It's another big fat rich lobbying group.

The one thing I can say about birthdays that helps them make sense to me is that they are just numbers.

suzieqtwa

02-13-2007, 09:44 AM

I turned 53 in November. I saw Led Zepplin in concert whe I was 14. I dont like birhtays at all ,and never tell anyone when it is.

Crankin

02-13-2007, 11:46 AM

I don't mind telling anyone my birthday and I turned 53 in November, too. I weigh the same as I did in HS, but a lot less than I did when I was 21. Definitely in better shape!
I ignored the AARP, too, because it's just kind of creepy to me, like some kind of monolith, that finds us as soon as we turn 50. I have read the mag. in the doctor's office and it seems OK. My husband is going to join though, because we are going to use the discounts when I stop working and I can't qualify for the NEA discounts for auto insurance and the health club.

JanB

02-13-2007, 03:58 PM

Hi all,
This is my first post and I'm going to be 48 in May. Not sure how that happened and if I don't look in the mirror, I feel like I should be around 30 or so. I'm inspired by so many of you that are 40 and over and all that you do.

East Hill

02-14-2007, 04:15 AM

I ignored the AARP, too, because it's just kind of creepy to me, like some kind of monolith, that finds us as soon as we turn 50.

I think that's what it was, it was just creepy. And I agree with mimitabby, I think the American public lost out on the Medicare plans when AARP backed the ones they did. They certainly weren't talking/lobbying for my best interests at that point.

East Hill

sbctwin

02-14-2007, 05:14 AM

I am 53, close enough to 54. At work, I feel my age. I have little tolerance anymore for "playing the game". But, when I am on my bike, I feel very much ALIVE:p :p :p !!!! I can't explain it, the worries, the stresses are generally replaced with the knowledge that I am "accomplishing" something for ME....Birthdays, well, these days I always get to celebrate my birthday with my best friend, my twin sister and that involves a road trip to Montana:D

Bad JuJu

02-14-2007, 05:53 AM

Hey, twin, that's the main thing that bugs me on my birthday these days--that I miss my twin, who's also still my best friend, as yours is for you. But he's in Alaska and I'm in Florida, so we just get together when we can. You're fortunate to be close enough for a road trip!

mimitabby

02-14-2007, 07:17 AM

twins?? you're twins?? I want to see pictures!!!

bcipam

02-14-2007, 10:28 AM

mimitabby

02-14-2007, 11:17 AM

Turned 56 last week. In the mist of my brother in law's funeral with the entire family gathered, one of my sister's said to me "Happy Birthday". My mother then said "Whose having a birthday. Whose birthday is it?" This was after trying to call my father the week before and the conversation went like this:

Dad it's Pam...

Who?

Pam, your daughter Pam.

Kim?

No Pam, Pam your daughter

I don't know a Kim

No Pam

Who is this?

Pam =sigh= your eldest daughter Pam

Here's Reba [my mother] talk to her...

* * *

After awhile birthday means nothing. I just know I'm old and getting older every day...
Pam, is your father hard of hearing or is he suffering from memory loss?
or both? i'm sorry about that.
My father was hit by both at the same time.
You know, you just hit on one of the worst parts about being over 50. So many of those dear to us are dying, getting really frail... even people our own age. It's so sad and there's nothing we can do except be a good example.

bcipam

02-14-2007, 12:09 PM

Pops unfortunately has dementia and is also hard of hearing... it's so hard to be around him anymore. Poor thing.

Maureen Valley

02-15-2007, 02:50 AM

64, here....but who's counting?

Maureen
Florida

Bad JuJu

02-15-2007, 05:33 AM

I'm on my second parent with Alzheimer's disease, and it's not only dreadfully disheartening to watch them go through it and bloody hard work to be a caregiver, but also a frightening prospect for my brother and me to think about in terms of our own aging.

It's true that there are nasty things out there that can grab us as we age, despite our best efforts. But it's also up to us to do what we can to avoid as many of them as possible--to control what we CAN control. And while aging brings on more concerns of this kind, I also find it liberating in many ways. I'm less concerned about what others think of me, less interested in trends, more forgiving with family and friends, and more connected with my own needs and desires. Life's too short to waste time being joyless!:D

Bad JuJu

02-15-2007, 05:34 AM

64, here....but who's counting?

Maureen
Florida
I was wondering when you would weigh in, Maureen!:)

mimitabby

02-15-2007, 07:15 AM

Susan126

02-15-2007, 07:16 AM

mimitabby

02-15-2007, 07:28 AM

Nice to see gals out there my age riding! I am 52, will be 53 the end of February. When I turned the big five O I did three big rides that year (something to prove to myself?) . . . RAMROD, Tour de Blast, and Pedal the Pinchot.

I grew up in a small suburban town on the banks of the Allegheny River just northeast of Pittsburgh. I remember riding my bike with my friends for all of our town's parades. Decked out with handlebar tassles, cards in the spokes, and ringing bicycle bells. I must admit I had a great childhood! Growing up in the 60s was awesome! :)

Susan, you did RAMROD?!??!?! I don't know anything about Pedal the Pinchot
and little about Tour de Blast (except that a friend couldn't finish it) but Ramrod? That is one tough ride! more power to you. I wish you were coming up to our NW ride that goes to the Ale house Saturday so we could meet you. Not everyone there will be drinking.

Susan126

02-15-2007, 07:49 AM

My husband claims that was the year I went a little overboard! I have since tuned it down a notch. Right now I am trying to get back in shape after a hard winter and little riding last year because of bunion surgery. I would love to join you on your NW ale house ride but hubby and I are committed on Saturday to a friend's mountain bike ride. He is leading it and we told him we would be there. I seriously do hope to meet you gals this year! Our weather can only get better . . . right? :rolleyes:

SandyLS

02-15-2007, 03:43 PM

Mimi, Your Dad sounds like mine, he was a swimmer, walked 7 miles a day, ate lots of fruits and veggies. He was diagnosed at 80 seven years ago. We were counting on my mom to help look after him but she was diagnosed with with Alzheimers two years ago. My sister and I are doing what we can to care for them in the home they have lived in for 43 years, but it is increasingly difficult even with the help of hospice. Everytime I misplace my keys I wonder if it is happening to me.
I will be 60 in April and plan on doing my second DALMAC tour in Aug.
http://www.biketcba.org/DALMAC/dframe.html

mimitabby

02-15-2007, 04:13 PM

Everytime I misplace my keys I wonder if it is happening to me.
I will be 60 in April and plan on doing my second DALMAC tour in Aug.
http://www.biketcba.org/DALMAC/dframe.html

You sound awesome. and I can really relate to your self doubts. We are both that way (Dh and I) his mother's got it too!!
good luck with your parents. getting old can be really tough.

ClockworkOrange

02-15-2007, 04:51 PM

It must be so sad when parents are struck down with Alzheimers, to see them alter so much, I should think literally a shadow of their former selves. Equally when illness forces them to be hospitalised, the worry must be such a strain on their relatives.

I do not have that worry, unfortunately my Dad died when I was ten years old and my Mum when I was 28. Neither do I have any brothers or sisters, I don't even have any uncles or aunts left. Thankfully I have one smashing son and his fiancée plus my gorgeous grandson. :)

Over the years when I listen to friends moaning about their parents with regards to trivial things, I often think............if only! :(

Sally

bcipam

02-15-2007, 04:54 PM

Not only is it sad to see once sharp and intelligent parents bcome confused and addled, I also now have the fear the same thing will happen to me. Growing old really sucks!

ClockworkOrange

02-15-2007, 05:19 PM

Not only is it sad to see once sharp and intelligent parents bcome confused and addled, I also now have the fear the same thing will happen to me. Growing old really sucks!

Pam

Hopefully this will make you chuckle, living in the UK the USA just seems so big and I am rather ignorant of where different places are. Just out of curiosity typed in Tustin, as I had never heard of it, and came up with the following:

Tustin Median resident age: 31.8 years

Apparently 40 years in my area.

Looks like we are way to old for where we live..............:D :D :D

Sally

mimitabby

02-15-2007, 05:21 PM

what's the link, Clockwork?

ClockworkOrange

02-16-2007, 01:26 AM

what's the link, Clockwork?

Hi mimi

No link in particular, I just do a search on various places, I tend to do this with most postings, it is just nice to get a feel of whereabouts in the world somebody lives.

This particular search came up with:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Tustin-California.html

Hope you are OK.

Sally

mimitabby

02-16-2007, 07:03 AM

Sally, I am doing fine. I thought you found a website where you put in a city name and "median age" popped out. But i guess you could do that with google.

Seattle median age 36.9!

missymaya

02-16-2007, 07:21 AM

[QUOTE]bcipamNot only is it sad to see once sharp and intelligent parents bcome confused and addled, I also now have the fear the same thing will happen to me. Growing old really sucks!
My grandfather is going through the very begining stages of alzheimers along with dementia and it's very hard to deal with. He helped my mom take care of us when we were little, during the hard times, and now seeing this sweet kind soul slowly fade is disheartening. But, he's lived a great life and at almost 90, he's doing fairly well. That's all I can be greatful for, that he's still here and that he's surrounded with people who love him. Im starting to make recordings of his old stories so I can tell my nieces and nephews about what their great grandpa!

SandyLS

02-16-2007, 08:13 AM

mimitabby

02-16-2007, 08:26 AM

in 1990 my father sent me a cassette of him singing some old italian songs. He already had Alz. but he sang right up to his very last years. I listened to the tape and it was kind of corny and embarrassing, so i just stuck it somewhere.
I found it last fall while rearranging book cases and played it. It sounded great! and he's dead! I just had it put onto a CD and have shared it with a grandchild of his that he never met. Do any recording, and yes, get all the memories you can because although they say that they never forget the past, only the present, that's not true... and once they're dead they never tell you another story.

bcipam

02-16-2007, 10:58 AM

Thankfully my father has been documenting his past and everything for his grandkids. It's justs hard to see what I used to consider to be such an intelligent and sharp man act confused. He just can't seem to remember where he is and he goes through that obessive routine constantly - "where are my keys?" "At home Dad, you flew here remember" "Oh, ok.... where are my keys.." This can go on for hours. I almost wish my Mom had left him home instead of dragging him to the funeral. He had no idea where he was and why he was there. Even at the funeral home during the viewing he kept asking where he was and what he was suppose to do. He had no concept that someone had died (maybe a good thing). He is lucky (or unlucky since my mom is a b*tch) to have my mom drag him around. I live alone - my cat won'y be all that patient if I ask him where my keys are for the 100th time! I plan to do whatever I need to do to keep myself sharp (although I already see myself getting dimwitted).

mimitabby

02-16-2007, 11:11 AM

in the early stages of my father's dementia, he was part of a study (while his wife was alive) and they did an IQ test every year, and every year his IQ went down.

On a more humorous note, my DH's mother, also afflicted, went to Covina for her 50th class reunion a couple of years. Everyone in the family will laugh if you say "did she show you her pictures from Covina?" because she literally wore them out, she showed them or threatened to so many times; always like it was the VERY FIRST time.

Kitsune06

02-16-2007, 11:23 AM

http://www.city-data.com/city/Portland-Oregon.html

Bad JuJu

02-16-2007, 11:41 AM

My dad, at 81, lives in the Alaska Pioneers' Home now--he'd started leaving the house in the middle of the night--think an elderly man out on an Alaska night in nothing but underwear and socks. We're not sure any longer whether he even knows who we are. But he can still play a few tunes on the harmonica, and in fact, until about a year ago, could still play along when my brother at the guitar and my nephew at the piano were jamming, just improvising.

I'm like many of you--not only am I sad about my dad, but I also think dark thoughts whenever I can't think of a word or forget whether I took my vitamins yesterday. It's important to keep learning--that's just what I'm doing.

ClockworkOrange

02-16-2007, 12:18 PM

Early in my Dad's illness we would work together on one of those memory books ment for grandparends to give to grandkids. A few days I thought to record our conversations. I just listened to the tape yesterday for the first time. Sure wish I would have recorded a lot more. Priceless!

Sally, every time I start to feel down and complain about my parent's situation my husband always says, "at least you still have parents". Loosing a partent at a young age would even be worse I think.

Sandy
It was probably worse at the time losing my parents when I was much younger but in a way it is far worse to see them suffer at a very old age. I can imagine it must also be frustrating and annoying, for the relative and then the conscience of having these feelings, when it is somebody you love................but hell, we are only human.

Anyway, on a happier note, you see I am always getting something out of this site.

Now, I am going to start a kind of memory book on my computer. I have a gorgeous grandson of almost five years of age and we are very close. I think it would be great to leave him something of my memories, likes/dislikes, what I thought about him when he was growing up etc once I have gone to the Great Bicycle World in the Sky.

I am one of those sad individuals who likes to be organised, even before I pop my clogs!

Sally

mimitabby

02-16-2007, 12:41 PM

I am one of those sad individuals who likes to be organised, even before I pop my clogs!

Sally

You have such a way with words!!!!! :D

emily_in_nc

02-16-2007, 02:07 PM

I miss my dad something awful and still find my eyes welling up with tears every few days when I think of him, but I would rather have lost him in a car accident as I did than to Alzheimer's.

My grandfather had AD and died at 96. The last 3 years of his life, when my grandmother was very sick and then died, were just awful for both him and my mother (an only child). At least my memories of my father are much more positive. I would give just about anything for a recording of his voice, like some of you have of your dad's....guess I'll just have to play back the recordings in my mind. I can still hear his voice so clearly.

Emily

bcipam

02-16-2007, 04:24 PM

I take comfort in knowing that my Dad has lived a good life. He has travelled the world, as a youth did what he enjoyed (he had his own travelling orchestra and band), made a good living for his wife and kids and lives contently now in a beautiful little community where he is well loved. Most of which he is going through now he is unaware, although at times knows he is confused, the sad moments pass very quickly. I know it's harder on us than him. Eventually we all die. I'm not certain one way is better than another all I know it's important that we leave our marks on this world and that others can speak as fondly of us as Emily now does of her Dad.

Em... you don't need recordings or photos, just your memories. Thanks for sharing.

After going through my brother-in-laws funeral, I know I still have along way to go to be thought as highly by everyone as he was thought of by everyone who ever met him. It's memories that are important, not pieces of paper or tape recordings. I'm hoping somehow, someday, I too am a happy thought in someone's memories.

missymaya

02-16-2007, 05:13 PM

bcipam, I think you are held on good memory. Even though most of us here have never met you in person, you have provided us with a certain thoughts, ideas, stories, or tidbits and yes, those can count as some sort of memory. And then, there are those who have met you in person in which you have made a positive impact on. The key is, is to keep giving and being positive and just being yourself towards the world and when our time is done on this earth, we will be held in good memory, whether it is just on our family or to the entire world. Keep giving love and love will be given to you as well

kjay

01-16-2008, 01:05 PM

64 here . . . got into bicycling about 13 or so years ago when I couldn't walk very well because of a bad hip. Cycling was the only exercise I could do without much pain. My hip replacement in 2001 fixed me up, and I'm riding more than ever. I try to ride at least a couple of week-long tours every year, plus numerous one-day supported rides in the area, and I LOVE to spin.

Lesliek

01-16-2008, 04:12 PM

I recently turned 50 and plan to celebrate by biking cross country this year. Hope to celebrate many more.

surgtech1956

01-16-2008, 04:55 PM

Lesliek - congrats turning 50. WOW riding cross country - sounds like a great way to celebrate. How are you planning this, do have planned stops, or a SAG following you, etc....?

conurejade

01-16-2008, 06:41 PM

Just turned 50 last part of Dec.
This was my birthday present to me. :D

mimitabby

01-16-2008, 07:24 PM

hey, welcome to TE! what a wonderful 50th birthday present!

Trek420

01-16-2008, 08:41 PM

Sweet! I'd turn 50 again for that. ;)

smilingcat

01-16-2008, 10:35 PM

Oh what a wonderful birthday present. I turned 50 on Christmas day '07. Orbea is such a wonderful bike. You'll enjoy it for many years to come.

And welcome to the board.
Smilingcat

shootingstar

01-16-2008, 10:48 PM

Oh, just say you are half-century old. There's something that sounds stately about that halfway point to 100 years.

We should aim to cycle the distance of our new age each time. :) :) Either it gets better...or more challenging.

Bad JuJu

01-17-2008, 08:31 AM

Just turned 50 last part of Dec.
This was my birthday present to me. :D
You must have been VERY GOOD! :D
Welcome aboard!

Thorn

01-17-2008, 08:58 AM

Nice present....Orbea does make some of the sexiest bikes out there. If that bike doesn't put "young" in the heart, I don't know what will!

Lesliek

01-17-2008, 12:07 PM

Hey Surgtech. I'm still working out the logistics on this one. My first attempt at a really LONG unassisted ride. Have done a lot of touring in my neck of the woods--New York and New England. So I won't have to purchase gear. Looking at potential routes and considering maps from Adventure Cycling. Open to all suggestions and thoughts.

MM_QFC!

01-17-2008, 01:51 PM

Just turned 50 last part of Dec.
This was my birthday present to me. :D

Happy belated birthday and wow! what a gorgeous bike! Hope you have miles and miles of fun!

Will hit #55 myself in a couple of weeks and, like many others here, I rode all over as a kid, but didn't get hooked on cycling as an adult until 1997.
I lost my brother to AIDS and found myself training to do my first AIDS fundraising ride - thinking of it as a unique way to honor him as well as challenge myself. That was thousands of miles ago - both with training rides and riding for the same reason across a number of states...have raised almost $100k and I believe that we're getting closer to having that last AIDS ride, so we can celebrate a cure and then ride for the pure enjoyment of it, right?!
Mary

partbug

01-17-2008, 05:34 PM

51 and I need a new knee

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-17-2008, 07:37 PM

Closing in on 54 and feeling better than I ever did in my 20's or 30's. :cool:

Triskeliongirl

01-17-2008, 07:42 PM

50 here, and also in better health than in my 40s! In fact, the year I turned 50 was the year I finally really solved my weight problem, got to the underlying metabolic defect and worked out a strategy to effectively correct it.

The year I turned 50 was also the year we became empty nesters. At first I was freaked out by it, but now we love it. We love our kids dearly, but its great to have more time for ourselves too. For me it gave me the time to figure out how to improve my health, reinvigorate my work, reinvigorate my marriage, all kinds of neat stuff happened to me the year that I turned 50 (but no new bikes with two kids attending very *expensive* private colleges)!

Kano

01-17-2008, 10:57 PM

Me too. I'm 54, and for my 50th, I celebrated by riding my bike across the country (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journal/denise2002xc)! I'm still riding...

--- Denise

DH would be eternally grateful that I only chose 50 miles for my fiftieth if he knew about the alternate choice of the whole country!

Karen in Boise

SouthernBelle

01-18-2008, 06:05 AM

I was in the library Wednesday, and one of the librarians was discussing ridng her bike. I would say she is thirty-ish. Sounded like she rode 2-3 miles.

At 52, I allowed myself a brief moment of feeling terribly superior. :o

Given a chance I will ask her about riding.

Trek420

01-18-2008, 07:22 AM

At 52, I allowed myself a brief moment of feeling terribly superior. :o

Aw' cmon, enjoy it! Savor it. Then tell her how far you ride, and that you're 50. And enjoy the jaw dropping "You ride how far? You don't look 52"

Then invite her here!

We don't discriminate based on age and or mileage. :cool:

Triskeliongirl

01-18-2008, 07:39 AM

That remark about looking younger really is true. When some women my age were commenting on my weight loss as we were staging for a club ride, one gal remarked, 'oh, its easy for you at your age' and I looked at her at asked her how old she thought I was with two adult children. And she said she thought I had my kids as a teenager, sweet (I was 29 when my first child was born, 31 for the second). Also, last time I went to pick up exams to hand out to our medical students the office assistant refused to give them to until I brought in an ID, she said I looked like a student...... Yes, our cycling does keep us young, both physically and in spirit. I ride with a 60-something year old women all the time, and until she takes her helmet off you'd really think she is 40-something. Our club has quite a few of these 60+ yo old riders, and to me what is striking is how much healthier than look than their counterparts I see at work or in other avenues of my life.

I have also noticed that you tend to see more of us out there, cuz the younger women are too busy raising families to have much time to ride. The female membership of our club is mostly childless women, and women whose kids are grown. Once a gal has a baby, while we might see her in the beginning, but then her attendance wains.

evangundy

01-19-2008, 04:09 PM

Last summer, while chatting after a time trial, one of my 37yo guy friends saw a woman I know ride by, and commented on how "hot" she looked and why couldn't he meet someone like that. He's single and looking but says he isn't attracted to older women. He was quite shocked when I told him she was 48 or 49. He was sure she was his age. So cycling has definitely kept her looking young :-)

Edna

Sgritn

08-02-2008, 08:39 AM

Hello, everyone. I'm a newbie to the forum and back to biking. Bought a Giant Cypress ST for my 54th. birthday{did I actually tell my age...:eek:oh my!}; I am really liking the experience...re-learning to balance and ride took about an hour on the sidewalk. Still shakey on the streets when I hear the pfft,pfft,pfft of 4 wheels coming my way but getting better on the marked paths and the park weekend by weekend. I'm glad to have found this forum.

pardes

08-02-2008, 09:36 AM

[QUOTE=mimitabby;89534]
It is hard to tell how many of you are out there in my age group. Who's the oldest gal here?

62 here. An on and off biker all my life as a pedal putterer. Just started bus/biking to work on my very lovely, very light Trek 7.6 FX.

Last night I was googling about biker ages as I was wondering just how long a person can bike...to what average age....and other interesting statistics about aging. Here are a couple of interesting websites about biking and age.

http://www.bikexprt.com/research/kaplan/recom.htm

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20040318/ai_n11446500

JaneE

08-02-2008, 10:05 AM

Coming in late to this discussion, but figured I'd add my statistics: just turned the ol' Double Nickels on July 8. :D

A Schwinn Super Sport was my first major purchase (well, it seemed that way to me back then, anyway) with money made from my first after-high school "real" job. Still have her, too, though I don't ride her much anymore.

While I'm huffing and puffing my way up some of the hills around here one thing that makes me feel better is to try to imagine how many 55-year-old women would be capable of making it up some of these grades...I think we're in a minority and I'm darned proud of it! :D

Cycling definitely helps keep you young!

shootingstar

08-02-2008, 03:15 PM

Not sure if I answered in the lst place, since I'm 5 months away from 50 yrs. as of now. And topic was originally.. 50+

Face of aging and cycling.
Photo taken in 2007, when I was visiting Toronto where I used to live. I am in purple jersey. I have cycling over last 16 yrs. regularily, several times weekly.

Woman on far right in orange was 51 in that photo. She is 4'11" at approx. 98 lbs. As you can tell, she is not anorexic. Less of a cyclist now compared to when I knew her um.... 15 years ago. But she doesn't have a car, plays tennis, hikes alot. Got her folding bike Friday (a 2nd bike) and went on her own little trip via Velo Quebec routes last yr.

Woman in middle, is I think 46 yrs. She bikes regularily and has been for probably over last 18 yrs. Doesn't own a car either. She runs a walking and cycling trips company for past decade. So she does alot of walking..

The diets of these women are probably similar to mine....we're all Canadian born, have some dairy in our diets, but at least 40% of our diets are Asian...or more for each of us. The other women have each done several solo, loaded bike trips 1-2 wks, long over the last few years.

Sarabeth

08-02-2008, 03:30 PM

I'm coming up on 64 years old. Riding better than ever. I ride nearly everyday with my local bicycle club: Stark County Bike Club. I started riding when I was fifty-five years old. Rode cross country twice, once in '01 and again in '06.
I love my Trek WSD Madone 5.2.

shootingstar

08-02-2008, 03:32 PM

Sigh, one day I will figure out the photo adjustment software. Seriously not intending to blur aging results here...:)

I don't pretend I look much younger in the face than my chronological years. However most likely overall health is probably good/youngish. Well, the woman who works in my dept. is about my age or 1 yr. older and her health is problematic that it's affected her work, alertness, and she has back problems, doesn't like much walking over 3-4 kms. For certain is caused by her need to lose 20 lbs. or so.

I admit, I actually find it strange (almost irritating) that a few men (who are not macho/arrogant type) at work, just 5 years older than I, refer to me as a "young" lady...in a way that they think I'm in my 30's. It must be mannerisms. I DO have some life experiences and maybe...some wisdom just like them? :p

mimitabby

08-02-2008, 05:34 PM

Shooting star, when they call you "young lady" they think they are giving you a compliment!

It IS fun getting mistaken for being younger. One of my favorite things is young guys in cars following me on the bike.. Haha, from the back I look 1/2 my age. It amuses me.

Ann G

08-02-2008, 06:40 PM

I'm 58. I was 53 when RAGBRAI came through town. I hosted some riders and had a great time. The next morning, I got up too late to join the early riders, but I hopped on the 10-speed that I'd bought in grad school, and joined the riders for the next 8 miles. At that point there was a breakfast fundraiser in a farm yard, with picnic tables under the trees. The weather was ideal, and the smell of coffee, bacon, and pancakes was in the air. I sat at one of the picnic tables, talked to some riders, and for a few minutes pretended that I wasn't going to turn around and go back home. I bought a recumbent a few weeks later because the 10-speed just killed my back and rear. I started thinking that maybe I could do this. That November I got more serious about fitness, and started walking and strength training at the wellness center. I lost 35 pounds between November and the following July. I did the next RAGBRAI, and have done all of them since then. RAGBRAI is weirdly fun, and training for it keeps me in better shape than I might be otherwise.

I was in junior high during the Cuban missle crisis, and should remember something about it, but I just don't. I was in 8th grade, in study hall when JFK was assasinated. A teacher came in and made the announcement, and it didn't seem real. I was used to doctor shows like Ben Casey and Dr. Kildare where they always saved the patient. I remember being glued to the television for the next 4 days, and seeing Jack Ruby shoot Lee Harvey Oswald, seeing the casket on a horse-drawn casson, and seeing John Jr. salute the casket.

I'm from small-town Iowa, but I remember seeing a water fountain on vacation that was labelled "whites only." Creepy. I started college in 1968, during the middle of the war in Viet Nam, and I remember war protests.

I was in my bedroom, age 13, when I first heard "I Want to Hold Your Hand" on the radio, and I loved that sound. Of course I saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show, and I wrote all of their names on the cover of my denim-blue 3-ring binder. The first album I bought for myself was "Meet the Beatles." My favorite was Paul, the cute Beatle. Some other students were Beach Boys fans, and some Dave Clark 5, but I was a Beatle fan.

Later on, I also liked the Mamas and the Papas, and then Judy Collins and Joan Baez.

ladyicon

08-02-2008, 08:12 PM

Just turned 51 last month. Don't you hate it when all those young girls go by you on hills? Well....maybe not for some of you. Could it be just me????:confused::confused::eek:

crazycanuck

08-02-2008, 08:21 PM

Actually what drives me nuts are all the OLDER ladies who beat me uphill :o

I love the memories of world changing historical events!!! I'm only 35 so my memories of world channging events from the late 70's & 80's are not as exciting..

Anng-whenever I see the early footage of the Beatles when they hit America i too get a bit teary. It must be the screams and the excitement but it sends cool shivers down my spine!

Shootingstar-i'm young and people still call me 'young lady'

shootingstar

08-02-2008, 08:36 PM

Shootingstar-i'm young and people still call me 'young lady'

Yea, cc you ARE young for real.

I guess, it's all perspective, mimi.. I work in a heavily male dominated organization. Of all the managers there, I am only 1 of 2 managers who are female...the rest of the other 9 managers are male. I don't want to be the female manager puppy dog 'mascot' in that organization.

I dunno..maybe when I walk from the bus stop to the worksite...with my bike gear on...it makes me look young, especially wearing spandex cycling shorts :D...or just slightly ..stupid. :( Honest several construction guys have yelled at me." Where's your bike?"

I give them the location of my bike locker..which is 30 kms. away and tell them I live downtown. Which is 45-50 kms. away from work ..over highway bridge, several road highways, long hills and more twisty routes with more transport trucks, etc. I can't commute by bike all the way. They are appropriately surprised by where I commute from in whatever mode I use.

If I did bike all the way this horribly convoluted and long route one way..I would truly be a young goddess.. in ...their eyes. :rolleyes:

Grasshoppergirl

08-02-2008, 10:01 PM

I just turned 50 and bought myself a bike for my birthday. Four women on the club ride today out of 22 all the women in our 50's - 42 miles in the Sierra Hills 1900 feet of climbing.

jaydee

08-02-2008, 10:56 PM

I know this is a bit late for this discussion but thought I would add Aussie memories for the 60s/70s.

I remember hearing on the radio when Australian involvement in the Vietnam War started - I was so scared. I went to bed (it was about 4 in the afternoon). When I finally reappeared, I had packed my school bag with my treasured possessions and was going to live at Grandma's house because there wouldn't be a war there. Grandma only lived in the next town.

I'm a bit hazy about where I was when JFK was assassinated but remember hearing the RFK news on the radio. Mum asked what I was doing and I said that Mr Kennedy had just been shot. She said that had happened years ago, it must be an old programme, and I said that no, it had just happened. Mum pushed me out of the way, turned up the radio really loud - and we had takeaway for dinner!

Beatles and Rolling Stones were huge here - as was the Queen and Prince Phillip. My Dad worked at the airport so when the Beatles and the Queen came to Australia, we went out onto the tarmac to get really close to them.

Aussie rockers - Billy Thorpe, Max Merritt, Masters Apprentices were my true heroes though!!

On another note, I saw the Aids quilt in Washington and cried for days.

crazycanuck

08-03-2008, 01:05 AM

Off topic, has anyone read the new book on Bobby kennedy? I noticed an article in GQ(?) magazine about it but haven't looked for it yet.

Jaydee-Does the movie "the Dish" bring back any memories for you?

jaydee

08-03-2008, 03:46 AM

crazycanuck - "The Dish"

Playing cricket in the bowl of the telescope - didn't that look fun.

When I was a kid we always drove from Qld to Vic to visit the grandparents and drove past the Parkes telescope which was were the moon action was monitored. On the day of the moon landing, the whole school was allowed to watch tv and watch the landing. My class was in the downstairs library - this was used by the Senior students and the only time we were allowed in there was for our sex education class with Mrs Dingle, and the moon landing. I think the fact that we were in that room made more of an impact on me than the moon landing itself.:)

Yen

08-17-2008, 08:48 AM

I'm 52 and started riding again in March '07. We were walkers and looking for another activity for cross-training. While out shopping for stationery bikes one day:rolleyes: I said "Why don't we just buy a couple of regular bikes and ride outdoors!?!?":) Best idea I've ever had! We bought hybrids thinking we'd just ride around the neighborhood, but after a 50-mile ride on those with a group of serious riders, we found ourselves shopping for road bikes. I'm now looking to replace the hybrid with a smaller one (it's too big) because I think there's room for a hybrid in my life.

Three weeks ago, I went clipless. Just when I thought I could ride a bike again without having to think so much, I go and do this! It's getting more automatic with each ride, but I do pay even more attention to traffic and other potential reasons to stop quickly than I did before -- and I believe it's probably a lot like doing puzzles for the brain..... but different.

There is something about a bike that keeps one young and makes one appear young.

Last month we joined a seniors bike group. They're like a bunch of kids with grey hair, LOL. The oldest is 85 and led us on a 34-mile ride to the beach. Many are in their 70s and seem much younger. One man is 80 and I thought he was in his 60s! Many of them are much stronger riders than I am.

If I keep this up -- and I plan to -- I can see myself entering a seniors competition one day. I feel better than I have in years.

There is just something about a bike.....

SouthernBelle

08-17-2008, 08:58 AM

I've always wondered if I am distantly related to the Aussie PM Parkes as we have the same last name with the uncommon spelling.

I need to come there where so many things are named after me! :p

eccomi

08-17-2008, 09:28 AM

I'm 50, next month 51. I’ve been commuting on my bike for 6 months now, and love the freedom. I’m hoping to commute until I retire! At the bike store the other day, I met a man 88 years old and he’s still biking, so I hope to be still on my bike in my 80’s….

kayandallie

08-17-2008, 01:49 PM

55 and I'm starting to increase my speeds and my mileage.
I love my bike and I love to ride it.
Wish I were on it right now.:)

bikerchic

08-17-2008, 06:50 PM

....at a whopping 56 years old!

Gosh how did I get so *coff* old?:eek:

wildhawk

08-22-2008, 01:33 AM

Encouraging thread! I am 52 and having the best time of my life! My husband and I love being outdoors and cycling came naturally as a choice for us! And it keeps you young in body and spirit too! I love my hybrid bike, but I have fond memories of my first bike - a Rollfast one-speed with coaster brakes. I pretended it was my pony and took Mama’s clothespins and folded Beatles cards onto the spokes to make it go clip-clop like hooves. Now I have a nice new cycling computer to watch the miles go “clip-clop” as I ride! And my new “pony” does not require hay - just pedal power!!

Jayc

08-23-2008, 03:36 AM

Have just joined up but think I posted in wrong thread.
Never mind.
Have found this forum fascinating and decided to take the plunge and register.
I am new to cycling, thanks to my daughter's gentle prodding and finally bought a bike earlier in the year.
Together we took part as a team in two duathlons, I particpated in a half duathlon on my own and also did a "round the bays" event in our city.
I am just luving cycling and am feeling fitter and healthier than ever - will be 68 in October,

Serendipity

08-23-2008, 04:24 AM

Responded earlier to the 'over 40' thread. Then when I saw this one, I thought...hey, that's me!
Turned 50 last December and I've been riding for about the last 10 years.

Love my road bike (KHS Flite 500) but spend way too much time at the LBS lusting after a new one. Don't anyone tell my bike that I've been shopping :D ....she might get a little hurt, having seen me through 2,000 or so km every summer with nary a flat!

Trek420

08-23-2008, 06:48 AM

Jayc, welcome to TE :) I think we need to start an "are there many, some, a few of us over 60?" thread. I suspect there are quite a few here. :D

Jaydee, I've seen sections of the quilt several times, the last time displayed at the end of the AIDS ride. I saw the entire quilt once, on display in about '83 when they displayed it at the Moscone Center which is San Francisco's main convention center.

I believe it would not fit there now, even with sections displayed upright. I went there with friends one of whom lost her Dad to AIDS, and saw panels some of men I knew, one acquaintance has 3 quilts! Popular guy :o A great guy! I miss Mark.

Anytime I see the quilt whether sections or online there are friends I look for, yet hope I don't find there.

It's hard to explain my feelings about the quilt and this horrible disease. Cancer has cut a swath through my family, I personally have been much more affected by cancers of all sorts. Cancer sucks, as they say.

But my grief and anger about AIDS is complex and I can understand seeing the quilt effecting anyone.

www.aidsquilt.org

Connie

08-24-2008, 02:35 PM

I turn 60 next month! All you Seattlelites, I'm looking for a nice country road not far from Seattle to ride that has rolling hills but not too steep, nice shoulder and isn't busy. I was thinking around 12-15 miles is enough for me. Any good suggestions?!

Love2Ride

08-24-2008, 03:55 PM

I'm 56.

I've always been physically very active, but it wasn't until last Spring that I started riding again. Bought a hybrid Specialized and have put a lot of miles on it since then. I'm ready, however, to add to my stable. I'm buying a Trek '09 road bike next week. I can't wait! :)

We have a Cape Cod Rail Trail vacation coming up soon, so I'll have plenty of opportunities to use my new bike. (Chocolate Sparrow, here I come!)

SLash

08-29-2008, 09:56 PM

I'm 53 and have been riding consistently since 1990. At that time my daughter was 11, wanted a new bike, so I bought her one for her birthday and then one for me several months later for my birthday. I thought it would be fun and something we could do together. I really hadn't ridden much since college, when I rode all the time since I had no car.

Anyway, I fell in love with riding (my daughter did not, although she has been riding my cruiser lately and is thinking she might like to get a bike). At times I have considered giving it up (riding on the road) because of close calls and once actually being hit by a car but I can't. As everyone here knows there's nothing like the freedom and sense of fun you feel on a bike.

It keeps us young!

MyLitespeed

08-30-2008, 05:57 PM

I'm 56, will be 57 in about 2 months. Didn't starting riding until I was about 46, glad I did though, having a wonderful time meeting new people and seeing new places. I'm in better shape now then I was in my 20's or 30's and darn proud of it!!!:D

Zen

09-05-2008, 07:44 PM

Sally O'Malley is fifty and doesn't care who knows it.
http://video.aol.com/partner/hulu/saturday-night-live-sally-omalley/CWefMaBDdEykCFQaSR1_C96ySRnjph4G

Lakerider

07-02-2009, 05:30 PM

I'm 53! I started bike riding on July 13, 2008, and so far I have ridden a total of 1431 miles. My goal is to ride 1500 miles by July 12, 2009, which will be my first anniversary of riding. On June 5, 2009 I rode 101 miles in a day. That was an amazing accomplishment for me and I'm looking forward to doing it again soon. I'm loving bike riding, always looking for new interesting places to ride. My favorite place is riding near the lake near my home. I'm looking forward to many years of riding in the future. I'm just getting started!

shootingstar

07-02-2009, 05:49 PM

Welcome lakerider. I'm just 3 yrs. younger than you. Glad you found this thread as evidence there's a number of us passing the 1/2 century mark. (for some reason it sounds more impressive than "50". :p)

In the latest issue of Momentum, a 70 yr. old woman, M.Orser is featured.
http://www.momentumplanet.com/ I know her, we've done some cycling stuff and dinners with her. Just last weekend she and another guy (in his early 40's) led 150 cyclists on ride for a new bike route extension. She is one of the original lead cycling advocates in our area, lobbying for cycling facilties.

She did cycle across Canada after she retired at 65, most of it on her own and camping most of the time. She hooks up with others in their 60's-80's in self-loaded bike trips in North America and Europe. This latter, I know I've become "soft" where I prefer a bed most times.

I am mentioning her...because she just had eye surgery in the last 6 months. Despite vision problem in 1 eye, she is still cycling!

So it's great you've discovered cycling passion/drug. :)

bikerchic

07-03-2009, 09:59 AM

I know you'll make your goal of 1500 miles on your one year anniversary! That is quite an achievement and something to be proud of.

I agree with you bike riding is addictive and FUN! Keep on keeping on girl you got it going on!

Hey Zen those links are hillarious! I loved Sally O'Mally and her 5 decade delight! OY!

Cool beans shootingstar about your elderly cycling friend, wow I'm so impressed I would love to do what she does cycle around the world, camping and all, man o' man how awesome!

Oh and I just turned 57 this Feb. and still cycling and loving it!

AnnieBikes

07-03-2009, 11:53 AM

Don't know how I missed this thread but I was the big 60, in May. I started riding in 1999 on a MTB and DH took me to Ireland in 2004 for a cycling trip for our 30th anniversary. I bought a road bike the day I returned! :D:D After hearing about WomanTours and their cross country rides, I signed up for one! I am now getting ready to do my third long distance ride with them! I just love to cycle and hope I can do it until I am 80...at least that is what I am planning!

easterbird

07-03-2009, 12:56 PM

I'm 61 and 1/2. Started biking in Sept 2005 because my doctor told me to take care of my knees or look forward to knee replacement! Physical therapy sessions had stationary biking. I thought if I can do stationary bike..why not biking outdoors ?? and my addiction was born. luv it, luv it, luv it!

Right now I am trying to recover from too much biking...didn't think that could happen. But my biking buddies all women(52,62,69) and I decided to get ready starting in the middle of May ...for BikeVA. Duh! perhaps we should have started sooner. Anyway, we rode lots of miles in weeks before and lots of hills. Then we went to BikeVA and did all the hills with no walking (:D I can bike as slow as 3.8 mph with granny). Crazy Carol aka easterbird ended up June with 801 miles and 49,000' of climbing. But I am really tired and have noted my performance has definitely declined. Read about overreaching and overtraining and am taking some days off. Gotta get back to biking..luv it,luv it (did I mention that?):p

Ride,Ride to all you biking ladies.... especially those >50's

TrekTheKaty

07-03-2009, 01:14 PM

:)My sister will be 63 in October. She had NEVER been on a bike until three years ago. I traded my hybrid for a road bike because I couldn't keep up with her on her hybrid (I'm 25 years younger!) We did 48 miles a few weekends ago.

bmccasland

07-03-2009, 02:15 PM

I got my secret decoder ring for the 50+ club last week. AARP is offering membership too. :p

Lakerider

07-05-2009, 07:22 PM

I wrote earlier that I am 53, been riding for almost a year, and have a goal of riding 1500 miles by the anniversary of my first ride, which will be July 13. I just need 26 more miles which I plan to cover tomorrow to reach (and hopefully exceed) my goal.

IFjane

07-06-2009, 10:10 AM

Welcome to the club, Beth! :D You don't look your age....of course, it's hard to tell under the hood....;)

Lakerider - didja do it? didja do it?? Let us know!

Rev Barb

07-06-2009, 11:31 AM

I turned 60 last January, so now there are ten sexagenarians who have responded to the age question. As with the others, I feel great! I love to ride and swim (but not at the same time) and am looking to buy a Surly LHT for bike travelling. Barb

mudmucker

07-06-2009, 12:00 PM

I got my secret decoder ring for the 50+ club last week. AARP is offering membership too. :p

Happy belated birthday. I have one more year for Five-O.

Lakerider

07-06-2009, 06:08 PM

I wrote yesterday that I was planning to ride 26 miles today to reach my goal of 1500 miles in a year. I started riding July 13, 2008. Today I rode 36 miles and went over my goal. With 1 more week until the anniversary of my first ride, I'm now planning to get in 90 more miles and make it 1600 in a year.

Rosie road

07-06-2009, 10:57 PM

55, but who is counting? I ride about 100 miles/week pretty consistently throughout the season.

I've noticed that on group rides there are lots of guys older than I am but not that many women. Wonder why that is.

AnnieBikes

07-07-2009, 11:21 AM

Rosie, I think that a local group ride is more of a hammer thing and lots of us "older women" do not want to always compete with the older guys. My DH is ALWAYS ahead of me on rides. He is a stronger, better rider but it would be nice to ride with him sometimes. The guys like to show off their abilities and they just press on much faster! Now, with that said...

On Bike Virginia last month, there were tons of over-50 women. The pace is much slower, the women tend to come together to the ride or with significant others and they ride together. I was amazed that they said the men/women ratio was 60/40 this year. Three years ago on my first Cycle North Carolina it was 80/20.

mcglasson

07-07-2009, 07:23 PM

I'm 46 and new to the forum. It's great to hear there are so many women around my age. I was afraid I'd feel older than dinosaur poop!

BleeckerSt_Girl

07-07-2009, 08:02 PM

I'm 46 and new to the forum. It's great to hear there are so many women around my age. I was afraid I'd feel older than dinosaur poop!

Hey welcome!! :p
I'm 55, been riding steadily for a little over 3 years now. I feel a lot younger than dinosaur poop. :cool: ;)

PamNY

07-07-2009, 08:05 PM

I'm 46 and new to the forum. It's great to hear there are so many women around my age. I was afraid I'd feel older than dinosaur poop!

I had the same thought when I joined the forum (I'm 58), but found a wide variety of ages here. I see people of all ages on bikes.

Pam

BellaMTB

07-07-2009, 10:58 PM

50.5 - So glad to hear I'm not the only one being hounded by AARP . . .

(Trek420 - My MTB was also custom built by RWW!)

ShubieGA

07-08-2009, 03:12 PM

51, cruising to into 52 this year. Could be worse!:cool:

Duck on Wheels

07-09-2009, 12:24 AM

Turned 50 ten years ago today. Only re-started riding about 8 years back. Then it was as a commuter and shopper in Santa Cruz on my sabbatical there. Good way to lose weight, I thought, and it worked. Also easier parking and less gas costs, though I did still have to have a car for longer trips, and I had to buy a bike. Five years later, on sabbatical again, I started trying charity rides because Trek420 said, "Of course you can do a century; here's your training plan." Oh, and to lose more weight, which still worked. And to feel I deserved the gorgeous 30th anniversary Cinderella Classic jersey, which I still have though I didn't finish the whole ride until this year. Anyhoooo ... if I'm older than dinosaur poop, then it's poop that's been frozen in a glacier all those years and just got rethawed now the glaciers are shrinking. Still smells fresh as new.

uforgot

07-09-2009, 01:11 AM

Happy Birthday Duck!

shootingstar

07-09-2009, 06:05 AM

Happy birthday Duck. Enjoy the big 5-0 today!

AnnieBikes

07-09-2009, 06:32 AM

Happy Birthday, Duck...uh would that be the big 6-0?:confused::D

Hound Dog

07-09-2009, 12:30 PM

Happy Birthday Duck!

I'm 50.5 years..... we are in the decade from hell... too young to retire, but too old to have to be working. I'd rather be out biking every day!

Fredwina

11-12-2011, 12:52 PM

Turned fifty this year. Found this while looking for Alzheimer's (mother is exhibiting the first symptoms)

deeannef

11-12-2011, 02:18 PM

52 and in the best shape of my life. I should break the 8000 mile mark in one year this month for the first time. I couldn't imagine a life without cycling.

azfiddle

11-12-2011, 02:35 PM

Ditto- 56, and have rarely been able to maintain an appropriate height-weight ratio until getting into cyclist. Definitely in the best physical shape in many, many years.

OakLeaf

11-12-2011, 03:08 PM

Happy birthday Fredwina - so sorry to hear about your mother. :( Does she ride? Exercise of any kind helps stave off cognitive decline...

emily_in_nc

11-12-2011, 03:28 PM

Hey, I can join this one now too -- turned 50 in April. Feeling very good and fit (and I won't even say "for my age")! Running 3x a week (3.5 miles each time), and riding my bike nearly daily now that I'm retired in Belize. Most rides are short (7-9 miles) commutes to/from town for groceries in 4-6 stops daily at all the little stores and fruit stands, so nothing like the long rides I used to do in NC but fun nonetheless. Living car free down here, so my bike is my transportation! :D

shootingstar

11-12-2011, 03:30 PM

Awesome Emily.

Living car-free makes me feel strangely chic anarchronistic :D:o.
Turning 53 in 2 months.

Crankin

11-12-2011, 03:38 PM

Well, I'm 2 years older than the first time I responded to this post.
58.
I feel fit, but it seems, more prone to injury. I have to be better about stretching, etc. I still subscribe to the theory, "I think I'll die before I get old."

Artista

11-12-2011, 03:48 PM

I love hearing about how many of us are more fit now that we're over 50 than we were as younger women. I'm 51 and have been more fit and active during the last 6 years than during any other time in my life. I attribute my current, active lifestyle to the wisdom of age and having more time and energy to devote to physical activity.

Fredwina

11-12-2011, 04:43 PM

Happy birthday Fredwina - so sorry to hear about your mother. :( Does she ride? Exercise of any kind helps stave off cognitive decline...
No, she doesn't. Also got a brother with Type II diab. have offered to buy both a bike, but they've turned me down.:o

marni

11-12-2011, 07:23 PM

I am 63- have been riding and weight training for at least five years, and most days have energy enough to leap out of the coffin. I am noticing that in this last year, probably due to the stress of being a 24/7 caregiver for my 90 year old blind, diabetic, COPD FIL, that I definitely value the occasional afternoon nap. I am at the same weight I was in college after a long hard struggle to lose the extra 125 pounds life added. Unfortunately my skin is not shrinking as fast as my body is so I definitely have flappy bye bye arms, jelly belly and wobbly thighs...... sigh.

Currently training for my third cross country New Orleans to Niagara falls along the Missisppi, next may.

looking forward to more good years on my bike.

marni

Sky King

11-13-2011, 08:44 AM

noting that it took me three tries to log in this morning... I hope to be doing lots of Kicks at 56 next year as still alive at 55 has been an up and down injury year :) Looking forward to planning a bike tour with my 23 and 25 yr old kids and the bike hermit of course!

surgtech1956

11-13-2011, 09:46 AM

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?

kjay

11-13-2011, 01:42 PM

Back here again after many, many months. Wondering if there's a thread on "Anyone Here Over 60?" :-)

I just turned 68 in July and not long after I had signed up to travel with Trek to bike in Mallorca, i broke my wrist. Luckily I had purchased trip insurance. It would have been an awesome trip, and I hope to sign up again.

Anyway, good to be back here again. At this time in life, I'm having some physical challenges, but I will never give in. (Or shouldn't I ever say never?) Hope to be back on my Trek bike again soon!