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Just curious, I'm 54 and when I'm on my bike I feel pretty young. My issues
are a little different than younger gals' issues are; but in general are the same.
For perspective, I remember riding around the block on my bike with a little american flag and chanting "Kennedy for President!"
:)
It is hard to tell how many of you are out there in my age group. Who's the oldest gal here?
mimi
Not yet but close - 46....
barb
I'm 52.
It's too darn hot here! Just to get it on the record (and also because TE wouldn't let me just put "52" for a message--has to be 10 characters minimum).
50! *\o/* *\o/* *\o/*
we tried this thread with 40, bet we could get sizeable response here with "how many are 60?" :D
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ght=show+hands
I am getting closer....Next month 46!
50 !
I did a lot of cycling 20 years ago, including the 100-mile centuries. I'm just now getting back into it. Some things are the same, some are different. I'm impatient to get into longer, "funner" rides, but I haven't even done hills yet...
Ditto on too hot, by the way. I didn't think it got that hot in Seattle!
Amy
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trek420
Not yet! I turned 58 last week!
Me too. I'm 54, and for my 50th, I celebrated by riding my bike across the country! I'm still riding...
--- Denise
about once every year or three we get a hot spell. and remember, to us,Quote:
Originally Posted by dachshund
82 degrees is hot and we don't know what to do about it..
I turned 59 in April.
I started riding about three years ago. Got my first road bike last year.
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!)Quote:
Originally Posted by mimitabby
I bet our 95 and sunny feels better than your 80-something!
Karen in Boise
does 45 count?
I turned 56 last month!:eek:
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?
46 ... rounding puts me there...
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.
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.
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
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".
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).
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.
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.
I'm 55. I finally qualify for senior discounts! Whoo - Hoo!!!
Fredwina "does 45 count?"
yes, 45 counts :) Fredwina and Geonz, rounding up puts you with us.
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!
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.
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
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:
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!!!!
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. :)
48, so I'm close..... actually 14 months away to be exact.
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
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
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