New Older Cyclists

[annie]

pyxichick,

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

annie

[Dogmama]

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

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

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