Mid-Age Rider

[Boise Birder]

I can't run because of knee issues - but go for the Tri!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey welcome!
Lots of us middle-agers here.
I'm 54, been riding bikes only about 2 years....I can 50 and 70 mile rides now, started with 6 mile rides two years ago. Bikes can do that to you- they're just too much fun!

Advice?.....hmmmm....my best advice is to remember that your body adapts slowly to new things...new body positions, new muscles being used, new limits being pushed. I am always amazed at how much I keep progressing- but my body takes it all at it's own pace. Then before you know it you get surprised by how much better you can do than you did months before.

[jaydee]

I am a 52 year old Aussie who has just taken up cycling this year. The cycling has been the relatively easy part - mind you, there's still a long way to go. I love the actual riding. But coming to grips with basic bike jobs like changing a flat tyre - jobs which I would normally have left to a husband or father, the first of whom I don't have anymore and the second who lives way too far away - has been my challenge.

I want to buy a new bike now but am still a little intimidated by the array of bikes in the shops and by the young male shop attendants who look amusingly at this slightly overweight middle aged lady who wants a new bike.

I have been reading the forum for a little while now and just love how supportive you all are of each other. Keep up the good work.

[Mr. Bloom]

Lollybell: Congrats on your decision to do this!

My wife Silver is the cycling coach for the local Y's tri-training program. I'll tell you that the most enjoyable folks in that group are the ones in their 50's and 60's who are doing this for the first time!

Age isn't the limitation and you'll find that you get all the benefits you seek in weight loss, energy gain, and self confidence!

PM Silver if you want some direct feedback from her. We're mid 40's and she just did her first tri a couple years ago...

[tctrek]

I turned 56 this week (not so happy about that!). I work an office job sitting at a desk and computer all day every day, which is not conducive to being fit and had gained a lot of weight in the past 10 years, which I am now slowly but surely taking off!!

I started riding my bike about a year ago, but only once or twice a month and only in perfect weather and easy rides. In May of this year I purchased a Trek road bike and started riding 50-75 miles a week. I started on the Silver Comet Trail in Georgia which is flat, no cars and pretty easy and graduated to road rides and now taking on longer rides with more hills (I hate hills). I also take spinning classes at least twice a week and in bad weather.

My only issue is that I get really tight in my muscles no matter how much I stretch before/after the ride, so I have started yoga classes to help with stretching and flexibility. It's also lots of fun

I also do weight training (light weights!) twice a week mostly for my upper body.

I think over 50 you don't just jump on a bike and compete with the youngsters, you need to work your way up and really focus on your overall fitness, flexibility and strength. This will help to prevent injury, because we don't bounce back so fast from that.