Mid-Age Rider

[wavedancer]

Haven't ever posted - any body out there over 50 and riding? Have the double nickel birthday coming in December and have just signed up for a women's only sprint tri - crazy. Trying to lose some middle age weight gain and started riding regularly again about 3 months ago. Any advice?

I started riding in earnest about 3 years ago and like others here am totally hooked. I never ran until this year and hadn't swum(?) since I was a kid. I turned 59 this year and did my first sprint tri last week. WOO-Hoo! I love the challenge and the fitness I have gained. I'm even looking forward to the big 6-0 because I'll be able to step into another age group, and maybe get a medal

Have fun training, take it easy as you go, and share your progress with us here.

[SandyLS]

61 here. Did my first century ride last year. Welcome. and enjoy the ride.

[jaydee]

Just curious - how many of our mothers were taking up new and active sports in their 50s/60s. I know my mum would never have considered cycling or running or even swimming. A sedate walk with the dog was her idea of vigourous exercise when she was my age.

[Duck on Wheels]

My mom gave up strenuous sports activities by around her 50's, yeah. Or maybe not ...? She gardens. Still does at 86. And by gardens, I mean she hand turns heavy adobe soil with a shovel, daily, for up to several hours. She buries her kitchen veggie scraps while she's at it, for soil improvement. It works. You should see the stuff she grows!

[mimitabby]

my mother started going to the gym when she was close to 70. Imho, it was too late. She has osteoporosis and has fallen at least 3 times (I'm thinking 4!) and broken bones each time. When we went to Vancouver, she stumbled once and lost her balance another time. It is extremely critical to maintain our balance and stay physically active as long as we can, since most of us ARE going to get osteoporosis. It's not the thin bones that do it to us, it's the poor sense of balance which causes us to fall and then break those bones. And this is something you can do everywhere, (although cycling is great for maintaining your sense of balance!!!) stand on one foot while you're waiting in line!

[TahoeDirtGirl]

All I can say is woowwwwwww....I feel like a baby at 38. You gals are paving the way for 60 to be the new 30 Keep riding!!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Just curious - how many of our mothers were taking up new and active sports in their 50s/60s. I know my mum would never have considered cycling or running or even swimming. A sedate walk with the dog was her idea of vigourous exercise when she was my age.

My mother's idea of vigorous exercise was walking across the room to the couch.

All I can say is woowwwwwww....I feel like a baby at 38. You gals are paving the way for 60 to be the new 30 Keep riding!!!

60 is the new 20.

[blondiebiker]

I turned 59 this year and did my first sprint tri last week. WOO-Hoo! I love the challenge and the fitness I have gained. I'm even looking forward to the big 6-0 because I'll be able to step into another age group, and maybe get a medal

You guys are all my idols! I'm about halfway to age 50, been cycling and doing tri's for about 4 years. I'm not fast, but I tell my husband it's not a matter of getting fast, it's a matter of sticking with it longer than anyone else! My plan is to medal someday, when I'm 70 or so... :-P

[jaydee]

Wow, I am so impressed by the 'active mum brigade'.

I'm happy for 60 to be the new 30 - too much trying to work out who I was in my 20s, but my 30s were good. Oh dear, that doesn't mean I have to have a toddler again does it?