Are there many, some, a few of us over 50??

[jaydee]

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]

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]

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.

[SLash]

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]

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!!!

[Zen]

Sally O'Malley is fifty and doesn't care who knows it.
http://video.aol.com/partner/hulu/sa...1_C96ySRnjph4G

[Lakerider]

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]

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". )

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]

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!

[mcglasson]

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]

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!!
I'm 55, been riding steadily for a little over 3 years now. I feel a lot younger than dinosaur poop.

[PamNY]

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]

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]

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