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.

[Yen]

I'm 52 and started riding again in March '07. We were walkers and looking for another activity for cross-training. While out shopping for stationery bikes one day I said "Why don't we just buy a couple of regular bikes and ride outdoors!?!?" Best idea I've ever had! We bought hybrids thinking we'd just ride around the neighborhood, but after a 50-mile ride on those with a group of serious riders, we found ourselves shopping for road bikes. I'm now looking to replace the hybrid with a smaller one (it's too big) because I think there's room for a hybrid in my life.

Three weeks ago, I went clipless. Just when I thought I could ride a bike again without having to think so much, I go and do this! It's getting more automatic with each ride, but I do pay even more attention to traffic and other potential reasons to stop quickly than I did before -- and I believe it's probably a lot like doing puzzles for the brain..... but different.

There is something about a bike that keeps one young and makes one appear young.

Last month we joined a seniors bike group. They're like a bunch of kids with grey hair, LOL. The oldest is 85 and led us on a 34-mile ride to the beach. Many are in their 70s and seem much younger. One man is 80 and I thought he was in his 60s! Many of them are much stronger riders than I am.

If I keep this up -- and I plan to -- I can see myself entering a seniors competition one day. I feel better than I have in years.

There is just something about a bike.....

[SouthernBelle]

I've always wondered if I am distantly related to the Aussie PM Parkes as we have the same last name with the uncommon spelling.


I need to come there where so many things are named after me!

[eccomi]

I'm 50, next month 51. I’ve been commuting on my bike for 6 months now, and love the freedom. I’m hoping to commute until I retire! At the bike store the other day, I met a man 88 years old and he’s still biking, so I hope to be still on my bike in my 80’s….

[kayandallie]

55 and I'm starting to increase my speeds and my mileage.
I love my bike and I love to ride it.
Wish I were on it right now.

[bikerchic]

....at a whopping 56 years old!

Gosh how did I get so *coff* old?

[wildhawk]

Encouraging thread! I am 52 and having the best time of my life! My husband and I love being outdoors and cycling came naturally as a choice for us! And it keeps you young in body and spirit too! I love my hybrid bike, but I have fond memories of my first bike - a Rollfast one-speed with coaster brakes. I pretended it was my pony and took Mama’s clothespins and folded Beatles cards onto the spokes to make it go clip-clop like hooves. Now I have a nice new cycling computer to watch the miles go “clip-clop” as I ride! And my new “pony” does not require hay - just pedal power!!

[Jayc]

Have just joined up but think I posted in wrong thread.
Never mind.
Have found this forum fascinating and decided to take the plunge and register.
I am new to cycling, thanks to my daughter's gentle prodding and finally bought a bike earlier in the year.
Together we took part as a team in two duathlons, I particpated in a half duathlon on my own and also did a "round the bays" event in our city.
I am just luving cycling and am feeling fitter and healthier than ever - will be 68 in October,

[Serendipity]

Responded earlier to the 'over 40' thread. Then when I saw this one, I thought...hey, that's me!
Turned 50 last December and I've been riding for about the last 10 years.

Love my road bike (KHS Flite 500) but spend way too much time at the LBS lusting after a new one. Don't anyone tell my bike that I've been shopping ....she might get a little hurt, having seen me through 2,000 or so km every summer with nary a flat!

[Trek420]

Jayc, welcome to TE I think we need to start an "are there many, some, a few of us over 60?" thread. I suspect there are quite a few here.

Jaydee, I've seen sections of the quilt several times, the last time displayed at the end of the AIDS ride. I saw the entire quilt once, on display in about '83 when they displayed it at the Moscone Center which is San Francisco's main convention center.

I believe it would not fit there now, even with sections displayed upright. I went there with friends one of whom lost her Dad to AIDS, and saw panels some of men I knew, one acquaintance has 3 quilts! Popular guy A great guy! I miss Mark.

Anytime I see the quilt whether sections or online there are friends I look for, yet hope I don't find there.

It's hard to explain my feelings about the quilt and this horrible disease. Cancer has cut a swath through my family, I personally have been much more affected by cancers of all sorts. Cancer sucks, as they say.

But my grief and anger about AIDS is complex and I can understand seeing the quilt effecting anyone.

www.aidsquilt.org

[Connie]

I turn 60 next month! All you Seattlelites, I'm looking for a nice country road not far from Seattle to ride that has rolling hills but not too steep, nice shoulder and isn't busy. I was thinking around 12-15 miles is enough for me. Any good suggestions?!

[Love2Ride]

I'm 56.

I've always been physically very active, but it wasn't until last Spring that I started riding again. Bought a hybrid Specialized and have put a lot of miles on it since then. I'm ready, however, to add to my stable. I'm buying a Trek '09 road bike next week. I can't wait!

We have a Cape Cod Rail Trail vacation coming up soon, so I'll have plenty of opportunities to use my new bike. (Chocolate Sparrow, here I come!)

[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!