"over 40"...show of hands?

[shootingstar]

We must have poor memory --seems like this age topic comes up under different 'guises.

49. Got back to cycling regularily when I was nearly 32 and bought my own bike then.

Cycling is like my security/fitness security blanket...and it's also my "car"..haven't lived a home with a car..uh, since I was 21.

Hey, since I answered in 2008 (see above), I'll update: am 51.

[ekcjwc]

I didn't start riding until I was 41 which was last year!

[Marionette]

I'm 62. Riding definitely keeps me feeling young, especially when I ride to the gym and back! It annoys me when I can't go as fast as I used to, but I still climb hills, and I don't balk at 60-mile rides. Centuries do give me pause, though! Except for days when the headwind coming off the ocean is strong, it's all still fun, and sometimes it feels like my most natural position in life is perched on a bike saddle.

I'm having kind of an eyewear problem at the moment, which does affect my riding. My contacts have been drying out, even when I wear wraparound sunglasses. So I've been thinking about switching to bifocal sunglasses and researching the various kinds of lenses, such as bifocals vs. progressives. Does anyone have an opinion on that? This page about bifocals made me think about where the closeup part of the lenses should be: at the bottom I guess, since I'm looking at the distance through the top part. But is it better and more comfortable to have the near vision segment as a small spot lower down or as a "ribbon" that divides the upper and lower distance parts of the lens? If you look at the bifocal diagrams on that page you'll see what I mean.

My optometrist said I should just use distance glasses for riding and change the eyewear when I stop for lunch or whatever. But I hate taking extra glasses with me anywhere and would like one pair to do it all.

[nuthatch]

I'm having kind of an eyewear problem at the moment, which does affect my riding. My contacts have been drying out, even when I wear wraparound sunglasses. So I've been thinking about switching to bifocal sunglasses and researching the various kinds of lenses, such as bifocals vs. progressives. Does anyone have an opinion on that?

I've stuck with my contacts and I have to drink way more than I used to since I turned 50. I don't know what that's about, but I seem to have more trouble managing dehydration now that I'm ancient. Pair that with a bladder the size of a thimble and I'm in the bushes a lot.

I'd highly recommend ONOs. They're the best bifocal sunglasses I've ever seen and I love them for glancing down at my cycle computer or changing a flat. ONO makes prescription versions of their glasses, too. I love mine! I wrote a review of them for the magazine I work for.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

This thread should really be titled "over 50". 40 is way too young to make a big deal out of! Even 50 is pushing it.

50 is the new 40. 60 is the new 50. 70 is the new 60.....

[Marionette]

They're the best bifocal sunglasses I've ever seen and I love them for glancing down at my cycle computer or changing a flat. ONO makes prescription versions of their glasses, too.

Thanks for the info on these. I'm still deciding whether to give up contacts or not. Maybe I should be switching contact lens brands to something that doesn't dry out my eyes so much. I have an eye exam coming up, so i'll ask a lot of questions before deciding.

[kjay]

I'm 62. Riding definitely keeps me feeling young, especially when I ride to the gym and back! It annoys me when I can't go as fast as I used to, but I still climb hills, and I don't balk at 60-mile rides. Centuries do give me pause, though! Except for days when the headwind coming off the ocean is strong, it's all still fun, and sometimes it feels like my most natural position in life is perched on a bike saddle.

I'm having kind of an eyewear problem at the moment, which does affect my riding. My contacts have been drying out, even when I wear wraparound sunglasses. So I've been thinking about switching to bifocal sunglasses and researching the various kinds of lenses, such as bifocals vs. progressives. Does anyone have an opinion on that? This page about bifocals made me think about where the closeup part of the lenses should be: at the bottom I guess, since I'm looking at the distance through the top part. But is it better and more comfortable to have the near vision segment as a small spot lower down or as a "ribbon" that divides the upper and lower distance parts of the lens? If you look at the bifocal diagrams on that page you'll see what I mean.

My optometrist said I should just use distance glasses for riding and change the eyewear when I stop for lunch or whatever. But I hate taking extra glasses with me anywhere and would like one pair to do it all.

Marionette, I had the same problem a couple of years ago after wearing contacts for nearly 30 years. My eyes would get very dry and the lenses would just pop out. So, reluctantly I went back to glasses.

I recently heard about lenses that are supposedly easier to wear because of improved breathability: SynergEyes® hybrid contact lenses

They're a hard lens in the middle and soft around the outside. I'll be seeing my optometrist soon about being a possible candidate.

Does anyone here have experience with these? They may be worth looking into.

[BluOrchid2]

I am 44.

[huffandpuff]

I finally gave up on contacts and went to trifocals - regular pair and sunglasses. works great - I just toss regular glasses in back of my shirt if I'm going to be going inside anywhere. Got really tired of my eyes drying out in contacts and it was worse on bike because of the wind I guess

[ctdancer]

45 years strong ! Just started road biking in May- lovin' every minute of it(once I got my saddle figured out ) ! Ride 15miles daily, 30+ weekends.

[ZooZoo]

48.5 here. I rode in my early 20's - nothing major. Started riding again in October 2008, so almost 2 years.

[blackhillsbiker]

48 here. Started riding again at 46. Also started playing flute again after 30 years.

Deb

[zameth]

I turned 40 about 6 months ago so just qualify for this post. I haven't ridden a bike in over 20 years but am all enthused to start now. My husband has a mountain bike and rides the trails around us with the kids so look like joining him in that rather than road. Just need to get myself a bike now! That can be an expensive process but hopefully well worth it.

[CDN RN]

Hi!!! I'm new to this group! I'm 63 (yikes I still feel that I should be 17) and have been cycling for about 14 years. I try to ride about 50 kms/ 5 days a week during the spring , summer early fall starting about 15kms and gradually increasing. I mostly ride in Niagara Ontario.

[MyRubyE]

Welcome CDN to the forum! That is wonderful and so inspiring to read that you're still riding and still feel like a teenager. I hope to still be riding when I hit 63 and beyond . Look forward to hearing your stories - please share