"over 40"...show of hands?

[paintgirl]

I am definetely in the over 40 group, I'm 52, and have been riding regularly for about 5 years, more serious in last 3, commute to work in warmer weather, ride a lot on weekends, holidays, obsess over the "perfect" bike. Because we have more cold weather than warm in Northern Ontario I end up doing things like sno shoeing, shovelling snow any number of weight bearing exercises. This weekend my broomball team is seeking it's record 12 consecutive championship in our winter carnival, and I am proud to say that I keep up with and pass a lot of the younger gals on the teams we play. I keep saying I'll retire from broomball each year, but every Sept when we start up again, I go back, because it is great fun. (We don't have ice in Sept. outside, we do play indoors!) In summer I play softball as well as bike, and have always done a free weight routine at home, nothing impressive, but enough to keep the bones healthy. I work fulltime, a nurse at a sexual health std clinic, and will be working for some time yet, have 2 sons in University, a daughter going next year, and my youngest daughter the year after. Those financial concerns will keep me at work, but I like my job too, just would like longer weekends. Well, better get outside and practise my broomball shot,(got a great broom from an online place in Minnesota!) hoping for spring, miss my bike Paintgirl

[annie]

kpc,

Thanks for the reply. Have fun with your new puppy! Havoc for a reason........

I go in for a complete physical on Tuesday. Due for one. I will talk to my doctor about all sorts of health issues. I'm going to bring up the soy milk. Get a bone density test done, mammogram, pap, blood tests, all the icky stuff that one must do occasionally. Should be interesting. See if anything's changed since last time.Never had a bone density before so I am very curious about what that will show. My mom has severe osteoporosis, takes medication everyday. I can only hope I don't take after her! We are built and look nothing alike. I take after my dad that way. Hopefully, that carries over to my insides.......... Should be interesting. I've certainly had many falls off bikes. Only one that caused a fracture, and that was a bad crash and the bone healed in a normal amount of time.

Has anyone else here in this over-40 bunch had bone density tests? Sufficient calcium intake and a weight lifting routine are highly recommended, I know. Are there other things to be doing?

[gretchen]

Annie - best of luck at the dr's. I just went too last week. I have my milogram (for the bulging disk i want to get 'fixed') on Tues. as well and have a BUNCH of blood work done too (that low hemoglobin).
Does anyone read "Biking Magazine"? They had a great aritcle on bone loss, etc. in there. From what i understand we should be all jumping up and down (!) to wake up those calcium/bone generating little guys down our spines. Because biking tends to be low impact (not talking to you brave wild women on the chunkie bikes) we tend to loose bone mass even faster becasue there is nothing to stimulate that regeneration. It was a fasinating article.
After reading aritcles like that you sum it all up and figure you can't win any way you look at it!!!! You run for impact...you wreck your knees and back, you bike and swim...you wreack your bone density. I guess we just need to be aware of EVERYTHING, treat our bods well and live life full. : )))

[cyclingnewbie]

I'm 43 and started riding seriously last summer in an effort to drive down my blood pressure. I lost some weight and found myself plotting my next opportunity to ride all the time! I haven't found any riding partners yet so I really appreciate everyone in these forums and their advice. I joined my local biking club and am planning to participate in my first formal event in May. Cycling is a great way to get some exercise when you're not twenty-something any more!

[gretchen]

cy.newbie...
I'm trying to get up the nerve to join my local cycling club...not sure why i'm intimidated? First I have to find them! I guess i could just go to the LBS or on line.
What's your first event?
I'm in good shape but HATE to compete with other people...i just like to ride and ride and ride...no time limits, no "who's going faster then who". I"m a 'destination person'...you pick a far off destination, get there when you get there, enjoy the time there and return home again. I"m afriad that i'll be left in the dust if i bike with a group!
Do you have a road bike or mountain or hybred?

[doctorfrau]

/raises hand.

I turned 40 last summer, and bought a used mt bike (schwinn - yeah I know) as a gift to myself - just to get started. I hadn't been on a bike in 24 years.

There are lots of good Rail-to-Trails around here, but otherwise it is ALL hills (this is West Virginia).

I rode the wimpy 30 mile version of the Mountain Mama challenge in August of last year, and didn't collapse! I was killing myself though, hauling that mt bike up and down all those macadam hills. Was working waay harder than I needed to , so now I want a decent road bike.

What I think I want is a Specialized Sequoia.

Problem now is coming up with, and justifying the money, as I am divorced, mother to 3, AND in medical school.
Too many things on my plate!! Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!

[cyclingnewbie]

Gretchen,

I am currently riding a Fuji hybrid but, like most cyclists, have already developed a lust for a new bike. My first event will be the 26 mile route of the Huffman Classic (Dayton Cycling Club). I didn't want to take on anything longer so I don't embarrass myself the first time out! I joined the cycling club not to compete (I HOPE they aren't like that!) but to find people to ride with. I am a bike trail person; I hate riding in traffic. I'm hoping that some of the club rides will teach me how to manage in traffic.

Doctorfrau,

Wow! If you did anything that starts with "Mountain" in the name, you're in way better shape than I am!! I hear you about the new bike thing. I'm having narrower tires put on my hybrid and a few other things done to improve it a bit without investing in a completely new bike.

[gretchen]

"Doc"...I am so impressed! Not just with the mountain bike challenge but the rest of your life! Med school huh?...Way to go!
How old are your kids? I found after i was divorced (13 years ago with two little ones, one with special needs) i found a whole new life, a whole new "ME" and best of all....am remarried and still finding this new person! Sounds like you are a stong person all the way around. Although you'll be challenged, you'll do GREAT!
Re: getting a road bike...how about asking around in you LBS for used ones. I think "roadies" tend to baby their bikes so you'll prob. find one that is 'gently' used. orrrrrr...when's your next birthday? I've been requesting bike stuff for my birthdays, Christmas, etc...
All the best to you in your "next phase" of life! You're going to love it!

"Cy-newbie"... I have a Specialized Allez. I looked at the Siquoia (i know i spelled that wrong!!!) too and my brother in law who has an Allez already talked me into not getting it. I'm sure it's an awesome bike. Check the components...The Allez is all Shimano Ultegra (wow, i'm a bad speller!!!) and i think the Siquoia is mixed? I can't remember off hand what it was that sold me on the Allez. Anyway, you'll like the Specialized bikes.
I was riding a hybred and bit the bullet and can't wait now for warmer weather to get out there!!!!!
I too am nervous about traffic and am hoping to find some routes that are on the quiet side. I would have no problem on my old bike but the clipless thing is what is making me nervous! (that i won't be able to unclip in traffic!!!! AHHHHHH!). I about fell off my spin bike yesterday because i couldn't get one clip out....try to manage that one. DAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gretchen]

woops! I just realized that i wrote responses to "cy-newbie" and they should have gone to "the doc"!!! Sorry ladies, i'm sure you'll figure out what the heck i'm talking about and to whom!

[kpc]

I dunno. I have a Specialized Allez too. Even tho' I was fitted for it, I don't like it near as much as my mtn bike. I guess my screwed up neck/shoulder have made me unable to hunch over. I just don't enjoy the road bike after about half an hour. I'm going to work with a former LBS owner/friend and put in a new stem to raise up the handlebars even futher. So, just be prepared. The Specialized is soo fast, so light and easy to pedal. But way different. The ggod thing about the cold is that I'm can put the road bike out of commission without feeling resentful. Good luck finding the right bike.

[gretchen]

kpc - I'm hoping that i will get stretched out enough to be comfy on my road bike (specialized). I was told by EVERYBODY I talked to that that's the way to go for long hauls. I hope they're right!

It's "weight's night" for me...I'm off to the gym. I sure hope this training cuts it for this long ride this summer! I just got the fund raising info and it's psyched me up!

Tomorrow is the big day for tests for me...myalagram and the dreaded blood test...let's hope all that Total Cereal i ate over the past week paid off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still need to get my cast iron skillet.

[annie]

Gretchen,

How did your tests go? I had my appointment with the doc yesterday. You are not alone! I found out I have a slightly low hemoglobin level! I was very surprised. It's not terrible..... it was 11.4. But my previous ones were a little over 14, so it is a drop. I am at the finishing end of a loooong menstrual period (over 10 days and counting) so it could be from that. I have to go back in and get re-tested when I am mid-cycle and see what that shows. Hopefully it will back to normal. I get blood drawn for tests today. Not sure what all they'll look at. I am curious as to my cholesterol, etc. That's always been fine, but I suppose that could have changed, too. I will be having a mammogram and bone density test next month. Soonest they could get me in. Isn't it fun to be over 40?? (For me it's almost over 50!) Better to keep on top of it all, I guess. I get my eyes tested today. Might as well get it all over with at once.

It's getting warmer here...... maybe will hit 40 F today! I am hoping to get outside and ride this weekend! :::::keeping fingers crossed:::::

annie

[gretchen]

annie-
WOW! You're really doing all sorts of check ups! I had my first mamogram 6 years ago when i turned 39 i think. It was find but the next one i got the dreaded call. After several more test, a biopsy and sonogram it turned out to be calcifications. YEA!!!!!
I'll bet you that your low hemoglobin is due to your heavy and long period. You are prob. going through perimenepaus...more fun for the over 40's!!!
My tests went well...or as well as you can imagine when they feed a 3 inch needle into your spin and inject die into the membrain that contains the spial fluid. Sounds really gross, but...I have to say not as bad as i thought it would be. YEA! The worst was the big deal they made about it afterwards. I had to be at a 45 degree angle for 3 HOURS!!! after. Nobody warned me about that...i thought it was in and out. Oh well, good excuse to sit and watch HGTV and TLC (i'm not a soap person!). I had my blood drawn first thing in the morning and will get the results in about a week (or i'll call my doctor when i get impatient the end of the week! : ) ). I'm nervous about that...i hate the waiting game too. The myalogram will be looked at and i'll have that appointment on Monday. I'm not nervous about that because i already know what's wrong (bluging disk).
It's such a good idea to get a full blood panel done while things are "ok" (hopefully!!!) then in the future you have something to compair to.
I heard weather reports for almost 50 (!) by Friday. I need to get to my LBS to get my bike adjusted. I keep tweeking it and i think i'm messing it up more then helping matters. The roads are calling us!
Where in Iowa do you live? Do you ride on roads or trails?
Well, good luck with the vampire today and the rest of your tests.

gretchen

[oldbikah]

I just turned 61 last month. Started with a little mountain biking about 10 years ago, then got interested in road biking about 3 years ago. Last summer was the first time I really rode very much, nothing like the 50 and 60 mile rides I read about in these posts. I ride mostly alone, and would love to do longer rides if I had some companions. I live in the western mountains of Maine and there are no bike clubs near me. Some of our roads are pretty treacherous (logging trucks, etc) so I am careful about where I ride.
Last summer I got more ambitious as I had to get ready for a 2 week bike trip in New Zealand. That was a blast, BTW, and I hope to do more group trips.
Winter is for skiing--here we get 6 months of winter, 6 weeks of mud season, and some pretty cool biking on both ends. But June thru September are pretty great! You California riders are pretty fortunate!!

[SeniorBabe]

I'm 62 and just started riding about 8 months ago. I got a custom road bike because of arthritis here and there (everywhere). This after a life of couch addiction.

I just decided I am going to sign up for a week-long tour at the end of the summer, and am now getting organized to train so I can ride the whole thing instead of hopping into the SAG wagon within 5 miles.

I'm walking everyday for bones (doc says bike won't cut it for the decaying hip), plus working out at a gym, and getting some kind of riding in daily. Sometimes it's on a stationary bike, rest of the time it's on my bike. I'm going to start riding weekends with a local bike club. I am not a new newbie anymore, but I'm still slow, and die on hills but getting better.

Anybody out there in Orange Co California who can ride weekdays and wants to go with a rider like me?