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

[nancielle]

we took off for France (en famille) in July as part of my 50th celebration year (yep, I celebrated the entire year! ).

Now that's my idea of a birthday celebration!

Not 50 yet (49 in July so catching up fast!)

I remember being sent home from kindergarten after the JFK assassination and the funeral being on every channel (all 3 of them.) Hearing my dad wake up my mom to tell her of RFK's assassination. Knowing when it was time to leave for school during the Viet Nam war when they announced the body count on the radio (always at 8:20 a.m. then on to Howard Cosell sports.)
Many of my classmates had older brothers who went to Viet Nam and none came home alive. One vivid memory from the seventh grade was of hearing that my best friend's brother had been blown up by a land mine. None of us could really grasp that.

Was a total spaz as far as athletics went (dad was a jock but apparently all of my siblings got that gene and it just passed me by!) but if we wanted to get anywhere we had to use our bikes or walk. We lived on a hill and all of us would go to the top and try to be the fastest getting to the bottom. We had a pool in my yard so we'd often spend afternoons there after riding (and only if an adult were present. Heaven help us if we broke that rule and none of the other parents on the street had any qualms about ratting out those who broke the rules.)

Didn't ride for the longest time (lack of time and the repeated thefts of various bikes, despite being locked) but took it up again a couple of years ago but on a limited basis, between classes, working & various community things I'd gotten involved with. Got into it a bit more after knee surgery last year when my surgeon suggested riding again (and swimming! just like when I was a kid) to strengthen the muscles around my knees. Now it's woven into the working, community things & the rest of my life stuff.

[annie]

51 and so happy to be there! Tho' it STILL surprises me when I actually state my age. Don't feel nearly that age........ or at least what I thought this age would feel like when I was in my 20's. My kids are mostly grown. I've got an enjoyable job (most of the time.) I have not as much free time as I'd like, but enough that I can't complain. I feel healthy, strong, and fairly fit. And I give most credit to the fact that I have been riding a bike regularly for 21 YEARS and absolutely LOVING it all that time. I honestly believe it's the best thing I have ever done for myself. Stress relief,exercise, comraderie (I've met my BEST friends through biking) and the pure joy that comes from riding. For me, nothing compares. (I guess this should be in the "Why do I ride" thread? ) And I truly believe it keeps me feeling younger than my years. So ride on, women of TE! Whatever your age and ability. It's all good.........

annie

[EvilTwin]

Just turned 50 a week or so ago. Started riding in Feb. of this year. I hadn't really ridden since college. I started dating a biker last fall after my divorce, and decided to ride Bike Idaho this summer, so that's my training goal right now. My BF has been riding for years, and has been my personal trainer this spring. He's very patient with me.... it helps. I love riding, and my 3 grown daughters have been able to see some very positive things that have happened since I started riding. They see me as stronger, more positive, happier, and in way better shape than I've been in years. Yeah cycling!!!!

[dachshund]

I rode steadily from grade school until my late thirties. (50 now) My last bike was a 10 speed racer, and I stopped riding it because couldn't do hills without hurting my back. So I sold the bike. I decided to try again recently as an alternative to the gym. I found this forum pretty quickly, which was a huge help.

Technology has changed, of course, with all the carbon and those shift levers up by the breaks. Clipless pedals. And 30 gears! But I'm much more careful now, MUCH more willing to stop and make sure there are no cars coming before crossing intersections, etc.

I don't what happened this last year... I got back into several hobbies I had lost interest in. Funny how things cycle around (yuk yuk.)

My only reservation is climbing hills with a lower back problem. I'm surprised that riding doesn't hurt my back so far, nor does it bother my hands. I guess I should read up on technique for doing hills, correct position, etc. I'm sure I'll find it here somewhere.