Author Topic: older riders  (Read 82270 times)

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Offline Cycnus

Re: older riders
« Reply #30 on: June 21, 2009, 07:18:03 pm »
IceJan -

I am 53, female, and taking on the biking world as we speak.  I gave up everything I own but a bike, a trailer, and camping gear to start out living on the land and seeing as much of the world as I can.  My family thinks I am out of my mind... I just think I need to do more training rides.   :)  Drop a note if you would like to chat more. 
Follow me on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/BarefootCyclist

Offline scott.laughlin

Re: older riders
« Reply #31 on: June 22, 2009, 03:13:40 pm »
IceJan,

Tell your family I can't think of a more noble cause than cycling toward the distant horizon.   Willie suggests keeping your journal in letter form.  Scribble your events of the day on notebook paper and at the end of the week mail the finished sheets home to Aunt Martha, or whomever will hold them for you.

Keep us informed.

Scott

Offline Westinghouse

Re: older riders
« Reply #32 on: June 23, 2009, 01:07:26 pm »
I am 59. At the moment I am considering the possibility of cycling the Atlantic coast this summer, say from south Florida to Maine. Not definite yet, but it's a big maybe. I definitely need the exercise. I have been teaching the past seven months. The one thing I regret as I get ready to take vacation
is not joining a gym and working out regularly. Oh well, there is always after summer to stick to a regimen.

Offline justbarb

Re: older riders
« Reply #33 on: July 27, 2009, 09:37:51 am »
I am 60 and picking up my Raleigh Sojourn this week.  Hubby backpacks but doesn't enjoy riding long distances, so I will go alone.  I bought the Sojourn because of its low gearing and ready to travel set up.  (Also, there were no Surly LHTs to try out.)  My LBS showed me the thickness of the spokes, which compensates for the number.  He also has made adjustments with the stem so that the reach is proper for me.  A front rack, center kickstand, and swapping the men's for a woman's B-17...can't wait to go for my first ride!     

Offline litespeed

Re: older riders
« Reply #34 on: August 01, 2009, 08:44:05 pm »
I'm 68 and will admit to some loss of strength. I don't crank out the 100+ mile days while touring as often as I used to. Maybe it's just as well. I should smell the roses more.

I have discovered that I need more liquids with the passing years to avoid cramps and heart arrhythmia. On my first day out last year I cramped up for the first time ever. Not in shape. I knocked on a door and drank about five water bottles from a guy's tap and was able to continue all right. I also got some heart arrhythmia at night in Texas that required lots of liquid to stop.

Offline bigstrongmary

Re: older riders
« Reply #35 on: August 07, 2009, 09:12:47 pm »
Hi, I'm new here, too.....want to connect with older people over 50-ish, talk about various riding places etc.  Never have done a tour, but someday would like to.....mostly ride around local recreational trails. 
I am a female rider as well.  I agree that there seems to be an abundance of male riders out there, but few women...I just turned 57 and have been riding since I was about 30.  I've done multiple centuries and supported cross state rides, but never a tour, although I've always wanted to do one.  I ride about 8000 miles a year all year long...and I live just outside Cleveland! 

Offline tonythomson

Re: older riders
« Reply #36 on: August 08, 2009, 07:28:49 am »
Hi another wrinkly here - nothing better than setting out in the morning - no idea where you will end up that night or who you will meet.  How exciting is that. No phones or work I'm doing more touring than ever.  Next is Orlando to Vancouver - unsupported and on my own. Anyone think I'm going to swap this for a pair of slippers and the TV, no chance.

However, have to admit to not going so fast or far on a daily basis.  And staying in better hotels/motels. So what's wrong with a bit of comfort? 

Good to see there is so many of us out there still trucking. (That shows my age)
Tony
Just starting to record my trips  www.tonystravels.com

Offline staehpj1

Re: older riders
« Reply #37 on: August 08, 2009, 09:14:06 am »
I started touring at 55 with a coast to coast ride.  I am now 58 and expect to do longish tours for a many years to come. My preference would be to take 6-12 weeks at a time and be home a while before heading out again.  It would be nice to be able to keep working but be able to take a long trip (2-3 months) once a year or so and maybe some short ones (two weeks or so) in between.  If I can't work out a schedule that is flexible enough to do that I plan to retire in 4 years.  Some of my future trips may be backpacking or motorcycle touring but bike touring is usually my first choice.
« Last Edit: August 18, 2009, 08:11:45 am by staehpj1 »

Offline johnsondasw

Re: older riders
« Reply #38 on: August 09, 2009, 02:30:03 pm »
Biking, hiking, climbing--for some reason, it seems to keep getting better despite "advancing" age.  I'm almost 61 now and trips are more relaxed and enjoyable than ever.  there's really  nothing to prove, and I can just go out and have a great time.  Also, it's nice to have sufficient funds to be able to buy the proper gear and to be able to stay in motels when you want.  However, many of the adventures have to be done solo now or with partners half my age.
May the wind be at your back!

Offline justbarb

Re: older riders
« Reply #39 on: August 10, 2009, 04:44:11 pm »
I live just north of Cincinnati...so let's see if we can get in a short tour this fall.  I can only go for shorter tours, due to my work schedule.  But a tour is a tour is a tour...yes?

Offline RansRider61

Re: older riders
« Reply #40 on: August 10, 2009, 06:08:30 pm »
We just got done touring Door County fully packed down . The oldest was 73 and the youngster was 53 with five 59 and one 66 years old and we all got along great during the 300 miles . It is fun to slow down and smell the roses .

Offline GeorgeC

Re: older riders
« Reply #41 on: August 17, 2009, 05:19:53 pm »
Hello to all you "mature" riders in this thread.

I'm 71, live in Columbus, Oh; have done 14 week long supported rides around the state over the years and now am ready to try touring self contained. In July, I rode the Across Ohio Bicycle Adventure (XOBA) and talked to so many people who have toured self contained that I am really excited to give it a try.

I hope to start by doing a couple days riding up the UGRR since I can be on the route riding out of my garage. Then I would like to follow that up with 4 or 5 days riding the Northern Tier west from Vermilion to Indiana and back in September.

I'm not fast on organized day rides but am seldom the last rider returning to the parking lot since like the Energizer Bunny, I just keep going.

I think it would be great to chat with other riders in the area about issues related to touring.

GeorgeC

Offline JHamelman

Re: older riders
« Reply #42 on: August 18, 2009, 08:07:36 am »
Hi George,

You might also want to post a query in the Regional Discussion area for the Great Lakes to connect with people in your area:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/forums/index.php?board=16.0

Have fun!

.Jennifer.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Jennifer Hamelman

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring and empowering people to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776 x205
www.adventurecycling.org

Follow Routes & Mapping on Twitter: @acaroutes

Offline jacko999

Re: older riders
« Reply #43 on: August 19, 2009, 04:56:15 am »
im 54 looking someone in southe east england to ride with :)
Jim Cruise

Offline tonythomson

Re: older riders
« Reply #44 on: August 19, 2009, 01:18:27 pm »
Hi Jack, over in Southampton, too far away?  or are you meaning to cycle over in the USA?  up for both!
Tony www.bike4gus.com
Just starting to record my trips  www.tonystravels.com