Fit after 50

[G3CWI]

When I was 25 I planned to cycle across Australia. As part of my training I mapped out a time trial course 10 miles long and worked to get my time down to 30 minutes. I was pretty pleased when I managed it and enjoyed my cycling across Australia.

Fast forward to June last year, I was 53 and 20kg over my ideal weight - in fact my BMI was verging on obese. I needed to act and cycling was part of the plan. Today I have lost 10kg and I am just slightly overweight.

This morning on a quick ride round the local roads on the bike I was more than a bit chuffed to find that as part of a longer ride I managed 10 miles in 33 minutes. That makes a timed 10 miles in 30 minutes look really achievable - 28 years after the first time. I think that will have to be my next target.

However, I still have a way to go. During my cycle tour across Australia I got fit enough to easily do 100 miles a day with all my camping gear (and a lot of water). Don't expect to get that level of fitness back.

Cheers Richard

 

[snorri]

Aye, it's a funny thing this cycling.
Following a series of school gym' teachers who rather put me off competitive sport, indeed any sporting activity which required me to break sweat, I could not have been described as "sporty" or a particularly fit person. Roll on 30+ years and I started cycle touring and amazing myself and others with the miles I could cover and places visited, and all without pain, just a satisfying tiredness at the end of a long day.

 

[ColinJ]

I think you might be surprised at what you can do at your age, Richard. I know someone in his mid-70s who still races!

I think it might be nicer to enjoy a slower touring pace though. You'll take more of your surroundings in if you 'only' ride 50-60 miles a day.

 

[jazzkat]

There are a couple of 'gentlemen' in my cycle club who turn in very respectable times on the club ten. In fact there's one chap in his seventies that I struggle to get anywhere near despite me being 30 years younger.
And I'm no slouch on my bike.

 

[Biker Joe]

I think you've done fantastically well.
Well done.
May you continue your progress to your satisfaction.