Late starter - too late ?

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Racing roadkill

Racing roadkill

Guru
Two activities that really are not good news for older people to get into seriously ( if not having previously been the active type ) are 'sporty' type cycling, and squash. I remember, many many years ago, I was a keen squash player, and squash became the new golf, thanks in no small part to increased publicity and the success of Jahangir Khan. There were a few more than usual fatal cardiac arrests, at that time, amongst the 'new old' brigade. However, for the sort of cycling you seem to be proposing, it's never too late to start. If you're in need of a bike, look at Gumtree et. al. or maybe a local cash converters type place, or a car boot sale. There are often bargains to be had. Good luck.
 
jefmcg

jefmcg

Guru
Location
The dark heart of the former British Empire
I like something I read in a fitness book years ago. noting how beneficial exercise is, and riffing on the usual disclaimer

"Please consult your doctor before deciding not to commence an exercise program"
 
OP
OP
Paulq

Paulq

Bike Rider, Beer Drinker, Biscuit Eater.
Location
Merseyside
icequake said:
Hi
just wondering if this would be any good for you.
https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-sirrus-elite-2017-hybrid-bike-EV279731
Click to expand...

Thanks for that it looks a nice bike. I am probably going to have to be uber fussy about it so I am ideally looking for one with handlebars that are very upright, something like this:

https://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m18b0s...ndems/Mens_Hybrid_Bikes/ORBEA_Comfort_40_2017

as that has a very demonstrable 'upright' position.

I'd be keen to look at other bikes with that feature as up to now I have only found a couple.

Also, is there a specific name for that type of bar/stem and can they be bought separately and fitted to any bike?

Thanks again for the help.
 
Venod

Venod

Eh up
Location
Yorkshire
I have been a life long cyclist and have also done a lot of running, eventually the running gave me knee pains. I have stopped running but still cycling, to look after the knees on the bike spin low gears rather than push high ones. I am 65 now but in my 50,s I was beating times I had done in my 20's, it's never too late
 
B

bozmandb9

Insert witty title here
Location
South Oxfordshire
Paulq said:
For many years I was a keen cyclist but for the last few I have done virtually nothing to be honest and have sold the bikes I had save for an electric one which has been sat in the shed. I have 2 absolutely knackered knees and a 'life' problem with a disintegrated disc at the top of my spine which inherently has made cycling very uncomfortable.

Most of the bikes I have had I have found really uncomfortable.

However, having reached the ripe old age of 50 and now seen my weight balloon to 17.5 stone I have to do something but the discomfort I have always experienced is off-putting. I am not sure (as am out of touch with current bikes a little despite always lurking here) what kind of bike to get - hybrid, endurance roadie etc. I want to be another 50+ cyclist who gets the bug and benefits from the advantages of reduced weight and fitness.

Sorry for slightly hijacking this thread but the questions I have are largely relevant in:

1 - What's the best, most comfortable kind of bike I can buy?
2 - I have read a lot, and pondered, a fitting and am open to this but do you make the 'mistake' of buying the bike first using the generic sizings, then get the fitter to adjust? Or buy from a shop that has a professional fitting service as part of the purchase?
3 - If the latter can anyone recommend one in the NW that will cater for non-competitive riders?

Looking at the weather today the thought of riding is very appealing. I want to lose 2 stone by Christmas, at least.:smile:

Thanks for any comments and, again, apologies for the slight digression.
Click to expand...

I'd say before you do anything, find somebody really really good who can advise you on bike fit, and also posture, and bio mechanics. Do you know why your knees are bad? Are you very quad dominant? Do you have tight hamstrings/ poor flexibility?

I'd say avoid bike shops like the plague, and don't even think about buying anything, until you find somebody who you think really gets a good understanding of your physiology, and then comes up with some great ideas and advice. Then, follow that advice and get on your bike.

And yes, you can easily lose two stone by chrismas through cycling. I've lost 6kg in the past ten weeks, and I was only at 87 anyway, by mid summer I'll be the lightest I've ever been as an adult (78kg, around 12.5 stone), and this is just through cycling, roughly a couple of hundred km per week. Each ride I burn an extra 1,000-3,000 calories, and I simply make sure I don't eat too much, although after a big ride, say 2,500 calories, I'm not too worried about having three servings of lasagne, and a couple of glasses of wine (maybe 1,000 calories).

Go for it! Oh, and I just posted this link on another thread, but you may find it interesting too!https://theamazing39stonecyclist.wordpress.com/about/
 
johnnyb47

johnnyb47

Guru
Location
Wales
My dad still cycles at the age of 72. He's had a hip replacement and still goes out for a ride.
Admittedly its mostly down to the pub nowadays were he has one to many , and ends up with his bike wedged into the hedge on his way home. When he's sober he can still get a fair turn of speed and cover a fair few miles. Your never to old to start cycling buddy :-)
 
youngoldbloke

youngoldbloke

The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
johnnyb47 said:
My dad still cycles at the age of 72. He's had a hip replacement and still goes out for a ride.
Admittedly its mostly down to the pub nowadays were he has one to many , and ends up with his bike wedged into the hedge on his way home. When he's sober he can still get a fair turn of speed and cover a fair few miles. Your never to old to start cycling buddy :-)
Click to expand...
- and believe it or not there are actually contributors to cycle chat that are over 70 years old too, and they still ride bikes! Some of them even have bikes with clippy in pedals and dropped handlebars, and cycle a long way, bless them!! I actually have a carbon fibre bicycle - and I've had a hip replacement! But then I'm only 69 and 3/4 after all ........
 
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