Over 60, advancing the cause whilst avoiding injury

[Drago]

A recovery day after a ride should be all you need

That or some crack cocaine.

 

[Bristolian]

I recently turned 70 and try to get out on the bike every other day, although that doesn't always happen. My rides are generally 15-25 miles, depending on how I feel, and although I still use a bike computer and heart rate monitor I have stopped deliberately going out to beat my Strava times. Cycling purely for enjoyment is much more pleasant and less stressful.

I count myself as quite fortunate in not having any major health problems but I find if I take a week or two off the bike (like when we go on holiday) I get an ache in my right hip that isn't there when I'm riding regularly. A touch of arthritis in my neck makes looking around difficult so I have a rear facing radar to give me warning of approaching vehicles. I still have to look round but can now limit that to when I know there's something to look at/for.

 

[Fredo76]

Now that I'm old enough (66) to strain my wrist picking up a gallon of milk carelessly, I'd say taking a week off for recovery may be necessary after an injury, but shouldn't be required just for a hard effort one day. My advice would be not to let off too much without a need. Keep track of your resting heart rate in the morning, get a baseline, then take it easy if your heart rate is above your normal - it means you haven't recovered yet. Also, getting out just for enjoyment is a big plus, for me.

 

[Mike Ayling]

I recently turned 70 and try to get out on the bike every other day, although that doesn't always happen. My rides are generally 15-25 miles, depending on how I feel, and although I still use a bike computer and heart rate monitor I have stopped deliberately going out to beat my Strava times. Cycling purely for enjoyment is much more pleasant and less stressful.

I count myself as quite fortunate in not having any major health problems but I find if I take a week or two off the bike (like when we go on holiday) I get an ache in my right hip that isn't there when I'm riding regularly. A touch of arthritis in my neck makes looking around difficult so I have a rear facing radar to give me warning of approaching vehicles. I still have to look round but can now limit that to when I know there's something to look at/for.

I am a bit of a techno phobe and use a helmet mirror. Most of my usual riding group have h, handlebar mirrors. I recently turned 82.

 

[Punkawallah]

60+, look at doing 40 miles a day if I’m away for a few days, in the realisation that 40 might stretch to more to get me where I’m going by the route I pick. It could take me four hours, it could take eight, depending on the hills and surface. I have a tendency to do half an hour, then stop for a bite and a sip, and it seems to keep the legs going. Every hour I’ll have a cuppa. It still hurts when I stop for the day, but that’s what beer’s for ;-)
They recon you can have a fortnight’s break without losing ‘form’ (ha! ha!), but I tend to take time off when I’m ‘not feeling it’ - how’s that for ‘scientific rigour’? Like they say, it’s not about the miles, but the smiles. I wouldn’t do it if weren’t entertaining.

 

[Bristolian]

I am a bit of a techno phobe and use a helmet mirror. Most of my usual riding group have h, handlebar mirrors. I recently turned 82.

I have bar end mirrors but find them of limited use, mostly due to the poor state of our roads creating vibrations that mess with the view from the mirror. With the mirrors in the end of the drops I also have to pull my arms in to get a view of the road behind. Not ideal, but better than nothing. The bike radar has added an extra element by making me aware of traffic long before I can hear it or see it reliably in the mirrors.

The helmet mirrors I have seen to date are mounted out in front of the eye and it worries me what would happen to that in the event of a crash? As a keen photographer, the thought of having that embedded into one of my eyes is something I can't even contemplate - it makes me shudder just thinking about it

 

[nagden]

Rapidly approaching 70 I have found what I think is a system that suits me. After years of recreational sport where I was a no pain no gain follower. I now follow a more sensible approach. I cycle 6 days a week. On a Monday I do some efforts, nothing extreme and riding by feel. If I’m feeling ok I might do a few efforts on Thursday. The rest of the week is easy and riding by feel. Sometimes I am ridiculously slow but I never feel as if I am too tired to ride the next day. Enjoy and do what suits you.

 

[a.twiddler]

I've found that discovering new things to keep you interested helps. For some years I'd been geting more aches and pains after riding distances on a previously comfortable touring bike. I'd discovered the joys of small wheeled folding bikes - low step over, upright riding position, no competitive urges (not that there were previously many of those). If you've had enough, fold it up and go home on the train. Not that I've ever done that unless I'd previously planned it, but it's nice to know that I could. I managed to do some respectable rides and felt quite good afterwards. Listening to the flowers, smelling the birds, etc.

I discovered the even greater joys of recumbent riding when I was 68 and it's opened up a new world of cycling. I'm 72 now and I've never been so cool, well, maybe for about 10 seconds in the 1970s. I'm cycling distances I've not managed for years and the aches and pains are mostly a thing of the past. I'm no faster than I've ever been but I can keep it up all day. There's so much more yet to to find out. It's not just about the body, your mind needs someting to keep it stimulated, too.

 

[teeonethousand]

I'm 69..I ride 30-50 miles every 3 or 4 days with a bit of weights in between. I try my best not to try too hard, not to compare, not to crave lighter, better kit etc.....i often fail. 😂

 

[Drago]

One thing I've learned the hard way is to rest.

I still clang and bang the weights 3 or 4 times a week, butnI take every 6th or 7th week off, usually managing to align it with the school holidays and Mrs D being off work.

It's had a very positive impact on the aches and pains in my joints and connective tissues.