[Closed] Race fit in your forties

Judgement for me, just been saying on another post that I got my ass handed to me on a plate last year in the Nats.
So I now just do my best to beat those within reach.
For me that just means a few hard turbo sessions, a short race and a club run each week.
I adjust depending on results.
I don't use any devices or plans or zones, just gut feeling.
Diet is robust and no supplements.
Happy with that and ten years your senior.

1 day on, 1 day off, clean (ish) diet, focus, pick your battles, don't waste an opportunity, but don't be rushed into compromising those battles.

Tapering works really well for me. Gradually build up to a targeted event, rest for a week before, and take it nice and easy just doing fun rides after.

But then I only do 3 or 4 events a year now which is much easier to plan. Not like back in my 20s when it was 2 or 3 a week, sometimes 2 races in a day. You live and learn!

You need to get down the gym. Your muscles start to deteriorate post 40. You need to lift some weights to maintain strength.

Race 50 year olds.

I've had a really tough year with lack of form trips to docs etc.. The penny dropped after all clear from docs I'm still trying to train the same as I was in my thirties ... So been over trained and tired all the time .. Still trying to adjust but heading in the right direction with day on/day off .. More fun/easy spins too ..

You need to get down the gym. Your muscles start to deteriorate post 40. You need to lift some weights to maintain strength.

Nonesense. If you have enough strength to support your weight walking up the stairs you have enough strength to pedal a bike.

^ Yeah cos you only use your legs to ride a mountain bike...........

Lack of strength isn't a contributory factor in getting fatigued and catching colds etc... I'm definitely in the 'that's bollocks' camp.

Nonesense. If you have enough strength to support your weight walking up the stairs you have enough strength to pedal a bike.

What do you think your peak wattage output is when walking up stairs 🙄

One hard day a week, then an easy day and then not so easy day and repeat the latter two. Sounds simple but as you progress the not so easy day could still be 2-3 hours in the saddle zone 2 with 4-5 hill climbs thrown in. Hard days means short hard intervals to keep your top end revving so you don't really want more than one a week. Throw in strength training 2-3 times a week, might not make you faster, but will make you more resilient to injury and help with not getting aches and pains. Clean diet (as much as you can) and take it D3 and magnesium/zinc to help immune system and recovery. But, remember that everyone is different so what works for me may not work for you.

Enough sleep, is one of the big helpers in recovery.

I jacked in full time racing 7 years ago now, but threaten to do it every September when the CX season comes round.
Anyway, the people who were good in their 20's / 30's and whom carry on, are still good in their 40's / 50's. Go the the N&D CX races and see how fast the Vets are. I thought once I turned 40 it would be easier - I was sadly deluded. If I got in the top half of the Vets, I had done very well. - this is against some blokes who are 70+.
I'm 50 now, and looking at the results, I'd still be very low down the finishers (if I was fit, which I'm not now!).

The people who get good finishes have always been good. It takes a bit more than training to be at that level for so many years - probably ideal body size/shape with lots of lungs.
A note of hope, a chap I used to work with retired, then after a short while was doing great TT times over 10 miles - he said he wasnt rushing around after work to try to get training miles in, he was taking it easier, but doing more, and suddenly he was doing TT times the saem as he was in his 20's. So there is hope.

2 weeks on, one week recovery instead of 3 on, one recovery.

I'm still young ;). The guys I know who are 40+ and still racing at the sharp end are very focussed. This year I've raced Mtb, road, cross, TT and hill climbs with some long distance rides (150m+) and a couple of cycling holidays (90m+ days).

The guys who are older than me have picked their battles. Stuck to a few complimentary disciplines and trained for them. You can't easily train for endurance races and then expect to be competitive in a 3 minute hill climb. They don't enter everything (or if they do they don't expect to do well).

Also the vets are very tactical. In road racing you'll never see them at the front or chasing but they are always in the critical break or up there for the sprints.

Nonesense. If you have enough strength to support your weight walking up the stairs you have enough strength to pedal a bike.

What do you think your peak wattage output is when walking up stairs

You are confusing strength and power. Strength is the amount of force or torque applied to the pedals and power is a product of that force and the speed at which the pedals are being turned.

So even for a substantial power output of 500 watts at 70 rpm the force required on the pedals is 396N which is the equivalent of 40kg. Therefore, unless you are a midget, assuming you can walk up stairs you have ample strength to generate that 500watts. To increase cycling performance what you need to increase is the ability to push that force as fast as you can for as long as you can which needs fitness not strength.

The only time a cyclist might be strength limited is in track sprinting where enormous power outputs are needed.

Reckon I'll carry on as I am and just accept it takes hard effort and competitive desire always takes some of the pain away. 2 out of 3 weeks works better for me too, gym for me is pretty much the rowing machine once a week in the winter and spring, occasionally add some leg work focused on leg push action, turbo in the winter, spring, long ride at weekends. Need to focus on better mix of protein in diet and sleep instead of surfing forums!
Thanks for all the feedback

Whenever a certain STW friend of mine pulls the "I'm ten years older" card, I like to remind him of all the 40+ year olds still handing youngsters their arses on plates in every discipline 😀

At 31, I've given up worrying about the age of the people racing around me- I've been overtaken by people old enough to be my granddad and all I think now is "fair play!"

Still there OP? Anyway, I can't help much with how training changes over 40, as I've only been riding/racing since hitting 40.

But if you already know a bit about training, try reading Joe Friel's blog. He's recently been writing a fair bit about "older" athletes, although he seems to be focused on hos own ae group (over 50)

Cheers tim, I'll take a look at Joe's blog

Keen to get some advise here too ..

Did pretty bad 2 weeks ago at a cyclocross race. Then another race this Sunday was even worse. Could not maintain any effort at all.My HR was threshold for the full hour, but best I could do just felt like surviving rather than racing.

Key for me ( at 52) is recovery. Got to back off at least 1 week in 3 and no more than 2 hard days on the run. Its very easy to do too much and just constantly feel fatigued.

My HR was threshold for the full hour, but best I could do just felt like surviving rather than racing.

Keen to get some advise here too ..

Did pretty bad 2 weeks ago at a cyclocross race. Then another race this Sunday was even worse. Could not maintain any effort at all.My HR was threshold for the full hour, but best I could do just felt like surviving rather than racing.

Welcome to 'cross 😀

Those that know me will know I train on instinct, that said I do have a HRM that I use occasionally.
I have this silly old theory about some that train in zones and their HR's. If I do train on the turbo with a HRM I never move my upper body, limbs or head. Just breath and push. But I can get my max right up by rocking all over the shop. Just think that some might be just blowing off energy and raising the HR by poor form?

Both wife and I are mid 40's and ride every day, race xc and do ok. Main thing we've found getting older is that we need to eat better and sleep more... Also don't crash as well !

I think the key to performing better is consistency and variety and not hammering yourself 5-7 days a week on the bike.
Rest and Sleep and hydration helps, protien maybe if you are also hitting the weights.
Remember that day that you dont want to ride because its raining, but you already had a few days off the bike, i think these are the days that set you back instead of being consistent. Dont be tempted to hit it hard 3 days in a row to claw back what you should have done, that will only burn you out.

Also just to bug rsvktm i only really cycle 1 day a week and still able to do a CX race (apart from the last one where i DNF lol) one before went ok though. Think i might get destroyed this week as done even less cycling.

Lack of sleep and hydration are my weak points.
Four hours a night is good going.
Hydration or lack of is my own fault, bought up on the idea of never drinking 60/70s. Even this Sunday my bottle wasn't touched after a club 100km ride, add that to the race on the saturday I was pissing treacle.

oldgit that cant be healthy and you probably perform so much better hydrated.
i only wish i could function on 4hrs sleep

Funny thing is we don't ride to train or race we ride because we want to.
Riding everyday has just developed over the years as we are lucky and can commute to work, both enjoy riding together but just as important enjoy riding solo as well. The vet classes are normally one of the most subscribed and competitive and the grand vets are not too shabby either. We also like to annoy the youngsters on strava, was Kom at Dalby for a while.
Agree re hydration, I never used to drink enough but it was normal day to day lack that was my issue, now that's sorted I can cope with little water riding if needed.

Funny thing is we don't ride to train or race

For me it's the only reason I ride, or ride so much.

Did pretty bad 2 weeks ago at a cyclocross race. Then another race this Sunday was even worse. Could not maintain any effort at all.My HR was threshold for the full hour, but best I could do just felt like surviving rather than racing.

Well done. It's always like that, and as they say, it never gets easier, just faster.

All my (mtb) short course races or road crits this year have ended up with me unable to talk, or get off the bike for five mins after the race. If I could I'd have been disappointed.

I used to have a hobby years ago that I enjoyed, became good at, trained hard, got sponsored. Became a job of work, didn't enjoy, didn't want to train, felt pressured to perform. Whilst I do ok racing bikes I am glad I can still enjoy it and whilst I am competitive I wouldn't want that to take over. Back to the 40+ thing and harder to train I think it's just harder to recover, I am probably as fast as I've ever been but wouldn't fancy a multi stage race unless it was every other day !

Started road racing at 45. Took a season to get competitive in 4th cats, then raced Vets and really improved my racecraft. I'm now racing E123 and hoping for promotion to 2nd cat next season. Finished fifth in our club champs and 15th in the national circuit race for my age.

I commute daily and race twice every three weeks in the summer. And race in the winter. Training is club rides at moderate intensity, and races tend to be an hour + five laps, or 100km on the road.

I find recovery and sleep help most with trying to stay competitive. But racing frequently keeps the fitness level up more than anything else. This winter, however it is Trainer Road at least twice a week plus 150 miles of cycling.

A sedentary job probably helps my recovery too 😉

I eat almost anything but not huge amounts n have always been pretty slim and take iron supplements when I can remember and have a flu jab! Haven't been ill much this year but had flu last year which knocked me back about three months!

Like you TiRed, see I don't think that's too much.
We have new members with coaches in our club that have seasons and don't ride that much. Two I know are having an enforced rest from any cycling for a month on the advice of their coach, and all they've done is race a handful of 40 minute cat 4 crits.

I really think some people over analyse this racing malarky.

Cushy job you lucky git, I'll be sweating within minutes of getting to work,

I'm much like TiRed.Only started proper racing (xc,crit,road) again at 40 (a couple of years ago) after a 20 year break.I've always been fit(ish) but in a middle of the pack kind of way.
Since January I've just been riding my bike(s) lots.I would'nt call it structured training and I don't do intervals or anything specific.And I refuse to ride turbo/rollers. I just do 15-18 hours a week in the saddle be it commuting,mtb,dh,riding bmx tracks on the 4x or cx.That and cutting out all the crap I used to eat has brought me from 91kg to 80kg (at 6'2").
Now I'm podiuming at Regional level mtb and cx and can hold my own with Cat2's.I still enjoy riding because the racing just seems like a really good excuse to ride my bikes (and buy new ones) rather than the other way round.
I'm doing nationals next year and I suspect my fairly relaxed attitude to performance will come unstuck but I'm not running out to sign up a coach and buy a power meter any time soon!!

The fastest guy in my running club is 53 (I think), the 2nd and 3rd teams in last weeks British fell relay champs were both vet teams. If everything else is in place I think 45 is too early to be worrying about inevitable decline. Only you really know your own body though.

Edit: more helpfully, look at the other stuff like food, rest, drink, stress, sleep quality that might let you train harder. PS I'm neither fastest in my club nor 2nd/3rd team in the relays.

If everything else is in place I think 45 is too early to be worrying about inevitable decline.

Not so sure, I'm 44 and my recovery is definitely not what it used to be, can still work just as intensely, but it takes longer to recover, so have to train less often or less hard than I used to.

Aren't there physiological changes that take place around your 40s? I think there's quite a drop off in the production of HGH and that does impact recovery.

Though personally find that it's external factors that are having the biggest impact to being able to get in quality racing later in life. E.g. more demanding job, family life and small kids. Tends to be sleep and recovery that gets squeezed.

Prior to starting road racing, the nearest thing I came to competitive sport (and I include school) was Sunday league village cricket for a couple of years, so if I can start racing on a background of modest commuting and the odd sportive, then anyone can!

And racing in a bunch gives such a buzz - there really is nothing like it. The secret is to have tempered expectations, and I'm sure being older gives one that perspective. Top third is my target (just outside pack fodder), top ten a bonus (and BC points). And a podium, well just the once this season. I've raced a few Gorricks and know that I have the fitness now, but not really the skill levels. So I hide behind singlespeed and again aim for top third.

Just enjoy riding your bike. That will keep you race fit. If you want to be successful (and I mean seriously competitive and consistent top 10), then you will need to work harder than I have. And that's why I've started a couple of Trainer Road sessions to increase endurance. Winter crits are really just 1:15 interval sessions with a good cup of tea and banter afterwards 😉

PS Imperial Winter Series starts on December 6th at Hillingdon. There is a winter series at Cyclopark Gravesend too.

Not so sure, I'm 44 and my recovery is definitely not what it used to be, can still work just as intensely, but it takes longer to recover, so have to train less often or less hard than I used to.

I think you're right physiologically, but I guess my point was most of us can offset that decline against other things and train smarter and get the rest of the package right ...unless you've been pretty close to optimal before. In which case, you're stuffed 🙂

OP, yes you need a training programme which takes into account your age. As above HGH declines markedly and also as you age your speed and strength declines but your endurance you can maintain and potentially even improve. I know veteran swimmers who have set PBs in their late 30's and 40's despite having competed when they where younger but the focus of their training and event selection changed to reflect their ageing. In crude terms longer distances (400m, 800m) versus the sprints (100m)

EDIT: I will try and find the research the swimming coach (GB squad coach) gave us which was very interesting as it tracked a German Olympic level swimmer from the 50's who kept training till his later years (60's/70's) and benchmarked him against normal athletes)

I've never been particularly good at endurance type sports/events and when I was 45 my 60yr neighbour was better on a 3 hour ride than was I. However, that statement doesn't have much information in it as your baseline is yourself. So focus on endurance training and remember than of the three factors of intensity, frequency and duration the last two are the most important as you age. Absolutely killing yourself once or twice a week isn't going to get the job done, in fact you could damage your health that way. Training till you puke we did in our teens and twenties isn't going to work and you could really damage yourself.

Im 47 next week, and honestly Ive hadthe best year's racing Ive ever had (results wise) and am faster than when I was in my 20s.

Ive been racing since the 90s but over the years put on a fair bit of weight, and so in the 'heyday' ofthe I-Dave diet I put it to the test and lost overall about a 1/4 of my bodyweight, which ive successfully kept off (and lost a bit more) for over 2 years.

Also about the same time a local ride started - originally to get mountain bikers out over winter - which over the course of time has turned into a fast 23/4mph average 47 mile ride. That combined with commuting, racing and sufferfest videos (on non racing sundays) and being strict on diet has transformed me as a rider/racer. Usually top 5 in local cx races, still racking up KOMs on strava and loving xc racing and getting results.

I doubt it'll last too long but im enjoying it while it does.

Some info I have dug up (not the specific research I was referring to which was very interesting as it was for a specific individual over time)

These are stats for how far people could swim in 1 hour - data taken from US masters swimming. What you can see is that even endurance perfortmane declines over age but it's much less than, say, speed would be over shorter distances

Age decline is roughly 4%-6% (ie steady) from 20's to 30's to 40's but then bigger drop off 11-12 to 60's and 70's

Age Distance Index (vs 20's age group)
20's 3913m 100%
30's 3728 95%
40's 3579 91.5%
50's 3361 86%
60's 3000 77%
70's 2649 68%

[url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2267663/table/Tab3/ ]Table Link[/url]

50 here, started racing 18months ago so no previous to benchmark against.

I found myself struggling to really improve so paid for some coaching input and now try for quality over quantity and to pay attention to phases of training, tapering and rest.

I'm wrecked at certain times but get the max benefit from it.

Even this Sunday my bottle wasn't touched after a club 100km ride, add that to the race on the saturday I was pissing treacle.
Posted 15 hours ago #
dobo - Member

oldgit that cant be healthy and you probably perform so much better hydrated

bloody hell oldgit you're probably doing yourself a mischief that may surface at any moment!

hydration/nutrition obviously not needed during a cross race, but have you tried drinking on longer rides to see what happens? if not, go on, I dare you!
I find it doesnt make me go any faster, I just dont 'fade' towards the end as quick....
probably helps recovery as well.

Oh, and the general OP point- I find at my age I need a very long warm-up to stand any chance of not going into the red zone and then pop very quickly.

I'm reading this with interest - Being a little way from 40 yet, its good to know that being competitive doesn't necessarily come down to age. I've sort of realised that this year with the club - a lot of fast lads in their 40's.

I'm hoping that some consistency over winter will help for next season.

Oh, and the general OP point- I find at my age I need a very long warm-up to stand any chance of not going into the red zone and then pop very quickly.

This is very true! The initial charge at the start of a race gets harder to manage the older I get. Warm up gets longer and longer.

Oh, and the general OP point- I find at my age I need a very long warm-up to stand any chance of not going into the red zone and then pop very quickly.

Age Distance Index (vs 20's age group)

So whilst I am sure there is a decline - even though I started late enough to still be improving - racecraft and natural ability will still see some of the 50+ vets beating me in races with relative ease.

As for warm ups - I like to cycle the 10 miles to the race, just to turn the legs over. It certainly helps in the E123 races. In the vets, we are more sedate starting off as a rule, although two of us did attack on the first lap one race this season 😈 . I had one race in Brighton where I knew I could not go with the organised team from Crawley who got away on the first lap. Second race, I took my rollers 😉

There are a few 40+ roadies I know around Bristol that are winning races in elite 1/2/3 races

bloody hell oldgit you're probably doing yourself a mischief that may surface at any moment!

It's really hard to make yourself remember to drink, even though I know it's not good.

2) swimmers don't draft,

Eh? Yeah they do!

It's really hard to make yourself remember to drink

I'd like to think I'm in the majority when I say I don't agree, I just pick up my bottle when I need it.

Thing is I never feel I need it, and it's down there and the golden rule is never look down at the bike. Sometimes I might stop, then see it and think to have a sip.

I always use one when on the turbos between sessions, and I swig one before a race.

Thought this was Singletrack world ? Not cycling news!

Don't get ya?

I like the age posts as they're relevant to me. And this post has been contributed to by XC'ers, CX'ers, enduro riders and roadies. As you get older the peer group gets smaller so this tripe is great.

Just looked at this. V interesting thread. I'm nearing 40, and generally just ride a bit, and enter xc or endurance races when I'm feeling fit. I'm not fast though, so have now set myself the task of getting quick enough to be useful in vets xc when I'm 40. I'm fully aware that there is a massive gulf between where I am now in open and vets, so I've got to really knuckle down and make some improvements.

Thought this was Singletrack world ? Not cycling news!

We think it's past your bedtime now off you pop, sweet gnarly enduro dreams 😈

It's been one of the most informative posts for a long time.

I'm making sure I'm riding events that I want to get in whilst I'm capable of it, but the vets racing is super competitive, but a massive spread of ability.

@Oldgit Are you a Garmin Edge user? If so, just set yourself an alarm every however long. I leave my 30 minute alarm on all the time as its a useful unit of time for loads of reasons when training or racing.

Thought this was Singletrack world ? Not cycling news!

A couple of years ago, the median age on this site was 45 years. And it was a pretty big sample too!

njee, from that study there was no drafting - it was single timed pool swim submitted independently. The most interesting part was this 😉

However, in absolute numbers, total swimmers participating in the 1 h swim peaked in the 40–49 year age group and then declined very significantly thereafter

So it really is swimmingtrackworld.

Interesting thread this….

I come from Ex Semi Pro Roadie who chucked the bike in a skip and not touched one for 15yrs, went competitive sailing then got into riding again a few years back (due to an Ex Teamate). I’m in my mid 40’s....

Back then training was every other night, 2 nights at 90% HRMax, 1 night 4hr group ride, Saturday would be another intensive session, Sunday Race. Did OK, held a very demanding job down, eat very well and hydrated very well too, no beer, wasn’t really into it back then, slept like a baby.

Anyhoos, started playing on bikes again, competitive spirit kicked back in but vowed never to compete in Races. Riding intensity grew, I started to track my rides, which became home training sessions, lost some weight and ended up where I am now. I’m starting to compete in CX races, I figure these short Races will not make me train like a loony nor spend all my time on the bloody bike. I’m now doing this lark for fun, if it gets too serious I’m jacking it all back in again.

Getting a training regime and tracking training log will help no end. I use a HRM and Cadence meter, have sessions for specific targets and log em’ all down. I use the method “If I can’t be arsed, soft pedal/go home/do something else” and not beat myself up for it neither. I use both CX’er and Roadie for training, prefer Roadie for longer distance endurance, CX’er for intense 1-2hr Hacks (though I’m using the CX’er for longer distance stuff too now)

Stress I don’t need nor want, I am doing this for fun I keep telling myself. However it seems I’ve lost none of my competitive spirit so have morphed into training sessions easily. I seem to like pushing myself, seem to want to do better.

Overriding focus for me now is do it for fun.

I have noticed I’m better at longer distance CX events, short high intensive Races and I blow, combination of finding myself back in a pack and probably not pacing myself but it’s early days, of the three CX races I’ve entered recently I’ve ended up mid pack which has surprised me but the fast lads are off in the distance. The long events and I’m right up there, top 10%. This is where my skills lie and I’m much happier with that so I’m targeting the longer distance stuff first now with the short CX races second and for a bit of fun.. how long this lasts I don’t know, I may end up training specifically for these who knows, I’ll review it after next Spring.

I’m never entering a Roadie race ever again, had my fill of that thank you very much.

Not sure if that lot is of any help other than track/log your sessions, use whatever means you can to log HR/Cadence/Distance and target specific training sessions into short intensive and longer distance endurance training.

Clearly some folks like mates to train with, me I’m a loner, see what method suits you.

Got to the big four o last Feb and I'm fitter than I've ever been. Only started road riding in earnest since August last year (mtbing for over 14 years though) and like a few others have mentioned the longer I ride the faster I seem to get, a real slow burner. Done a few sportives (ok I know it's not racing but they are timed and I always try and do my best) and notice all the people who set off at the same time as me and disappear at the start I always catch and pass from half way onwards. The Fred whit this year is a case in point. The last 20 odd miles (which included Hardknott and Wrynose passes) I felt strong as an Ox, really flying along even somehow managing a couple of Kom's near the end. There's deffinatly something in as you get older your endurance increases.

@Oldgit Are you a Garmin Edge user? If so, just set yourself an alarm every however long. I leave my 30 minute alarm on all the time as its a useful unit of time for loads of reasons when training or racing.

Got one in my drawer and just set it to 10km alarms, cheers. Now I just have to remember to fit the Garmin to make me remember to drink 😐

Oldgit in all your posts you manage to give the impression that you really don't enjoy riding at all, that it's something to be endured, bounded by a set of strict rules to which you must adhere. Is it just me? Why do you do it...?

Good thread.

I have cycled all of my life (joined a club at about 11 years old). I have raced on and off during my youth/adulthood and have got back into competitive cycling recently.

As with most comments above, warm-up is critical and the balls out start to races is always a struggle but as the race goes on I get stronger and stronger. That is why I find track league tough, there is usually a single formation lap and then you are flat out. I tend to spend most of a track league meeting on the rollers just ticking over.

I find in a CX race that I start to pick quite a few riders off as the race goes on.

I think the key is to keep riding all year around. The older you get the quicker it is to lose fitness and the longer it takes to get it back. Commuting is my mainstay and keeps me relatively fit. I try to do one 50 mile ride at the weekends and another 30 miler if I can fit one in. During the winter I will do the club turbo sessions and maybe some track league and the occasional cx race.

I race for enjoyment now so do not target doing the whole series of any races. I just do them ad-hoc.

I did a couple of time trials this year and will try to do a few more next year. I had an illness about 18 months ago and have really struggled to get my strength back. I have considered weight training, I would be interested in any over 40s who have weight trained to gain strength for riding - has it helped? What specifically did you do?

Push-ups have been my standard exercise for years, easy to do anywhere and anytime. Lots of different ways of doing them. Recently started to do some kettlebell exercises, I am poor at doing static exercise for the sake of it though.

I think the key is to keep riding all year around. The older you get the quicker it is to lose fitness and the longer it takes to get it back.

Agreed on the latter part of this but it depends what events you want to do and when in the season. If I want to peak next August I couldn't carry on training without a break because I would either become exhausted or not train at the required intensity to improve. So I've taken 3 weeks off.

I'll have lost anaerobic power but that's not an issue as winter is base phase for me so I'd have lost it anyhow. I'm now climbing up the walls wanting to get out on the bike so am motivated for cold wet and dark training hours.

So my take on it is that you get older you have to get [u]more[/u] not less scientific to get gains and minimise the risk of pointless overtraining at the wrong time.

I'm now climbing up the walls wanting to get out on the bike so am motivated for cold wet and dark training hours.

That for me was a massive thing. I use to take October off, because it meant come 1st November, when it was cold and wet and shit, I was desperate to go out for a nice long ride, that enthusiasm carries you through until December, then it's Christmas, then it starts getting lighter again!

Interesting reading about hydration, i work on the theory of drink lots on the ride to help with recovery and the next ride. Also i always take protein after a long ride, even if its just a peanut butter sandwich.
At 52 it takes me 20 miles to get warmed up then i can hold the pace like a diesel engine. I have taken up pilates this year and has made a massive difference to core fitness and posture damaged by 40+ years over dropped bars!
The biggest difference for me now is mental strength, i know how hard i can push myself and am comfortable with suffering.

Aren't there physiological changes that take place around your 40s? I think there's quite a drop off in the production of HGH and that does impact recovery.Aren't there physiological changes that take place around your 40s? I think there's quite a drop off in the production of HGH and that does impact recovery.

All sorts of bits start dropping off when you get to 40 🙁 Been to the doctors more times since I turned 40 that the rest of my life put together , 47 now.

Still am am as fit as I ever have been, the main issue is recovering from injury takes forever.

Train hard but rest hard as well, those rest days really matter.

I have considered weight training, I would be interested in any over 40s who have weight trained to gain strength for riding - has it helped? What specifically did you do?

I turbo twice a week, and finish off my session with loose weights. It's just made up stuff and a combination of lifting and stretching with weights. Good for the bones and core.

Should mention a bike fit I had some time back. I was sort of stuck in the position I rode in thirty odd years ago. Of course my core had weakened and I was wasting huge amounts of energy just supporting myself on the bike. Gone a bit more upright, and in turn found extra speed this year.

http://smilerbiker.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/wattbike-powerfit.html

Good stuff on this thread now - wasn't expecting so many replies. Based on stw mag content I thought that most riders were middle aged, won't be known to be training and are just out being gnarly on a 160 fs. Seems there's quite a few putting in a structure to their riding to form training for either racing or just plain riding fast.

Recovery is definetly an equally important element to my training now but I think I poorly manage it. I find my riding time is limited now with young kids, so my riding tends to be flat out until I get back to the door trying to maximise my time at speed. I do find energy drinks with protein, like accelerade, beneficial to my recovery. It's expensive to use energy drinks all the time so have been trying squash instead, hoping that when things get heated it'll be the turbo boost, but it hasn't worked as slow training equals slow racing.

Interested that there's been little mention of weights/gym work. I'd rather be on my bike than in the gym with mirror boys and the chat club and so try big gear seated stuff and rigid SS for leg and upper body work outs. I do appreciate that core strength and suppleness are key to good posture to prevent fatigue and reduce sprains when crashing.

The variations in training intensity, duration etc seems the same as any age group ie tailor it to your goals. As has been mentioned, seems the 3 week rota is worthy, being aware of not feeling it so not busting yourself because the schedule says so, but equally make the most of opportunities when they arise and being regular ish whatever the weather.

At 43 racing cx vets is the best racing I've ever done, slightly serious enough to hurt a bit and make it worthwhile but not daft serious. Quite jolly in fact. I ride 30 mins each way commute and chuck in 3 short turbo sessions a week. That's it - usually finish a third of the way down the field. Picking a discipline and sticking to it helped no end - with cx generally no point on doing base building rides of 4 hours and its pretty easy to squeeze in 30-40 mins on the turbo. The sharp end of a race is a whole different matter however...

I had my first ever abandon from a fast club run today. 70km in and my legs went from heavy to dead within minutes.
My breathing was poor from the start, I felt really fine, but I couldn't get a lung full.
Is it possible to just ride on legs alone?

Reason I'm posting is that I'm such a ludite I don't know what to do because this is new to me.
What would you do? I'm racing Saturday.

Stop riding, sounds like fatigue to me.

Don't be tempted to get on a bike at all this week, lay off it, eat/drink slightly more than you would normally and get lots of sleep..

IMO of course..

That's what I 'feel' is right.

Probably not what you will actually do though 🙂