[Closed] what age do you give up cycling ?

56 and not contemplating giving up till I croak

is this a joke?

I gave up when I was 34

29 in my case. 🙁

45 in August...never loved it as much.

simonfbarnes - Member

56 and not contemplating giving up till I croak

t®ibal©hief - Member

is this a joke?

No I think he really is 56 😯

Jeez, I got dropped by a 65 year old a few years back on the road and I was still pretty fit then...

50 and planning great things*

*and at a push can burn off my mates mid twenties sons

MrFC is 42 in March. The day he packs in cycling will signal the end of the world as I know it.

Trolltastic!! 8)

god, I hope I never have to give up. As above, there's really old chaps out there who are still fairly sprightly on a bike. I'm only 42 though, perhaps when I'm 45 I'll give it up to play golf.

you only grow old when you stop

Best age to give it up is the day you die.

45 is a mere youth. Get a single speed and start enjoying your bike.

Oh, and by the way, when you get to my age, you have to train hard just to be as crap as you were last year 🙂

When I'm really old and frail I'll get a bike with gears rather than give up.

still fairly [b]sprightly[/b]

why does that word make me want to punch someone ?

I didn't start cycling seriously till I was 45, I'm now 56...

Cos you're a grumpy OLD git, Simon.

Eh? Hold on. You don't give. Not if your a cyclist.
Give up smoking.
Give up boozing if you like.
But give up cycling?
Not possible.

You're only 45 FFS!!!

I'm regularly taking a pasting off blokes in their early 60s. They tell me I can't do it 'cos I'm too young!!!

Give up cycling!!!???!!!

You merchant. You're 'avin a tin!!!

SB 🙂

Dear me 🙄 If you want to be old then be old. I'm too busy having fun to worry about being middle-aged (over 50 here) so point and laugh if you dare 😉

(Agree with sfb on "that" word. Positively demeaning).

THANK YOU ALL 😀

Cos you're a grumpy OLD git, Simon.

I'd [b]way[/b] rather be grumpy than sprightly :o) However most of the time I'm far too busy to be grumpy...

age is irrelevant, carry on until you either don't want to or physically can't, whichever comes first.

Used to play crown green bowls with my grandparents when I was about 10, then took up golf and continued fairly regularly until I was in my mid 30s, moved onto bikes at the age of 43 or so. Slightly worried that if this is to progress I need to look at skiing in my 50s and sky diving in my 60s and neither really appeal.

simonfbarnes - Member

why does that word make me want to punch someone ?

Because you are a violent person who sees physical aggression as an easy solution.

Which is something that I have always suspected.

.....you nasty man you 🙁

Met a guy in his 70's in a pub garden. His very personalised bike caught our attention. My flatmate asked where the chap had cycled to today. He was expecting him to be local and just biking down for an early evening pint.
"Well" says Mr 70's "I haven't been able to cycle as much as I used to. Been helping my son strip out his flooring and replacing it, so not really had the time for the last month or so. Still, its sorted now, so I am back up to about 75 miles a day (recounts staggering route of todays ride), but I have got to do better than that as I am doing a trip with my mates soon and they are from up north and are well hard."

Turns out he went back in to cycling at around 60 and had toured all over the world on the bike we saw with him since re-starting. He was off to tour Europe in later summer with his partner and 2 friends.

He is right about the well hard guys from up north though. I sometimes visit the peak district (north from where I am) and you see these wirey tough looking ancient old guys chugging smartly up a bit of a hill, then you round the bend and realise they are at the top of a multiple mile steep hill they have just roared up. Amazing and wonderful.

ratadog - Member
...Slightly worried that if this is to progress I need to look at skiing in my 50s and sky diving in my 60s and neither really appeal.

So long as you don't take up cordless bungie jumping all should be fine 🙂

Thanks, just to be on the safe side I'll take all forms of bungee jumping off the list.

Because you are a violent person who sees physical aggression as an easy solution.
Which is something that I have always suspected.

there's a lot of difference between [b]wanting[/b] to punch someone and actually doing it 🙂

So long as you don't take up cordless bungie jumping all should be fine

48 here. Still loving it and no ideas of packing it in. At strathpuffer there was a chap in his 70s iirc and I have met a man of 92 who still cycled

I'm 48 and doing ok. The group I've started road riding with have me as the "boy". I think there was one today who was probably younger than me. All the rest (13 of us) are retired or heading that way.

The dad of one of my friends is 75 now. Last year he cycled (and camped 95% of nights) around the UK mainland coast, about 4500 in 3.5 months. He was expecting to do it in 4 months but got ahead of schedule. In 2007 he cycled from the Canadian border down and into Mexico and then back up to LA X to get the plane home. He is a marvel.

I'm 56. Taking my family into the hills is just like organising an STW meet! 🙂

I rode Cycle Oregon last year. A 500 mile week long ride. There were something like 30 guys over 70 riding it. I rode an 80 mile day with this guy. He's 75!

http://picasaweb.google.com/mcmoonter/HoodRiverHarvestRideOR09#5396224828619305682

He said he was thinking of having a T shirt made saying 'If I thought I'd live this long I'd have taken better care of myself'

My mate Len gave up at 82 he was worried about hurting himself. He's 92 now says he wants to start again.

My Mum used to work at Age Concern and there was one chap who would cycle in for his lunch every day on an old steel racer. He was well into his 80s.

So I suppose there's no age that you give up cycling, you give up when you've got no choice. Or like most of my mates you give up when you've got a car.

death

51 here and am planning to finish higher up my age group for this years races and next year i want to do the leadville 100 and get a silver buckle if i can train enough, well i can dream about the buckle anyway. when i worked in a youth hostel years ago loads of old boys would pop in during their weekend tours and n wales and shropshire are not the flatest of areas

simonfbarnes - Member

Cos you're a grumpy OLD git, Simon.

I'd way rather be grumpy than sprightly :o) However most of the time I'm far too busy to be grumpy...

Really? Are you sure? unless being grumpy on here is what you are busy doing I find it hard to believe that you are busy doing anything, you just would not have the time!

I know a bloke comes through my way often, 75, lives in Leeds & regulary heads out upto Thirsk, East Yorkshire Wolds etc.

A mate of mine is 50 now and has no intentions of giving up proper mountain biking.

He has said that he plans to take up golf when he can't throw his leg over a bike though, guessing it will be in his late 60's - early 70's.

im 45 in november,i love trail riding or anything to do with off roading.problem is, that im struggilg a lot more now .tell me is there any 45s or over out there who i can look upto?

Depends how short you are. Am 5' 11"...

...and FFS, I *started* MTBing at 51, get a grip you wuss!

:)))

[b]YOU NEVER GIVE UP[/b]

at one of the mtb duathalons I raced in 2007 there was a chap racing who was 74, he'd taken to mountain biking late after he decided that fell running was getting a bit too much for his knees! I want to be that fit in my 70's please 🙂

45 - don't panic, my gf started at 53, admittedly she only bimbles, (managed Dorset Old Harry Rocks). The very clear evidence on both body and brain is use it or loose it - keep going ...

jedi - Member

you only grow old when you stop

jedi speaks the truth

Age is just a number 😉

Never give up until your legs fall off-then buy a motor cycle...

I gave up cycling when I was 17 and got my drivers license ( riding a bike was no longer cool ) I started cycling again when I was about 30.. I'm 55 now.

Help! Eck! I'm 46 and the other girls I bike with are similar ages, we've never done as much riding. Just break on through the pain, or go to the Dr's. Ride at a sedate pace. Exercise now and you'll benefit later in life. Just don't give it up!

35 now gave up 2 years ago, hips are ****ed.

I'm 50 and I'm still chasing 70 year olds.

Giving up isn't an option, and I still haven't got the bike I want yet.

Vets racing is now a very large scene both mtb and road racing. The number of supervet pairs entered for polaris (combined age >99) is also rather a large field (not quite there yet for us though, still only vets) and shows you are never too old!

On a slightly different view point...

My mate's Gran was never a cyclist in the sports sense, just one of these people who thinks that if you're only travelling a mile or 2 you should ride it. So She was still riding into town on her bike with it's basket well into her 70s and only stopped when she had a stroke.

I was out running with a 58 year old recently and although his training is going well and I am on the way back from a long period off I struggled to keep up (he is an exceptional runner!)
I am 45.

In summary give up when you want to and when it ceases to be come enjoyable.

Fifteen years ago, aged 47, I bought a mountain bike after my climbing partner had a heart attack. I'd an old 'racer' but only used it local. Rather enjoyed the off-road stuff and climbing took a back seat. I'd been mountaineering, rock climbing, fell running & caving since my late teens so this was something new & exciting. Surprisingly back then, well to me, after almost 30 years of 'being out there' my legs had to develop new muscles for cycling. Perhaps if I'd started earlier my knees wouldn't feel so knackered now. As many have said, there are lots of old 'flatbacks' still cycling.

well im 44 this summer..... i got into mtb just 2 years ago... and im getting lots of muscle building going on... i ride my local fells alot here in singletrack area and the hills are killers !.... i think in a few years time i prob get a road bike and keep on going....as long as mu body will let me...

A friend, John Malin, (known as Old John) sent me an email the other day, with a picture of his new Giant Anthem that he had bought (and swapped all his carbon & other lightweight bits across onto). He said...

"it's great, I thought the other one was good but this is much better, not quite as fast on singletrack as the old one but this has more travel and feels safer over the rough stuff, and still climbs well”

75, and still wanting to go fast over the rough stuff. Seventy bloody Five.

I don't understand the question 😕 and as far as middle age is concerned, you know all that fun you've had already? Well you still have it to look forward to all over again, this time with the addition of experience 8)

I'm 65 now and ride on and off road as much as possible including the Marin Rough Ride the last 2 years. Just take each day as it comes and try not to fall off too much!

My Grandad was forced to give up cycling when he was 82 after an altercation with a bus. My Gran said, either you give up the bike or I'll leave you!

Carry on.....

My dad's 71 and still rides and got a pacemaker.

Pix from Saturday > I hope I'm still riding at 71 😯

[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]

We have a customer who rides every day with his girlfriend...... He's 95!

Coming up to 66 and still mtb ing with 30 odd year olds.

Having trouble keeping up though !!

I can't believe such a stupid question got so many replies!! (just turned 46, btw).

[url= http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/28/eiko.irpt/index.html ]Harden[/url] the f¥¢k up

When my knees go I'll get new knees and when my hips go, I'll have a new pair of those as well, ta.
When my balance goes, I'll get a pedal trike, and when my eyes go, I'll get some specs.

Then if my lungs start to pack up, I think I might just get one of these:[img] [/img]

Looks like fun!

Ms S's dad runs fell races for Middleton Harriers - he's 79 and not the oldest regular on the circuit.......

..who said on this thread quote : "depends on how short you are" :
does being SHORT have an effect on age too ? lol
crickey hope i dont shrink anymore cos i just measured me sen t'other day and im 4ft 11 inches.... but i am quite strong too for alittle un'.... you have to be strong with the 'hills' in this area !-you have no choice ! lol

People to look up to ?

Lydia Gould - 54 - [url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydia_Gould ]Lydia[/url]
Mike Ives - [url= http://www.miracing.co.uk/ ]Mick Ives Racing[/url]
Ned Overend - [url= http://www.cyclingdirt.org/videos/coverage/view_video/235237/194287-ned-overend-post-race-xc-nationals ]Dedly Nedly or The Lung[/url]

I'm 54, it takes me longer to warm up (about 14k) but I can still kick a**e.

I once went to the physio, she was training someone, she looked at me and said to her trainee "This lady will be cycling well into her 80s". I thought, "Yup, you bet!"

You can't give up cycling, it isn't possible.

Read this:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/life-style/real-lives/old-boy-racers-get-on-their-bikes-1.931134

And MTFU! 🙂

@Karinofnine

I don't look up to Mick Ives, I just end up looking at his very clean heels.

i used to ride MTB with some fella, Eckhardt, whilst down by the Bavarian Alps just over one year ago.

he used to power up 1000m of climbing on our night rides. he was a little more cautious on the way down, mind.

didn't see him for some weeks. when he did turn up i asked where he'd been. he said he went off cycling the Alps for three weeks as it was his 70th birthday!

he was a bit wrinkly, but 70! i'd have guessed late 50's. top bloke.

45 is middle aged only if you plan on dying young 😉

Met this chap some years ago on a recumbent weekend in oxfordshire - turned out he lived a miles or so away from us:
http://www.aqvm78.dsl.pipex.com/SWLDA/Other/RonBeams/RonBeams.htm

He died a few years ago at 99, I used to regularly see him pedalling one of his recumbents around the area, on one of his trikes he had electric-assist to help with a couple of steep hills.

AFAIA he didn't really take up cycling seriously 'til he'd retired in his earlier 60's.

The oldest competitor at the Strathpuffer was 70. The youngest was 11 pretty 'cradle to grave' stuff if you ask me.

Like someone above said, I'll only give up when I physically can't do it any longer and I will have tried trikes and hand bikes and all sorts before that's the case.

"...give up cycling..."

I'm 58 and I haven't the slightest idea what that means.

45 and getting better, you cant beat experience :wink:Don't get left on the climbs only on the downhills, as long as I enjoy it then I will carry on as long as possible, been out with guys in late 50's who still kane it!

Derek Hodgins is one of the quickest people I know on a bike. I still can't do a 10 quicker than him. He's over 40 yerars my senior (and I'm mid-30s).

[img] [/img]

I'm 67 and didn't start mountain biking until I was 50, but still ride about 2000 miles a year, all mountain/trail riding---plan to keep right on going, albeit a little more carefully with each passing year (a couple broken bones and the occasional stich here and there teaches one that).

Fifty threeeeeeeeeeee. I ride with a lady who is also fifty threeeeeee. We have a combined age of 106.

I'm 49 and just starting out after many years away from a bike. It seems I have MANY years of enjoyment to come!!

Martyn
(in the Scottish Borders)

What a strange question!
I only started cycling into my 40's.
Doing my first solo 24hr race this summer.

It takes more time to recover, & equally, the more time off the bike = more loss of fitness than you'd believe.
Meaning you must keep riding several times a week to maintain the levels of fitness you want.

Go on any Trail Quest and there are guys and gals well into their 50's and 60's overtaking you / me all the time.

Much of it is a state of mind - which makes your original question very, very disturbing.

my dad stopped cycling age 56. He had a Heart Attack and died while out on his bike, was found by a farmer peacefully sitting next to his bike on a country lane. I hope to god I go like that too 🙂