I am a 65 year old former amateur bike racer. I began at 17 and stopped at about 21 or so. I returned to racing when I was 30 but only did so for about a year. Then I began racing again at 43 and stopped at 46 after a crash that injured my spine. Since, I have continued to ride the very same training routes I have always done. However, I can no longer climb. No matter how many climbs I do, I cannot gain a significant improvement. I am 6' 2" 170 to 176 lbs depending on the time of the year. I also can no longer sustain power on the pedals, FTP, for a mile or so. But, I can ride anywhere from 20 to 80 miles without suffering. But, I do require naps afterwards. I cannot sleep through the night because I have to urinate in the middle of the night, then have trouble returning to slumber. I am now retired so I will have more time this year to ride more often. I am here to report that at 65, I do expect to continue on until I am 70. some where in between, I will discover the limitation of aging on my ability to ride steep climbs on long distance rides. I do worry that I may not get enough sleep to obtain the benefits you discussed and am thankful for this information.
Thx so much for that detailed and really interesting summary your experience. Glad the info was useful. I hear what you’re saying about sleep interruption as you age. Keep in touch & keep riding.
Life is about maximising potential, there are no limits, as we age, giving your body the best possible chance to execute its full potential is an addictive trait.....love this 40+ Fitness. Go Hard, Rest Well and Maximise what God gave you.... 7 hours and most productive in the morning, early bird catches the worm
68 here and been back into cycling for the last 36 years. This book has become my personal "bible" as it has improved my understanding of the changes happening to my mind and body. Phil's most interesting point is that for the first time in human existence individuals are staying athletically fit in significant numbers into old age, which is giving doctors and scientists new data they never saw as trainees. I've bought the book as a 60th birthday present for my brother who is overweight, unfit, has had three ablations and is about to retire.
Thx for getting in touch. Yes it’s a great read and inspirational for us all. Keep riding and I hope you like the workouts too. Pls do keep the comments coming!
Interesting. But where I live, in the Chilterns, it's difficult to avoid my heart rate increasing to 180bpm on hills. I'm 58. What I did find, a couple of years ago, was that, because I love cycling so much,, I was doing over120 miles a week (with a lot of elevation gains) and doing most of it fasted. I felt great doing it, but now I think I should have rested more. And nourished myself more. I wouldn't do that now. Now, I eat more and I do resistance training 4 days a week, with about 50 miles cycling over a week. And I've lost loads of weight! Edited to add: cycling is still my favourite thing. I wouldn't want to live without it.
I am a 65 year old former amateur bike racer. I began at 17 and stopped at about 21 or so. I returned to racing when I was 30 but only did so for about a year. Then I began racing again at 43 and stopped at 46 after a crash that injured my spine. Since, I have continued to ride the very same training routes I have always done. However, I can no longer climb. No matter how many climbs I do, I cannot gain a significant improvement. I am 6' 2" 170 to 176 lbs depending on the time of the year. I also can no longer sustain power on the pedals, FTP, for a mile or so. But, I can ride anywhere from 20 to 80 miles without suffering. But, I do require naps afterwards. I cannot sleep through the night because I have to urinate in the middle of the night, then have trouble returning to slumber. I am now retired so I will have more time this year to ride more often. I am here to report that at 65, I do expect to continue on until I am 70. some where in between, I will discover the limitation of aging on my ability to ride steep climbs on long distance rides. I do worry that I may not get enough sleep to obtain the benefits you discussed and am thankful for this information.
Thx so much for that detailed and really interesting summary your experience. Glad the info was useful. I hear what you’re saying about sleep interruption as you age. Keep in touch & keep riding.
Life is about maximising potential, there are no limits, as we age, giving your body the best possible chance to execute its full potential is an addictive trait.....love this 40+ Fitness. Go Hard, Rest Well and Maximise what God gave you....
7 hours and most productive in the morning, early bird catches the worm
Great book, reading it for the second time & gaining more insight to support my continued journey in cycling as a 60 + year old individual.
68 here and been back into cycling for the last 36 years. This book has become my personal "bible" as it has improved my understanding of the changes happening to my mind and body. Phil's most interesting point is that for the first time in human existence individuals are staying athletically fit in significant numbers into old age, which is giving doctors and scientists new data they never saw as trainees. I've bought the book as a 60th birthday present for my brother who is overweight, unfit, has had three ablations and is about to retire.
Thx for getting in touch. Yes it’s a great read and inspirational for us all. Keep riding and I hope you like the workouts too. Pls do keep the comments coming!
Great interview. The common sense part was very good
Interesting. But where I live, in the Chilterns, it's difficult to avoid my heart rate increasing to 180bpm on hills. I'm 58.
What I did find, a couple of years ago, was that, because I love cycling so much,, I was doing over120 miles a week (with a lot of elevation gains) and doing most of it fasted. I felt great doing it, but now I think I should have rested more. And nourished myself more. I wouldn't do that now.
Now, I eat more and I do resistance training 4 days a week, with about 50 miles cycling over a week. And I've lost loads of weight!
Edited to add: cycling is still my favourite thing. I wouldn't want to live without it.
Great story Alice - thx for sharing. Yes rest & diet are super important. Keep riding and keep watching.