Calling All Cycling Enthusiasts...

Jace

Jace

Well-known Member
Have you been a cyclist 🚲 most of your life?

But, now that 'you're older'... it's different!

And you'd like to continue...

Ever Consider? 🤔....a recumbent road cycle....(TRI [3wheel] cycle) 🛵

Specialized bikes are ridden by Enthusiasts all over the world.

How ' bout you?
 

I just took up bike riding. I finally got tired of running and decided that I needed a change to something else, but something that would get my breathing and heartbeat up and yet also use my leg (calf) muscles. I have started out with 3 miles, but would like to push it to doing 5-miles per day. Time goes fast on a bike. Right now, I have very sore ankles, but have decided to keep working them. I couldn't believe how the price of bikes have gone up.
 
I have been a cyclist for many many years, I'm 61 now. I say if the only way you can continue riding is by using a recumbent then go for it.

Personally though I wouldn't do it, at least not on the road. They are just too low to the ground, I don't even like riding next to one when I'm on my road bike.

Some of my older friends have moved onto electric assisted bikes, I kind of like them. They are still peddling but getting some help, and they can chose different modes for riding conditions. I ride occasionally with a retired group and several riders are into their seventies and the one guy is 83 I believe. The electric assist is the only way they can still enjoy the sport.
 
Pinky said:
We bought our daughter's fancy schmancy Nordic Track S22i exercise bicycle from her. It has a computer screen and emulates uphill cycling, etc.

Safer than being out on the roads in our busy neighbourhood.
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Oh, I thought the OP was talking about bike riding on the roads, which is what I do. I live in area where there is very light traffic and we have bike lanes, as well. I have noticed that there are a few crackpots on the road that like to ride close to me when I am peddling. I make every attempt to ride to as near to the curb as possible, yet some seem that they have to try to see how close they can get to me before hitting me. If anyone ever does hit me, they better hope that they have dog-gone good insurance.
 
I have a Trek Antelope which I have had for lots of years. The last place I lived I could go two blocks and be in the woods, but it's all town here and not much fun.
 
When I lived in Montana, I had a mountain bike, road bike, and recumbent. I rode my recumbent most of the time. If you think a recumbent is some old fogey contraption, you need to rethink that. They make some three wheeler recumbents that might aid geriatrics with balance issues, but the common two wheel recumbents lend themselves to long rides.

I averaged 40 miles a day, 7 days a week, and sometimes I did 60 or 70 miles in almost relaxing comfort. They are hard to get used to, low to the ground, and they look odd, but they serve a purpose which appeals to many young but serious bikers. Once you adapt, they are very comfortable. Being close to the ground was not a problem for me. You are leaning back, so instead of having to strain to look forward, you are naturally looking ahead and up at the scenery.

I always had the feeling I was seeing a lot more of my environment when I was on my recumbent. But I think what was happening was that I was just straining less to see what was there.
 
Jace said:
Have you been a cyclist 🚲 most of your life?
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Yep, rode my bike to school most every day from 1st to 10th grades, living in Florida made that possible.
Jace said:
But, now that 'you're older'... it's different!
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Yeah, I have a much nicer bike that very effectively fills a corner of the garage. Every time I see it I think I should get out on it more.
Jace said:
Ever Consider? 🤔....a recumbent road cycle....(TRI [3wheel] cycle)
Click to expand...
No, but maybe I should...
 
I have a TREK bike from the '90s... from what I remember it's the same model @Chet has. Back then, when I used to ride, there was a lot less traffic. I'd go on some long rides and do some mountain biking. The world was much more attractive back then with the rural peacefulness contrasted with interesting urban activities. Now those areas are nothing but urban sprawl and people, cars, and noise, and I'm much older than most people I see when I'm out. That's a big factor contributing to my lack of interest in trying to be a part of any of those activities. I like being at home.

That said, I do ride a stationary recumbent bike a few times a week for the aerobic workout. I seem to sleep better as a result.
 
I am not a pro cyclist but I always had it in my life. I like riding it now because I have more time which I can spend on something great and healthy. I remember the time how my granddad taught me how to ride a bike and I want to be good granny who can teach grandson to ride it
 
I learned how to ride a two-wheeler in Brockton, Mass. when our family was visiting one of my Dad's ole' Army buddy's family.
 
Jace said:
And, for "you" bike enthusiasts.....

Do you know the difference between a well-dressed bicyclist
and a poorly dressed unicyclist?

Attire :D
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This reminds me of a local guy I see from time-to-time.......

First time I saw him on his unicycle he was stepping off every 20 feet. . Well he stuck with it, and less than a year later ...... he would go flying by. And, he could stop for the stop sign for several seconds , and keep balance .

He doesn't know it but , he is my new hero !!
 
oldman said:
Oh, I thought the OP was talking about bike riding on the roads, which is what I do. I live in area where there is very light traffic and we have bike lanes, as well. I have noticed that there are a few crackpots on the road that like to ride close to me when I am peddling. I make every attempt to ride to as near to the curb as possible, yet some seem that they have to try to see how close they can get to me before hitting me. If anyone ever does hit me, they better hope that they have dog-gone good insurance.
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Tie a pool noddle to the rear of you bike seat, so it projects 3 feet to the left of you. A visual reminder for car drivers to "stay away from me ". A bright neon green or yellow one for visibility. The noodle is flexible so if it is touched by anything it will bend, then go back to it's original shape. Cheap, but effective. Try it. JimB.
 
Rode bikes growing up, and in my 20s and 30s. Later, switched to indoor bicycling. Now, I can't even think about bicycling outside because if I fall, I would probably be paralyzed (my neurologist told me that if I fell again, that would happen to me). So I have been careful.
 
You don't see so many bikes on the streets these days. People are riding e-scooters more and more, which actually look like they're kind of fun to ride.
 
I am going to take a trip and visit my daughter in the Netherlands next month. Because the cities there are so old, the streets are very narrow and some places it is easier to get there with a bike than a car. I love riding a bike, but I am almost 78 now, and my balance is bad; so I just can’t ride one anymore.
Robin got a smart bike called and Easy Go for me to ride when I am there. It is kind of in between a mobility scooter and an adult trike, and can be ridden as either a scooter or with using the pedals as a bike. It has an electric assist that can help out when needed, and was designed for seniors who can no longer ride a bike.
Here is a short video showing a lady who has had a stroke and also has other heart and health issues. She has been pretty much confined to her home but now that she has the Easy Go, she can get out for exercise, and visiting people again. (It has English subtitles)

 
Happyflowerlady said:
I am going to take a trip and visit my daughter in the Netherlands next month. Because the cities there are so old, the streets are very narrow and some places it is easier to get there with a bike than a car. I love riding a bike, but I am almost 78 now, and my balance is bad; so I just can’t ride one anymore.
Robin got a smart bike called and Easy Go for me to ride when I am there. It is kind of in between a mobility scooter and an adult trike, and can be ridden as either a scooter or with using the pedals as a bike. It has an electric assist that can help out when needed, and was designed for seniors who can no longer ride a bike.
Here is a short video showing a lady who has had a stroke and also has other heart and health issues. She has been pretty much confined to her home but now that she has the Easy Go, she can get out for exercise, and visiting people again. (It has English subtitles)

Click to expand...
The Netherlands are a VERY flat country, which lends it's self to bike riding. Plus they get a generally mild winter season, too. Where I live in Toronto, we have many miles of segregated bike lanes( with a curb divider to keep cars away from the bike riders ) on main roads, plus a city wide bike path called the Martin Goodman Trail that runs for over 20 miles alongside the shore of Lake Ontario. By December only the true hard core bike riders are still out there pedaling through the snow and ice on the bike paths, which are not cleared by the city plows. JimB.
 
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