I used to really enjoy bike riding, but despite buying a really nice bike about four years ago, I found that taking the dogs for an hour's walk AND taking a bicycle ride was just too exhausting. So the dog walks took priority and today, while musing over the reality that I turn 82 in 2 days, made me leave the dogs home and go for a bike ride. Of course the tires were close to zero air pressure, and I had to brush a bit of dust off the bike, but I got out for a short 25 minute, 4 mile ride. The hardest part of this was getting on and off the bike. Swinging my leg over the seat is rough for me, and has been ever since I had my knees replaced 20 years ago. But I found that if I lay the bicycle down on the ground and step over it, then pick up the bike under me, it works just fine for getting on and off. Although I was more tired from this short ride than I expected to be, it felt good to go for the ride. Not as much fun as on the motorcycle, but a lot better exercise for my heart and gut. Now I have to think about what I want to treat myself to as a birthday present to myself.
First bicycle ride in about two years
- Thread starter vito
- Start date
epags
Single-Sixer
vito posted: " but I got out for a short 25 minute, 4 mile ride."
Well, you were peddling @ 10 miles and hour. Not bad.
Well, you were peddling @ 10 miles and hour. Not bad.
We used to rent bikes whenever we went to FL, and ride through the fort and/or local parks. Lots of fun.
Then I bought one and realized that home is nowhere near as flat as FL.
Unfortunately I did not get all my money out of it when I sold it. Lol
Then I bought one and realized that home is nowhere near as flat as FL.
Unfortunately I did not get all my money out of it when I sold it. Lol
OP
While I usually do time every ride, and every walk with the dogs, this time I did not. The 25 minutes might be off a couple of minutes. My guess is that I was riding at about a 9 mph pace, or maybe even as slow as 8 mph. When I was riding regularly, just a few years back, I strived at maintaining a 12 mph pace, but that is probably too much for me now even if I worked at it.
Yaworski
Hawkeye
I haven't ridden a bike in about 25 years. Back in the 90s, I took up cycling as a form of exercise and way to get around town without a car.
When I first started up, I told my wife "I'll be back in about an hour." I was back in less than a half hour totally exhausted. Before I gave up cycling because of a knee injury, I was going out on weekends with my son and riding half centuries and centuries.
I miss cycling. I also miss being young and thin.
When I first started up, I told my wife "I'll be back in about an hour." I was back in less than a half hour totally exhausted. Before I gave up cycling because of a knee injury, I was going out on weekends with my son and riding half centuries and centuries.
I miss cycling. I also miss being young and thin.
OP
Even though I was a career Army officer when I was young, I was never in really good shape. Being in the medical service corps and being an officer in those days, I could get away with being in poor shape as long as I didn't appear to be overweight (which I wasn't). I was a heavy smoker and that kept me from doing much without feeling exhausted. Then at 36 I was able to quit my 2-3 pack a day habit and took up running to try to get into shape. At first I barely made it less than a quarter of a mile before stopping to throw up. But within weeks I was doing a slow two mile jog. And it didn't take long for me to get up to 4 to6 miles a day at about an 8 minute, 30 second pace. By age 39 I was in the best shape of my life, running 10K races in sub 43 minutes and a few half marathons at respectable pace.
Then I had quintuple coronary bypass and that slowed me down for awhile. Then when I returned to running, my knees started going out on me. Twenty years ago, at age 62 I had bilateral knee replacements (one prosthetic appears to be failing me now). But biking became my substitute for running (which I actually loved, I think because it made me feel good about myself) and skiing, things I could no longer do with my fake knees.
Now, a short bike ride and/or a walk with my dogs is about the most exercise that I do. Over the years I've added over 40 pounds to my younger running weight, and I hate being this way. But maybe I don't hate it enough to give up eating the foods that I enjoy, like donuts and cinnamon buns. As many here understand, as we age we lose certain capabilities, including some that when younger seemed to be the only ones that mattered, so eating tasty foods is one of the few true pleasures that I still can indulge in. And riding my 3 wheel motorcycle.
I guess that all of us have a challenge with accepting our aging bodies, and the reality of our mortality, and I am no exception. I recall a quote by Woody Allen when he was asked if he hoped to achieve immortality through his films. He answered, "No, I hope to achieve immortality by never dying". I totally understand that sentiment.
Then I had quintuple coronary bypass and that slowed me down for awhile. Then when I returned to running, my knees started going out on me. Twenty years ago, at age 62 I had bilateral knee replacements (one prosthetic appears to be failing me now). But biking became my substitute for running (which I actually loved, I think because it made me feel good about myself) and skiing, things I could no longer do with my fake knees.
Now, a short bike ride and/or a walk with my dogs is about the most exercise that I do. Over the years I've added over 40 pounds to my younger running weight, and I hate being this way. But maybe I don't hate it enough to give up eating the foods that I enjoy, like donuts and cinnamon buns. As many here understand, as we age we lose certain capabilities, including some that when younger seemed to be the only ones that mattered, so eating tasty foods is one of the few true pleasures that I still can indulge in. And riding my 3 wheel motorcycle.
I guess that all of us have a challenge with accepting our aging bodies, and the reality of our mortality, and I am no exception. I recall a quote by Woody Allen when he was asked if he hoped to achieve immortality through his films. He answered, "No, I hope to achieve immortality by never dying". I totally understand that sentiment.
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
Wife and I stopped riding a couple years ago. Two painful on our backsides even with padded underwear. I sold all my vintage BMX bikes but the wife is hanging on to hers.
I was recently commissioned to clean up and service this 1981 Mongoose and sell it. Only new parts are tires and tubes. These are nickel plated so that's why it cleaned up well. Before and after.
I was recently commissioned to clean up and service this 1981 Mongoose and sell it. Only new parts are tires and tubes. These are nickel plated so that's why it cleaned up well. Before and after.
protoolman
Service-Sixer
My wife and I have used Trek mountain bikes. Very comfortable and easy to ride.
Nice job motivating yourself vito!
The benefits of zone 2 (and the occasional venture over zone 2) excersize cannot be overstated.
A "smart" watch is a great way to keep track of what's going on inside you, both in real time and tracking over time.
MTB has a great way to have fun staying in shape for my equestrian and hunting persuits.
ETA: Kinda funny that while lessoning the use of electronic monitoring on the horses, it plays an increasing role in my fitness persuits.
The benefits of zone 2 (and the occasional venture over zone 2) excersize cannot be overstated.
A "smart" watch is a great way to keep track of what's going on inside you, both in real time and tracking over time.
MTB has a great way to have fun staying in shape for my equestrian and hunting persuits.
ETA: Kinda funny that while lessoning the use of electronic monitoring on the horses, it plays an increasing role in my fitness persuits.
Happy birthday, Vito.
I don’t run or ride anymore. In fact, I barely can get over a fast walk and not for very long.
I don’t run or ride anymore. In fact, I barely can get over a fast walk and not for very long.
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
Did I mention I got $700 for the Mongoose the way it sat in the second pic above? I split the money in my favor with the owner.
