Getting Old ?

kingrollo

Ive never been the greatest cyclist - nor do I have many aspirations to be. being a chronic asthmatic as kid - the fact that I can ride a bike 70 miles pretty easily is acheivement enough for me.
Usually in the summer - I get my average speed up to an average of around 17mph - but this year as we hit the peak of summer i am still grovelling around at 15.5 mph ish - I am hangin on on the club run - and my average speed on my daily commuute has plumetede to embarassing stats which I can't repeat here. I am 48 in a couple of months - and just wonder is it time to just potter around the lanes on my own !

I have tried to analyse the reasons why - and have come up with the following:-

1.An old niggling back problem has returned - whilst I am not in agony - there is a bit of discomfort within the saddle (GP consulted and a jab is on order - god knows when)

2.The wind - there seems to have been a constant head wind for weeks now - I really hate cycling in the wind

3.Lack of miles - well I commutte most days 13 miles roud trip, do about 30 midweek - and about 50 on a sunday (not massive amounts i know - but i do have a hectic family schedule - and work full time)

4.Motivation - don't think so - I mentioned carbon wheels to mrs rollo - and it wasn't a definate no (although farting around at 15mph - might be embarrassing)

5.I am just old !

any suggestions - or performance enhancing drugs

ollyridesfirst

This 15.5 mph average....is that what you look at all the time on your bike computer or is it the actual average at the end of the ride? If that is at the end of the ride then it always looks bad, because of slowing for traffic lights, roundabouts, other road users, slight climbs etc.

Are you hanging on to the back of the club run? Or are you struggling when it's your turn up front? There's a lot less wind resistance when sliding around the middle or the back, so this should help quite a lot and get your average speed up (albeit with the help of a wind break in front of you).

Are you getting enough energy before and during your rides? I went out with a couple of mates a few weeks ago and after about 65 miles of the 80 mile route, the guy we normally call the terminator was absolutely dead.....we literally had to let him draft the last 15 miles at 16 mph! That was simply down to him not eating enough on the ride.....could be a factor!

nochekmate

Don't write yourself off at 48 for Christ's sake.

I'm 48 in a couple of weeks time and we all have our own limitations on the physical front, some of which may be limited by demands elsewhere re: family/work/time etc.

I am setting myself targets for next year (I'd like to get close to or under 1 hour for a 25 miles ride - did 1 hour 14 for just under 26 miles on road bike solo with non TT set-up on a loop with undulations - was not racing but working hard) Some way to go to find 10-12 mins but a target nevertheless.

There are plenty of guys older than me on club rides who can still drop me when they choose, so we've got time yet. Also an asthmatic, but have some aerobic background with 3hr 15 min marathon running.

Just enjoy the fact that you will be fitter and healthier than many others of our age. (My asthma is also much improved since cycling more).

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/92228710

Zoomer37

Crikey mate, pick your chin up! Your 48 not 148.

I know a couple of riders well in fifties who would demolish most people if they were trying to keep up with them. Dont use your age as an excuse. If you want to be faster on your bike, learn to ride faster. Get fitter.

Appreciate you may have hectic family schedules, but most of us are busy people so I guess you'll need to find more time from somewhere (if you really want to) to ride and improve more. Why not sign up for a local sportive? Get focused on something to train for.

Dont give up. Stop thinking about it so much and just enjoy being out on your bike

Keith1983

Don't forget to wear as much lycra as possible and buy as many bits for your bike with the word carbon in as you possibly can!

On a serious note, you may be past what is medically your physical peak but there are plenty of examples of tremendously fit people your age. I'm sure with the righ ttraining and dedication you can get where you want to be!

Monty Dog

48 certainly isn't an age to be considering to take it easy - there are plenty of people going just as fast, if not faster at your age than they did in their 20s. For example, Ian Cammish just set a new PB for 50 miles at 50! I race vets roadraces (LVRC) and expect most of the guys would laugh if you suggested they were too old at 48. The A/B races are often tougher and longer than many 3rd/4th cat road races.

It might be worth setting some longer-term goals and develop some strategies to deal with your back condition, fitness and riding goals to help break-out of the rut. Seeking medical advice and perhaps enrolling in a gym programme to help build up your core muscles will help stabilise your core and give you a good base to work from.

As you get older, stamina isn't the problem but you need to work harder at the speed. Doing, shorter more intense efforts will bring on your speed rather than just 'getting the miles in' - but doing speed work without a good foundation could be a problem. Remember, your do this for enjoyment, it ain't purgatory!

Peddle Up!

You're a long way from fogeydom! Good advice about, especially getting some all-round exercise to build up your fitness. The wind has been a factor in slowling me down this year, but on quieter (i.e. normal) days I'm on my usual form.

Pseudonym

Malcolm Elliott - nuff said.

blackhands

How about Dennis Milsom

http://www.vtta.org.uk/newsite/php/Records.php

squired

If you are at your physical peak (like a pro sportsman) you are likely to see your performance tail off as you get old. However, for most of us mortals we aren't at that peak. The gap to what we can achieve may decrease as we age, but in most cases there will be room for improvement.

raymondo60

I'm 50 and I am fitter now than I was at 40 - possibly even fitter than I was at 30. I did suffer a serious knee injury last year that required major surgery (the injury was NOT cycling related) and it has taken me six months to get back in the saddle full time, but I feel great now and am back at the sort of travel and average speed times from before my operation. I think you just have to ride as much as you can, as long as you want to and are enjoying it. Also, I see cycling as a pro-active way of keeping my age under control. I don't try to deny the passage of time and I don't try to ride like a 25-year old, but I do find the challenge of maintaining and improving performance to be an enjoyable one.

Don't give up - get on ya bike!

unixnerd

48 isn't old, I'm 43 and I've never been anything like as fit as I am right now. I know a guy who's 68 and still does century runs at a good pace.

Try a more upright stem on the bike to give your back a rest.

RowCycle

Wind

Rich Hcp

I'm 46 in three weeks, I'm fitter than I've ever been.

My average is about 15.5-16, whatever i dio, so i accept that that is the pace I have.

My left leg isn't strong, never has been, never wil be and I'm happy with my average.

I can run at that speed for ages, I did my first century last year, average? You guessed it 15 mph

This year i've been MTBing with friends, I'm slow on the ups and not too bad on the flat as long as its not too rough because I can't put my left leg down be cause its not strong enough to push off again.

Anyway, the point I'm making is at the end of the second day the guys who were generally stronger than me were slow on the road section at then end and knackered, I could have sped along in the road bit, no problem. We stuck together because they'd been good enough to wait for me before.

I had much better stamina than them and although my pace isn't fast, I can keep it going for a long time.

There's more to it than average speed.

So, you're not old and past it!

reacher

yes m8 you are old and getting older by the day , as your body ages it loses muscle , you should look at other ways of training to compliment your cycling if you are regressing in performance , injections for bad backs are not the way forward either . if you are a cyclist and thats all you want then just cycling is fine but if you want overall balance then you need to join a gym and do some weight training related exercice , stretching movements will cure that back problem , its nothing but a flexibilty problem dont let any doctor tell you other wise , their may be some wear in the discs , nothing that cant be over come with a little work and effort and if your short of time get on a spin bike and hammer out a 30 minute hard as hell session , busy is not a valid excuse ,

cyco2

Perhaps you should study some of these sites......................

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=gettin ... =firefox-a

or this one...........

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=gettin ... =firefox-a

kingrollo

O/P HERE.

Thanks for all the encouragement guys.

Last year I really felt I was getting somewhere - but this the worst I have felt for ages.

I do a set of stretching exercises each night before bed - but sometimes I just feel to tired, I have had the back problem for 20 years - and a lot of the time stretching and swimming ice and ibuprofen sort it - but once it goes past 5 or 6 weeks - then generally only a jab sorts it.

my bike is a pretty upright kuota kharma - which I rode happily last year - and I have another bike to commutte one. I have thought about going for a fitting check - even though I was fitted when i brought the bike - and in general its been fine. I just can't understand my low speed and low energy levels.

maybe it will all come ok tommorrow

Brushiemma10w

You say that your performance is down and mention your back and the fact that you have asthma, but don't specifically mention how you feel when you're struggling on the club run. Whilst I suspect your problem is a combination of points 1 & 2, could it also be that your asthma has flared-up slightly? Might be worth checking your peak flow?

As for your back, invest a few quid in seeing a Sports Physio who will tell you what the problem likely is and how to correct it, probably thru stability/strengthening exercises. An injection is likely to provide only a short-term answer.

Re your age, I've just got back into cycling 3 months ago after a hiatus of at least 15/16 years. I'm 47 now and my average speed is creeping up from 14.7mph to tonight's solo 36-mile run where i've managed 17.1mph average speed. Age is only a factor if you're comparing yourself to 20-something whippets. Push yourself occasionally, but remember its about enjoyment first & foremost and as has been mentioned by another poster, you're probably a lot fitter than the average 48 year-old.

Stone Glider

You may find that family priorities are affecting the amount of time you can give to cycling. At 48 you probably are carrying quite a load of social responsibilities that you didn't have ten years ago. Relax, give the bike and yourself, a rest. You are not a professional athlete, you do not rely on it as a source of income, as others have said, enjoy.

Nonetheless I would look into the back problem, this sort of thing can easily get worse as time passes. The great thing about cycling is that it is there for you whenever you want it.

[Deleted User]

Dont concern yourself to much with average speeds, Im 30 and did 60 miles today with a 16 average, but like someone said with headwind, lights, hills, etc my average is always around 16-17 and Ive been riding 3 years and would consider myself fit.

A couple of times I go out and really push myself :oops: and can come back with an 18+, but its alot of extra effort for a little gain, and I cant enjoy the ride as much Im constantly pushing and for me that isnt enjoyable.

After a while I got board of chasing averages and PBs unless your racing or tt ing, just enjoy cycling within your comfort zone.

Wheelspinner

Let's be clear on one thing first:

Almost 48 is not "old". Ok?

Round my way, I regularly get passed up the long slow hill climbs by a white haired 60-something rider on a lovely shiny Colnago C50. She always has a cheery smile and wave as she whistles past too.

Leave the speedo at home and just go ride. Speed is over-rated anyway. Enjoying the ride and looking good while you do it are far more important. 8)

Bar Shaker

I was 48 6 weeks ago and have been into road riding for just over a year. I did Asthma UK's 2x70 last month having asthma and wanting to help I do 50 mile rides once or twice each weekend and am now at high 16 - low 17 averages. I am 18+mph on my 15 mile sprint route.

None of the factors you list are holding you back, if you have the determination to make yourself a fitter and stronger cyclist.

StanwaySteve62

Im also 48 and yes same days are harder than others, sometimes however I feel really good and feel years younger.
By coincidence I'm joining a gym on Wednesday to strengthen my core as it's not my legs letting me down on rides around 50 miles.
Hills can be a bit tough at times as still dragging 17st up them ( better than the 19+ I was at start of 2010)
Ride about 250 miles per month, solo and groups

Ben6899

I'd point out that this season has been very windy so far. It's easy to complain and crack on and still expect 'normal' average speeds. Unless you manage to find a 50/50 share of head- and tail-wind, then I expect average speeds will suffer. Mine certainly are lower by 0.5mph or so.

Also.... I feel bloody young reading this thread. So thanks guys, it's all very encouraging to see you all out there with 20 or 30 years on me. And the sub-1hr 25 by Denis Milsom... amazing!

keef66

Still clinging on to 53. Seems whatever I do, when I get back home and look at the average speed, it's 15mph. I'm reconciled to the fact that 15mph is my natural speed, so I just relax, enjoy the rides, and use the copmuter just to tot up the miles.

(It's certainly not the bike or the local terrain / weather; when my 22 yo son borrows the thing it's invariably showing an average of 20 mph when he gets back!)

Ron Stuart

Could be any number of things some of what you listed but one thing is for sure and it's not your age mate.
I'm 60 and usually get around the rolly to flat sportives average 20mph or just under and the hilly jobs it's 16mph eg. Midland Monster 103 miles 6hrs 27mins with feed stops.
First thing get a sports health check if you can, maybe join a gym and have a chat about your aims and wants.
A friend a fellow club mate of mine Denis Milsom has done under the hour for a 25 TT when he was over the age of 80 :!:

You have 32 years to go and counting :!:

tangled_metal

KingRollo - Hey old fart! What you doing on a bike at your age? You'll do yourself a mischief!!

Seriously you are not old. I know a guy who recently ran the Bob Graham round which is 72 miles in less than 24 hours and a minimum of something like 47 pretty major hills in the Lake District starting from and finishing at Keswick. At what age? well, he's 67 and a few months. Ended up adding some more hills onto it as well as he had a bit of time spare to finish!!

Personally as a mere 38 year old who is at the peak of his fitness I find that the more of one activity I do the better I get at it but it is a slow and steady improvement. I got into challenge walking which is anything up to 100 miles as fast as you can. After about 2 or more years I have pretty good stamina but get left for dust by people (men and women) who are well into their retirement. They are out walking, running and cycling all the time so they have built up their performance. That I think is the answer, build it up but accept that at your age it could take longer.

tangled_metal

Anyway when I tried to commute to work for a few months last year (which was when I got into cycling again half heartedly that is) I found I didn't improve in my times over the same commuting route. It took a bloody miserable ride home to change that. It made me work harder and put the effort in so I knocked a lot off my time dropping from 25 mintues to 20 minutes for 8 miles. Not fast for a nice steady incline to the peak at halfway then a nice rolly descent home but it took the desire to get out of the rain and strong winds to get me performing.

I guess that means I need motivation. Perhaps you have more in you since you did last year so perhaps its your motivation that is really the issue. What have you got to aim at? If its a vague average speed by mid summer then that could not be good enough. What do you really want to do? Make it outside of your comfort zone and perhaps it will give you the motivation needed.

Also masking pain with injections is shortsighted medicine I think. I am a firm believer in correct exercise and strength training (core strength especially) for most niggles and pains. Sure take the injection but use the relief time period it gives you to strengthen your back properly. See a sports physio like others have said.

I had various pain issues 10 years ago and the NHS physio was worse than useless. I sorted it out at the gym myself. Same with back issues. I'm sure you could get the probelm under control too.

Ron Stuart

Just one more point regards back pain etc, take a look at this http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_a ... 814642.ece although some of the charges look very expensive Hewitt's look reasonable and also Epic Cycles do a similar deal.
Being comfortable on the bike and no reaction after your rides is very important.

kingrollo

OP Here !

What a week - inspired by your messages I went out last Tuesday - as usual I seemed to be pedalling into a strong headwind. My back was hurting but not in the usual way - it was painful to sit on the sale - a real pain in the right buttock !

I clambered off my bike vowing to hang up my cleats - it was only wifes intervention that prevented everything going on ebay. I spent the next few days eating junking food and driving to work - I thought a weekend not having to get up @ 6.30 to go cycling would do me good - I felt bloody awful - more knackered than if I had been out on the bike - and I wasn't much fun to be around last weekend (sorry wife and kids)

Anyway I have decided that quitting isn't for me ! (Yet) - I went to the gym today and did a few light weights and some stretches - the consultation for jab is Aug 1.

Anyway I have been googling this pain in the arse (buttocks) and the joint could either be inflamed - or it could be some weird hamstring strain - in the short term rest seems the only option .....but if anybody has any ideas how to relieve this pain (in the arse) ...post em up here......

popularname

Hey KR

Just like others, I want to encourage you. I think the trick is simply to remember that improvement takes a little longer and that recovery time can take longer too. I stepped up my road riding two years ago after nothing but commuting for years and just took it really gently - if I tried to increase distance or speed too fast, I'd pull something.

THE best advice I got was not to worry about going fast, but just to keep spinning. Following that, my AVS has gone up from 15.5 to 17.2 or so in the last couple of years and I feel stronger now than ever. For ages, I only went out on alternate days to let my body rest up.

I've had lower back and some tendon pain (not as bad as you, I don't think, but still there) and have just taken it gently and kept to high cadence, lower gear. Gradually, the muscles have strengthened.

The only thing I do now that is down to my age is some regular, light upper body weights work.

I'm 52 next month....

Keep at it - it will improve.