Getting Old ?

rubertoe

".....but if anybody has any ideas how to relieve this pain (in the ars*) ...post em up here......"

What was it Dolly Parton said?

D.I.V.O.R.C.E

Only kidding - like all the others have said althoughth the jab will help short term -its not the solution

sadly i dont know what is either.

carl_p

Clearly your body is trying to tell you that something isn't right, either through the pain, or by not letting you ride as fast. I can't imagine anybody could ride as quickly, regardless of age, if they were in pain. You could also over compensate in other areas which could cause further injury elsewhere. Hate to say it but you may have done that already

Take a few days, even weeks, rest. A weekend off is nowhere near long enough.

alwaystoohot

Hey I'll be 48 in october! I've only just got back into cycling so by all accounts I'm cr@p, but I'm happy - and thats what I value!

Enjoy life.

Ron Stuart

I shall repeat my advice and echo others about an underlying problem and not just treating the symptoms.
My first port of call would be a proper professional bike fit. You live not to far away from Epic Cycles who checked me out before I bought a new bike from them. I don’t know how you feel about their price which has gone up recently. They also do within the price a shoe/cleat check which is also important to get right.
I know the guys there very well and I could put a word in about your problem prior to a visit. It does seem a lot of money if you are not in the market for a new bike though but at the very least you would have ruled out a bio-mechanical problem. Taking cortisone/pain killers isn’t a long term solution.
It could be something as simple as the saddle to high and your hips have been rocking away over the saddle and over time and a problem has arisen. There was a young man out on our club ride with us Sunday who had purchased a new bike and had the rocking hip syndrome, I mentioned this and he went away to lower the saddle a tad. Your problem could be down to just a few millimeters of adjustment somewhere, having someone video you whilst on the Turbo from front, side and back could also be invaluable to the trained eye.
Here’s a link to Epic Cycles… http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/FAQ.html#Fitting

Rich Hcp

I was going to suggest a professional bike fit.

It may cost a bit, but if it works you'll be fitter and not inflame the original problem.

kingrollo

Rich Hcp wrote:

I was going to suggest a professional bike fit.

It may cost a bit, but if it works you'll be fitter and not inflame the original problem.

Yes - this is in my plan of action. But at the moment its painful to sit on a chair - let alone a bike saddle ! - As soon as I can sit down pain free - I will get the position checked out.

Ron Stuart

kingrollo, I have had a word with Chris Lines at Epic Cycles he says if you get in contact with him he will try and help you out.

Frank the tank

I find myself in a similar place to "Kingrollo" I've just turned 50 and my cycling performance is slowly going down hill. I do put the majority of this down to an arthritic hip which the time has come when I can no longer put the op off. Until about three months ago I was coping but recently the pain down my right leg is just getting worse. When I've been riding about 45mins the pain in my right knee starts and it travels down the shin.

Add to this for some reason I feel constantly fatigued and I just don't seem to have any speed in my legs. This in turn leads to frustration, my good cycling buddy says you just need to get out more. At one time that would have been the solution but If I ride four days running each performance is worse than the day previouses one; and these aren't big rides by any stretch just varying from 25-40milers And I used to do a ton regularly.

I know this doesn't help Kingrollo, I just wanted to let him know he's not alone

StanwaySteve62

just finishing a 60 on sunday, 48 and having fun. still miles overweight and officially obese

wheelygood

Surely age doesn't matter? ( I'm 10 yrs older than you!). Maybe you slow down a bit and the hills seem longer but what the heck - the important thing is if you still enjoy being out riding. Stamina doesn't deteriorate very much with age - I ride out with a lot of guys way older than me and they keep going all day long!

kieranb

Are you getting enough rest? Getting up at 6:30 on the weekend for a ride? and probably early during the week. Last year I used to get up for early training sessions etc, this year I haven't and feel much better - some people can operate with little sleep but most need a good rest - also I think recent studies indicate an link between a good sleep and fitness and recovery.

I guess there could be other underlying medical reasons as well, that are not age related - have you had a proper check-up?

centimani

53 here and it does seem harder, but i think i know why in my case... some of it may relate to others too.
Lack of sleep, i'm a bugger for getting 6 hours max. I'm a night owl and just can't go to bed early. so general tiredness can't help.
Stress, its been a not very nice this last year, i think it affects your wellbeing and lethargy is a result.
Bad back, i suffer too. Nothing too bad but months of low level back pain and stiffness can't help.
Loss of fitness through the winter. I detest winter so only tend to commute then find it harder when the nice weather gets here.
Lack of motivation, probably for all the above reasons.
Recovery time just seems to take longer.

I still love cycling, just find it harder to motivate myself, but just go for slightly more 'steady' rides now. I can still easily manage 15mph average over 40 miles, up it to 17.5 on a good day. funny thing is, when i look at those figures...it's never been much different. It's all in the mind maybe.

BelgianBeerGeek

kieranb's advice is good. Have a full check up from your GP as there might be an underlying problem. I have hayfever and as usual at this time of year it does raise a few issues with breathing etc - could your asthma be an issue?

Hopefully you have a sympathetic GP. I have heard stories from friends where the advice given was "well stop cycling/running/whatever". Just what you don't want to hear.

Don't give up on the problems you are having, they will get sorted and you'll soon be back out there having fun. Good luck!

kingrollo

BelgianBeerGeek wrote:

kieranb's advice is good. Have a full check up from your GP as there might be an underlying problem. I have hayfever and as usual at this time of year it does raise a few issues with breathing etc - could your asthma be an issue?

Hopefully you have a sympathetic GP. I have heard stories from friends where the advice given was "well stop cycling/running/whatever". Just what you don't want to hear.

Don't give up on the problems you are having, they will get sorted and you'll soon be back out there having fun. Good luck!

I don't have a great relationship with my gp - esp at the moment - I am still seething after they took 3 weeks to write a refferral letter. Might go for a check up - been off the bike for a week now - and feel more knackered than ever.

nmcgann

To the OP: 48 isn't old, plenty of good cyling years to come.

I'm 49 and miles fitter than I've ever been and still improving 8)

BelgianBeerGeek

KR: ask to see another doctor, one whose opinion you value. It's your NHS, you shouldn't be treated as yet another nuisance who's walked through the door.

neeb

I agree with the other posters who have mentioned making sure you are getting enough rest. Try focusing more on quality rather than quantity. Your daily commute isn't very long, but doing it every day, day in, day out, can be subtly tiring, and it can get you into the habit of thinking of cycling as a chore rather than a pleasure. You could experiment with giving up the commuting for a few weeks (if that's feasible), and instead try to make time for a really good 2 hour evening session twice a week during the week, supplemented by one or two longer rides at the weekend. Push it really hard on the training days and rest completely on the other days. Your mileage will be about the same but I bet you will have more energy, more fun and improve noticeably.

It's not age - I'm nearly 45 and I don't think of myself as having any disadvantages compared to people 20 years younger, except maybe in short sprints (but I seem to be genetically crap at them anyway).

kingrollo

OP Here

A bit of progress folks - after much googling - I can across something called piriformisis syndrone - the symptom of which is it feels like you are sitting on a stone - which is how I felt - anyway there are some specific stretches which I have been doing - and the pain is definitley easing.

I am also feeling a little better so maybe a complete rest has done me good - the danger I get used doing nowt !

dve

65 this year. Just bought my first road bike since teenage. I'll let you know.

graham.

DVE wrote:

65 this year. Just bought my first road bike since teenage. I'll let you know.

Like your style ....Hope I'm like you when I'm all grown up!
Graham. (53)

Niffleman

One of the things I like about the cycling community is mutual support, and I have seen a lot of it in this thread. I think it is excellent that people of any age can find in cycling a way to keep fit, push themselves a little, create space for themselves in busy lives and enjoy exercise.

It's summer, the weather is fine, and the Tour is on to inspire us. Let's get out there and enjoy cycling, no matter where or when we do it, or how quickly or slowly we go. Cycling makes me smile and I hope it does the same for you still, kingrollo.

H64mmy

Hi all, thought this would be a good place to say hello to everyone. I'm 47, stopped smoking 5 months ago after 30+ years. Put on loads of weight as my new habit became eating to excess, so started cycling again 4 weeks ago, on my raleigh AT 10 with road tyres fitted. The hills are still sore, the miles dont go past very quickly, but I am loving riding around the countryside at my own pace, doing about 20 miles every second evening, breathing getting better legs getting stronger. Havent taken the full plunge into road bike, but have just purchased a Giant rapid 3, as a treat for myself for no ciggies, and just entered a sportive for the end of the month ( probably come in last, but who cares.

alwaystoohot

Good on you H64mmy, keep up the good work!

I still miss having a puffington after 8 years..... :oops:

alwaystoohot

Good on you H64mmy, keep up the good work!

I still miss having a puffington after 8 years..... :oops:

Lycra Man

King Rollo,

I agree with everything that has been said upthread.

I am lucky in that I don't have any joint/back pain, but it took me 8 months commuting to finally lose some weight. My theory is that I turned a lot of fat to muscle

However, I have had a very clear target this year, which was to complete an Audax SR series of 200, 300, 400 and 600k rides, which was completed in June. I'm fitter, stronger (and a little faster) than I was last year, and the year before, and the 8 years before that, when I got back on a bike.

I'm 61.

My humble suggestioin is to sort out your back, give yourself a clear target, and work towards that. And don't forget to have fun along the way.

Lycra Man

kingrollo

Lycra Man wrote:

King Rollo,

I agree with everything that has been said upthread.

I am lucky in that I don't have any joint/back pain, but it took me 8 months commuting to finally lose some weight. My theory is that I turned a lot of fat to muscle

However, I have had a very clear target this year, which was to complete an Audax SR series of 200, 300, 400 and 600k rides, which was completed in June. I'm fitter, stronger (and a little faster) than I was last year, and the year before, and the 8 years before that, when I got back on a bike.

I'm 61.

My humble suggestioin is to sort out your back, give yourself a clear target, and work towards that. And don't forget to have fun along the way.

Lycra Man

Hello All,

O/P Here. Things have moved on (or backwards) since the original post - its now no longer a question of being to old to do a decent speed - but will my aching back and aching arse ever subside to let me get back on the bike again.

Shortly after the original post - I got off the bike and haven't been on it since. Getting off it made me realise what a state my back was\is in. It pretty painful to sit still any any chair - let alone a bike saddle !

However I have brought a book on gym workouts for cyclists - joined a gym - and have been going twice a week. The books quite good there is a program to follow - and the first 5 weeks are all stability excercises. The sitting and back pain is easing quite nicley - although there are still twinges - which I guess I had ignored while cycling.

any way may rehab plan is looking something like this:-

(on going gym\Weights program)

1.Purchase new saddle - start with a cheapy Charge\spoon Selle SMP
2.Do a very easy ride say 10 - 15 miles
2a - Cannock Chase Mountain biking (i know but I promised the kids )
3.Bike fiit at Epic Cycles
4.Appointment with surgeon to see a jab can calm down the inflamation

See where all that leaves me in August \ Sept

Keep you posted.

cougie

I'd join a club. When you ride along chatting to your mates you'll not even notice that you're riding and your speeds will improve. Also you'll see plenty of riders as fit as a fiddle many years older than 48.

kingrollo

cougie wrote:

I'd join a club. When you ride along chatting to your mates you'll not even notice that you're riding and your speeds will improve. Also you'll see plenty of riders as fit as a fiddle many years older than 48.

I am already in a club. It was the amount of time I was spending off the back which started all this !

Rich Hcp

Until the underlying back problem is sorted or controlled, there is a limited amount you can do for the time being, its nothing to do with age, just the way the body ages.

But, I think you knew that anyway...

Barteos

To those concerned about apparent "age related" fitness losses (medical problems aside), unless you've been cycling regularly +20h/w for a long time and you've (almost) reached your maximal genetic potential, it's the riding time that is the limiting factor, not age.

Your av speed will be mainly limited by number of hours you spend on the bike and the quality of your workouts.

Ask yourself how many hours a week you REALLY ride. I mean REALLY, not your best week when the weather is nice, but an average, including winter, rain, holidays, Christmas etc... How consistent is it? Can you honestly say that you've clocked at least 400-500 consistent quality hours of riding in the last year (and previous years)?

On warm dry summer days I usually see +20-30 riders (at least half of them 40+ y.o.)
In winter I can hardly see anyone. Go figure.

P.S. As for lack of time for riding, your life is as busy as you make it