Is it possible to get faster at 58?

on-yer-bike
on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
edited November 2012 in Training, fitness and health
Been road riding for about 5 years and I have achieved gold standard easily in most sportives I have ridden. I can ride a 100 miles without too many issues and have finished near the front in crits. The problem is that Im finding hills harder. Is this something I have to accept? My max heart rate is only 165 and my resting rate is 40. I have tried spinning but generally feel more comfortable and faster in a higher gear. Most of the guys I ride with are a good deal younger than me which adds to the problem.
Pegoretti
Colnago
Cervelo
Campagnolo

Comments

  • BeaconRuth
    BeaconRuth Posts: 2,086
    Why don't you go and do some League of Veteran Racing Cyclists (LVRC) races and compare yourself to the others in your age-group? You'll be a 'D' category rider in the LVRC (age 55 to 60). If you can beat everyone easily then you might have limited room for further improvement. If you feel others of the same age are better/stronger/faster than you then perhaps it will give you an idea how much better it would be possible to be at your age?

    Here's a link to the LVRC website: http://lvrc.org/

    Ruth
    http://www.rutheyles.co.uk/
  • ju5t1n
    ju5t1n Posts: 2,028
    I hope I’m as good as you when I reach 58, and I think most people on here will say the same.

    I read somewhere (probably on a forum so it’s bound to be true) that you keep improving for the first 7 years of serious cycling. If that's the case then you’ve got a couple of years to go.

    It’s certainly possible to be very quick at your age … I’m reasonably fast for 40 and race as a 2nd cat … but a 60 year old Dave Lloyd took over 2 hours out of me in the Marmotte!
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    Course you can... as Ruth advises look to LVRC if you want age related road racing
  • Herbsman
    Herbsman Posts: 2,029
    Hills should get easier as you get older due to osteoporosis making your bones less dense and thus lighter.

    In all seriousness, anyone can get faster at any age. I know people who are 70+ and make me struggle to hold their wheel.
    CAPTAIN BUCKFAST'S CYCLING TIPS - GUARANTEED TO WORK! 1 OUT OF 10 RACING CYCLISTS AGREE!
  • Alex_Simmons/RST
    Alex_Simmons/RST Posts: 4,161
    The proportion of riders that can't improve is very small.
    RST Sport : Coaching - Training Plans - Powermeters -- My blog -- AeroCoach Australia
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Hills do get harder with age but you can still improve. I took over a minute off my 10 mile time this year at 69. Now down to 24-34. Under 25 min twice more so not a fluke. It just takes work. You do need more rest as well so at least 2 rest days a week.
    My Fleet.
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    Easiest way to improve is to shed any excess weight.

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