Over 50 Riding Advice pls......
Comments
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maelochs: Thx for imput.
As the OP, its been interesting to hear the differing sides & attitudes to 'training'.
Clearly, some have a much tougher mental attitude to it than I, and whilst I want to stay 'fit', I'll continue to do it my way, the long way, without bursting lungs and HR on the way.
I'm having a chat with my Doc this afternoon actually, so will report back more after that.0 -
Good article, and for those of you on here that still think its wise to train as hard as you can, regardless of age, maybe worth a read.......0 -
The article just represents someone's anecdotal opinion - hardly the basis for a lifestyle change.0
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The key sentence.
"Editor’s note: Lennard Zinn is not a medical professional, and this article should not be construed as medical advice."The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
Lennard Zinn knows an awful lot about bikes and cycling; I've read loads of his musings and frequently acted on his advice. He's up there with Sheldon Brown.
Cardiology, not so much...0 -
Lennard Zinn knows an awful lot about bikes and cycling; I've read loads of his musings and frequently acted on his advice. He's up there with Sheldon Brown.
Cardiology, not so much...
No-one is saying so, but put like he does, it makes you realise just what we all put our valuable little life pump through on a daily basis, and in all honesty, neglect to consider too much.0 -
Not saying Lennard Zinn is necessarily right, but it makes me think, seeing as he, I, and the OP have similar heart issues.
Before surgery my resting heart rate was 145-150. If I am not careful I can easily boost it to 230 or more .... but as I Slowly push my limits, keeping it at a reasonable, just slightly bordering on uncomfortable rate, I find I can gain capacity--I can ride a little harder for a little longer without skyrocketing it.
I do have to wonder though, how well my heart recovers from those 230 bpm spikes, and what damage they might be doing. That's why I try to avoid them---very certain there is no positive, pretty certain there could be a serious negative in the long run, and I want a good long run of ever-increasing health. I know for a fact, a balls-out, push-'til-you-puke effort (like I did back when I was 40 and fit) is Not the way to go for me now.
If I live to be 90 I want to still be enjoying life and hopefully still enjoying cycling.0 -
Zinn is a lifetime athlete who has pushed himself and his limits for all his life until just recently. this may have brought on his heart condition, or it may not and it would have happened anyway.
i'm continuing to ride and train as i like, still pushing hard until i can't for whatever reason.
i'd rather die trying than not try.--
Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails0 -
Lol, I'd rather not kill myself trying. Until you have felt your heart Stop Beating for several seconds, it's all just words.i'd rather die trying than not try.
The idea is that with a possibly already weakened heart, "pushing hard" might not be the best way to train---if fact, "not pushing Hard" might be the best way to develop the capacity to push hard.
That is more what the OP is asking about--given that he has the condition, what is safe for him to do? My experience says, push gently to make the heart work just a little harder than he'd like (because many of us are a little lazy and don't always want to push) but Not to "push hard" because not only is it immediately counterproductive (once my heart rate skyrockets I have to go super easy until it normalizes and then often have to go easy a while longer or it just takes off again) but it Might be doing permanent harm.
Look, if you had torn a muscle you wouldn't "push hard" until you were sure it was healed, and if when you pushed really hard it hurt a lot, you might not push hard until it healed completely. Otherwise, you might permanently damage the muscle, or at the very least have to take even more time off to finally let it heal completely--at which point you would realize it would have been wiser not to push so hard until it was all the way back.
I Want to be able to "push hard." I have to slowly build that capacity. The OP doesn't really want to push hard---and for him, just pushing gently is probably the best bet anyway.
"Ride hard 'til I die" is a great slogan, but I don't want to deliberately kill (or worse, cripple) myself just so I could have "He died pushing hard" on my tombstone.
One of the worst fears I had as I was going in for surgery and after, wasn't that I would die, but that I would be unable to do anything more strenuous than walking slowly for the rest of my life. Since I escaped that fate, it would be stupid to train in such a way that I put myself in that state.0 -
I am 57 and have come to road cycling from a relatively low level of sport for about 25 years due to work and kids. I got my first road bike 10 years ago and have seen a steady improvement. I agree with authors elsewhere that it takes 4-5 years to even become a cyclist until then you are just pushing pedals round.
Frequency of cycling is important. I am fortunate now with no kids at home that I can commute between 20 and 60kms per day 2-3 days per week. I also do a track session for about 2 hours per week and some stuff on the rollers/turbo. I then add in a club or solo ride of 100+km at the weekend.
I use a heart rate monitor and can get my HR upto about 175 but no higher these days.
About 4 years ago I used to set off on my commute and within 250yards hit a 10% hill which I would try to smash. One winters day I got severe chest pain at the top. (I am a surgeon) I finished the cycle to work and did an ECG which was OK so took this as warning with a probable diagnosis of cold induced angina.
I also realised that I need a warmup at my age and now on all rides will spend the first 15 minutes doing a warm up with definate limits to speed and HR on the various inclines and sections in that time. After that I am happy to train! I recently got a Garmin 520 and aim to hit a PB on at least one segment each day even if only by 1 second. Obviously this cannot continue but is great training.
My plans for next year include the tour of sufferlandria in February with a 600km ride non stop in May, Switzerland in June and possibly a 1200 ride in August.0 -
Lol, I'd rather not kill myself trying. Until you have felt your heart Stop Beating for several seconds, it's all just words....i'd rather die trying than not try.
after injuring my back in work (attacked by two of my patients) i was in considerable pain for over 10 years. Doctors told me i'd end up in a wheelchair, and still in pain.
after thinking long and hard about how to end it all, i was ready. then found i could ride a bike.
my life really did change for the better. i would rather die riding my bike that curled up in constant crippling pain as a bitter and angry man making the lives of my loved ones a misery.
I still have the pain, and it's the cause of my high-ish blood pressure that i take meds for. but cycling helps me to manage it. working hard gets the endorphins flowing so i need less painkilling meds and i just feel good about life.
so, yes, i really mean it. I would rather die on the bike than on the sofa. i've been there and i hated myself.
i am in no way recommending this for everyone, i'm just giving my views on what i do and why.--
Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails0 -
I am 57 and have come to road cycling from a relatively low level of sport for about 25 years due to work and kids. I got my first road bike 10 years ago and have seen a steady improvement.
Ha! I've just turned 58 and returned to road cycling 8 years ago (work, kids etc.) My improvement has been steadier than yours though; I usually manage 60-70 miles a week, but however hard I feel I'm trying my average speed is always 13-14mph. Maybe I'm genetically predisposed to be a touring cyclist?... HRM / Garmin reckons my MHR is now down to 165 which I occasionally hit if I'm really hammering up a hill, but my rides are generally in the 125-145 bpm zone, so maybe I'm just not trying hard enough...0 -
I am 66 and just finished the 1400 miles Pacific Coast Trail (Oregon to San Diego) with an average mileage of 70 miles/day and speed of about 13 mph (76,000 vertical feet of climbing slowed me down). The year before rode across the USA (3800 miles) with slightly higher mileage (90 miles/day) and an average speed of 14mph (lots of flat parts).
I bring this up because on both rides, I was one of the youngest guys out there. And worst, got smoked by most of the older riders! Oldest rider was 76. Oldest woman was 69.
So buddy (or should I call you kid), you and I have a lot more years of riding !!!!0 -
I am 54, I ride the track and TT plus riding the road , I can and do ride hard frequently without worrying about my heart why should you , however it sounds as if it's your head that's the issue , but why are you asking such a question . I know 60 plus TT riders that will do a 25 in less than 55 minutes0
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If he enjoys what he is doing he doesn't need any endorsement from this forum to keep doing what he is doing. However, I observe that the OP still consumes alcohol which he admits, affects the medical condition. If he fell ill after a bike ride I am left with the impression from his comments that he would blame it solely on the exercise at 53 (regardless of intensity) and the damage caused by the alcohol consumption would be forgotten.That is more what the OP is asking about--given that he has the condition, what is safe for him to do? My experience says, push gently to make the heart work just a little harder than he'd like (because many of us are a little lazy and don't always want to push) but Not to "push hard" because not only is it immediately counterproductive (once my heart rate skyrockets I have to go super easy until it normalizes and then often have to go easy a while longer or it just takes off again) but it Might be doing permanent harm.
As harsh as it may sound, the OP is looking for excuses not to do things. That's his perogative.0 -
He is asking the question because he has a dangerous heart condition (AF) and he wants to make sure he doesn't permanently hurt himself or literally kill himself on a ride.however it sounds as if it's your head that's the issue , but why are you asking such a question .
Also, he is looking for some support for his idea that riding the way he likes is all right--and of course, even if he rides a tricycle in low gear, however he likes it is just fine.
I really enjoy turning in a fastest-ever time on a route, even though I know everything from how much rest I got the night before to how lucky I was with red lights plays a huge effect---it still thrills me to see a better time or higher average speed. But, like the OP, I have a heart condition which keeps me from going all-out--I hope to be able to work up to that, but for now, keeping my heart rate reasonable is more important than shaving seconds.
On top of that I love touring, where "shaving seconds" has no meaning. I might do another cross-America ride (planning it already in fact) but I might not use the same roads, and even if I did the weather, differing loads ... no way to meaningfully do a "faster segment."
So I understand both the "ride to ride" and the "ride for speed" mindsets, as well as the "don't kill yourself--you have plenty of time improve if you are smart" viewpoint.
Many people ride bikes to compete, with themselves or others, and sadly, some of those folks cannot seem to fathom that some folks ride bikes just to ride bikes.0 -
Many people ride bikes to compete, with themselves or others, and sadly, some of those folks cannot seem to fathom that some folks ride bikes just to ride bikes.
Never a truer word.......As harsh as it may sound, the OP is looking for excuses not to do things. That's his perogative.
Can't understand where you've deduced that from, I've made it clear how far/quick I like to ride, which is not inconsiderable for mid 50's, and I wonder if you'd think the same given my situ re AF .......0 -
I think you need to read that selected quote in context of the rest of my post. Cycle hard, don't cycle hard; its your choice. Honestly, no-one cares what you do.Many people ride bikes to compete, with themselves or others, and sadly, some of those folks cannot seem to fathom that some folks ride bikes just to ride bikes.
Never a truer word.......As harsh as it may sound, the OP is looking for excuses not to do things. That's his perogative.
Can't understand where you've deduced that from, I've made it clear how far/quick I like to ride, which is not inconsiderable for mid 50's, and I wonder if you'd think the same given my situ re AF .......
Had you replaced 53 with AF, you would have had a different set of responses. You're original point was about not doing things because of age, nothing about your AF. I find it difficult to reconcile your concerns about possible damage which may result from pushing hard to the actual harm you know will occur from indulging in alcohol consumption.But ultimately, at 53, should I be happy to simply get out & ride, and ignore friends of the same age that want to push push push all the time ?
If you have a medical condition, the level which you take exercise to is for you to determine based on facts not on perceptions or myths. I don't think anyone would expect you to push yourself to the point which would endanger you.0 -
Jesus wept!
7 pages of Zak trying to justify (to himself) the fact that he is slower and lazier than his peers along with a lot of people sounding like my old Nan "I'm 53 you know dear.......".
I'm to blame though, I just sat here and read it.
"You really think you can burn off sugar with exercise?" downhill paul0 -
Your nan is 53..??0
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Your nan is 53..??
She used to be. Sadly no longer with us."You really think you can burn off sugar with exercise?" downhill paul0 -
Wrong. Completely wrong.
220 - Age will give you your Max Recommended SAFE HR.
Not according to the BHF website. They say it is an estimate of your max HR then specifically say you should have more tests if you are an at risk group before using the figure. So they are definitely not saying the figure is SAFE.
HR vary a lot. My max is in the mid 180s. I ride with people who don't seem to get their HRs above 150 (same age as me). So the 220 formula would probably give them unsafe figures for a training programme.
As far as training is concerned 20 minute average heart-rate at threshold is probably a better measure than some maximum instantaneous value.BASI Nordic Ski Instructor
Instagramme0 -
Oh wow. 7 pages of Zak zealously rebuffing any helpful, sensible and well-wishing advice.0
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Oh wow. 7 pages of Zak zealously rebuffing any helpful, sensible and well-wishing advice.
Hang on, we haven't heard from him since Friday. You don't suppose......0 -
I've been bike riding five years after forty years of long distance running. I was getting lots of niggling injuries around sixty so as I had always trained every morning wanted something to continue this trend. I ride about twenty miles most mornings with a longer Saturday ride with the club. I always raced as a runner and now do the occasional ten mile tt. About twenty years ago I discovered I had a heart condition called wolf Parkinson white syndrome which could be dangerous but I believe you cannot live your life in fear and don't let it restrict me. I say whether you ride hard or easy race or not is irrelevant just do what works for you and enjoy it all.0
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Oh wow. 7 pages of Zak zealously rebuffing any helpful, sensible and well-wishing advice.
Hang on, we haven't heard from him since Friday. You don't suppose...... I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0
