Be gentle with me.

TCo

Wow what a forum, I am new to it. There are so many sections and sub sections I am not sure what section in which to begin. I am 74 years of age and have just ordered a new bike, (pick it up later today). It is a Python Quantum 8100 which is being customised to my specification. It replaces my old steel framed Raleigh mountain bike which is now about thirty years old. I have been biking on a strictly "to get there" basis all my life. However I have recently been diagnosed as having Diabetes Type 2 and have been urged to get more exercise, thus the new bike.

Firstly I am not actually sure what designation to give my new bike, because the dealer (well respected in our town), tells me it is a mountain bike, but Pythons own website seems to call it a hybrid. I shall be using it mostly along cycle paths, farm tracks and bridleways, (there are no mountains around our way) in much the same way as I have been using the Raleigh. I will still be using the bike as a basic means of transport on the public roads, but envisage I will be doing more pleasure biking. I have no interest in competing in any fashion and indeed prefer riding alone, (perhaps I am just a miserable old sod).

I thought I would just introduce myself and wonder if there are any other old farts who get their exercise this way. Also would one of the aficionados please let me know if I am in the wrong section of the forum.

sungod

it's a hybrid

road general is as good a place as any to post, it's more civilized, whereas over on the other sections the mtb lot are rather uncouth and the commuters are weird

have fun!

TCo

Ha! Thanks for that. By the time the bike is ready it will look more like a hybrid, but with chunkier tyres.
TCo

chrisaonabike

You don't have to be a miserable old sod to prefer riding alone - I prefer riding alone too, and I'm quite a cheerful type. I've even been caught humming Kylie songs recently.

BikeRadarAdmin

Hi TCo,

Welcome to the forum. Hopefully it will be a great tool for you!

After a quick search, there seem to be quite a few topics related to Type 2 Diabetes, which may be of some use to you.

Using the 'Search' bar at the top may help answer some questions should you need it. But, by all means fire away your questions and good luck!

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/search.php?keywords=type+2+diabetes&terms=all&author=&sc=1&sf=all&sr=posts&sk=t&sd=d&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search

Cheers,

Josh.

pblakeney

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19763624#p19763624]sungod[/url] wrote:

...and the commuters are weird

True.
But they do know how to find, and share, bargains.

Garry H

my father in law has type 2. He's currently managing it without resort to any medication by cycling 18 miles a day. So good on ya and carry on

keef66

Welcome to the forum. You're never too old to ride a bike! I'm a sprightly 58 but also like cycling on my own. I am occasionally accused of being a grumpy old sod; guilty as charged!

Is your type 2 related to weight?

Despite being quite active, I'm now finding it far easier to put on weight than it used to be, and correspondingly harder to lose it. There's never been a concern about diabetes but my blood lipids were worrying the GP. The revelation for me was trying intermittent fasting, popularised by Michael Mosely's 5:2 Fast Diet. Shed 18 pounds in 6 months and improved my blood lipid profile massively. I'm sticking with it indefinitely because I find it easy. 2 days a week I eat nothing until my evening meal; the rest of the week I eat normally, - simples!

Some of my colleagues have tried it and can't manage it at all. Horses for courses I suppose?

jrich

With the Type 2 you might be wise to read up on the benefits of a high fat/low carb diet as I know many people have had success in managing their condition after adopting such a diet.

There's a chap who regularly races my club Time Trials and he's 71! There's plenty who are in there 60s too.

TCo

Hi all, Keef, no my type 2 is related to a bought of Pancreatitis. That said I am 1.8m tall and weight 105kg, so I am bordering on the overweight/obese borderline. My HBA1C was 44 a month ago, so I am techncally below the threshold of diabetes, but I did go as high as 55 earlier in the year. My doctor says that akin to being an alcoholic, once you have gone over the threshold, it is like having a sticky label on your forehead that can't be removed. Once a diabetic, always a diabetic. I try to walk at least three miles a day and cycle when I can. The old bike didn't help much in that regard, so I am hoping the new one will be a more positive experience.

keef66

New bike is always a positive experience

I know a couple of people who were told they were borderline Type 2 but because of diet / obesity, and they've managed to tackle the body weight and come off the meds.

Sounds like if your pancreas is buggered you might not be as lucky

poweredbyidris

Hi TCo

I a world where everyone and everything seems to be vying for your attention, riding on your own is incredibly pleasurable.

Enjoy the new bike, and the soon-to-be-gained fitness

ForumNewbie

Hi TCo, welcome to the Forum. Your new bike is a hybrid and hopefully you'll enjoy it and find it faster on the road than your mountain bike.

TCo

So it has proved! After 65 years of cycling, I have succumbed to family pressure and bought a helmet!

waltdinghy

Also a relatively new aging member to the forum and living inSouth West France. I guess at 81 I must be in the Old Fart category and also enjoy riding alone . Pensioned off my Raleigh Rapide in 2010 and bought an Alloy Dutch bike Be-one Mistral with shimano 105 kit then last year graduated to a Chain Reaction Vitus Venon vrs carbon flyer.
In the last 12 months have covered just about 6,000 km so carbon does make a difference. There seem to a lot of French OF,s riding in my area and either on their own and occasionally 2 together . No doubt about it the bike keeps us going and long may it be so . Merry Xmas to all the Old Farts and good biking. J.W