53 year old , what can i expect to achieve ?

Geoffcoates
Geoffcoates Posts: 3
in Road beginners
Back on a road bike after many years off it. Obviously not going to be a quick or strong and my stamina wont be as it was but what could i acheive ? Would like to know of experiences from other late starters.

Comments

  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,490
    Well, 3 years ago I cycled through the Pyrenees with a 56 year old guy who's main cycling had been on a stationary bike in the gym.
    So pretty much anything if you set your mind to it.
    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.
  • orraloon
    orraloon Posts: 13,269
    What do you want to achieve? Set yourself some targets. Work on them. See how you progress. Review and adapt accordingly. Primarily enjoy yourself.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,325
    What do you want to achieve?

    If you are not morbidly obese and you don't have serious health issues, then there is not much you cannot achieve, other than a professional contract.
    left the forum March 2023
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    You definitely won't win a junior or under 23 title, but most other stuff is probably doable. Pro contract is probably out too, although you never know...
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    If you didn't train properly in the past - you could definitely be faster and stronger than you were when you were younger.

    Join a club and you'll get your arse whipped by OAPs. To begin with anyway.
  • markiegrim
    markiegrim Posts: 136
    I’m 52 and find I’m much stronger now than when I started cycling 7 years ago. Just build up slowly and persevere. As others have said ave mph depends on many factors. Most important to just enjoy
  • fiverears
    fiverears Posts: 38
    What you ought to be looking to achieve is GREAT FUN

    Fun never deserts you.
  • singleton
    singleton Posts: 2,523
    I'm 51 and I find that I need a bit longer to recover than when I was younger.
    Apart from that small difference, you can achieve whatever you want to.
  • Darius_Jedburgh
    Darius_Jedburgh Posts: 675
    As OP hasn't been back on here since his original post can we assume that the flame has flickered and died?
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    FrankYates said:

    As OP hasn't been back on here since his original post can we assume that the flame has flickered and died?


    What - in three days??
  • focuszing723
    focuszing723 Posts: 8,154
    edited April 2020
    FrankYates said:

    As OP hasn't been back on here since his original post can we assume that the flame has flickered and died?

    He 'liked' people responses who positively contributed with their experience. I would imagine now they are being used as motivation.
  • Geoffcoates
    Geoffcoates Posts: 3
    focuszing723 said:

    FrankYates said:

    As OP hasn't been back on here since his original post can we assume that the flame has flickered and died?

    He 'liked' people responses who positively contributed with their experience. I would imagine now they are being used as motivation.
    Just done my first 10 miles for a number of years .. now recuperating!
  • focuszing723
    focuszing723 Posts: 8,154
    Geoffcoates said:

    focuszing723 said:

    FrankYates said:

    As OP hasn't been back on here since his original post can we assume that the flame has flickered and died?

    He 'liked' people responses who positively contributed with their experience. I would imagine now they are being used as motivation.
    Just done my first 10 miles for a number of years .. now recuperating!
    That's good going, sunny next week too:)
  • navrig2
    navrig2 Posts: 1,851
    I'm 57. Started 10 years ago and have achieved way more than I expected. I remember my first 50 mile ride. I thought I had conquered the world!!

    Since then I have done several mile centuries, climbed many TdF style cols, enjoyed Mallorca's best and broken two bones.

    You are only restricted by your own imagination and the level of grip between your tyres and the tarmac.
  • cruff
    cruff Posts: 1,518
    Started at 39 after wasting my life playing football. Since then I've gone from fat piss artist to marginally less fat racer, TTer and long distance rider. The world's your lobster.
    Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
    Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.

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