How old are you? Are you still riding?(Poll)

If you are still riding:

  • Less than 40 years old

    Votes: 16 4.8%

  • 40-49 years old

    Votes: 14 4.2%

  • 50-59 years old

    Votes: 41 12.3%

  • 60-69 years old

    Votes: 178 53.5%

  • 70-80 years old

    Votes: 80 24.0%

  • Over 80 years old

    Votes: 4 1.2%
  • Total voters
    333
I'm 68 and actually in better health now than I was 20 years ago, thanks to modern medicine. I suffered heart afibrillation for 17 years from age 44 to 61.
It would come and go on its own. When it was happening I couldn't move around much, mostly just sat in a chair or stayed in bed waiting for it to end. Someone compared heart afib to having a 5 lb trout trapped under your rib cage. My resting heart rate was 180 and jumping all around. The legs felt like lead , it was quite a chore going up stairs.
Just before the operation I was tending to be in afib about 2 weeks out of every month.

That's all fixed now by laser surgery and no meds are needed. I haven't had a single recurrence in 7 years.
I'm trying to keep my strength up in order to keep riding as long as possible.
Kickstarting the 1360 requires a lot of effort and some leg strength , so I do weighted squats and mountain bike trail riding. I do quite a few other exercises using a home gym. I have used free weights for a long time, but tend to use the home gym more now as there is less chance of injury.
I feel great, strength is still good, but endurance is waning and my flexibility is poor.
Overall, the fun level is still quite high.
Might have to give up on the Maico 490 one day soon. Or perhaps just not ride it like a lunatic.

Glen
 
Flatspot said:
I went out yesterday for my first proper ride in 18 months. This morning I am aching so badly between my legs from trying to keep my legs together because the stock pegs are really uncomfortable (and prompted my advert for rear sets).
I’ve also caught a chill on the ride and spent last night coughing and sneezing and I barely slept.
I’ve just done a Covid test and that’s clear thankfully.

The point of my adding to this was also because of a fellow I met yesterday riding a Yamaha MT03, not a big bike but more than adequate for him - his is 89 and still going strong.
Click to expand...
Just a note, As I stated before I have had COVID twice, tested and confirmed both times. At the end of last year I thought I had it again. I had fever, chills, fatigue and messed up taste. Two tests came back negative. It was something it just didn't test as COVID.

It's funny about aging bodies, I have been feeling really good. I can walk fast without huffing and puffing and I can make it through my workout set without issues. My wife wanted to trim a tree in the back and borrowed a pole saw. I did about 20 minutes on that and I was all in. with rubbery legs and really tired arms.
 
58 been riding a triumph from age 18, T100 Daytona had a plenty of Hinkleys, still got a 955 daytona. got a T160 in 2011 and had 4 other meriden triples in that time. got my 1st Norton in March
 
Torontonian said:
63.
Just returned from 1200 kms. trip to Montreal and back. 2 up. No mechanical or electrical problems on the MK 111 during the 8 day trip..
Click to expand...
64 .
Just did 10 wks. fishing in Nicaragua after a previous 4 wks . in lovely Greece .
The inner cover on the MK 111 is off , to fix popping out of first gear issue . Put in new shifter ratchet bush , new 1 st. gear bush , shimmed tighter the layshaft / kicker area with 2 rear iso . shims and ready to re-assemble it all tomorrow just in time for the cold spring rains . I'll fit a new Venhill clutch cable too . Enjoy .
 
77 (just a number).
Just back from 3 days on track. With only 2 laps left of the weekend, pushed the Ninja a bit too hard in the rain. Bike needed washing and have to order new gear shifter, crash protector and indicator. Overall good feeling.
Now two weeks until first practice on the Manx.
Have 3 featherbed Nortons, 2 Victor Specials for green lanes, a Comet for touring, a Velo Clubman for twisties, 3 classic racers and a few other bikes.
 
Mike40M said:
77 (just a number).
Just back from 3 days on track. With only 2 laps left of the weekend, pushed the Ninja a bit too hard in the rain. Bike needed washing and have to order new gear shifter, crash protector and indicator. Overall good feeling.
Now two weeks until first practice on the Manx.
Have 3 featherbed Nortons, 2 Victor Specials for green lanes, a Comet for touring, a Velo Clubman for twisties, 3 classic racers and a few other bikes.
Click to expand...

Good for you Mike!

I have become more and more convinced that riding is good for your brain and general faculties. Track riding even more so.

Carry on !
 
Big_Jim59 said:
I am in the over 60 category. My biggest fear is flameouts in traffic. I live near Dallas and traffic here is suicidal at times. In my area North of Dallas in Sherman, every road is torn up, under construction or beset with traffic redirections. I have a buddy that's a cop here and he says they are just overloaded with accedents. I don't ride cross country anymore and I have a set route that I ride that is twisty, familiar, slowish and not well traveled except by locals. I do use the kick stand as a backup for my balance issues and as an aid to my naturals clumsiness. I have always been a bit uncoordinated but aging hasn't helped the situation. I do not load or put pressure the kick stand when starting. I only use it as a safety to catch the bike if it falls.

I have been on high blood pressure meds for years but it's stable. (runs in the family.) After COVID (had it twice) I had no endurance and no strength. Walking fast made me huff and puff. I started hitting the gym. I have a workout that includes the rowing machine, the treadmill, and a host of weight machines for upper body strength training. I avoid any exercises that twists my knees. I have a Moto Guzzi Quota that I have to be very careful with when I swing into the saddle. It's pretty tall and the movement adds a twisting motion to my knee that can cause a limp for a week. I have to be careful to twist on the ball of my foot and not on the knee. Then I am fine.

I also started a diet in January. It's not really a diet as much as it is eating like a normal human being. Portion control is key and I have been using an app on my phone to log what I eat. I am a big guy and I always liked my food in huge portions. The app keeps me honest. I have dropped about one stone. I am still sitting at 270 but at least I am not 290! This is really helping how I feel. My sister is taking me to Scotland in July and I really want to be able to walk, carry luggage and drag my carcass off airplanes and out of vans.
Click to expand...
Yup.
Lot of parallels.
Eat Haddock at the Applecross Inn, with a pint.
 
Another way of staying "younger" (can't be old with these cunning little girls...)
AA.JPG
 
My brace of Springer Spaniels and their intense energy used to keep me young, after they went I got a brace of Labradors and whilst they are beautiful creatures to have they are so much more relaxed and genteel.
Gotta say the genteel has its advantages - not yearning to get outdoors with you for at least three hours a day irrespective of weather or how crappy you may be feeling ... Lol !
Mine are currently 13 yrs so will get another Springer next as I seem to have aged somewhat these last 13 yrs .... Springers make a great eternal youth serum 😍 or is it kill or cure :eek:
Having said that a terrier would make a decent middle ground.
 
Grandad said:
My brace of Springer Spaniels and their intense energy used to keep me young, after they went I got a brace of Labradors and whilst they are beautiful creatures to have they are so much more relaxed and genteel.
Gotta say the genteel has its advantages - not yearning to get outdoors with you for at least three hours a day irrespective of weather or how crappy you may be feeling ... Lol !
Mine are currently 13 yrs so will get another Springer next as I seem to have aged somewhat these last 13 yrs .... Springers make a great eternal youth serum 😍 or is it kill or cure :eek:
Having said that a terrier would make a decent middle ground.
Click to expand...
A mate of mine always keeps Springers
He always says he won't have another but he's had 3 in a row so far
Those dogs are just crazy
Crazy fun too
I look after my girlfriends Jack occasionally
He walks me twice a day!!🤣🤣
 
More off topic, I prefer German Shephards, have had 8. Last was the best, could not buy another after her. Not fair to a new one to be compared to her.
Then wife got a Springer Spaniel. No brain only good at running and looking cute.
 
Mike40M said:
More off topic, I prefer German Shephards, have had 8. Last was the best, could not buy another after her. Not fair to a new one to be compared to her.
Then wife got a Springer Spaniel. No brain only good at running and looking cute.
Click to expand...
I've had five GSDs. Every one different, though couldn't/wouldn't pick a 'best'........
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top