Middle-age crisis ... for my mother

[jefmcg]

[QUOTE 4804491, member: 21629"]Told her to change saddle into the biggest and softest one she will find.[/QUOTE]
Well that's good advice if you want her to give up. Big soft saddles lead to more discomfort that we'll sized saddles with minimal or no padding.

 

[vickster]

Maybe not over a mile or two

 

[jefmcg]

[QUOTE 4804517, member: 21629"]Jeez, she's a complete beginner... Current saddle will make her to give up. She told me where she will go - it will be max 3 miles ride and definitely not everyday.[/QUOTE]
Is she simple? Surely she can workout if the saddle is uncomfortable or not, and what shape might be better.

I find that one of the hardest things to convince a beginner is that the most comfortable looking saddle is not going to actually be the most comfortable saddle.

And if she last rode a bicycle in her mid 40s, she's not a beginner. 10 years fly by. She'll be rusty but it will come back quickly.

 

[Kernow Cyclista]

Well....good for mum. I feel for you, it's a worry but you can't live her life for her. It's a shame your bike isn't a hybrid, they're comfy and relatively stable but maybe she just wants a taster.
I was 61 when I got my first road bike (I'm female) and although I'd ridden a hybrid before hand, I fell in love with the road bike and still love it. it's my lifeline. And I've never been fitter. Good luck and I hope it works out ok

 

[Will Spin]

Don't worry, my mum is 89, goes cycling and flies a glider!

 

[gbb]

Is there any way you can encourage her off the road OMG ? Onto tracks or trails perhaps, somewhere way from the roads you obviously fear. A different bike perhaps ?...although reading your post it appears possibly not.

It's great she wants to get out, perhaps she's wanting to stick two fingers up to the ill health she's suffered.

 

[Globalti]

A big soft squidgy saddle is fine for creating an illusion of comfort for a few easy miles but bad news when seriousness sets in as it will make her bottom sweat and will chafe.

 

[Pish]

I am 62 and starting again after a 50 year abscence. Your mum sounds absolutely great. I well understand your protective feelings towards her, but let her have her head. She may go just a few hundred yards and give up, or she may love it. All those birthday presents sorted for the next few years.

 

[Globalti]

I would suggest you line up the road bike and a mountain bike or hybrid and let her test them both. Mountain bikes are comfortable and easy to ride and safe on poor surfaces. I'd go as far as to say that it's mountain bikes that kick-started the new-found popularity of cycling. I bet she will prefer the mountain bike. Don't give her a crap one with rear suspension and a frame made from gas pipe though.

 

[steveindenmark]

Having read OMGs original post. I am wondering how old he is? I am 59 and feel exactly the same as when I was 27.

I am a toy boy to my partner Jannie. At the end of last year Jannie bought a cannondale caadx 12 and I bought her a Genesis Croix de fer 20 for her birthday.

My point is that you really should not patronise people older than yourself. What some class as old age, some class as experience.

Or maybe OMGs just a bit concerned that mum will thrash him in a race

 

[theclaud]

Having read OMGs original post. I am wondering how old he is? I am 59 and feel exactly the same as when I was 27.

I am a toy boy to my partner Jannie. At the end of last year Jannie bought a cannondale caadx 12 and I bought her a Genesis Croix de fer 20 for her birthday.

My point is that you really should not patronise people older than yourself. What some class as old age, some class as experience.

Or maybe OMGs just a bit concerned that mum will thrash him in a race

Classic!

 

[Banjo]

My Mum is 80. twice a week she volunteers to cook breakfasts for "old folk" at the age concern café. most of them are younger than her. age is just a number,

Im sure your mum will be able to asses the risk for herself.