To the 50 somethings, and beyond

[yello]

Is it to be expected that you'll get all manner of niggles, aches and pains?

I chalked up a half century last year. I also seem to be increasingly troubled by silly aches and pains. Is it downhill from here on in? I hope so because frankly my knees are killing me!

 

[dellzeqq]

the short answer is no. I'm as limber and as ache free as I was forty years ago.

 

[Crackle]

There is no definitive answer Yello, we all age differently. I'm not as limber as I was in my 30's but I blame that not on ageing but posture and sitting at a desk too many hours a day. I could probably do something about it with yoga or something but I find it hard to do things that don't appeal.

As for knees, my knees have always been a weak spot for me. In response, I changed my pedalling action and cadence and the gears I used, a few years ago. That's helped.

 

[lukesdad]

I just ignore mine ( except for the pain in the ar*e at home she s hard to ignore )

 

[Banjo]

I believe cycling helps keep me supple. My back was very stiff for years after a car crash since I started regular cycling again about 3 years ago the back is hugely improved.

 

[PpPete]

Only persistent "niggle" I have is in my right shoulder - but that was there long before I took up cycling in my 51st year !

 

[yello]

I'm as limber and as ache free as I was forty years ago.

So, you were geriatric in your teens too

My question's semi-serious but largely tongue-in-cheek. Clearly, the body does clap out as you get older - that's to be expected - but I just wondered how others perceived this and dealt with it.

 

[carolonabike]

I feel exactly the same as I did 25 years ago, no aches or pains at all. perhaps I've been lucky so far.

The only sign of ageing I have experienced so far is that I now have to wear glasses for reading which I do find a massive pain . At frst I spent a large sum on one pair of glasses from the opticians but quickly realised it was totally impractical to depend upon one pair. So I got some cheap reading glasses from the supermarket. Now I have one pair at work, three pairs in the house (I'm always putting them down) and another pair which live in my handbag. I'm thinking about getting yet another pair to leave in my bike bag. for when I'm out and want to look at a map.

 

[DougieAB]

I sometimes wonder how long I will be able to commute to work. Managed 180 days (4500 miles) in 2011. Even though I try to keep the joints lubricated (oily fish, supplements) and stretching exercises each day I still find the hip joints are occasionally very stiff. Not really painfull as yet more of an ache. I am hoping to start doing yoga again once the local health centre re-opens after re-furbishment. I cant give up now, I have a new commuting bike waiting for me on my birthday (not till May) and of course there will be long, warm sunny summer days by that point

 

[mistral]

I'm fortunate too, into my 55th year, I'm hardly ever ill and don't feel any adverse affects from cycling 150+ miles a week for work, then longer weekend rides.

I don't really do any other exercise - apart from longish walks, but came across these that may help

http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/8-Core-Exercises-for-Cyclists.htm

 

[ianrauk]

I'm fortunate too, into my 55th year, I'm hardly ever ill and don't feel any adverse affects from cycling 150+ miles a week for work, then longer weekend rides.

I don't really do any other exercise - apart from longish walks, but came across these that may help

Here is a man that says he's 55.. well I tell you what. If I looked as good as this man does when I reach that age I will be a very happy bunny.

I'll have what you are having Mick.

 

[mistral]

I'll have what you are having Mick.

That'll be one expensive teen daughter and an even more expensive one away at Uni....
...what you won't be having is any meat or my wife for that, who looks after us all amazingly, but complains she's often on her own on Friday nights, can't imagine why.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

So, you were geriatric in your teens too

My question's semi-serious but largely tongue-in-cheek. Clearly, the body does clap out as you get older - that's to be expected - but I just wondered how others perceived this and dealt with it.

Past 45 you have to work harder to stand still as the testosterone production levels fall.

I find DOMS can be a bit of an issue, and feel more beaten up after riding an MTB these days than I have before but maybe that's because I've been spending too much of my time on tarmac. Nothing that a bit of core and upper body work in the gym wont fix in a month.

The arthritis is a bugger though...

 

[ColinJ]

I've had aches and pains since I was in my 20s and they aren't much worse now I am 56 , except that my hip joints are wearing out so I can't risk running any more. I'm fine walking and riding my bike as long as I make sure that I am not overgeared.

I think once you got to your 70s, you'd be doing well not to suffer from any niggling aches and pains.

 

[Ian H]

Some years ago when I was a mere youngster of 40 something, I had a serious (well, it was to me) achilles problem that I thought was going to stop me cycling. Various friends advised seeing a proper sports physio. I did, with great success. I now regard my physio as like a garage mechanic - take the old carcass in to be fettled when necessary. Last year, at 58, I posted the fastest of my four PBP attempts, so I'm not done yet. Aches and pains? Oh yes.