Tripled Commute!

[661-Pete]

This has been on the cards for us for some months, ever since our workplace was 'restructured' (i.e. sacking 2/3 of staff ) a couple of years ago, it's obvious that we're in too large premises.

Now, it seems, we have an interested buyer at last and have also a possible place to move into. Timescale is about a year. I'll probably still be at work then, workload is ongoing and I haven't signalled any retirement date....

So the question is - at age 61+ will I cope with a 6.5 miles (each way) commute as opposed to 2 miles?

I expect a lot of you guys (especially those of my generation) will say an unhesitating 'yes' but I do wonder a bit. If I manage it, it'll be a tremendous morale-booster, I really need something like that at the moment! But my physical stamina has dropped a lot, I can only just manage about 10mph average, and a very leisurely 35 miles (ok, say 40) is about my upper limit for a Sunday morning. And this is as per last summer - what about this year? Next?

I fear the answer is, I'll probably revert to the car at least some of the time . Especially in bad weather. I've done reasonably well in keeping down car use for these past 15 years or so, so can't complain.

There is a potential public transport option: hourly bus service. No trains: nearest station is 4 mile walk. I might consider the bus as a third option.

My colleagues who (90% of them) come by car or m/cycle, won't have any problems, I reckon. Though there have been some gripes about absence of a nearby supermarket. Our present place is right opposite Tesco's. The new one will be right out in the sticks, miles from anywhere - it's a mini-industrial estate built out of a converted farm. The fields around have become a golf course. You know the sort of set-up: there are dozens of places like that all over Sussex.

Well, at least, I'm having a think about possible routes. I know all the roads around there perfectly, but I have to consider what they'll be like in the morning peak.

Can I take it? It would be only for a year or two, then I retire...

 

[byegad]

Up to my early retirement at 55 I ommuted 16 miles each way. Not every day but several times a week over the year. For me now, at nearly 60, 6.5 miles every day would be easy. No need to wear full cycling gear just take it easy in normalish clothing.

 

[HLaB]

Given the amount of 60 and 70 + cyclists I've come across Pete, you'll be fine. I can only really suggest give it a go you have PT as a back up if you find after a while you need a break but tbh you would probably find it more tiring. Good Luck!

 

[potsy]

I think you'll be fine with it, take it slow it's not a race. I cycle home with a colleague who is 62, he does 5 miles each way and leaves me struggling to keep up most of the time

 

[Jezston]

Is the route particularly hilly?

Would investing in an electric assist bike be feasible?

 

[661-Pete]

Is the route particularly hilly?

Would investing in an electric assist bike be feasible?

No and no!
I've seen electrics around the local area. They don't impress me - they are one of the things I can still overhaul! Other cyclists - err.... no .

 

[buggi]

Absolutely.

First and foremost, whatever your ride, make sure it has got road tyres on it. Even MTB's can have more road friendly tyres. This will make your commute a lot easier.

Secondly, don't ride to maximum effort when you commute. Take it nice and steady, don't push it so you're knackered, and then you will find that you won't feel tired. The first time you do the commute, time it and then everytime after give yourself another 5 to 10 mins to the do the journey. You'll be as fresh as a daisy mate.

 

[heretic]

I'm 57, ride a hilly 8 miles to work on road, then come back on a trail for a steady, flat 10 mile return run. That's 5 days per week. I sometimes manage a mid shift run if things are favourable (I work part time and do extra bits when it suits me). Overall about 130 miles per week, though it's been less over the cold snap.
Just give yourself plenty of time and take it steady, no bother.

 

[cyberknight]

No and no!
I've seen electrics around the local area. They don't impress me - they are one of the things I can still overhaul! Other cyclists - err.... no .

Try it and see , at 10 mph average it seer what 35-40 mins, have you access to other transport that you could maybe take alternate days to build up the distance? the bus like you mention.

I say if you can manage it then hats off to you for showing those you work with that those young uns are all wimps !

 

[661-Pete]

Just to explain a bit more: I'm (obviously) and old-timer with lots of commuting experience, and in an earlier life I certainly did 10-mile-plus commutes. Not every day. I know I can pace myself easily enough through a 7-mile ride, after all I go out on that sort of spin at lunchtimes, even now. In summer it's almost daily, in winter it's at best twice a week but I still do it!

So it's not really a case of 'building up' to a 7 mile commute. I could do it now: that sort of distance I hardly feel. Just wondering it time and age will catch up on me and make me depressed.

But thanks for the comments anyway.

PS I go for regular check-ups at the Docs: BP, blood tests, heart conditions, that sort of thing. He always asks me so I'll mention it. He's bound to say, go for it, so I probably will. He's that sort of doc - I wish all others were! I've read some bad reports of GPs on this forum...

 

[henshaw11]

Most of the roadies I see on my commute to work are the upper side of at least 60, and probably 70, tho' perhaps they used to a lot of mileage in there younger days.
There used to be a guy not far from me - Ron Beams - who only died a few years ago, almost made it to 100, and was still cycling. I believe he only really started cycling much when he got to about 69 and/or retirement. He had several recumbent trikes, a few custom built, certainly one with electrical assist for hills. I *think* it was only a short illness that sadly finished him off.

http://www.aqvm78.dsl.pipex.com/SWLDA/Other/RonBeams/RonBeams.htm

So you've got another 38 years to go

 

[fossyant]

Get off your butt, flippin heck, you are young ! Like any advice, take it easy to start. Oh you worry to much.........

 

[DrSquirrel]

No and no!
I've seen electrics around the local area. They don't impress me - they are one of the things I can still overhaul! Other cyclists - err.... no .

Electric bikes can look silly indeed... what about a retrofit motor hub and sticking the battery pack onto a rack - no silly looking frame to look at then...

Though I think 6.5 miles, at 10mph is still okay. It's more worth it to get donned up for the "bad weather" for 6 miles too, opposed to 2 (where I would rather walk than prepare both ways).

 

[gbb]

Just to explain a bit more: I'm (obviously) and old-timer with lots of commuting experience, and in an earlier life I certainly did 10-mile-plus commutes. Not every day. I know I can pace myself easily enough through a 7-mile ride, after all I go out on that sort of spin at lunchtimes, even now. In summer it's almost daily, in winter it's at best twice a week but I still do it!

So it's not really a case of 'building up' to a 7 mile commute. I could do it now: that sort of distance I hardly feel. Just wondering it time and age will catch up on me and make me depressed.

But thanks for the comments anyway.

PS I go for regular check-ups at the Docs: BP, blood tests, heart conditions, that sort of thing. He always asks me so I'll mention it. He's bound to say, go for it, so I probably will. He's that sort of doc - I wish all others were! I've read some bad reports of GPs on this forum...

You touched on a couple of points there i was going to raise Pete .

I suspect not cycling will actually have an averse effect and make you depressed. Cycling is so beneficial to a persons fitness and health, you'll benefit from it. You already know you can do it...as the good weather starts coming, you'll wonder why you ever thought of NOT cycling that distance.

I was thinking (and forgive me if i'm wrong) do you feel like you're capable of more, like you're not running at 100% ? I was going to say perhaps you ought to see your doctor and have a checkup.
I know there's been times when i know i just havn't felt 100% for maybe a couple months at a time, in my case it was just overwork and tiredness. It was nice though to go to the docs and make sure there's nothing simple wrong in the background.

 

[ComedyPilot]

If this lady can do this..... then you can do a 6 mile commute