Cycling UK Forum

Running Marathon Plus on tandem, tour bike and club bike. Have been the toughest and most reliable tyre I have used in 55 years riding. ( Still averaging 300 miles a week ) including bridleways and tracks. Ride at about 90 PSI as rugby build. Only minor issue has been reflective strip peeling on one. Will find out soon if quality has dropped , as need to replace a front one that has worn down bald and blue showing through. Last puncture 18 months ago.

Plenty of experience. Most of the time it is young males with a sad and boring life, looking to make there mates laugh. If you ignore them, it all falls a bit flat. If you respond they get a bigger laugh out of it. Its only when they start throwing bottles and cans it becomes a problem. It is not confined to cyclists, when walking from work along a south coast seafront I was regularly targeted as were my colleagues. They will pick on you for been tall, short, fat, thin, bald, wearing glasses, red hair etc. As Cyclists we are probably seen as different but usually what they shout is lost in the wind. In the past, when chasing after them to catch them at lights it has caused them great amusement, so unless they cause danger, I would ignore them. As they say "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me".

Not quite in your age range, as only 72. Have cycled seriously for 56 years and still all original parts. I have noticed little difference in stamina, as I still regularly do 100 mile day rides for pleasure. However speed has dropped, as whilst my cadence is still the same, I have to use a lower gear. This loss of strength also affects me on hills, where I change onto the granny ring instead of powering up. When making efforts, I get out of breath quicker, probably due to a decreasing maximum heart rate. I have not suffered from any repetitive type, strains or pains and still average over 10,000 miles a year. When on a good road with a howling tail wind, I feel 16 again. Just carry on and enjoy it, as long as you can, keep your weight down and have extra recovery time.