starting again aged 70ish
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: 19 Aug 2021, 5:05pm
starting again aged 70ish
Hi Everyone
I was wondering if I could ask for help please?
My husband and I wish to start cycling again. I have resurrected my Dawes Super Galaxy, he has yet to find a bike he likes. I have started very short runs. Much has changed since we cycled. (I used to commute on my bike, many years ago).
What advice would you give us? Where should we start? I like the idea of riding in a group but know that I would probably be very slow. Is there something out there for people of a more mature vintage?
Thank you for your help
I was wondering if I could ask for help please?
My husband and I wish to start cycling again. I have resurrected my Dawes Super Galaxy, he has yet to find a bike he likes. I have started very short runs. Much has changed since we cycled. (I used to commute on my bike, many years ago).
What advice would you give us? Where should we start? I like the idea of riding in a group but know that I would probably be very slow. Is there something out there for people of a more mature vintage?
Thank you for your help
Re: starting again aged 70ish
Contact your local CyclingUK/CTC member group, if it’s anything like ours you will find lots of people of a similar age to ride with and different ability groups based on speed. You may also find other groups locally. My own cycling club has official rides on Weds, Sat and Sun and unofficial ones on Mondays and Fridays.
If you are not confident on busy roads, then drive or catch a train to somewhere where there’s not so much traffic and ride from there. Start off with short rides and slowly build up your distance and fitness.
If you are not confident on busy roads, then drive or catch a train to somewhere where there’s not so much traffic and ride from there. Start off with short rides and slowly build up your distance and fitness.
Sherwood CC and Notts CTC.
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
http://www.jogler2009.blogspot.com
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
http://www.jogler2009.blogspot.com
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- Location: Horwich Which is Lancs :-)
Re: starting again aged 70ish
Depends where you live, but there are quite a few start up groups for older people starting cycling... some are run via the local councils so Library notice boards or council websites might be one starting place. As said CTC/CUK local group and also consider looking at British cycling for any Breeze rides.... they tend to be female only but may 'allow' or have rides where men can join in.
Sounds like you have made a good start by getting out and doing some short miles.
Sounds like you have made a good start by getting out and doing some short miles.
I stand and rejoice everytime I see a woman ride by on a wheel the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood. HG Wells
Re: starting again aged 70ish
Check if you have a local U3A group that does bike rides.
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- Joined: 7 Aug 2013, 8:31pm
Re: starting again aged 70ish
Easy, it's just like riding a bike...........after 30 years wrote: ↑17 Oct 2021, 11:01am Hi Everyone
I was wondering if I could ask for help please?
My husband and I wish to start cycling again. I have resurrected my Dawes Super Galaxy, he has yet to find a bike he likes. I have started very short runs. Much has changed since we cycled. (I used to commute on my bike, many years ago).
What advice would you give us? Where should we start? I like the idea of riding in a group but know that I would probably be very slow. Is there something out there for people of a more mature vintage?
Thank you for your help
.........oh.
It does help to have a local group to ride with, because it gets you out when you're not 100% sure that today is a riding day.
Mainly I think you need to ride at least twice a week to build up fitness, and after that the world is your mollusc of choice.
You don't say whereabouts you live.
This might help with the suggestions.
Re: starting again aged 70ish
Welcome!
Depending on where you live, I'd consider riding well away from traffic if possible - that will get your confidence back. If your bike hasn't been used for a long while, check your tyres are still rideable in particular. My local CUK group caters for all ages, types of riding & abilities - I'm sure you'll get a warm welcome!
Depending on where you live, I'd consider riding well away from traffic if possible - that will get your confidence back. If your bike hasn't been used for a long while, check your tyres are still rideable in particular. My local CUK group caters for all ages, types of riding & abilities - I'm sure you'll get a warm welcome!
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- Joined: 9 Jan 2007, 2:44pm
Re: starting again aged 70ish
You may already have twigged that the biggest change has been the traffic. If you are, as I suspect, not intending to commute, then you may be able to avoid traffic completely, at least until you are both more comfy with it.
Post with your location and you may be surprised how many traffic-free recreational routes are available.
Post with your location and you may be surprised how many traffic-free recreational routes are available.
Re: starting again aged 70ish
If you can't find a group you think might be right for you, ask any other group to see if they know of any other local groups.
If you want to find traffic free routes, try; - https://www.opencyclemap.org/ (click "key and more info" bottom RH corner for the map key).
Assuming you are retired, some roads will be quiet during the working day but busy during commuting times and.or the weekend.
Bikes are in short suppy at the moment due to Covid etc and probably will remain so for a while yet, so the choice might be limited. If he still has his bike, an option might be to get it refurbished (possibly converting to flat bars if he doesn't like dropped bars anymore).
Well done for restarting!
If you want to find traffic free routes, try; - https://www.opencyclemap.org/ (click "key and more info" bottom RH corner for the map key).
Assuming you are retired, some roads will be quiet during the working day but busy during commuting times and.or the weekend.
Bikes are in short suppy at the moment due to Covid etc and probably will remain so for a while yet, so the choice might be limited. If he still has his bike, an option might be to get it refurbished (possibly converting to flat bars if he doesn't like dropped bars anymore).
Well done for restarting!
- simonineaston
- Posts: 8076
- Joined: 9 May 2007, 1:06pm
- Location: ...at a cricket ground
Re: starting again aged 70ish
You don't say exactly how long it's been since you last enjoyed regular cycling but if the interval is the 2 decades it could very well be, I think you will amazed at the amount of sophisticated gadgetry that's appeared over the years that can benefit riders in loads of ways. Amongst my own favourites are:
* a 'leccy-powered Brompton
* GPS mapping devices
* an excellent online tool for planning almost any sort of cycling route - link here
There are many online mapping tools available but the one linked above is cycle-specific and benefits from having its developer a regular reader, here on this very forum. It has a built-in tool that lets you choose a circular route around any given starting point, with a slider to control the total milage - you might find that fun, while you find out more about social riding and nearby clubs - where are you based, approx.?
* a 'leccy-powered Brompton
* GPS mapping devices
* an excellent online tool for planning almost any sort of cycling route - link here
There are many online mapping tools available but the one linked above is cycle-specific and benefits from having its developer a regular reader, here on this very forum. It has a built-in tool that lets you choose a circular route around any given starting point, with a slider to control the total milage - you might find that fun, while you find out more about social riding and nearby clubs - where are you based, approx.?
S
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
Re: starting again aged 70ish
Good decision.
Where are you, please?
Have fun
Jonathan
Where are you, please?
Have fun
Jonathan
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: 19 Aug 2021, 5:05pm
Re: starting again aged 70ish
Hi everyone
Several people have asked for our location. We are east London Essex borders. Thank you for all the replies so far thaty are really helpful .
kind regards
Elaine
Several people have asked for our location. We are east London Essex borders. Thank you for all the replies so far thaty are really helpful .
kind regards
Elaine
- simonineaston
- Posts: 8076
- Joined: 9 May 2007, 1:06pm
- Location: ...at a cricket ground
Re: starting again aged 70ish
I have a friend whose dad lives in Billerickay - other than that, I have no knowledge of such a place! Good luck with your endevours - hope everything goes well.
S
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
Re: starting again aged 70ish
Would any of the Lee Valley routes be suitable?
https://www.visitleevalley.org.uk/walki ... ing-routes
Jonathan
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: 19 Aug 2021, 5:05pm
Re: starting again aged 70ish
Very much so, thank you. .We are in the situation where we don't know what we don't know!
Fabulous replies. Thank you everyone!
Fabulous replies. Thank you everyone!
- Philip Benstead
- Posts: 1955
- Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 7:06pm
- Location: Victoria , London
Re: starting again aged 70ish
I would suggest The Forty Plus Cycling Clubafter 30 years wrote: ↑19 Oct 2021, 5:21pm Hi everyone
Several people have asked for our location. We are east London Essex borders. Thank you for all the replies so far thaty are really helpful .
kind regards
Elaine
https://www.fortypluscc.co.uk/
It has groups based in east London and Essex
Philip Benstead | Life Member Former CTC Councillor/Trustee
Organizing events and representing cyclists' in southeast since 1988
Bikeability Instructor/Mechanic
Organizing events and representing cyclists' in southeast since 1988
Bikeability Instructor/Mechanic