Cycling UK Forum

djnotts wrote: 15 Jan 2026, 4:32pm Seems latest (recurrent) cancer treatment on top of ever worsening COPD finally bringing my cycling to an end at 77 years and 5 mths. Too much pain and inability to breathe!

Fair run in all the circumstances I reckon.

That's very sad to hear. I hope your treatment goes well and is successful.

Cowsham wrote: 15 Jan 2026, 6:19pm

djnotts wrote: 15 Jan 2026, 4:32pm Seems latest (recurrent) cancer treatment on top of ever worsening COPD finally bringing my cycling to an end at 77 years and 5 mths. Too much pain and inability to breathe!

Fair run in all the circumstances I reckon.

That's very sad to hear. I hope your treatment goes well and is successful.

Thank you. No pretence that "curative" this time. Simple delay and limit symptoms. Maybe 12 months?

On reading dj's posts it really made me think be grateful for what I still can do and not what I can't.
I think I know you from RB . Keep going as best we can .
I no longer chase mileage targets and I'm happy just going out for a ride.
Given the very wet start to 2026 I reckon a canoe is in the offing .
At least it's not going to be so dam cold for to next few days.

Hi Snoopy and all.

Weather certainly hasn't helped this year so far. A lot of my 325 miles in Jan on the turbo - dare not risk a fall cos the treatment weakens my bones. And nearly a week away in Feb will drop me below my min "10 a day" ( altho did quite a bit of walking). A couple of 15 milers plus 2 10s on the turbo so far this week - and with some help from the train I might see the local CTC Saturday Riders tomorrow!

The treatment causes muscle loss and ache. More protein and rowing machine for the former and raised cockpits on 2 bikes to reduce weight on the arms (never cut down steerers, never know when might need extra few inches!).

Afternoon nap increased from 40 winks to an hour!

Bizarre how exercise combats the standard fatigue side effect (which I don't have, just less energy and strength). Few other side effects, none life changing.

If I can get back to average min 10 miles a day once (if) weather improves I'll be happy. Will help maintain leg muscle strength which it appears is quite important for all sorts of movement!

Seem to see many folk younger than me who look a lot less "active" as they struggle to get into their SUVs...

Good aging all.

(Been on RB many years - as"oldave" and the "old" is about right.)

Onward and downward...

Aka. Bagpuss

Snoopy wrote: 20 Feb 2026, 8:14pmAka. Bagpuss

Hi Paul, hope you're well. Further back than RB then! Also from long ago, GIGFY and Mrs have been up to see us a few times in last couple of years.

Hi Dave.
Trying to keep the pedals moving . Weather looks better this weekend, so off out for a trundle through the lanes .
Paul

Good man! I'm hoping to ride, despite the nasty winds.
Take care, Dave.

Well, warmer, (slightly) less windy,weather helps. Plus doubling protein to counter my meds has greatly reduced muscle aches. Regularly hitting 80-90 miles per week, so 10-a-day average on track.

A pretty light Planet X roadie rebuilt with touring bike gearing and bar cons for my arthritic digits is doing the business!

Just pottering along........

I am 76 just turned.
My own health went downhill around Covid time. Before that I had a couple of bikes. a heavy Thorn Nomad tourer and a lighter Kinesis T2 Racelight. I am not a competitive cyclist, but could just about hold my own on Club runs.
I had done a bit of credit card touring in France, Ireland and Scotland.
Things went quickly downhill around Covid and I was diagnosed with Poly Myalgia, say mid 2019.
I'd lost the edge and decided to get an E bike.
I was put on steroid medication for quite a while and that contributed to type 2 diabetes.
I was a regular Hill Walker and swimmer and used the gym once a week.
I can only walk on flat ground now and my knees get sore.
The real drop in performance came last summer when I was diagnosed with osteo arthritis.
I have lost a lot of muscular strength in both legs and suffer painful inflammation in both elbows.
My balance too has deteriorated significantly.
The problem with arthritic joints is that it is progressive. There are no cures aside from new knees and hips.
The NHS gives you minimal physio in the form of stretching exercises. Some get Naproxen, others don't.
OTC pain relief is about as good as it gets. These Ibuprofen and Diclaphenic gels work to a point, but are expensive.
My strategy is to keep cycling for as long as I can turn the pedals and I'm lucky I have a pal who is similarly afflicted, so I'm not always solo.

Some years ago I set myself the target of riding my age in miles every birthday, and thus far have managed to do so each July. This year it will be 70 hilly Devon miles, so I've called in reinforcements to cycle with me and am breaking it down to 35 miles in the morning, 25 in the afternoon then 10 miles to the pub and back. Significant lunch and tea stops will be included.

I'm just hoping that I can stear clear of the 'grandchild' bugs that have curtailed so much cycling so far this year.

Like the rest of you, I hate to admit that I'm slowing down but my wife has noted the ever longer post ride naps

Here's an extreme example of a fit, and fairly old, cyclist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTQw6eS4c0A.

^ Same age! I can do the "every day" bit, not the speed nor terrain nor distance! Prostate cancer treatment final nail in my coffin (in every sense!) and some research suggests cycling actually a "cause". So some luck involved.

Respect (and some envy).

JohnR wrote: 19 May 2026, 8:41am Here's an extreme example of a fit, and fairly old, cyclist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTQw6eS4c0A.

Truly inspirational -- I doubt I'll ever be that guy though and never been a competition cyclist -- competition power lifter ( no drugs -- couldn't afford them -- poor as a church mouse back then)

JohnR wrote: 19 May 2026, 8:41am Here's an extreme example of a fit, and fairly old, cyclist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTQw6eS4c0A.

Sid Barras, still riding almost every day at 78. I cycle a lot with an 82 year old ex-racer, who would have raced against Sid. He’s out nearly every day too, riding 150-200 miles a week. Gives me hope that I can carry on riding for a while yet. I’m only 67, and did 7000 miles on my bike last year.