{"id":37113,"date":"2018-07-12T13:05:47","date_gmt":"2018-07-12T19:05:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/funfitnessafter50.com\/?p=37113"},"modified":"2018-07-12T13:07:13","modified_gmt":"2018-07-12T19:07:13","slug":"are-you-afraid-to-ride-a-bicycle-at-your-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/funfitnessafter50.com\/are-you-afraid-to-ride-a-bicycle-at-your-age\/","title":{"rendered":"Are You Afraid to Ride a Bicycle at Your Age ?"},"content":{"rendered":"
I was recently surprised to survive a mountain bike ride. I found myself vacillating between<\/p>\n
You only live once!<\/em><\/p>\n and<\/p>\n If I crash, will I die?<\/em><\/p>\n This in spite of cycling being recommended as one of the least stressful exercises for the body.<\/p>\n Actually, I wasn’t being foolhardy. I would say it was a combination of trying to trust what skills I do<\/em> have and working the course. Oh, and encouragement and insight from dear husband. Is this a reasonable approach at my age of 57 years?<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The biggest concern is that the older our bodies are, the less resilient they are about healing. Just how much less resilient may be up for discussion, because there are so many more variables than age. Nutrition, overall body strength, and good circulation will all impact healing significantly.<\/p>\n There are a number of strategies for bicycle riding, too. If you haven’t been bicycling for a while, you shouldn’t start with a mountain bike challenge. You want to gradually develop the necessary muscle strength and experience that will help you respond to more challenging terrain.<\/p>\n Here is my list of advice for getting back to cycling or continuing on your cycling journey.<\/p>\n Don’t forget basics like a helmet and good inner tubes. And take someone with you who knows how to fix a flat… or have a phone. I have not yet been able to master changing a flat tire. Mechanical repairs are definitely not my forte.<\/p>\n I think we can conclude that most levels of bicycling are not so much a matter of being too old as possibly being unprepared. Get a bicycle that is in good repair, find some friends who can both encourage and advise, and get out there and bicycle!<\/p>\n When you have built up your skills and strength, don’t be afraid to try some more varied terrain. You can walk hills if you need to. Most of the youngsters walked the same hills I did on that mountain bike ride, and they are all in great shape! My husband powered up more than anyone. He is a few months older than me.<\/p>\n PS – This ride was out in the Owyhee desert, south of Nampa, Idaho, beginning at Hemmingway Butte trailhead<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhat is your biggest concern about cycling?<\/h4>\n
Ways to keep bicycling fun and challenging<\/h4>\n
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So is bicycling all that age dependent?<\/h4>\n