Lately I have seen several articles about people reaching 60 years (or more). One article wrote about bicyclists who retire early and then try to make up for all of the riding they were not able to do before they retired. The result was burnout and over training. While they rode some before retirement these riders cranked their miles and intensity to a level a 60+ year old body can no longer handle. Now the question is do you try to increase your riding gradually to a higher level or just write off the increased riding and settle for the same as before retirement?
Coach Fred Matheny received a question in RoadBikeRider.com Newsletter (Issue No. 355 – 08/07/08) from a 59 year-old rider, “I’ve been racing for 4 decades, averaging about 700 hours of training each year. But now I’m 59 and sometimes feel the motivation is just not there. I heard that a 67-year-old guy finished El Tour de Tucson (111 miles) in 4:51. He had significantly reduced his on-bike training to 4 days per week and lifts weights the other 3 days. Do you think I can cut back my training that way and still ride well?”
Coach Fred answered this “mature” rider advising him to consider moving the intensity down.
Being one of the baby boomers in my early 60’s I can identify with the 59-year-old’s question. I have tried to ride 4,500 to 5,000 miles for many years, sandwiching the time around work and family. I will retire soon and have spent some time thinking how this will affect my riding. Will I ride more, the same or less? I think the major change will be when rather than the amount. Due to my commute time I cannot ride in the morning so I ride when I get home after work. This is acceptable as long as daylight savings time is in effect. I do ride in the dark but restrict my routes to trails and back streets. My mountain bike is outfitted with bright lights.
When I retire I think I will move my ride time to the morning. This has some advantages, mostly weather related. While I wait for this event to arrive I will continue to strive for the miles but probably letup on the intensity.
How does retirement flavor your riding?
