Cycling trips—how old is too old?

In my opinion, there’s no age limit. Get a step-through bike—it’s easier to mount. If you’ve got the budget, have a custom bike made for you. After that, just pedal at your own pace. In my club, some 80-year-olds are faster than me—I’m 66—and I just saw an example of a 91-year-old woman doing a long trek on foot, pulling her luggage... Keep going and, most importantly, enjoy yourself...

I’ve just turned 68 and so far, no problems. I’ve switched to a recumbent bike—a trike. I wanted to try this way of getting around and I don’t regret it. My upright bike is now in the garage. When hills become too tough, I’ll add electric assist, but I’ll put that off as long as I can… This summer I’m planning a 1,500 km trip…

Way to go, "Old-Timers"—super inspiring!.............

hi there

personally I’m pushing 67

heart attack in 2005, a 40 cm femoral-artery bypass, repaired thanks to an organ donation in 2010

in great shape 😎😎😛 for bike touring and sea kayaking—next trip ROSCOFF to HENDAYE

when I’m forced to stop 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ I hope to keep going as long as possible because bike touring is still something really special

Heads up, everyone! 71 years young—left hip replacement (PTH), plus a few other bits and pieces (arthritis here and there, prostate, etc.). This year’s plan: in a few days, the traditional southern trip—the Dentelles de Montmirail and the Camargue. May/June: a solid month of cycling through Greece (I love the Greeks and their country...). After that, a bit of mountain biking before switching to hiking (trek planned in Nepal at the end of October). In short, no worries—just enjoying life while we can...

For cycling: I now mount the bike, loaded or not, by leaning it over at least partially. Once I’m on, with a few mini-stops to avoid getting too stiff, it’s really no problem. And when traveling, I now bring along a folding stool and a tent with decent height (1.40 m).

On a general note, I’m lucky to have a yoga instructor in my area who offers "adapted" sessions—no impossible positions, just learning to release tension or internal stiffness through breathing...

In short, as the fool (falling from the 50th floor and passing the 30th) said: so far, so good!

PS: I’m keeping an eye on developments in electric pedal-assist tech! Still waiting for something better than the current "mopeds"—like a tiny motor (80/100 W max), ultra-lightweight, disengageable, with decent range and the ability to recharge on descents. Basically, something that would help me regain a bit of lost power on long climbs without making me dependent on an electrical outlet every half-day! If you’ve heard of or tested anything... (aside from the hidden-frame systems, which are overpriced and lack real autonomy!)

The replies are pouring in—let’s start a club and show those youngsters a thing or two! 😏

Hi Jules.

At what age should you stop? I have no idea—I stopped counting the year I turned twenty.

I cover roughly 12,000 to 15,000 km a year. Five years ago, I switched to a recumbent tricycle—pure joy, with a speed range from 0 to 80 km/h (on some big descents).

Bottom line: as long as your legs work, your head’s still on your shoulders, and your great-grandkids aren’t swiping your bikes, there’s no reason to stop.

Keep your spirits up! And always follow the rules of the road—never trust other users, the main condition to avoid ending your ride in an ambulance.

Happy trails to everyone, no matter your age.

Hi there, At 63, I don’t really ask myself the question anymore. But I definitely don’t plan on stopping. I switched from a road bike to a touring bike, and I’ve got my eye on a recumbent trike every now and then. I don’t know how long a hip replacement lasts, but in the meantime, I’m wearing it out without holding back. Bottom line: I think you just need to keep at it regularly, and we’ll see how far we can go.

Hi there, I think we’ve all wondered about this as the years go by. But it’s hard to give a straight answer because we don’t all age the same way.

Back in 2013, I did a 4,000 km loop around the Mekong with a buddy who was 68 at the time. He’d knock out 100 km a day in scorching heat—sometimes more, even once 150 km—and never seemed tired. So clearly, it can last a long time.

Then there’s Robert, who set an hour-record of over 20 km at 100 years old two or three years ago. Last year, at 102, he still climbed a pass in the Massif Central. His doctor, who’s been following him for years, says his capacity keeps improving.

I also remember the only bike race I ever entered—I must’ve been 58 and just back from a South America cycling trip. I got beaten by an 83-year-old, and the climb was brutal.

This season, I skied with a 76-year-old woman. I could barely keep up with her on the slopes, let alone off-piste, even though I’ve been skiing since I was 8 and used to win races back in the day.

As long as we’re not sidelined by a major health issue, I think it’s mostly about mindset and motivation. As long as that’s there, the body follows.

Luc

Hi,

Since I’m younger than you (64), I can’t really answer your question. I’ve been back to cycle touring for two years now, I’m in good shape, do stages of 50 to 80 km, and camp. My only health issue is with a knee. It doesn’t stop me from pedaling, but it’s pretty annoying when I have to kneel to get in or out of the tent. I’m asking myself the same questions as you—how much longer, what will I do when I can’t anymore... I’d like to keep going for another five to ten years, then I’ll stop rather than switch to a different type of bike or get an e-bike.

I think what threatens us most, apart from orthopedic or heart issues that prevent pedaling, are the small and big signs of general aging: slower reaction times, weaker immune system, less stress resistance, memory decline, higher injury risk. All that can mean you’re still perfectly capable of cycling, but it becomes riskier. It can also rule out certain side activities like camping or taking the train. What I fear most is train travel—connections in stations without elevators or with broken ones, climbing into Intercity carriages.

Nothing beats cycling to stay in shape... Wait for me, I'm 58 and I'll catch up soon!! So have a great ride with spring just around the corner 😉

Hi everyone, 67 years old, no physical or mental health issues. I hope to be a centenarian cycle-tourist, but as a comedian once said, to live to 100 you’ve got to start early. Behind that joke lies a pretty sensible point: healthy living should be an early priority—but that doesn’t mean giving up all life’s pleasures.

😉Hey there, fellow cyclists! I just got back on my bike after nearly a year off. Had a wrist issue that dragged on way too long. The surgeon told me to wait a bit before hopping back on, so I did. I’m starting up my training rides around home again, and I’m surprised—I’ve barely lost any of my ability.

Still, as I get older, I’m wondering about an e-bike in the medium term. More for hauling luggage weight than for actual pedal assistance. Don’t seem to inspire much enthusiasm around here? But isn’t an electric assist better than giving up the fun altogether?

An electric-assist bike is awesome. I’ve got friends who own two electric-assist trikes and they’re absolutely thrilled... And I follow a blog by a young couple traveling the world with their dog on a trike plus trailer—maybe you know them? http://www.tricycletour.com/—also with electric assist...

I’ve got questions about how reliable these bikes really are. For the batteries—even though they’re crazy expensive—you can always pack a spare. Choosing one isn’t easy either. If any experts are around, I’d love some advice.

http://cyclurba.fr/ a site that covers e-bikes

Good evening, Sure, more and more cyclists are adding electric batteries to their setups. That said, it does add extra weight to carry... Likewise, people often skip camping or bivouacking—having a room with an outlet is way more practical for recharging, unless you also bring a powerful enough solar panel (which, of course, means even more weight...). Still, it’s really the ideal solution for keeping the adventure going and enjoying every moment.

Hi there, In other words, at what age do we lose our marbles? Haha. Practically speaking, ever since I turned 55, each year that goes by I age another year. So I prioritize the toughest rides first. And I wonder what gives out faster—the head or the legs? Happy trails, Pierre

Hi everyone, and thanks for all your encouragement and solutions to our various "senior" issues. But as I feared, there aren’t many septuagenarians cycling on this forum. Counting me, we’re only three in total.

In my opinion, there’s no age limit—just get a step-through frame for easier mounting

That’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m looking for a women’s MTB frame in nearby recycling centers, but at 1.80m, not many women are my height.

I switched to a recumbent bike

Not my thing for now, and neither is an e-bike—unless I decide to tackle the mountains.

Had a heart attack in 2005, a 40 cm femoral artery bypass, and recovered thanks to an organ donation in 2010

Luckily, I haven’t had any of those issues—so far, arthritis is enough for me.

The replies are pouring in—time to start a club and show those youngsters how it’s done!

A club? No, but a group of pen pals? Why not.

I don’t know how long a hip replacement lasts

15 years for runners, 20 for "standard" ones. I might consider it, but I’d love to hear from actual users first.

We’re not all equal when it comes to aging.

True, even for those of us who’ve taken care of ourselves.

The only health issue I have is with one knee.

Every time I start a hike, my right knee reminds me it’s there. They told me to "drown" my tendinitis, so I drink a lot—and so far, it works.

I hope to be a 100-year-old cycle tourist, but as a comedian once said, to live to 100, you’ve got to start early. In other words, at what age do we lose our touch? Haha.

Humor—especially self-deprecating humor—is the best.

2015 plans: Orléans to Saint-Nazaire, then back to Nantes for Nantes-Brest, and finally back to the Oise—by bike or train? This year, I’m not going solo; I’ll be with a group of five "young" women (ages 58 to 68). Can’t complain about that! Oh, and I just got my sailing license (Laser dinghy), so I’m aiming for 5–6 regattas this year in Picardy. Sure, I’m not gunning for the podium anymore, but cracking the top 10 overall is enough. Every year when winter rolls around and I put away the bike, boat, and windsurf board, I look at them skeptically—same routine for at least 15 years. And every spring? Magic. Here’s to 2016 being no different.

Hi everyone. Happy to share with other seniors. I’m 68 and try to get out even in winter. Here in Quebec, it all depends on whether the streets are well cleared. I’d love to buy a recumbent bike but it’s hard to choose. Do you have any ideas or references in terms of comparisons and tests? I do a lot of urban trails with moderate hills.

Other questions: Can an e-bike handle heavy rain and low temperatures—like below zero?

See you soon, and happy trails. Albert, Montreal

It's all in the title—I'm 70, and I've been traveling by bike (tent and camp stove) for five years now. Statistically, how many more years do I have left to plan my destinations and see everything (well, almost everything)? Question is half realistic, half humorous. To keep it simple: how old are you, fellow senior cyclotourists still on the road? And what are your biggest challenges? Personally, I'm in good physical shape, though my cruising speed has dropped from 3 to 4 km/h over the past five years. But arthritis (hip) is starting to make it difficult to swing my leg over the frame.

Hi Daniel, I’m 66 years old. I have a rare neuromyopathy. My heart arteries are atheromatous and calcified. I still suffer from the aftereffects of polytrauma following a serious accident when I was 24. I also have collagenous inflammatory colitis, a rare autoimmune disease (only 700 cases diagnosed in Europe per year). I’ve just gone through—or endured—a major surgery (subtalar arthrodesis with bone graft). I haven’t been back on the road since, just puttering around at home. I’ve solo-cycled across South America from Caracas to Ushuaia, taking the toughest backroads (like crossing the southern Lipez desert). I’ve got a will of steel and relentless tenacity, but I’m not suicidal—I think things through. I’m leaving on May 1st for Beijing, stopping in Paris to see part of my family. For this trip, I’m not necessarily looking for challenges, just those quiet, lost backroads. My main concerns: visas for China and Russia, my slow pace so I don’t get caught by winter and bad weather... Coming with me? We can split up anytime if things don’t work out... Cyclamities, Françoise

It must be a joy to pedal alongside you. Paris to Beijing isn’t the easiest route, and I wish you the best of luck. Unfortunately, I can’t set off right now. Plus, I plan to fly to China, where I’d love to explore Yunnan and Sichuan. Wishing you an amazing trip. If you can, send us updates from the road now and then. Safe travels and good winds!

Tough question—I’m 68 and last year I did my second pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, starting from Bayonne this time. I had a travel companion who was 78 and was also on his second Compostela. The year before, he’d done Briançon to Rome. I think it all comes down to a bit of luck on one hand and a healthy lifestyle on the other. I’ll keep cycling as long as I can, and who knows, maybe one day I’ll switch to an e-bike.

Hi everyone, Every time I set off on a new adventure, I wonder where I’ve gotten myself into this time! I’ve just completed a round trip on the EuroVelo 6, solo, camping, and eating cold meals for 3 months. I covered 9,000 km without any issues. I’m 71 years old, and everything’s fine. Safe travels to all! 😉 Stay calm and keep cool!!! http://europeavelo.canalblog.com/

Hi,

If I go by Jacques' buddy (Spip46), I've got 16 more years of pedaling ahead—I still have plenty to do. Question: how many tires is that gonna take?

ML

hi there

I read your blog!!!! 😉😛😛😛😛 hats off to you, old-timer 😇—amazing, I can’t believe it!!! so impressive at your age

I hope I can do the same; I’m only 67 🏴‍☠️

Hey there, old-timers! We might not have the physique anymore, but our mindset is so much stronger than the youngsters’... Exhibit A: http://www.frannycyclo.com/le-sud-lipez-un-apercu/

Hello everyone, Every time I start a new journey, I wonder where I’ve gotten myself into this time! I’ve just completed a round trip on the EuroVelo 6, solo, camping, eating cold meals for 3 months. I covered 9,000 km without any issues. I’m 71 years old, and everything’s fine. Happy trails to all. 😉 Stay calm, and keep it cool!!! http://europeavelo.canalblog.com/

Love the blog!! Reading all these adventures really lifts my spirits.

Here’s my plan for this summer:

Start from my place (southern Corrèze), head to Clermont-Ferrand, connect to Nevers, the Loire Valley, Nantes, then down to Bordeaux and back via the Dordogne Valley.

And in 2016, it’s Santiago de Compostela… All of this on a trike.

hi there

great blog!! kudos FRANCOISE 😛😛😛😛

Hey Claisse, thanks—but on a bike, I’m in my own world. I like your tent. Are you happy with it? Because mine needs replacing! Best, Jean-Marie

Hi there. Thanks! I did the Camino (by bike) in 2013, on the Camino Francés. Watch out for thirst—you cross some small deserts! After that, I kept going all the way to Gibraltar, then returned along the east coast. Buen CAMINO!!! Jean-Marie

A breathtaking journey. A little further up this thread, I was sorry I couldn’t join you. I’m a little less sorry now. Your desert crossing is extraordinary, and I’m not sure I’d have kept up.

Wishing you all the best for your future pedal-powered adventures.

Wow! What spirit and mindset!!!! Here’s an example for the younger generation. We need more people like you. I’m truly impressed. Jean-Marie

Good evening Françoise, no words—just hats off. I’m speechless (thank goodness it’s in writing) at your courage and life philosophy😏 Luc

hi there

oh yeah, super happy!!! vaude taurus 2-person tent

price is perfect, nothing to complain about—even though I’m 1.85 m and 90 kg, I feel really comfortable inside

great choice

Hello

Yes, super happy!!! Vaude Taurus 2-person tent

Price is perfect, nothing to complain about. Even though I’m 1.85m and 90kg, I feel really comfortable in it.

Great choice

Well, my Vaude gave out on me, and sleeping at 5,000 meters with a tent that won’t zip shut—no joke. Everything froze inside except for the bike. Crossing Chilean Patagonia with a tent that still won’t close *and* now leaks through the groundsheet? Brutal... For now, they can’t seem to make lightweight tents that last—unless it’s planned obsolescence... As for my Vaude panniers, they also failed... So, I don’t want to hear about Vaude anymore... Cyclamities Françoise

good evening

tough luck, FRANCOISE!! :/🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ I had the same problem with a Ferrino 2 (photo attached) the Nemessi2

what tent do you have now?

hugs

Every year as winter approaches, when I put away the bike, the boat, the windsurf board, I look at them questioningly, and I’ve been doing this for at least 15 years now. And spring—still magical this year, to be continued, just like in 2016.

Why do you put your bike away for winter? It’ll rust—and so will you... I invite you to follow my blog at www.frannycyclo.com starting May 1st. A little young thing at 66...

Why are you putting your bike away for the winter? It’ll rust, and so will you…

Hi there, “youngster of 66” Raynaud’s syndrome means my fingers turn white and numb as soon as it gets cold—I can’t even hold the handlebars. If anyone knows a remedy, I’m all ears. Of course I’ll be following your blog faithfully. A 70-year-old (who’s really struggling to get back in shape this early in the season, but I’ll keep at it)

hey JULES

SMALL TIP http://www.neroliane.com/blog/huiles-essentielles-pour-la-maladie-de-raynaud

good luck getting back in shape

Hi Bernard,

I’ve been using aromatherapy for 35 years now—one of Dr. Valnet’s early book pioneers—and I’ve never heard of this treatment. You’re never too old to learn, so thanks! I’ll definitely give it a try, even if *Helycrisum italicum* S.I. costs an arm and a leg. I’ve been using it successfully for bruises and contusions.

This condition is really a nightmare for those who suffer from it. I’m actually thinking of starting a blog to share experiences.

Thanks again for your input!

As for fitness, when the first nice days roll around, I always feel like I’ll never get back in shape. But by the 3rd or 4th ride, things are rolling much smoother.

Daniel

Why do you put your bike away in winter? It’ll rust, and so will you…

Hello, “young thing of 66” Raynaud’s syndrome means my fingers turn white and go numb as soon as it gets cold—I can’t even hold the handlebars. If anyone knows a remedy, I’m all ears. Of course I’ll follow your blog faithfully. A little old guy of 70 (who’s really struggling to get back in shape this early in the season, but I’ll keep at it)

To the grand old guy of 70:

Yes, I’ve got a remedy—I have a very rare myopathy that causes (among other things) paralysis in the cold. I manage by layering up, which has the bonus of cushioning falls but the downside of getting laughed at when I’m dressed like the Michelin Man in 20 °C or warmer. It also means I have to keep a huge wardrobe since this condition doesn’t stop me sweating. The worst is when my tongue freezes and I can’t speak, or my hands freeze and I can’t brake. Now I have hydraulic-assist brakes—absolute bliss. My bike is custom-made with the lowest possible frame because when my muscles are tired, I struggle to lift my leg.

Everyone deals with their own stuff in their own way.

Sometimes life throws real challenges our way… http://www.frannycyclo.com/j41-galere-galere-galere-ou-pluie-froid-les-2-ensemble/

Hang in there Cyclamities Françoise

hi Jules hi everyone!

I’m over 70 now—I don’t even know the exact number because it changes every year... a die-hard cyclist and former racer (track and road), I’d love to share my experiences so anyone who’s doubting their abilities can stay optimistic.

Physio, osteo—phew! After 15 years in Africa, I got back in the saddle... and nearly blew my turbo (aka my heart)! The verdict: most of my coronary arteries were blocked (hereditary cholesterol). The result: 5 stents fitted, plus another after a restenosis! And of course, all the meds that go with it—5 pills a day for the past 12 years... Plus a heart that only works at 60% capacity. Thanks to them, though, it’s stabilized.

Despite these setbacks (hip replacement, operated disc herniation, prostate issues, etc.), every day in my beloved Brittany, I’d ride 30–40 km, always listening to my body. No problems—just regular check-ups, a healthy diet, and my meds, which, unfortunately, give me muscle cramps.

If this story can encourage anyone who’s hesitant, that’s great!

Right now, I live in Cambodia, and cycling here in 35°C+ shade temps would be madness for me (same goes for extreme cold with heart conditions!). But this summer, back home, I can’t wait to get back on my bike!

So, hop on—after a good check-up! !

Hi,

A centenarian just set an hour record on the track (we can’t really say he "beat" it since he had no predecessor). What’s more, he’s been taking part in the Ardéchoise cycling tour for years—one of the cols was even named after him in his honor.

Anything’s possible, and I wish you many more kilometers ahead!

Hey 178jules, I’ll try to come back to this discussion in about a dozen years. For now, at 58.5 years old, after starting to cycle past 50 (needed to save some € and lose a few kg) to commute every day, all year round (almost 15 km)... and now for all my trips... after my last occupational health check-up, it seems my physiological age is just over 40 😎. And last year, I easily completed my first 200 km brevet (with my touring bike, but no luggage).

So, could cycling—a "supported" physical activity that’s easy on the joints and good for the heart and lungs—actually make you younger? For a future seniors’ club, we’d better stick to the age on our ID!

The replies are pouring in—let’s start a club and show those youngsters a thing or two! 😏

Hi everyone,

Without going as far as starting a club, we could share our travel plans with like-minded "colleagues" who might be interested. At our age—I’m 68—we’re retired, we have time, and our pension comes in every month, which is very different from young people who’ve had to save for years to fund long trips on 10 € a day (I’ve met plenty of them in South America).

I’ve got a project for 2015, but I’d love to find some partners for it. It’s the "Great Divide"—crossing the U.S. from the Canadian border to the Mexican border. It’s the longest off-road cycling route in the world, 4,700 km, following the Continental Divide. Michael McCoy wrote a guide: *Cycling the Great Divide*, which you can find on Amazon for 11 €, and it suggests planning for 62 days.

Hope this interests some of you.

The replies are pouring in—let’s start a club and show those youngsters a thing or two!!

A blog might do the trick for projects and trip reports—anyone interested? Minimum age requirement??? Through these discussions, there’s a lot of encouragement from younger folks, but the group seems to close up around 70–72 years old. The example of the record-breaking centenarian is inspiring, but it’s not the same vibe. Recently, I joined the sports retirement club in Beauvais and got closer to the cycling section: First observation: pretty much everyone has a high-end bike worth 3,000–4,000 €, decked out like pros—carbon everything, with the latest gear and jerseys. Then, when I mentioned traveling with luggage, they looked at me like I was an alien. The group that started the discussion (15–20 people) quickly thinned out, and I ended up finishing the conversation with just the cycling group leader (he’s very polite). Cycling, yes—but different styles. But I’m noticing more and more travelers with bikes + panniers, especially since this spring. And a lot on busy roads—it seems like planning a route on small roads and sticking to it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea? To be continued

Hi Daniel, Your message raises a ton of questions about age, different cycling practices, routes, and more. I can just picture the faces of the members of a cycling club when you talk to them about bike travel with panniers—it’s usually a completely different mindset. The day cyclist is all about physical effort, whether for fitness or performance, while the touring cyclist with panniers is all about the journey and travel, even if they don’t mind pushing hard on the pedals at times and tackling endless climbs. Age-wise, I thought as long as you’re healthy, there’s no age limit, and you can keep going. But in this post, I discovered that even when people aren’t doing so well (by our medical standards) or have serious disabilities, some still keep riding. Yesterday, I saw an interesting documentary on the *Montagne* channel about cycling in the cols. Of course, it was all about road bikes or racing bikes, even old clunkers, and day trips by amateurs—some of whom weren’t exactly well-trained. Clearly, what they described in response to journalists’ questions at the top of the Galibier, Ventoux, or other cols is something every long-distance traveler feels. The only difference is that the traveler goes a little further—once at the top of the col, instead of coasting down to their holiday spot or putting the bike on the car roof, they’re faced with the question of what comes next: where will they sleep tonight, on the spot or nearby if the weather looks good, or maybe they’ll have time to tackle the next climb? In that documentary, aside from the guy who smoked like a chimney and whose wife dragged him up the slopes of the Ventoux (even though cycling wasn’t his thing), they showed a 45-year-old man with cystic fibrosis since childhood who, though a bit slower than his friends, still climbed the big cols. I realize that, even though I’m a "young oldie" at nearly 62, I don’t necessarily travel the same way when I’m with people my age—who, like me, are lucky enough not to have financial struggles. Even though our panniers are packed with gear for comfortable bivouacking in nature (a little MSR tent and all the rest), we quickly give in to the temptation of hotels. And even if we make a point of sleeping outside sometimes, maybe once a week at most, I sometimes think we’d be better off traveling light with super carbon bikes. But no, I’m keeping my panniers because we identify more with one group than another. On the other hand, when I’m with younger people, they have higher expectations and maybe (definitely) a little less arthritis, and for them, there’s no salvation without sleeping under the stars—so it keeps me young to push myself a bit. This summer, to really put this to the test, I’m heading off with my 24-year-old nephew to tackle the cols of Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland in a 3,000–3,500 km loop starting from the Vosges. I’m sure I won’t let myself get lulled by the tempting comfort of hotels because Maxime will remind me of the harsh law of the bike vagabond. As for routes, it’s true that sometimes we study maps to plan beautiful routes far from main roads, but once we’re on the road, a million good or bad reasons push us to take the shortest and fastest way—and suddenly we’re on major roads in the middle of cars, trucks, and buses. My most recent experience with this was crossing Bilbao in pouring rain in the middle of the afternoon. Once out of the city, we continued on a national road that felt like a highway, with no hard shoulder at times. It left me with memories I’d rank alongside cycling through Bangkok or Quito—yet the Spanish (sorry, the Basques) are very considerate of cyclists. I’d already noticed that in my various bike trips in Spain. That’s what your post inspired in me, and the little dig at the "young’uns" from your "rather young’uns" had me laughing. Luc