Cycling trips—how old is too old? (page 8 of 10)

The guy’s an alien—his heart’s half his age. But it gives hope to youngsters like us! Daniel

Hi Christian, without panniers I’ve had two experiences with men aged 83. The first time we were doing a ride with panniers around the Causses area. We stopped under the Millau Viaduct to marvel at the pier, which is taller than the Eiffel Tower. A cyclist riding at a good pace arrived, stopped, and we chatted. He was 83 and still did 80 to 100 km several times a week. We set off together, he disappeared into the distance, and I wasn’t even 60 yet with good legs!!! Another time, my bike shop organized a small race near Mont Thou in the Saône Valley, north of Lyon. I signed up, thinking I had good legs—I’d just come back from a 3.5-month trip across South America. I got overtaken on a climb and left behind by an 83-year-old competitor. There’s hope, though don’t expect to break the brand-new hour record of 22.580 km (if I remember right) for the over-105s Luc

And yet you don’t come off as an amateur at all!!! And on the occasion of the second “challenge” you mentioned, you’d “doped up on altitude” in South America... I learned a lesson from the old-timer: never stop! I’ve been part of this conversation for a while now, but I only recently discovered your travels, and I’ve only had a quick look (so far) at your stories—hats off to you! Christian

Hi,

In the same vein, a few years ago I was in northern Laos (Luang Nam Tha), a really rugged area, and at a little roadside eatery where I was having dinner, the waitress came by with two dishes while my table neighbors—a senior couple—had already been served. I thought at the time that the dish was for us, but it wasn’t.

The New Zealand couple, our neighbors aged 82 and 83, had come from Thailand via the north through Chiang Rai and were heading to Hanoi. They hadn’t had a proper meal in two days, which explained their appetite. They stayed an extra few days in the area to "recharge."

I ran into them again a week later in Luang Prabang, but by then it was a piece of cake for them since it was mostly downhill.

Encounters like this inspire a lot of respect and humility. Of course, this couple had been doing long-distance hiking for a long time and hadn’t started in their sixties.

Hi Claude,

62 for the Pas-de-Calais, and 59 this year 🙂… just a youngster.

And a "big" athlete (avatar). Well done!

Crocomalo still has hope! My last trip (home-Mediterranean-Atlantic-Loire-Rhône-Rhine Canal-Rhine-Danube-Black Sea) should’ve been called the "trip of despair"! But I’m getting ready to hit the road again! Happy cycling, www.frannycyclo.com

Yes, that’s the EuroVelo 6. I did it in 2014—I was 70. I have great memories of it. I’m planning to set off again this summer for another adventure. Now’s not the time to lose my touch! Jean-Marie

Hi Françoise... thanks for your encouragement! I took a look at your site and saw that you posted your June 6, 2016, day just two days ago!... when do you reach the Black Sea? 😉 Given what I know about your health issues, I can only tip my hat and cheer you on for your next adventures. Christian

Good evening Françoise, We're still here, and we're still getting on the bike! We've got another 20 to 25 years of riding ahead to beat the old-timer's record. I haven't decided yet for this year—I've got a few projects in the works. Happy 2017 plans!

Daniel

Hi everyone,

Like in previous years, I’m back here looking for potential travel companions—male or female—for a 3-month bike trip in early 2018 (from early January to early April). I haven’t chosen the destination yet, but I’m tempted by Colombia or possibly Southeast Asia (Southern Vietnam – Cambodia – Laos – Northern Vietnam, with a possible little detour to Thailand). For now, I’m alone, and since nothing is set in stone yet, I’m open to other destinations during these dates, as long as the climate isn’t too harsh for biking (I don’t like the cold).

To give you an idea of my travel style from previous years, I’ve included links below to the day-by-day journals I kept. I can adapt to other paces, especially if they’re less demanding. For past trips, we were two or three guys with fairly similar abilities. However, the group dynamic really deteriorated toward the end of the last trip. I’m not entirely sure why, but I won’t be repeating the experience with those same companions. In 2018, it’ll be with new travel partners—if I find any—or solo if no one steps forward.

This year, from January 4 to April 3, 2017, it was in Southeast Asia by mountain bike (Thailand – Cambodia – Thailand – Laos – Thailand). http://cyclotourismetranquille.e-monsite.com/pages/voyage-2017/

In 2016, it was in Mexico with two people on recumbent trikes and one on a hybrid bike. http://cyclotourismevelocouche3roues.e-monsite.com/pages/voyage-2016/carte-google-mexique-2016.html

In 2014 and 2015, it was in Southeast Asia with two people on recumbent trikes. http://baladevelo3roues.e-monsite.com/pages/voyage-2015/carte-google-du-parcour-2015.html

In 2011, it was on a classic bike, and in 2013, on a recumbent trike, also in Southeast Asia. http://velaustralie.e-monsite.com/pages/voyage-2013/carte-googlke-itineraire-2013.html

Jean Marie

Hi Jean-Marie, I followed your latest trip day by day and really enjoyed your site, photos, and comments. Too bad about the ending, but traveling with a group isn’t always easy. I’m also in the Loire and want to hit the road again, but I can’t take three months off. For now, I’m heading to Canada, and I’ll decide what’s next when I get back at the end of September. Hats off to your fitness level—I’ll pass your message along to a friend from Savigneux (Loire) who traveled Cambodia and southern Vietnam with me. Have a great day.

Hi André, Whether we travel together or not, we can easily meet up since we’re practically neighbors. Get in touch again in September if you’d like me to send you my address in a private message or by email. Safe travels in Canada, and hopefully see you soon! Jean Marie

Hi Jean-Michel, okay, let’s talk about it again at the end of September.

Good evening Jean-Marie, I won’t be able to join you—I’m too busy, out of shape, and I’ll have to postpone if possible? I’m tied up until the end of September.

I had a great trip in Canada, and I’m heading to Andalusia in February with my wife, but… in a motorhome.

Now I need to get back on the bike to test my fitness. If I get back in shape and if I have the time—since I have to juggle several activities (table tennis, homing pigeons, etc.) and travel with my wife—I’ll do a cycling trip either at the end of 2018 after my return from Ireland or early 2019.

I hope you’ve found one or more travel companions, and I wish you a great trip. André

Hello, A few months have gone by since the last post. How is everyone doing? I hope you're all staying healthy and either on the road or getting ready for your next adventure. Have a great day, Catherine

Hi Catherine 936 No problem as far as I’m concerned—I’m hitting the roads of France and Belgium again in a few days, even though I’m a bit out of practice this year because of the bad weather. But I’ll be fine! Thanks, Jean-Marie

Hi Jean-Marie, hats off—I see your track record and realize that youth is largely a state of mind. Anyway, have a great new adventure! Luc

Thanks Lucbertrand! That’s great to hear! But I’m scaling back a bit this year😉 About half of what I did last year. Jean-Marie

Hi everyone, as planned, I cycled through Spain, but had a minor health issue on the first day (TIA), then lost my mother-in-law, so I came back home. I’ve started training again, very gently, and I’ll see what I feel like doing after our trip to Ireland with my wife and grandson. At our age, it’s really about physical fitness. Like Luc, I’m in awe of what Jean-Marie RIGOLL is still doing! I’m hoping to do one or two more trips—time’s ticking! Happy travels to all, André