Cycling trips—how old is too old? (page 9 of 10)

An article that fits right into this conversation—don’t forget to check out the video. 🙂

www.gracq.org/...e-preserve-limmunite

Hi there, that’s great! Have a great weekend, André

I’m 59 and in pretty good shape physically. I just got back from an 8-day trip across the Alpes de Haute-Provence, and on the last day I experienced what’s called a "posterior vitreous detachment" (PVD for short), which required an emergency ophthalmology visit. Nothing serious, but it needs monitoring to avoid a retinal detachment. That said, I learned that this condition, directly linked to aging (common after 50), was triggered by too much strain in the eye—a direct result of the effort...

My right eye was affected, and it’s very likely the left one will follow, sooner or later.

Has anyone else dealt with this issue?

Hi Thierry, I won’t be able to help with that little issue here. It seems like you’re putting the issue down to effort. That’s fine, but remember we’re not all built the same! Best,

Hi Gabey, I’m just relaying what a doctor said… personally, I don’t have an opinion on it. I’d rather it had nothing to do with effort and that I could keep pedaling without any nagging thoughts…

Actually, it’s called glaucoma. I have a friend with it too, and there are treatments to lower eye pressure (just one drop to use every evening). It’s not too much of a hassle, but you do have to stick with it and get regular check-ups. Weird that your doctor says it’s from exertion when others say exercise actually lowers pressure.

Hi Doyouphil, I think glaucoma is a different issue—it’s about internal eye pressure. This is something else.

Oh, okay, sorry for the misunderstanding.

I had a (serous) retinal detachment over a year ago, along with chorioretinopathy—see here. It was stress-related, with no real physiological cause, but that didn’t stop me from continuing to do sports (cycling and running). I’m still young, though—turning 52 soon. The weird, scary symptoms lasted six months. I went through several scans and an angiogram. For someone who never goes to the doctor, it was a big deal—and not just for my eye.

No doctor told me to stop exercising. They just advised against taking corticosteroids, which works out fine since I wasn’t planning on doing the Tour de France anyway. My ophthalmologist reassured me by saying it’s a "young person’s disease," because my GP suspected early-stage glaucoma, and I was worried about AMD or other "old people’s diseases." ;-)

Anyway, retinal conditions—even detachment—aren’t caused by sports or physical activity. In my case, exercise helps me destress, so it’s actually an effective treatment.

The main issue stems from health-insurance coverage in foreign countries. Typically, insurers have clauses that exclude pre-existing conditions from their policies.

On the other hand, risking a hospital stay or an emergency medical consultation can sometimes be very expensive abroad if you're not covered by adequate insurance. Your savings and financial reserves could melt away faster than expected...

These are, I believe, important financial considerations before any cycling trip abroad. If in doubt, it might be wise to stick to your home country. But if your health and insurance coverage allow it, then the world is yours, no matter your age when you set off!

--

We're 62 and 50 years old, respectively, traveling by tandem, and we're nearing the end of a continuous 2-year journey (31,000 km across the Americas—from Quebec to Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria BC, San Francisco, Ushuaia, Buenos Aires, Iguazu). Currently cycling through Brazil toward Rio, then returning to Quebec at the end of June 2018 (to respect our insurance limitations... max. 2 years covered outside the country!). For the years ahead, as long as health and enjoyment are there, we plan to continue our cycling trips, spending 6 months per year outside Quebec (our home!). The other 6 winter months in Quebec are reserved for skiing!

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/NormandetHelene On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Normand.et.Helene.en.tandem/

http://tandemetcie.com and for tracking: http://trackmytour.com/FGP7F#1316026

In short, all retinal conditions, including detachment, aren’t caused by sports or physical activity. In my case, sports help me de-stress, so it’s actually an effective treatment.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I’d like to be sure that sports can’t be the cause of a detachment issue… but not all doctors seem to agree. Regarding vitreous detachment, an ophthalmologist explained to me that the increase in blood pressure during sports can trigger it. It would’ve happened anyway, but sports just sped up the process a bit… On the other hand, I read on a forum another specialist’s opinion saying that sports aren’t a triggering factor and that there’s no need to restrict activity after the issue.

There's no age limit for it... 🙂 Mont Ventoux at 90 years old, and all three faces in a single day (at 4:15)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLqsMDOotug&t=401s

I’m 64 and I just finished a one-way trip from Compiègne to Oslo on my old bike (2,550 km). Camping and youth hostels in the cities. Neither the bike nor I had any issues. Icing on the cake: not a single minute of pedaling in the rain! Blog 2018lanorvege.wordpress.com

Hi everyone,

I’m not exactly "old" yet, but I’ve just finished a nearly 3-month trip in the Philippines. I’m 68 and had no problems covering the 4,650 km. I cycle fairly regularly when the weather allows and take long-distance trips of three months every year since 2011 (except 2012) to escape winter a bit.

Every year, I find myself wondering more about the question: "How old is too old for cycling trips?" When I find the answer, I’ll post it here (if I’m still able to). For now, everything’s fine, and I’m already looking for a destination for next winter.

For those interested, my 2019 trip to the Philippines is documented day by day, with route tracks (downloadable on Bikemap), a Google map of the route, and photos.

Highlights of the route: Luzon (south of Ninoy Aquino Airport), Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor (via Negros), Negros, Guimaras, Panay, Boracay (just a few hours—no interest for me), Tablas (also called Romblon by Filipinos), Romblon, and Mindoro. The first 8 km from the airport to the hotel were done by taxi for safety (arrival at night, travel fatigue, and an unfamiliar city). That’s the only part not done by bike.

I was expecting very difficult and dangerous traffic, but I was pleasantly surprised—it’s actually manageable and no worse than other Asian countries or even France (and probably other places I don’t know). Major roads in and around big cities on Luzon are very congested and polluted, but cycling isn’t particularly problematic. On most islands, traffic isn’t very dense and is perfectly bike-friendly. Some roads are even very quiet.

Here’s the link to the trip website. There are plenty of other options, and this probably isn’t a model route, but cyclists considering this destination might find useful info.

To browse all the site pages, click on the horizontal menu (yellow bar under the title). The homepage (accessible by clicking the title or via the "accueil" menu) explains how to navigate.

A few direct links for easier access:

Homepage: http://cyclovttphilippines.e-monsite.com/

List of pages created during the trip (click a line to open the corresponding page): http://cyclovttphilippines.e-monsite.com/pages/le-voyage/

Route map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?usp=sharing&mid=1_0Wkses5_Qfu70gCGejDFl8z_KoQURPp

The "avant le voyage" menu has technical info on gear (bike and GPS, with links to older trip pages) and details on the 59-day Philippine visa obtained in France, plus the 30-day extension secured in Batangas. Visa and extension: http://cyclovttphilippines.e-monsite.com/pages/avant-le-voyage/visa-philippines.html

Good health and happy travels to all!

Jean Marie

Hi there, I’ve been following your past trips and really enjoyed them—well done!

Today I’m 74. I traveled by bike until I was 68 (Cambodia, Vietnam, EuroVelo 6, etc.).

I don’t train much anymore, I’m pretty tied up with my volunteer side projects, and I haven’t been going anywhere. It’s a shame, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever hit the road again. I’ll just have to live vicariously through your stories. Have a great evening! André

Hey there! We’re almost the same age! I still ride without any issues. Love that photo of yours in Silistra—I know the place well since we must’ve taken the same route!!! Mine was back in 2014 (EuroVelo 6). So many memories!

Hats off to your travels. Jean-Marie

Good evening, thanks, and have a good night!

André

hi there

I’ll cite an American cycling friend who lives in Thailand as an example: he was born in 1945...started traveling by bike in Southeast Asia...at the age of 60...

He’s heavy, around 95 kg, has had both knees operated on, has minor heart issues,...and he still rides a little every day, and takes trips lasting several weeks, even several months, every year...

In 2011, he was covering between 1,500 and 2,000 km/month. In 2019, he adapted and now rides between 1,000 and 1,500 km/month with a bike that weighs about 40 kg including luggage.

Now, he avoids mountains and is happy with a maximum of 80 km per day. He allows himself a bit more comfort and rest.

So, those born after 1945 still have some great years ahead— but don’t wait too long...

Best, Patrice

..seventy-five ... not much stamina left and a skeleton that’s a bit stiff.... But hey, I can still leave the Jura (or Montbrison), usually in France during spring, staying in B&Bs ... and less often with my tent heading to foreign countries (though I’m planning Croatia and Italy soon— But, much to my embarrassment, with a "little" e-bike assist (4 kg total, no more) for the hills (140 kg to climb, all in, is just a bit too much). My "travel journals": lethieu39.fr .... Keep riding!

Hi Michel and everyone,

seeing what you're still doing at 75 gives me hope and a bit of time. We're always a little haunted by that question: how long can we keep going? At the end of last year (2018), we took a beautiful 2.5-month trip through the northern deserts of Argentina, first with three of us, then just two. We were 65, 67, and 72 years old. But we still wonder if we might push it too far with heavy panniers and long climbs: voyageforum.com/...ost=9245053;#9245053

have a great day Luc