Health issues related to long term riding

Joined
Jun 26, 2019
Messages
92
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Manchester UK
Bahahaaaa. . . . I'm NOT being mean, but. . . . DUH. My 23 yr old, half joking, half serious, talks about be too old for this or that also. Each person is different, some age quicker. . . . some age slower. When I went into the Navy, I was 22. . . . most everybody else in my company was 17-19. I went through Navy dive school when I was 24. My first "buddy diver" was a 53 year old Recon Marine Major. (By the way, there are Marines, and then there are Recon. . . . holy shit difference) Hardest school I ever went to, and have some fan-F'n-tastic stories. I have about the same miles as you on bikes, but it took longer for me. Mainly because for 19 of my 28 years in LE, I was on motors. . . . in Texas. . . . year round. I didn't have to lug the arty rounds, but I did have the Kevlar, and gear for 10hrs a day. I had learned, waaaay back, that fitness is not just desirable, but mandatory. Five days a week, whether I want to or not. . . . and trust me, I don't. The alternative is just not acceptable. Which is why at 57, I can still press 350+ lbs, four sets of 10. And, because of Satan inspired cardio, my resting heart rate is 60 bpm. So. . . . you're still young enough, that if you don't like the way you feel. . . . fix it. You won't regret it. :)



I found some "fishing" sunglasses about five years ago at W-M. They're bi-focal, and cost $14.96 (or at least they did) They're polarized, and must have a coating, because mine still are not scratched. But, as I got older, the task of looking far, and then down at a paper, became harder and harder. The first pair of bi-focal sunglasses I saw was at a bike shop. They were $75.00. Me being a cheapskate, I went to W-M. They are fantastic. Super clear. Try a pair, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. :)
So true, I also feel that on long rides around the 500 miles mark of which I do often fitness and concentration levels go hand in hand. During this pandemic as the gyms are closed (I use the works gym, it’s free) I cycle for cardio, hill after hill, love the battle going up but the descents are so much sweeter.
 

Checkswrecks

Ungenear to broked stuff
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I'm going on 65 and will echo the idea that you are normal. There were definitely a couple of steps where I could tell I'd changed and one was in my 30s, then the other was around 60-ish. Suddenly it was noticeably harder to keep the stamina working in the field to keep up with the 30-somethings, plus I'd heal slower, and my vision wasn't what it always had been. I climbed a mountain a little over a year ago in Ethiopia after the 737 MAX accident and then did a couple of jobs in hot humid climates and did fine but at each knew it was just time to retire. The cumulative PTSD dealing with dead kids was my final straw. The lady in my life is an attorney and has also noticed that there is a big psychological factor in aging.

The best things you can do are to keep active and eat somewhat responsible portions to prevent getting too overweight. Getting to a gym is a nuisance so I try to do active outdoor stuff and at least walk every day, rain or shine. This makes a HUGE difference for riding!!! My lady went vegan probably 10 years ago and I must say that my own eating less meat has been a positive. I gotta have a burger now & then just to keep life balanced. Duh!

Every guy I know in their 60s who has let their weight go is constantly talking about their medicines, doctors, and how they can not do things. I work to stay away from doctors as much as possible.
 
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VRODE

Easy Does It
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Northern Vermont
I accepted the aging process because I could still do the job (and the rides) even if it took a little longer to recover. The big change came at 60. I still ride but the aches and pains are more numerous and arrive a lot earlier than they used to. Staying fit and taking steps to ease the ride (ergos, earplugs, etc) go a long way, but there’s no doubt it’s more of an undertaking now (at 64)
 

HeliMark

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Dec 18, 2013
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995
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Tennessee
I can do anything I did at 25, just hurts like he** now, and takes days instead of hours to recover.

Other then a long career in law enforcement, and what it entailed, I spent over 20 years flying helicopters. The armed forces of all the countries have done studies on the inordinate amount of back issues the high time military pilots have, something in the 60% area. What they consider a high time pilot, is about a 1/3 of the time I have in them. I sometimes live off of Advil, and Tumeric.

Best advice is exercise. Even if you have no medical issues, exercise will help keep them at bay, and if you do have issues, they will possibly be less due to exercising. I have no doubt my ability to last around 300 miles on a bike is only due to exercising.
 
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MonkeyBut

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Jul 21, 2018
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Armpit of America, NJ
First, thank you all, to you and your families for your service. My family and I appreciate it and we let the armed service members we make contact with know.
Good advise and some great positive comments but boy do I feel like a big P#$$y.
 

Kurgan

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Dec 11, 2015
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SE Michigan
When every bike was a standard / naked like Suzuki GS1000's and KZ1000's, one trick a salesman showed me always worked and it can apply to the S10.

With the bike on the center stand, get on and put your feet on the pegs and keep your arms relaxed and hands in your lap so-to-speak. Close your eyes and count to 15. With your eyes still closed, reach out to where you would instinctively like the grips to be. Now open your eyes and see where that is compared to the setup you currently have. Pay attention not only to the difference in reach, but the angle of your wrists compared to the current setup. Rotating the bars slightly in their clamps and/or getting some bar backs might do the trick.

While you're at it, make sure your clutch and front brake levers are at the correct angles. With your fingertips on the levers your hands and wrists should be in a straight line with your forearms, no upward or downward bend. Adjust as needed. Making several small changes like these can completely transform a bike. Best of luck in adapting it for your comfort!
 

Xclimation

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Ft. Worth, Texas
4 sets of 10 at 350 the Dallas f'n cowgirls need you to pony up and kick some ass.
Having met Sierra a couple or 3 times in person.....I'll testify just by the eyeball test ....he is underselling himself by saying 350 for 4 x 10! One solid muscular dude! Has those hands that look like he could crush rock into dust!
 

Checkswrecks

Ungenear to broked stuff
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Having met Sierra a couple or 3 times in person.....I'll testify just by the eyeball test ....he is underselling himself by saying 350 for 4 x 10! One solid muscular dude! Has those hands that look like he could crush rock into dust!
Note to self: Don't piss off Sierra.
:cool:
 

Sierra1

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Nov 7, 2016
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Joshua TX
....he is underselling himself by saying 350 for 4 x 10!.....
:oops: A bit of an exaggeration, but thank you. It's never to late to start. I have a 5', 78 year old grandma workout partner, that started at 73, that presses 135 for 3 sets of 8. To me, that's impressive.
 

Mak10

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Aug 20, 2018
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SE Idaho
I’m still waiting on cataract surgery in my right eye. My insurance will only cover the surgery at a specific hospital. Cataract surgery is considered non essential at this hospital.
I could have had the surgery a month ago at a surgery center. But it would have been all out of pocket. I’ve met my high deductible this year already. So I’m getting used to being half blind. My good eye has really picked up the slack. I was starting to have to use readers. And I used to wear glasses for near sightedness. My good eye has gone from 20/30 to 20/15. Funny how things adapt.
 

moto.monk

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Aug 19, 2019
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los angeles
When every bike was a standard / naked like Suzuki GS1000's and KZ1000's, one trick a salesman showed me always worked and it can apply to the S10.

With the bike on the center stand, get on and put your feet on the pegs and keep your arms relaxed and hands in your lap so-to-speak. Close your eyes and count to 15. With your eyes still closed, reach out to where you would instinctively like the grips to be. Now open your eyes and see where that is compared to the setup you currently have. Pay attention not only to the difference in reach, but the angle of your wrists compared to the current setup. Rotating the bars slightly in their clamps and/or getting some bar backs might do the trick.

While you're at it, make sure your clutch and front brake levers are at the correct angles. With your fingertips on the levers your hands and wrists should be in a straight line with your forearms, no upward or downward bend. Adjust as needed. Making several small changes like these can completely transform a bike. Best of luck in adapting it for your comfort!
Never thought adjusting my lever since I did a slight bar rotation about 6 months ago.
 

Tigerkf

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May 25, 2019
Messages
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USA
Moto.monk, the extra weight has a traumatic effect on your back which subsequently effects your neck. The muscles in your back and abdominal area (core muscles) quickly fatigue due to the lack of support when riding, even with a back rest. This will cause muscles around your neck to compensate and tighten upas well. This all boils down to the cause of most back and neck pain. Losing some weight cuts down on the stress on these muscles. Some intense core exercises will help strengthen these muscles and extend the amount of time before fatigue sets in. By core, I do not mean sit-ups as those mainly help the beach abdominal muscles. Do a YouTube search to find some good core exercises. A few I like are; planks, wood choppers, hollow rock exercise, Superman exercise and ice skaters. Start out slow and pace yourself so you can build up to more intensity. Bench press will not help this.
 

moto.monk

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Moto.monk, the extra weight has a traumatic effect on your back which subsequently effects your neck. The muscles in your back and abdominal area (core muscles) quickly fatigue due to the lack of support when riding, even with a back rest. This will cause muscles around your neck to compensate and tighten upas well. This all boils down to the cause of most back and neck pain. Losing some weight cuts down on the stress on these muscles. Some intense core exercises will help strengthen these muscles and extend the amount of time before fatigue sets in. By core, I do not mean sit-ups as those mainly help the beach abdominal muscles. Do a YouTube search to find some good core exercises. A few I like are; planks, wood choppers, hollow rock exercise, Superman exercise and ice skaters. Start out slow and pace yourself so you can build up to more intensity. Bench press will not help this.
Thanks agreed, just bought a form roller start out for now. Along with paying more attention on I sit my bike.
 

Madhatter

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Mar 25, 2013
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buda texas
well at 62 I'm a greek god...... you know like the statues with cracks and things broke off 'em . my list is , knees ; not a problem except if im in my work truck for 12 hours days and I am on this night shift job (mostly just very sore ) eyes; near sighted since junior high , have cataracts but not much of an issue (yet) weight ; well im the greek god under a good layer of fat , need to lose about 60 lbs and am trying to modify my diet to that goal , hearing ; have ringing in the ear , hand guns and artillery with a dose of loud equipment all my life but its my normal . other than that I am fairly healthy at this point . but tomorrow could be the day when somethings different for me or anyone . I was shoveling concrete on the job last night as I was bored , feel pretty good this morning. I am thinking of having the cataract lens replacement thing done , then I will no longer have to wear glasses (maybe some readers in the pocket ) so it would help as I try to stay active outdoors . and my only real issue with being on a bike for a long ride is my butt , the stock seat was good for about 2 hours , my Corbin for about 6 to 8 hours , which is good , unless im heading on a long trip . so that's my list . riding the dirt bike Saturday , forecast is for 95 , should be fun . 2 more weeks of night shift (I tend to snack more at night in trying to stay awake ) then wife and I are going to work on making my butt smaller .
 

Madhatter

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I forgot one issue for long rides , my neck ..... on my first gen Tenere had to hold that throttle all the way , new bike has cruise hoping that since I can now rest that arm and move around that it might help the neck on long rides . we will see.
 

moto.monk

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los angeles
I forgot one issue for long rides , my neck ..... on my first gen Tenere had to hold that throttle all the way , new bike has cruise hoping that since I can now rest that arm and move around that it might help the neck on long rides . we will see.
I changed my helmet too see if that would help, along with keeping my neck straight as much as possible and resting my head on my tank bag on long straights with no traffic. Has made a difference. I find taking more breaks helps and of course taking off the helmet. Mainly its being more mindful of how my body is feeling instead of stay shut up
 
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