Old Age and Treachery

AZMike

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2016
Messages
338
Location
Tucson, AZ
"Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance."
David Mamet

We have all heard that quote and there is some truth in it. I prefer the treachery of old age. I am talking about going toe to toe with the undefeated champion of the world. Yep Father Time. I turned 60 a few months ago without much fanfare and continue to do most of the things that love and those things that I must. Now where am I going with this? I am talking about saddle time on the motorcycle. I have a laundry list of injuries from a life well lived including the one and only serious motorcycle injury a bum knee. In 2015 my neurosurgeon officially declared my motorcycle days over following neck surgery. What does he know? I just finished a 172 mile ride today in the beautiful Arizona fall weather. Now this is a ride that I used to chew up with ease and today I find myself with assorted maladies and pains that make me abundantly aware of my limitations. I have done things to the S10 to make it more comfortable and that helps. I need to install CC as this Gen 1 does not have it. I will continue to ride until it is no longer safe but I think I still have some good years ahead and will make sure that I continue to ride with as much exuberance possible. Before you all answer I am well aware of those age defying old guys that do ironbutts at 90. I crawled of of a gene pond not a pool so I play the cards I have been dealt. Please tell me your secrets, tips and tricks to extend my absolute joy in life, my Tenere.
 

lund

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Joined
Jul 8, 2019
Messages
809
Location
Okanagan Valley, Canada.
Never ever stop, is what I'm told. I'm not 60 yet but play hard all year round.
At 58 not far behind, I run a shop and get into it hands on with the younger tech's. Ride the bike as much as possible with atleast once a year 2week road trip that includes tenting/off road excursion.
My winters are spent sledding the mountains of BC, physically man handling a 600+lb snowmobile at elevation makes riding the S10 a walk in the park.
No matter what your passion is, don't stop. I know that is easy said when things don't hurt but I never said I don't hurt.
Infact, pain is good, it tells you your alive..LOL
 

AZMike

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Joined
Sep 18, 2016
Messages
338
Location
Tucson, AZ
A few years ago I got to go sledding with some friends at 10000 feet, Digging out a stuck snowmobile (not mine) almost finished me off. But they are so much fun.
 

Sierra1

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Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,815
Location
Joshua TX
Well, I turn 60 in a couple of months, and yes, my elasticity isn't what it used to be. I have not, and will not, be getting an Iron Butt certificate. "Butt" that has nothing to do with age. I've never been able to do long distance on a bike; and don't like it in a car much either. I have no "bike" secrets to keep you riding long.

Exercise is the key to "quality of life". I don't know it ended up like this, but my "workout partners" are (2) 70 yr old men, and one 82 yr old, 4'11', great grandmother. One of the guys, former Marine, has a decent sized pot belly, and started with a bench press of 65lbs. In 9mo he has increased to 210lbs. The other guy, former Navy, is right behind him, but was already exercising so the improvement isn't as incredible. He started with us because he wanted to know how the Marine was gaining strength so quickly. But the great grand mom, to me, is best example of why to start exercising. She had polio as a kid, and was taking a slew of meds. Now, she's down to one med, and benches 130lbs.

You are never too old to start exercising. These three are living proof. The Marine talks about how he can feel it all through his body. It took me a while to figure it out, but I realized that the (5) days a week of 30min cardio is what he's feeling. All three of them tell me about the stuff that they couldn't do, and now do easily.

Strength training is great for bone density, but doesn't improve circulation. That where the cardio comes in. As we get older, or actually because we are getting older, strength training and cardio become more important. And my cardio consists of the recumbent bike for 30 min. DO NOT START RUNNING. I'm pretty sure that those of y'all that get annual physicals, have heard this from your docs.

And @lund is right; don't stop. 'Cuz once you do, you're done. If nothing else, get a leg and back workout program started, and get on the bicycle. Those two muscle groups are THE most important. Anybody that has physical issues, will most likely tell you that's where they started.
 

holligl

Find the road less traveled...
Joined
Nov 13, 2015
Messages
2,212
Location
IL/AZ
Approaching 67 here. Mix in some pickleball. Heart rate is similar to my off road riding.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 

bigbob

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2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
1,671
Location
Des Moines, IA
Approaching 67 here. Mix in some pickleball. Heart rate is similar to my off road riding.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
70 next month and I play Pickelball when I can. I think next year will end 55 or so years of riding. Planning Arizona in 2024 with a side by side and no motorcycle. (That is so hard to type!!) Still have the bagger/Venture and will be riding Georgia/Florida/Alabama/Louisiana/Texas after the first of the year. While down in the SE will see what fits in the mini toy hauler garage.
 

Tenman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2013
Messages
2,102
Location
Natchez Ms USA
"Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance."
David Mamet

We have all heard that quote and there is some truth in it. I prefer the treachery of old age. I am talking about going toe to toe with the undefeated champion of the world. Yep Father Time. I turned 60 a few months ago without much fanfare and continue to do most of the things that love and those things that I must. Now where am I going with this? I am talking about saddle time on the motorcycle. I have a laundry list of injuries from a life well lived including the one and only serious motorcycle injury a bum knee. In 2015 my neurosurgeon officially declared my motorcycle days over following neck surgery. What does he know? I just finished a 172 mile ride today in the beautiful Arizona fall weather. Now this is a ride that I used to chew up with ease and today I find myself with assorted maladies and pains that make me abundantly aware of my limitations. I have done things to the S10 to make it more comfortable and that helps. I need to install CC as this Gen 1 does not have it. I will continue to ride until it is no longer safe but I think I still have some good years ahead and will make sure that I continue to ride with as much exuberance possible. Before you all answer I am well aware of those age defying old guys that do ironbutts at 90. I crawled of of a gene pond not a pool so I play the cards I have been dealt. Please tell me your secrets, tips and tricks to extend my absolute joy in life, my Tenere.
If I didn't have a McCruise on mine. I probably wouldn't still have it. Game changer.
 

SilverBullet

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2014
Messages
1,171
Location
Harmaston, TX
...And my cardio consists of the recumbent bike for 30 min. DO NOT START RUNNING...
Why no running? For myself off pavement running is great for cardio, respiratory and a big calorie burn to stay fit. I can burn the calories in one hour that would take me 1-1/2 to 2 hours biking or walking.

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk
 

Ss1

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Joined
Nov 22, 2020
Messages
414
Location
Russia, Moscow
Just go on living and don't think about anything! A bike gives you strength and motivation for life and freedom. We had a backer in Russia, he was 85 years old in my opinion. He was hit by a car last year.
 

holligl

Find the road less traveled...
Joined
Nov 13, 2015
Messages
2,212
Location
IL/AZ
70 next month and I play Pickelball when I can. I think next year will end 55 or so years of riding. Planning Arizona in 2024 with a side by side and no motorcycle. (That is so hard to type!!) Still have the bagger/Venture and will be riding Georgia/Florida/Alabama/Louisiana/Texas after the first of the year. While down in the SE will see what fits in the mini toy hauler garage.
We have a Yamaha RMAX4 waiting for us in AZ this year! I would have preferred a small dirt bike, but I wanted to be able to go remote with the wife and guests. Of course, still taking the ST. AZMike, we still got to link up!
 

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Sierra1

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Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,815
Location
Joshua TX
Why no running? For myself off pavement running is great for cardio, respiratory and a big calorie burn to stay fit. I can burn the calories in one hour that would take me 1-1/2 to 2 hours biking or walking?
I will definitely agree that running is an advantage if time is limited, but that's about it.

There are people that have the ability to run up until the day they die with no joint issues. For the rest of us mere mortals, the negative impacts of running make it not recommended. I saw a sign once "whether you run a mile, or walk a mile, it's still a mile". I am 6', 300lbs+, with a 31" inseam. (there's a reason for may avatar pic) I have never been good at running distance. I do not have bad joints or foot pain. And I don't plan on having them. So, I stick with the recumbent bike and do my 30 minutes. Starting out for a shorter time is fine, and then add as your breathing capability improves.

Heart rate is the key to what type of exercise you're doing. Cardio/aerobic : 70%-80% or max heart rate. 69% and below is fat burning. 81% and above is anaerobic. Anaerobic is not intended to do for long periods of time for anybody, let alone our age(s).

Max heart rate (MHR) = 220 - age. MHR x .7 & .8 = cardio. MHR x .81+ = anaerobic. (IE: 220 - 59 = 161. 161 x .7 = 113. 161 x .8 = 129) So, my heart rate pretty much stays at 125bpm (=/-). Just adjust the resistance and pedal speed to get your right heart rate. 75rpm pedal speed is comfortable to me. If my HR is little high, I reduce the resistance by one. And vice versa.

We use strength training to burn fat, and the bicycle to improve our cardio. 1 - 1.5 hour total with 30min cardio included. If we didn't talk and joke around, we would get it done a lot quicker. We are not hard-core gym rats.
 

fac191

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Joined
Jun 22, 2016
Messages
2,827
Location
London
I will definitely agree that running is an advantage if time is limited, but that's about it.

There are people that have the ability to run up until the day they die with no joint issues. For the rest of us mere mortals, the negative impacts of running make it not recommended. I saw a sign once "whether you run a mile, or walk a mile, it's still a mile". I am 6', 300lbs+, with a 31" inseam. (there's a reason for may avatar pic) I have never been good at running distance. I do not have bad joints or foot pain. And I don't plan on having them. So, I stick with the recumbent bike and do my 30 minutes. Starting out for a shorter time is fine, and then add as your breathing capability improves.

Heart rate is the key to what type of exercise you're doing. Cardio/aerobic : 70%-80% or max heart rate. 69% and below is fat burning. 81% and above is anaerobic. Anaerobic is not intended to do for long periods of time for anybody, let alone our age(s).

Max heart rate (MHR) = 220 - age. MHR x .7 & .8 = cardio. MHR x .81+ = anaerobic. (IE: 220 - 59 = 161. 161 x .7 = 113. 161 x .8 = 129) So, my heart rate pretty much stays at 125bpm (=/-). Just adjust the resistance and pedal speed to get your right heart rate. 75rpm pedal speed is comfortable to me. If my HR is little high, I reduce the resistance by one. And vice versa.

We use strength training to burn fat, and the bicycle to improve our cardio. 1 - 1.5 hour total with 30min cardio included. If we didn't talk and joke around, we would get it done a lot quicker. We are not hard-core gym rats.
Good on you all for doing it and finding something that suits you rather than doing nothing.
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,815
Location
Joshua TX
Good on you all for doing it and finding something that suits you rather than doing nothing.
No matter how/what I put on here, it sounds like I'm some gym nut/fanatic. I am most definitely not. The point I'm trying to get across is that you're never too old to start exercising and seeing a benefit from it. Just start out slow and easy. 'Cuz, as we get older it becomes more important.
 

Longdog Cymru

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Joined
Jul 21, 2018
Messages
1,665
Location
Swansea, Wales, UK
I’m 69, still doing 2000+ miles on solo tours around UK and Europe and I don’t intend to stop anytime soon. I practise Pilates for core strength and balance and do circuits in the local gym 2-3 times a week for cardio, stamina and strength and I also walk about 5 miles each day. It’s a case of “use it or lose it”.
 
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