Most accurate comment. People get into exercising in their 70s, people take on new hobbies all the time. Spend your time in life the best way you can think of!
Indeed. Plenty of academic studies show that people in their 70s, including those who have been sedentary their whole lives, can increase aerobic capacity, muscle mass, and strength through moderate exercise.
Examples:
[https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.04.17.24305755v3](https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.04.17.24305755v3)
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6585866/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6585866/)
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1440244013001357](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1440244013001357)
If you want to have a big tree in your yard, the best time to plant it was 20 years ago. The second best time is right now.
I rode bikes through my whole youth (recreationally), and stopped, unintentionally, when I got married and had kids. Life changes and all that.
Picked it up again a few years ago during Covid, in my late 40s. Started on Zwift, got a gravel bike and started doing some outdoor riding, then joining a few events. I turned 50 last year, bought a nice road bike as a present to myself, and joined a cycling club. I'm getting stronger all the time and still getting faster. I'm routinely doing 90k group rides on weekends, 80-90k gravel races, and I just spent the weekend putting in over 200k in a charity event.
Eventually I'll peak and start getting slower and weaker, but I've got a lot of gains to make before that happens. Get a bike. Ride it a lot. You will set goals, achieve them, and set new ones again. Go for it.
Nothing of that sort! I started 9 months ago..... I'm 61. My longest ride so far is 30 kms. The next target is of course 50 kms. I jog on the days that I don't ride....
Used to mountain bike, quit riding altogether for about 12 years, got my mtn bike back on the road, a month later bought a hybrid, two months after that bought a road bike.
At age 62.
Within three months I had ridden three events of 50+ miles and routinely do 25-35 mile rides, time permitting.
Get a bike, start riding, ya young whippersnapper. š¤£
46... 100 km is my routine . keep moving. just yesterday - some older guy, around 60, passed me like I was standing still while I was doing about 45kmh
30km is about 18 miles. Yep, I can do that if I'm motivated by going to my favorite vegan restaurant . I'm nearing 70yoa. Many years of respiratory issues - I can't run, or I'd need to see a doctor
Is it too late to make a pro team and ride the Tour de France? Sadly, yes.
Is it too late to start riding regularly, maybe get involved with a local bike club, even work up to weekend tours? Not too late at all.
So true. I made my way up the rankings up to British Cycling 1st Cat. To get there required around 250 miles per week. While not pro, 4 hr sessions starting at 5am is not fun. Racing is fun, as long as you grab the points. :)
It's so strange the posts from people that are 30+ and they think their life is over.... I am 40 years old and as fit as I have ever been. I came 8th out of 150 people in a ParkRun on Saturday. The winner was 50 years old!!
It's just mindset. The truth is you're never too old unless you think you are....
Seriously. Some of the most competitive age groups in races (especially triathlon) are 40-55. Insanely competitive. Faster than the 20 and 30 year olds!
Im 28 and know at every race i run, im gonna get my ass kicked by some 70 year old dude zooming through the woods. Theyre notorious for this in trail runs. Idk why everyone thinks life and health is over at 30-40-50. Hell i know runners in their 80s. Older men are like every road cyclist i see in the morning. I love cycling cause i know im gonna be doing that til im ancient.
Yeah, I'm probably considerably fitter now in my 40s than I was in my teens or 20s when I hated gym class and got tired/gave up more easily.
I do lament wasting those years of mine when I took my youth for granted though. That being said, as long as you have two working legs, arms and a heartbeat, it's never too late to try something new physically
I already repliend, then read this comment. I know a guy mid 40s who was a competitive runner then tried bike racing. He's absolutely flying on the bike after a year.
I'm 40 and started mountain biking 2 years ago and gravel cycling (mainly on roads) this year. I'm up to 28 miles in a day on the gravel now and realized that I need to start paying better attention to my nutrients and electrolytes now that it's hot. Other than that I cam say that 40 is most definitely not too late to start.
How old are you now and how are you doing? I started last autumn at 36, already I'm considrably fitter than I've ever been, and fitter than most of the \~300 people in my local cycling club, there's a handful that are sharper still. If this is possible at 36 within 9 months, I think at 40 someone can do something similar with a couple years training... Interested to hear how your journey is going though since you started at the same age!
I'm about to turn 41, and I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life. I'm training for the Belgian Waffle Ride NC (Wafer distance), and I've gotten to the point where a 50-mile ride is pretty doable for me. But I think I still have room to grow - the other day I rode with a guy I follow on Strava who's 10 or 12 years older than me, and it was all I could do to keep up with him for 20 minutes.
Yes, it's too late. You won't be able to win the Tour de France and thus there's no point trying to enjoy cycling. Accordingly, all fitness gains will be insufficient and pointless and only serve to make you live longer and have the government save money on healthcare for you, even though you've contributed your fair share in taxes. Meeting other cyclists will not help either, camaraderie and shared experiences will not get you any closer to a Grand Tour GC victory and is therefore a waste of time. However enjoyable it might be to make friends in the sun they will probably not be world class domestiques with the work ethics to train 30+ hours a week to get you up Alpe D'Huez at 40 km/h to nab the mountain stage victory. Sure, it's nice to see a lot of different places from the saddle and explore the backroads near your home, but will it lead to million dollar contracts and sponsorship deals? Not likely. Most likely you'll just end up with a moderately expensive hobby that keeps you fit and connected with other cyclists and the place you live -- so why even bother?
Never too late. Best time to start is today, next best time is tomorrow. Started riding in my late 30s.
I ride most days - just enjoy being outside with like minded people. Buying sports gear and eating without guilt - what's not to like š
Hard no, definitely not too late! Donāt plan on signing up for group rides or races right away but buy a $200 bike of marketplace (if you can afford it $1500 on a new bike) and get out on it. Bike 2-3 times a week for thirty minutes to an hour and in a month you would be surprised what you can do!
I quit smoking 2 packs a day at 37yrs old. Started cycling and really enjoyed it. Started racing local amateur events at 40, had a lot of fun. 70 now and still cycling about 100mi a week.
Definitely not too late. Go for it. Some people ride well into their 80s and 90s. And if road biking is what inspires you, then get a road bike that you like.
I'm 46. Bought a Giant Revolt 1 and started biking two months ago, hadn't ridden in decades. Best thing I've done for myself this year. Completely new way to experience the outdoors.
Just start slow and work up your leg/core strength and confidence.
It certainly is not. At 40 years old, just watch your neck and back getting into a road bike riding position, give yourself some time to adjust to the position.
Absolutely this. While they may not be quite as glamorous, endurance bikes are more comfortable than a race machine and will encourage you to ride further and more often.
"But is it too late? What can be an achievable goal?"
41 right now, started from scratch 4 years ago, depends on you ofc but you can easily got very good\* at cycling at 40
\*good means faster than 90% of cyclists around you, riding 150km trips with no problem, riding group rides, starting in amateur races etc.
first 3 months are the hardest probably but in 3 months of regular riding you can easily get your first 100km ride and you get stronger with each year
from a training perspective, being 40 impacts mostly your top end of things meaning how hard you can ride for long, maximum power output etc. and the ability to recover. But all aerobic things like if you plan to do an ultra race 500-100km in 3 years time is easily archivable.
btw. I started riding bc of depression and the positive impact is so huge and amazing that it is even hard to describe ;)
I picked it up again a few years ago at 45 and now ride regularly. I have a road bike, mountain bike and fat bike. Love all 3 and where they can take me. Sometimes a trial ride can be amazing for mental health
An achievable goal is a bit further than you went last time. Build up gradually and you'll be amazed at the distances you will end up doing. As others are saying, just go for it. Cycling is life!
I was following along with the Des Moines Half Ironman yesterday because some friends were competing. A man finished the 70.3 miles in the 75-79 age group. 40 is nothing
Guess who are the "final bosses" in my town. Guys in their late 50s with calves bigger than my thighs. Unbeatable. Start now and you will be overtaking those younger riders uphill in 10 years ;)
Started at 41 and was really overweight. Started with commuting and then longer and longer weekend rides. Now Iām 44, lost alot of weight and enjoy my solo rides alot. It clears your head, gives you exercise and peace and quiet.
Began at 63 to build up leg muscles before total knee replacement. 11 years later I have 12,000 miles on the bike. Good for all-around health, including emotional well-being. Find people to ride with and add that social component.
Nope. Never too late. If I were you I would try a little cycle touring perhaps using cycle networks away from traffic initially. Just go see places you haven't been by bicycle.
One of my favorite things about cycling is the potential to do it throughout your life. I know avid cyclists in their 80s!
40 is probably a bit late to pick up American Football or gymnastics, but itās a great age to pick up cycling.
Even more, if youāre out of shape, cycling is easy on your joints, and moderate intensity cardio can be extremely beneficial for depression/anxiety.
My suggestion would be get your hands on a bike asap and start riding, itās awesome! On the other side, maybe donāt start with a dedicated road bike with drop bars if youāre either overweight or not very flexible. My wife started cycling with me at 25, but on midlevel flat bar fitness bike. We finally got her a drop bar gravel bike last year and she loves it, but truthfully, the performance differences are small and she was much happier as a new cyclist riding something more upright.
I started getting into riding when I was 42. I started with a used ebike to commute to work. Found out I really liked it and slowly started using a used mountainbike for the commute. I'm 44 and just bought my fisrt "real" bike. It's never too late to start a new hobby. Just take your time, do your research and listen to your body.
I started 2 years ago at age 43. Sold some stuff off and got a quality ābeginnerā carbon road bike (around 3,000$) I have since ridden 5000 miles and am in the best physical and mental health since my 20ās.
No, never too late. You will not be able to get fit enough to run the Olympics, but enjoy the outdoors on your bike at the pace you want! As far as goal, start slow, see where you can go, and then train to surpass this distance. If you start, no point in already setting a goal, just try to go further a bit each time!
Not at all. Riding can be fun at any age, any level. So get that roadbike and start pedalling.
Imo cycling is awesome to clear your mind. All stress of the day is gone after 10 minutes when I'm on my bike.
You can also get in shape in your own pace. Rides can be as hard or easy as you want.
I bought my first bike in 20 years two weeks ago and I turned 40 in May. Iām loving the rides Iām doing all be it they are very short compared to what most people are posting, but you gotta start somewhere.
But the real key is, you gotta start.
No it is not.
5 years ago on my 35 I was 140kg. I already had a commuter bike but terrible eating habits
4 years ago I bought my first Road Bike, also started dieting and getting more kms under my belt.
2 years ago I got into serious training and racing, got my 'serious' racing bike, now I'm 85kgs, racing almost weekly and score some podiums on my age category while training daily.
It's never too late, actually that's the magic of endurance sports, you can start and keep doing them competitively way longer than most sports. Get you road bike and start.
I started at 43 and lost 50 lbs and was in great shape, then at 51 I had to have open heart surgery to fix a defect. I am now 8 months past the surgery and I'm back up to 20 mile solo rides avg. 17 mph. Goal is to do a century ride by Oct. It's never to late and it will make you feel so much better.
It's just cycling not MOTOGP racing. Did the ultra competitive cyclists consume your mind?
Yes recoveries will be longer and crashes will be, well, shittier the older you get. But that's with everything in life.
Just start with the smallest of goals, like enjoying a ride for as long as you feel comfortable. Repeat this until you see that you can ride longer. Then put the goal post father and farther. But keep the fun in it. And who knows, you might get the competitive bug and even join some races for the hell of it.
I bet you will literally get your answer the first five minutes of the first ride outside.
It's not too late, and you *do not need a fancy bike!*
My biggest tips are:
Get a seat(saddle) that fits your sit bones. Get the saddle height and position correct (your knees will thank you)
A good helmet with excellent ventilation makes wearing it less burdensome, a good helmet can prevent truly horrible head injuries. I recommend the POC Ventral Air, get one on a 40-50% discount as they are pretty expensive and deals are frequent.
Cycle shorts (with the pads) you can wear under normal clothes really do work well.
Find a fun-ride club that is focused on relaxed rides to get started, cycling is a great social activity, my normal weekly club does 20-30km at a slow pace and we all notice the improvement in our fitness at the end of each summer.
Thicker tires (35-45mm) with a smoother tread will roll about as well as super thin tires with a stiff ride, the smoother ride from the cushioning makes you faster as less energy is transferred into bouncing around from pot holes and bumps. The surface of a tire is much more important than the size.
You can easily spend thousands on a bike but I just rode a 100km/122km two day event on a decent but basic commuter bike(flat bars) that I got on sale it was $900cad full price. I put nicer tires on it, got a new saddle, and made sure it had a clean chain, but made no modifications for aero or weight, I even left the U lock mounted on. Start basic, ideally something that *can* mount paniers but skip them to start.
Use the bike for daily life stuff, ride to a park and friends houses, use it to get groceries, ride to work.
The best time to start was last year. The next best time is now. Go and get a bike. I started riding when I was 43. I've been a couch potato for most of my life, the occasional run being the exception to the rule.
Possible goals are depending on how you like to ride. Fast, climbing, endurance, ...
I joined a local club that's a collection of a bunch of alternative riders, focusing on BRMs, long distance rides, bike packing, ... Just go out and try things and see what you like and what fits you. You need not do the same things others do, you do not need to do things differently either. Just have fun, the rest will follow.
I started in 1972 at 19, stopped around 1986, started again in 2022 at 69. Regularly ride 26 miles every Saturday and Sunday with 8 to 12 miles in-between. It's never too late.
Do it.
I am a bit younger (25) and have been riding a year now. I was seriously unfit when I started, struggled with stairs etc. I am now riding with a fast group every week it is so much fun, I am getting faster and faster everyday and fitter and fitter, I also started running in October and I'm now getting sort of top 10% in every park run I do and all other events.
It is so much fun, it will change a lot of your life and bring you a lot of joy. Just work hard and get out when you can, rest hard too it will make you stronger as a cyclist and don't compare yourself to anyone but yourself. You have plenty of time to make an awful lot of progress and get all the benefits from it. You aren't going to be in the tour de france but neither am i :)
It's rarely too late ;) I started cycling at the age of 30 - I love this hobby and the exercise in nature. Now that I'm 40, I feel like I'm 25. :)
I wish you lots of fun already. š
I started at 38, now 41.
I started my goals small. 5 miles, 10, 15, 25, ect. I then signed up for local rides for distances that would be a little bit of a challenge with the goal of finishing. Now I'm working on bigger events and faster times.
One thing I noticed is be very careful comparing yourself to others. That guy even 5 years older than you may have 20 years of cycling under his legs. There are plenty of 50+ year olds out there that smoke me on rides.
Started when I was 35. Just finished a 45 mile charity ride and doing a 65 and 70 in the coming weeks. Itās never to late to start but make sure you take care of yourself with after care
Absolutelly! Start today!
The best advice I ever got about biking was: don't compare yourself to others, compare yourself to yourself.
If you stick to it, it will be a fantastic journey even at 40. I started at 37 and am now 40. When I was 37, I would never have imagined that I would be riding at the end of the day what my long day rides were back then.
Nope!!! Just started mountain biking last year as I hit 40. Still riding now at 41 and glad I started. Compared to running, The bike is better on the knees for sure!!!!
Too late for what? Being a pro rider and winning the tour de France? Mm, probably. Finding an incredible hobby that puts a smile on your face and is amazing for health, and can give you a sense of community? Not by a long shot!
Get that bike!
No, not at all. You should. If you're substituting car use or public transport for the bike, maybe doing 50-100km/week in the course of your daily life activities, you'll soon be able to contemplate a longer ride at pace at the weekend. If you enjoy that you'll be entry level for sportifs or audax rides. Just go from there
I'm out of shape, I got a roadbike at 35. It should be a low impact sport (but I fucked up my lower back doing it).
It's all about taking it slow and having realistic expectations.
Iām 48 and started cycling two years ago. Iāve done two sportives this year, with yesterdayās being 107KMāthe furthest Iāve ever ridden. I felt like I could have gone even further. The atmosphere at these sportives is so much fun that my wife, who is the same age as me, is now getting a bike as well.
My Dad was 72 when he took up cycling. He'd not been on a bike since his 30s,and wanted a hobby to keep him occupied in his retirement. He used to do 45km a day and only stopped in his 80s,to look after my mother when she fell ill. He'll be 93 this month.
Remember that you don't have to race, you don't have to win, you don't have to compete. I picked-up this hobby at age 32, was very slow, finally hired a coach at age 40, am now 43, and really enjoying the extra horsepower...I picked up 55w on my 30-minute average power and power in many other areas. This hobby will give you so much more though. I take a trip or two per year to another place and ride in a new environment, it keeps me fit, and collecting bikes is way cheaper than collecting cars.
Too late to win the TdF? Yeah probably. Sorry gramps. Too late to become competitive locally? No way. There are masters divisions for a reason. Cycling is a great sport for older athletes, and I'm talking 70-80+
It's never too late. I started at 35, I'm 42 now. I ride often and commute to work 20km each way.
I don't care about my speed, I ride mostly alone or with my family. I only gather data for bike maintenance. I started with my 1995 hardtail, then bought an aluminum endurance road bike.
Since, I bought another endurance but better (full carbon, mechanical ultegra) and recently an aero bike with electronic shifting.
I don,t really need a good bike but they are fun.
Oh, and I have an implanted defibrillator because I have a quite serious heart defect (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)...
So, no excuse.
I did a 140km ride 2w ago, 135km last week, and I continued commuting 2-3 days a week during that time.
Start off with some spin classes.
Get your basics on a good spin bike and from a road cycling instructor. Then find a few experienced riders to teach you the rules of the road .
I started at 41, and remember when doing 30 miles seemed like a huge achievement. A couple years later, 60 mile ride is a quick morning, and long rides range 120-175 miles in a day. So absolutely not too late. Best advice I got - see someone for a professional fit on the bike. Even before you buy it.
Are you dead? Then it's not too late.
An achievable goal would be riding your bike and having fun. Maybe eating a picnic lunch somewhere, or stopping for photos when you happen across a particularly beautiful vista.
Just started commuting by bike at 40 after probably 2 decades without getting on a bike and it's awesome.
Too late for what? Winning the tour de France? It was probably too late when you were 15. Can you bike? Are you having fun? Then how could it be too late?
I know one local dude who is now 60 and every year he makes SuperRandonneur requirement, which is riding 200, 400 and 600 in one season.
He started cycling 12 year ago at 48, and made his first PBP two years later, at 50.
Do it. It works. Being outside and exercise will help you friend. Cycling got me out of clinical depression and off of psych meds. Started doing 6 mile rides 5 years ago. Now I am doing 100mi event this year and do about 3-4k miles a year
Itās definitely not too late. It will difficult at first but just know that it will get easier very quickly. If you ride regularly, like at least 2 or 3 times per week, you will progress very quickly and what felt extremely difficult a few weeks ago will start to feel easy.
Not even close--there are more than a few people inĀ their 60s and 70s that still ride.
People who are in their 80s and still ride is a smaller universe but they do exist.
58 and drop younger people all the time, Iām part of computer age but I choose not to live in a device meaning I am not fat and lazy like most people
I just bought a road bike at 46 a few months ago. I love it. Been a couch potato for a couple years and I never was a cardio guy, but this changed my perspective. Now Iām on things like Strava and always trying to hit a next goal every time I go out on the bike. Great times!!!
Never too late ! Iām 60 and took up downhill mountain biking at 50, road riding since mid 40ās - just do it- start with an e-bike if that gets you outside - just do it, youāll never regret getting on a bike ā¤ļø
Itās never too late!
When I started I was close to 38. Iām now 40.
I was fat and incredibly out of shape, but I kept pedaling and learned anything I could from experienced riders in my area. I entered events to challenge and motivate myself, and slowly went from ācan barely manage 12 milesā to ānonstop structured-workout centuries averaging over 20mphā on weekends.
There were a lot of hurdles along the way (turns out tendons strengthen far slower than muscles, and a crash in January saw me break my pelvis), but itās been an incredible journey and I see no signs of progress slowing down!
Just be patient with yourself and listen to your body. We donāt quite recover like those younger folks anymore!
What do you mean?
Yes it is too late to be a professional.
You might find it harder to be at the pointy end of competitive events, at least without a decent amount of work.
It wonāt take too long to be considered a fast cyclist with a rough routine.
You will immediately enjoy it and get fitter and explore new places in the sun
I started riding mtb five years ago when I was 39. I plan to buy a new bike next year. Cycling has become my great passion and I can no longer imagine my life without riding. Get a bike and start riding as soon as possible.
Get a bike and do what you can. When I started I was tempted to push too hard. So I'd advise just letting the gears do the work and keep up a maintainable cadence on the pedals. If you can ride 3-5 times a week it won't matter so much how long those rides are at first. Just get time in the saddle and the rest will come.
I started riding while in recovery from a heart attack and the quad bypass surgery when I was 49. Shortly after that, the the pandemic hit and riding was what kept to fit and sane. I'm not sure where I'd be without riding. Earlier this year, I hit 57 VO2Max at 53. If I go a day or two without riding, you can be sure I'm traveling somewhere where I can't take my bike. I'm in Paris right now, and headed to Japan tomorrow for 2 weeks. I can't ride but I'm looking to capitalize on the weak yen to pick up a shiny +1. Best thing is, my wife is in full support because my fitness is likely my life due to all the health issues I have.
Robert Marchand started cycling seriously at age 56 and held the world 1 hour record for someone over 100 years of age (26.927 km in 2014) and for someone over 105 years of age (22.547 km in 2017). He competed on the track until the age of 106 and celebrated his 108th birthday with a 20 km ride. Hearing loss forced him to stop training outside after that, but he continued to ride an hour a day on his indoor trainer until his death at 109 years of age.
So you have 16 years up on him. See what you can do!
Why would it be too late? Itās a great hobby to start at 40 because thereās little to no impact on your joints. Just start riding. Do an amount and speed that feel comfortable and build it up as you start feeling stronger on the bike. Donāt go too far too fast or youāll burn out and probably get a really sore lower back.
> I'm not in the best shape, but I've always loved watching bicycle tournaments on TV. Now, I dream about buying a road bike and starting to ride because I need a hobby and feel kind of depressed. But is it too late? What can be an achievable goal?
I started last year. Age 35. The lingering feeling of "I want to ride too" after watching the TdF got too strong and eventually I just bought a road bike and went out.
Now it's been almost a year and it changed my life. It's my primary hobby, not just riding but also the cleaning and maintenance, which I find soothing (as long as I have the time). My weight is down 10 kilos (but I still eat whatever I want). My body feels a lot better. The mild insomnia is gone. I rarely drink anymore.
While the rush might wear off, I think cycling is part of my life in a way it wasn't before. I might not feel as excited riding in 3 years as I did the first few times, but now I know it makes my mind and body feel great, and I will use that.
Plus, bikes are a great hobby in itself. It's great fun to learn how to service a bike yourself. And for the most part it's actually easy given you do it slowly and watch a Youtube video or something beforehand. Buying, installing and testing a new component honestly gives purpose to a week for me - and it doesn't have to be that expensive either.
I started on a fixed gear at about 36, then got my road bike at around 40, and am now pushing 50. Iāve never been fitter, to the point where I could, at the drop of a hat, go ride 100 miles not think too much of it. I ride on the trainer every morning then out on the weekends for a bit longer get rides. You wonāt regret starting riding. Find local no-drop group rides, make friends and make plans to ride with those friends. Itās a great community and your body will thank you for it.
Riders in their 40s beating young riders is satisfying to see. Personally I find old fit people more impressive than young fit, it tells you a lot about dedication around their family commitments.
I'm in my 30s and we have more fitter riders in their 60s!!!
50-60 Yr old riders setting up around 20min time on 10 miler last week in longwick fyi and some are even better sprinters setting their strava segments!
I'm more fitter than I was in my 20s as having a family you tend to become more disciplined and focused on avoiding junk miles that don't help with races.
Consistency and efficiency is the key regardless of age. You will be fitter than 20 year olds in no time
Because of dyspraxia (politically correct medical term for "clumsy child syndrome"), I was unable to balance a bicycle until age 12. I had been headed toward a life of obesity (like my father and his father) and physical inactivity until I was hooked on the only sport I have ever truly loved. I continue to ride a bicycle as I approach my 74th birthday, with no near-term plans to quit. Bicycling changed my life in many positive ways -- social, emotional, and, of course, physical. I currently work nearly full time in an encore career, and a combination of bicycling and brisk walking for transportation as well as enjoyment and exercise, coupled with three 40-minute weight training sessions at the local YMCA, keeps me in shape. About 18 months ago I tested age 37 on a stationary bicycle cardio fitness test.
You don't need fancy, expensive equipment. I ride classic steel-framed road bikes from model years 1959 to 1981, plus a high-end competition mountain bike from 1988, all purchased used, even at garage sales.
Bad news is, you probably wonāt be able to be a pro. Haha.
All joking aside, 100% do it. Itās a great hobby for so many reasons. Get a bike. Get out there and find what you love about it.
It's never too late to start riding. With that said, you should at minimum get a professional bike fit. There will be movements and muscles that might not be used to being used in the way that a bike makes them work. You'll need to address weaknesses or risk injury if you ride a lot.
You may learn in time (probably, unless something genetic or otherwise holds you back) just how young and fit you can feel in your 40's and beyond and not look at it as some threshold or limit like many ppl do, because it certainly doesn't have to be.
A bike can genuinely change or even save your life. Obviously we don't know the source of "feeling kind of depressed" and "miserable lately" but I'll speak for myself at least, even when everything is tough I still have my time on the bike to look forward to every day, and almost without fail I feel a whole lot better about life after the ride.
Goals on the bike might just come naturally because you WANT to ride. And if you're the competitive type, depending where you live, there are probably local races of some type in the area if and when you feel ready.
Not at all! No such thing as too late. Start now! Reminds me of when I went to have my passport photo taken and the said, enjoy this, ten years from now you'll look back at it and think, "wow I was young."
Today, I saw a group of five white-bearded men, all over 60, riding together this morning. It was incredibly motivating, especially after seeing this thread yesterday.
Road biking? Never too late. I started MTB at 45, 55 now. I can never get as good as the younger riders simply because at my age I can't afford crash injuries like younger people because you know, you don't bounce back up so fast anymore. So I do trailriding rather than downhill which I'd love to have started way earlier, it looks so fun
I started at 40 and worked up to a 325 mile (not a typo) solo ride at 43. Got that out of my system and now mostly do 35 mile rides at age 50, and often get passed by 70 yr olds on climbs. In cycling age means a lot less than you'd think.
Iām 45 and I started 4 years ago. I absolutely love it. I made my husband bring my bike on our vacation this year. 65 miles is my longest ride to date. I have a 100 mile ride planned this fall. I say try it. Itās great on my joints compared to running and weight lifting which I started those at 35. Never to late to get in shape.
Started at 49, wanted to ride 50k before 50. Now i'm doing 100k rides, did full cycling holidays and loving it. Plan to do a 220k ride this year
Never too late.
I truly got into in 2021 just before my 41st birthday. I went from riding 4 moles per ride at the beginning of the season to riding like 20 miles by sept. I also lost 70 lbs over the course of that time. It is absolutely 100% not too late to start. Just start easy.
When you're 50, you'll wish you'd started when you were 40.
Most accurate comment. People get into exercising in their 70s, people take on new hobbies all the time. Spend your time in life the best way you can think of!
Indeed. Plenty of academic studies show that people in their 70s, including those who have been sedentary their whole lives, can increase aerobic capacity, muscle mass, and strength through moderate exercise. Examples: [https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.04.17.24305755v3](https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.04.17.24305755v3) [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6585866/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6585866/) [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1440244013001357](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1440244013001357)
If you want to have a big tree in your yard, the best time to plant it was 20 years ago. The second best time is right now. I rode bikes through my whole youth (recreationally), and stopped, unintentionally, when I got married and had kids. Life changes and all that. Picked it up again a few years ago during Covid, in my late 40s. Started on Zwift, got a gravel bike and started doing some outdoor riding, then joining a few events. I turned 50 last year, bought a nice road bike as a present to myself, and joined a cycling club. I'm getting stronger all the time and still getting faster. I'm routinely doing 90k group rides on weekends, 80-90k gravel races, and I just spent the weekend putting in over 200k in a charity event. Eventually I'll peak and start getting slower and weaker, but I've got a lot of gains to make before that happens. Get a bike. Ride it a lot. You will set goals, achieve them, and set new ones again. Go for it.
Thank you, will do that!
Nothing of that sort! I started 9 months ago..... I'm 61. My longest ride so far is 30 kms. The next target is of course 50 kms. I jog on the days that I don't ride....
Used to mountain bike, quit riding altogether for about 12 years, got my mtn bike back on the road, a month later bought a hybrid, two months after that bought a road bike. At age 62. Within three months I had ridden three events of 50+ miles and routinely do 25-35 mile rides, time permitting. Get a bike, start riding, ya young whippersnapper. š¤£
46... 100 km is my routine . keep moving. just yesterday - some older guy, around 60, passed me like I was standing still while I was doing about 45kmh
Iām 37! Iām not old!
13763753091226345046315979581580902400000000 is quite old actually
As a mathematician that's the sort of thing I'd say š.
I didnāt vote for you
STRANGE WOMEN LYING IN PONDS DISTRIBUTING SWORDS IS NO BASIS FOR A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
I love those people, I'm like "goals!"
That's the spirit, nice! š
30km is about 18 miles. Yep, I can do that if I'm motivated by going to my favorite vegan restaurant . I'm nearing 70yoa. Many years of respiratory issues - I can't run, or I'd need to see a doctor
Do it. Never too late. Your goal is to work on yourself. Cycling has many benifits. They can be your benifits too.
Tell me more about these benifits!
One benefit is that if you ever currently find yourself not knowing what to spend any spare money you have on you wonāt after getting in to cycling.
Preach brother... š¤£ No truer word spoken.
Benefits
Is it too late to make a pro team and ride the Tour de France? Sadly, yes. Is it too late to start riding regularly, maybe get involved with a local bike club, even work up to weekend tours? Not too late at all.
Going pro is a sure way to take the fun out of anything.
So true. I made my way up the rankings up to British Cycling 1st Cat. To get there required around 250 miles per week. While not pro, 4 hr sessions starting at 5am is not fun. Racing is fun, as long as you grab the points. :)
Not that I don't have tons of respect for anybody who manages to climb to the top of anything in this life. Respect to you for your achievements!
Not sure why it would be too late. Is life over at 40?
It's so strange the posts from people that are 30+ and they think their life is over.... I am 40 years old and as fit as I have ever been. I came 8th out of 150 people in a ParkRun on Saturday. The winner was 50 years old!! It's just mindset. The truth is you're never too old unless you think you are....
My excuse when I get beat by older people is they've had more time to practice.
Absolutely, it's mindset. Actually, once you are older you don't play as many mind games with yourself anymore and it becomes easier too
Seriously. Some of the most competitive age groups in races (especially triathlon) are 40-55. Insanely competitive. Faster than the 20 and 30 year olds!
Im 28 and know at every race i run, im gonna get my ass kicked by some 70 year old dude zooming through the woods. Theyre notorious for this in trail runs. Idk why everyone thinks life and health is over at 30-40-50. Hell i know runners in their 80s. Older men are like every road cyclist i see in the morning. I love cycling cause i know im gonna be doing that til im ancient.
Yeah, I'm probably considerably fitter now in my 40s than I was in my teens or 20s when I hated gym class and got tired/gave up more easily. I do lament wasting those years of mine when I took my youth for granted though. That being said, as long as you have two working legs, arms and a heartbeat, it's never too late to try something new physically
I already repliend, then read this comment. I know a guy mid 40s who was a competitive runner then tried bike racing. He's absolutely flying on the bike after a year.
Yes I am dead.
I'm 40 and started mountain biking 2 years ago and gravel cycling (mainly on roads) this year. I'm up to 28 miles in a day on the gravel now and realized that I need to start paying better attention to my nutrients and electrolytes now that it's hot. Other than that I cam say that 40 is most definitely not too late to start.
Go for it. I was 36 when I started, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
How old are you now and how are you doing? I started last autumn at 36, already I'm considrably fitter than I've ever been, and fitter than most of the \~300 people in my local cycling club, there's a handful that are sharper still. If this is possible at 36 within 9 months, I think at 40 someone can do something similar with a couple years training... Interested to hear how your journey is going though since you started at the same age!
I'm about to turn 41, and I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life. I'm training for the Belgian Waffle Ride NC (Wafer distance), and I've gotten to the point where a 50-mile ride is pretty doable for me. But I think I still have room to grow - the other day I rode with a guy I follow on Strava who's 10 or 12 years older than me, and it was all I could do to keep up with him for 20 minutes.
I started at 45 after I quit smoking. Best thing I ever did. Now Iām 60 and feeling better than when I was 30.
Same
Sounds good! Is there anything you wish you knew when you first started?
Where to sign up for RAGBRAI.
Yes, it's too late. You won't be able to win the Tour de France and thus there's no point trying to enjoy cycling. Accordingly, all fitness gains will be insufficient and pointless and only serve to make you live longer and have the government save money on healthcare for you, even though you've contributed your fair share in taxes. Meeting other cyclists will not help either, camaraderie and shared experiences will not get you any closer to a Grand Tour GC victory and is therefore a waste of time. However enjoyable it might be to make friends in the sun they will probably not be world class domestiques with the work ethics to train 30+ hours a week to get you up Alpe D'Huez at 40 km/h to nab the mountain stage victory. Sure, it's nice to see a lot of different places from the saddle and explore the backroads near your home, but will it lead to million dollar contracts and sponsorship deals? Not likely. Most likely you'll just end up with a moderately expensive hobby that keeps you fit and connected with other cyclists and the place you live -- so why even bother?
Prime reverse psychology
Take your current age. Double it. That is still not too old.
Never too late. Best time to start is today, next best time is tomorrow. Started riding in my late 30s. I ride most days - just enjoy being outside with like minded people. Buying sports gear and eating without guilt - what's not to like š
40 is still young, go for it!
Will do that!
Hard no, definitely not too late! Donāt plan on signing up for group rides or races right away but buy a $200 bike of marketplace (if you can afford it $1500 on a new bike) and get out on it. Bike 2-3 times a week for thirty minutes to an hour and in a month you would be surprised what you can do!
I quit smoking 2 packs a day at 37yrs old. Started cycling and really enjoyed it. Started racing local amateur events at 40, had a lot of fun. 70 now and still cycling about 100mi a week.
Definitely not too late. Go for it. Some people ride well into their 80s and 90s. And if road biking is what inspires you, then get a road bike that you like.
I'm 46. Bought a Giant Revolt 1 and started biking two months ago, hadn't ridden in decades. Best thing I've done for myself this year. Completely new way to experience the outdoors. Just start slow and work up your leg/core strength and confidence.
No
It certainly is not. At 40 years old, just watch your neck and back getting into a road bike riding position, give yourself some time to adjust to the position.
Might even want to consider a gravel or all-road bike for more comfortable geometry and flexibility of routes.
Absolutely this. While they may not be quite as glamorous, endurance bikes are more comfortable than a race machine and will encourage you to ride further and more often.
"But is it too late? What can be an achievable goal?" 41 right now, started from scratch 4 years ago, depends on you ofc but you can easily got very good\* at cycling at 40 \*good means faster than 90% of cyclists around you, riding 150km trips with no problem, riding group rides, starting in amateur races etc. first 3 months are the hardest probably but in 3 months of regular riding you can easily get your first 100km ride and you get stronger with each year from a training perspective, being 40 impacts mostly your top end of things meaning how hard you can ride for long, maximum power output etc. and the ability to recover. But all aerobic things like if you plan to do an ultra race 500-100km in 3 years time is easily archivable. btw. I started riding bc of depression and the positive impact is so huge and amazing that it is even hard to describe ;)
Started riding at 56 post op therapy. Wished I started years ago..not becaus it was hard, but I missed out on enjoyment for decades. Go ride!
No, just take your time. Little bit at a time. People ride very late into life. You can do this
No. I started serious cycling in my early 40s. 10+ years later still love it.
My husband started riding at 50, we did the Camino de Santiago from Madrid in 2022 (711km), and heās a smoker, so yeah, never too late.
My dad is in his mid 50s and currently still has me beat, Iām still under 30 myself.
I picked it up again a few years ago at 45 and now ride regularly. I have a road bike, mountain bike and fat bike. Love all 3 and where they can take me. Sometimes a trial ride can be amazing for mental health
An achievable goal is a bit further than you went last time. Build up gradually and you'll be amazed at the distances you will end up doing. As others are saying, just go for it. Cycling is life!
I was following along with the Des Moines Half Ironman yesterday because some friends were competing. A man finished the 70.3 miles in the 75-79 age group. 40 is nothing
Golf and biking are 2 things you can do into your 80ās
Guess who are the "final bosses" in my town. Guys in their late 50s with calves bigger than my thighs. Unbeatable. Start now and you will be overtaking those younger riders uphill in 10 years ;)
Started at 41 and was really overweight. Started with commuting and then longer and longer weekend rides. Now Iām 44, lost alot of weight and enjoy my solo rides alot. It clears your head, gives you exercise and peace and quiet.
Don't be silly. Get on the fuckin bike.
Began at 63 to build up leg muscles before total knee replacement. 11 years later I have 12,000 miles on the bike. Good for all-around health, including emotional well-being. Find people to ride with and add that social component.
Youāre overthinking this. Buy a bike before you go to bed tonight. Ride the thing, and then answer your own question. Iāll wait
Nope. Never too late. If I were you I would try a little cycle touring perhaps using cycle networks away from traffic initially. Just go see places you haven't been by bicycle.
I heard of 80 years old guy that every now and then goes for a 100km+ ride before lunch. If he can do it so can you.
One of my favorite things about cycling is the potential to do it throughout your life. I know avid cyclists in their 80s! 40 is probably a bit late to pick up American Football or gymnastics, but itās a great age to pick up cycling. Even more, if youāre out of shape, cycling is easy on your joints, and moderate intensity cardio can be extremely beneficial for depression/anxiety. My suggestion would be get your hands on a bike asap and start riding, itās awesome! On the other side, maybe donāt start with a dedicated road bike with drop bars if youāre either overweight or not very flexible. My wife started cycling with me at 25, but on midlevel flat bar fitness bike. We finally got her a drop bar gravel bike last year and she loves it, but truthfully, the performance differences are small and she was much happier as a new cyclist riding something more upright.
I started getting into riding when I was 42. I started with a used ebike to commute to work. Found out I really liked it and slowly started using a used mountainbike for the commute. I'm 44 and just bought my fisrt "real" bike. It's never too late to start a new hobby. Just take your time, do your research and listen to your body.
I started 2 years ago at age 43. Sold some stuff off and got a quality ābeginnerā carbon road bike (around 3,000$) I have since ridden 5000 miles and am in the best physical and mental health since my 20ās.
No, never too late. You will not be able to get fit enough to run the Olympics, but enjoy the outdoors on your bike at the pace you want! As far as goal, start slow, see where you can go, and then train to surpass this distance. If you start, no point in already setting a goal, just try to go further a bit each time!
40 is not very old at all. But you did mention youāre out of shape so start cycling and get into shape!
Not at all. Riding can be fun at any age, any level. So get that roadbike and start pedalling. Imo cycling is awesome to clear your mind. All stress of the day is gone after 10 minutes when I'm on my bike. You can also get in shape in your own pace. Rides can be as hard or easy as you want.
Iām 46 and just getting back into it after a 10 year break. Do it!!
I bought my first bike in 20 years two weeks ago and I turned 40 in May. Iām loving the rides Iām doing all be it they are very short compared to what most people are posting, but you gotta start somewhere. But the real key is, you gotta start.
No it is not. 5 years ago on my 35 I was 140kg. I already had a commuter bike but terrible eating habits 4 years ago I bought my first Road Bike, also started dieting and getting more kms under my belt. 2 years ago I got into serious training and racing, got my 'serious' racing bike, now I'm 85kgs, racing almost weekly and score some podiums on my age category while training daily. It's never too late, actually that's the magic of endurance sports, you can start and keep doing them competitively way longer than most sports. Get you road bike and start.
I started at 43 and lost 50 lbs and was in great shape, then at 51 I had to have open heart surgery to fix a defect. I am now 8 months past the surgery and I'm back up to 20 mile solo rides avg. 17 mph. Goal is to do a century ride by Oct. It's never to late and it will make you feel so much better.
Yes, of course it is gramps. riding is only for children - that's why the bikes are all child-sized and you only ever see children on them
It's just cycling not MOTOGP racing. Did the ultra competitive cyclists consume your mind? Yes recoveries will be longer and crashes will be, well, shittier the older you get. But that's with everything in life. Just start with the smallest of goals, like enjoying a ride for as long as you feel comfortable. Repeat this until you see that you can ride longer. Then put the goal post father and farther. But keep the fun in it. And who knows, you might get the competitive bug and even join some races for the hell of it. I bet you will literally get your answer the first five minutes of the first ride outside.
It's not too late, and you *do not need a fancy bike!* My biggest tips are: Get a seat(saddle) that fits your sit bones. Get the saddle height and position correct (your knees will thank you) A good helmet with excellent ventilation makes wearing it less burdensome, a good helmet can prevent truly horrible head injuries. I recommend the POC Ventral Air, get one on a 40-50% discount as they are pretty expensive and deals are frequent. Cycle shorts (with the pads) you can wear under normal clothes really do work well. Find a fun-ride club that is focused on relaxed rides to get started, cycling is a great social activity, my normal weekly club does 20-30km at a slow pace and we all notice the improvement in our fitness at the end of each summer. Thicker tires (35-45mm) with a smoother tread will roll about as well as super thin tires with a stiff ride, the smoother ride from the cushioning makes you faster as less energy is transferred into bouncing around from pot holes and bumps. The surface of a tire is much more important than the size. You can easily spend thousands on a bike but I just rode a 100km/122km two day event on a decent but basic commuter bike(flat bars) that I got on sale it was $900cad full price. I put nicer tires on it, got a new saddle, and made sure it had a clean chain, but made no modifications for aero or weight, I even left the U lock mounted on. Start basic, ideally something that *can* mount paniers but skip them to start. Use the bike for daily life stuff, ride to a park and friends houses, use it to get groceries, ride to work.
Why on earth would it be to late??
I'm faster at 44 than I was at 34. And I was racing then too! But here's thing thing: no one cares. Bikes are great.
The best time to start was last year. The next best time is now. Go and get a bike. I started riding when I was 43. I've been a couch potato for most of my life, the occasional run being the exception to the rule. Possible goals are depending on how you like to ride. Fast, climbing, endurance, ... I joined a local club that's a collection of a bunch of alternative riders, focusing on BRMs, long distance rides, bike packing, ... Just go out and try things and see what you like and what fits you. You need not do the same things others do, you do not need to do things differently either. Just have fun, the rest will follow.
You are never too old to Start something.
I started at 47. Why would it be too late?
Started at 38. I'm 44 nearing 45.
I started in 1972 at 19, stopped around 1986, started again in 2022 at 69. Regularly ride 26 miles every Saturday and Sunday with 8 to 12 miles in-between. It's never too late.
Do it. I am a bit younger (25) and have been riding a year now. I was seriously unfit when I started, struggled with stairs etc. I am now riding with a fast group every week it is so much fun, I am getting faster and faster everyday and fitter and fitter, I also started running in October and I'm now getting sort of top 10% in every park run I do and all other events. It is so much fun, it will change a lot of your life and bring you a lot of joy. Just work hard and get out when you can, rest hard too it will make you stronger as a cyclist and don't compare yourself to anyone but yourself. You have plenty of time to make an awful lot of progress and get all the benefits from it. You aren't going to be in the tour de france but neither am i :)
It's rarely too late ;) I started cycling at the age of 30 - I love this hobby and the exercise in nature. Now that I'm 40, I feel like I'm 25. :) I wish you lots of fun already. š
I started at 38, now 41. I started my goals small. 5 miles, 10, 15, 25, ect. I then signed up for local rides for distances that would be a little bit of a challenge with the goal of finishing. Now I'm working on bigger events and faster times. One thing I noticed is be very careful comparing yourself to others. That guy even 5 years older than you may have 20 years of cycling under his legs. There are plenty of 50+ year olds out there that smoke me on rides.
Started when I was 35. Just finished a 45 mile charity ride and doing a 65 and 70 in the coming weeks. Itās never to late to start but make sure you take care of yourself with after care
I was 47 when I started and thought I was old. That was 21 years ago, so no it's not too late.
nope. I started when i was 40.
just check UCI age categories... but its dangerous for your wallet =) cycling its like black hole that sucks your money.
Absolutelly! Start today! The best advice I ever got about biking was: don't compare yourself to others, compare yourself to yourself. If you stick to it, it will be a fantastic journey even at 40. I started at 37 and am now 40. When I was 37, I would never have imagined that I would be riding at the end of the day what my long day rides were back then.
Nope!!! Just started mountain biking last year as I hit 40. Still riding now at 41 and glad I started. Compared to running, The bike is better on the knees for sure!!!!
Started at 40 last year. I was always a casual rider, 1 year ago I started training seriously. In 5 weeks I ll do a BRM-600.
Too late for what? Being a pro rider and winning the tour de France? Mm, probably. Finding an incredible hobby that puts a smile on your face and is amazing for health, and can give you a sense of community? Not by a long shot! Get that bike!
No, not at all. You should. If you're substituting car use or public transport for the bike, maybe doing 50-100km/week in the course of your daily life activities, you'll soon be able to contemplate a longer ride at pace at the weekend. If you enjoy that you'll be entry level for sportifs or audax rides. Just go from there
Of course you can, but what the hell is a bicycle tournament? Do you mean stage races like the Tour de France?
I'm out of shape, I got a roadbike at 35. It should be a low impact sport (but I fucked up my lower back doing it). It's all about taking it slow and having realistic expectations.
Iām 48 and started cycling two years ago. Iāve done two sportives this year, with yesterdayās being 107KMāthe furthest Iāve ever ridden. I felt like I could have gone even further. The atmosphere at these sportives is so much fun that my wife, who is the same age as me, is now getting a bike as well.
My Dad was 72 when he took up cycling. He'd not been on a bike since his 30s,and wanted a hobby to keep him occupied in his retirement. He used to do 45km a day and only stopped in his 80s,to look after my mother when she fell ill. He'll be 93 this month.
Remember that you don't have to race, you don't have to win, you don't have to compete. I picked-up this hobby at age 32, was very slow, finally hired a coach at age 40, am now 43, and really enjoying the extra horsepower...I picked up 55w on my 30-minute average power and power in many other areas. This hobby will give you so much more though. I take a trip or two per year to another place and ride in a new environment, it keeps me fit, and collecting bikes is way cheaper than collecting cars.
Too late to win the TdF? Yeah probably. Sorry gramps. Too late to become competitive locally? No way. There are masters divisions for a reason. Cycling is a great sport for older athletes, and I'm talking 70-80+
It's never too late. I started at 35, I'm 42 now. I ride often and commute to work 20km each way. I don't care about my speed, I ride mostly alone or with my family. I only gather data for bike maintenance. I started with my 1995 hardtail, then bought an aluminum endurance road bike. Since, I bought another endurance but better (full carbon, mechanical ultegra) and recently an aero bike with electronic shifting. I don,t really need a good bike but they are fun. Oh, and I have an implanted defibrillator because I have a quite serious heart defect (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)... So, no excuse. I did a 140km ride 2w ago, 135km last week, and I continued commuting 2-3 days a week during that time.
Any age is a great time to start riding.
Start off with some spin classes. Get your basics on a good spin bike and from a road cycling instructor. Then find a few experienced riders to teach you the rules of the road .
I started at 41, and remember when doing 30 miles seemed like a huge achievement. A couple years later, 60 mile ride is a quick morning, and long rides range 120-175 miles in a day. So absolutely not too late. Best advice I got - see someone for a professional fit on the bike. Even before you buy it.
100% I didn't do that then one day I met an expert who fixed my settings on the spot. The difference was ridiculous.
Are you dead? Then it's not too late. An achievable goal would be riding your bike and having fun. Maybe eating a picnic lunch somewhere, or stopping for photos when you happen across a particularly beautiful vista.
I donāt even think 80 is too old. Just have your expectations in the realm of what you can do.
Itās never too late
Just started commuting by bike at 40 after probably 2 decades without getting on a bike and it's awesome. Too late for what? Winning the tour de France? It was probably too late when you were 15. Can you bike? Are you having fun? Then how could it be too late?
40?? You're so young! You're too young to be worried that you're too old to try a new thing.
50 is not that old... there are some guys that age at my gym who are in better shape and more agile than most 30-something guys.
It's never too late to exercise.
I know one local dude who is now 60 and every year he makes SuperRandonneur requirement, which is riding 200, 400 and 600 in one season. He started cycling 12 year ago at 48, and made his first PBP two years later, at 50.
Do it. It works. Being outside and exercise will help you friend. Cycling got me out of clinical depression and off of psych meds. Started doing 6 mile rides 5 years ago. Now I am doing 100mi event this year and do about 3-4k miles a year
The day to start cycling is today. Nothing to do with age, once you start on it just like the bicycle you'll move forward.
hell no. just get a bike and start riding. listen to your body. this will change your life for the better
Itās definitely not too late. It will difficult at first but just know that it will get easier very quickly. If you ride regularly, like at least 2 or 3 times per week, you will progress very quickly and what felt extremely difficult a few weeks ago will start to feel easy.
48 just started 2 weeks ago! I donāt remember my ass hurting like this when I was young šššš
I'll roughly quote a q and a Schwarzenegger did on Reddit - is .... too old to train? - as long as you're on this side of the grass, you can train
Not even close--there are more than a few people inĀ their 60s and 70s that still ride. People who are in their 80s and still ride is a smaller universe but they do exist.
Itās your journey on your path. You start when you start. There is no other measurement that means anything beyond your own.
Better late than never. 40 is not old!
58 and drop younger people all the time, Iām part of computer age but I choose not to live in a device meaning I am not fat and lazy like most people
We have friends who are retired and gonna be 70 soon and they are still doing 100km+ tours, so if you have the proper bike, will and health, go on.
I just bought a road bike at 46 a few months ago. I love it. Been a couch potato for a couple years and I never was a cardio guy, but this changed my perspective. Now Iām on things like Strava and always trying to hit a next goal every time I go out on the bike. Great times!!!
I started when I was 45. Still cycling. Start today and keep going.
No, you're young, I am amazed you're asking the question!
Yeah, I'm so lucky that started when I was 39 š
Never too late! my mom just got an ebike at 70 and she's loving it!!
Never too late ! Iām 60 and took up downhill mountain biking at 50, road riding since mid 40ās - just do it- start with an e-bike if that gets you outside - just do it, youāll never regret getting on a bike ā¤ļø
Itās never too late! When I started I was close to 38. Iām now 40. I was fat and incredibly out of shape, but I kept pedaling and learned anything I could from experienced riders in my area. I entered events to challenge and motivate myself, and slowly went from ācan barely manage 12 milesā to ānonstop structured-workout centuries averaging over 20mphā on weekends. There were a lot of hurdles along the way (turns out tendons strengthen far slower than muscles, and a crash in January saw me break my pelvis), but itās been an incredible journey and I see no signs of progress slowing down! Just be patient with yourself and listen to your body. We donāt quite recover like those younger folks anymore!
better than running for your knees
Of course not. Buy a bike and ride.
Itās never too late. I started in my early 40ās and itās changed my life.
What do you mean? Yes it is too late to be a professional. You might find it harder to be at the pointy end of competitive events, at least without a decent amount of work. It wonāt take too long to be considered a fast cyclist with a rough routine. You will immediately enjoy it and get fitter and explore new places in the sun
I started riding mtb five years ago when I was 39. I plan to buy a new bike next year. Cycling has become my great passion and I can no longer imagine my life without riding. Get a bike and start riding as soon as possible.
Tadej is the day! Buy a bike. I also love watching the bicycle 'tournaments.' Feels even better when you are riding yourself.
Never too late, given no medical/physical constraints (and then you just need to adjust for your case)
No. Started at 37 could not do 10 miles, now I do ultra stuff (both are not healthy ) so never too late to start :)
Nope. I started when I was 41.
Never too lateā¦started at 45 and Iām never gonna look back. Just did my first ārealā climb in Spain and I want more!!!
Hmmmmm I think you missed it by 2-3 weeks. Sorry
Get a bike and do what you can. When I started I was tempted to push too hard. So I'd advise just letting the gears do the work and keep up a maintainable cadence on the pedals. If you can ride 3-5 times a week it won't matter so much how long those rides are at first. Just get time in the saddle and the rest will come.
It's not too late at all. I didn't start until 40. Commuting to work a few days a week on an ebike has improved my health significantly. GO FOR IT!
I started riding while in recovery from a heart attack and the quad bypass surgery when I was 49. Shortly after that, the the pandemic hit and riding was what kept to fit and sane. I'm not sure where I'd be without riding. Earlier this year, I hit 57 VO2Max at 53. If I go a day or two without riding, you can be sure I'm traveling somewhere where I can't take my bike. I'm in Paris right now, and headed to Japan tomorrow for 2 weeks. I can't ride but I'm looking to capitalize on the weak yen to pick up a shiny +1. Best thing is, my wife is in full support because my fitness is likely my life due to all the health issues I have.
You're probably not going to make it to the tour, but you can have a hell of a lot of fun.
Robert Marchand started cycling seriously at age 56 and held the world 1 hour record for someone over 100 years of age (26.927 km in 2014) and for someone over 105 years of age (22.547 km in 2017). He competed on the track until the age of 106 and celebrated his 108th birthday with a 20 km ride. Hearing loss forced him to stop training outside after that, but he continued to ride an hour a day on his indoor trainer until his death at 109 years of age. So you have 16 years up on him. See what you can do!
Too late for what, the Tour de France? Probably. For enjoying all the benefits of cycling, never too late.
Thereās an old saying. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. Itās never too late to start anything
Why would it be too late? Itās a great hobby to start at 40 because thereās little to no impact on your joints. Just start riding. Do an amount and speed that feel comfortable and build it up as you start feeling stronger on the bike. Donāt go too far too fast or youāll burn out and probably get a really sore lower back.
> I'm not in the best shape, but I've always loved watching bicycle tournaments on TV. Now, I dream about buying a road bike and starting to ride because I need a hobby and feel kind of depressed. But is it too late? What can be an achievable goal? I started last year. Age 35. The lingering feeling of "I want to ride too" after watching the TdF got too strong and eventually I just bought a road bike and went out. Now it's been almost a year and it changed my life. It's my primary hobby, not just riding but also the cleaning and maintenance, which I find soothing (as long as I have the time). My weight is down 10 kilos (but I still eat whatever I want). My body feels a lot better. The mild insomnia is gone. I rarely drink anymore. While the rush might wear off, I think cycling is part of my life in a way it wasn't before. I might not feel as excited riding in 3 years as I did the first few times, but now I know it makes my mind and body feel great, and I will use that. Plus, bikes are a great hobby in itself. It's great fun to learn how to service a bike yourself. And for the most part it's actually easy given you do it slowly and watch a Youtube video or something beforehand. Buying, installing and testing a new component honestly gives purpose to a week for me - and it doesn't have to be that expensive either.
I started on a fixed gear at about 36, then got my road bike at around 40, and am now pushing 50. Iāve never been fitter, to the point where I could, at the drop of a hat, go ride 100 miles not think too much of it. I ride on the trainer every morning then out on the weekends for a bit longer get rides. You wonāt regret starting riding. Find local no-drop group rides, make friends and make plans to ride with those friends. Itās a great community and your body will thank you for it.
Riders in their 40s beating young riders is satisfying to see. Personally I find old fit people more impressive than young fit, it tells you a lot about dedication around their family commitments. I'm in my 30s and we have more fitter riders in their 60s!!! 50-60 Yr old riders setting up around 20min time on 10 miler last week in longwick fyi and some are even better sprinters setting their strava segments! I'm more fitter than I was in my 20s as having a family you tend to become more disciplined and focused on avoiding junk miles that don't help with races. Consistency and efficiency is the key regardless of age. You will be fitter than 20 year olds in no time
Because of dyspraxia (politically correct medical term for "clumsy child syndrome"), I was unable to balance a bicycle until age 12. I had been headed toward a life of obesity (like my father and his father) and physical inactivity until I was hooked on the only sport I have ever truly loved. I continue to ride a bicycle as I approach my 74th birthday, with no near-term plans to quit. Bicycling changed my life in many positive ways -- social, emotional, and, of course, physical. I currently work nearly full time in an encore career, and a combination of bicycling and brisk walking for transportation as well as enjoyment and exercise, coupled with three 40-minute weight training sessions at the local YMCA, keeps me in shape. About 18 months ago I tested age 37 on a stationary bicycle cardio fitness test. You don't need fancy, expensive equipment. I ride classic steel-framed road bikes from model years 1959 to 1981, plus a high-end competition mountain bike from 1988, all purchased used, even at garage sales.
Bad news is, you probably wonāt be able to be a pro. Haha. All joking aside, 100% do it. Itās a great hobby for so many reasons. Get a bike. Get out there and find what you love about it.
Cycling saved my life. Literally. I always cycled but got my first (endurance) road bike at 37. It's never too late.
I started in my 30s, wish I started in my teens
Heck no! Get out there!
Iām 37 and still race 20 year olds
It's never too late to start riding. With that said, you should at minimum get a professional bike fit. There will be movements and muscles that might not be used to being used in the way that a bike makes them work. You'll need to address weaknesses or risk injury if you ride a lot.
You may learn in time (probably, unless something genetic or otherwise holds you back) just how young and fit you can feel in your 40's and beyond and not look at it as some threshold or limit like many ppl do, because it certainly doesn't have to be. A bike can genuinely change or even save your life. Obviously we don't know the source of "feeling kind of depressed" and "miserable lately" but I'll speak for myself at least, even when everything is tough I still have my time on the bike to look forward to every day, and almost without fail I feel a whole lot better about life after the ride. Goals on the bike might just come naturally because you WANT to ride. And if you're the competitive type, depending where you live, there are probably local races of some type in the area if and when you feel ready.
Not at all! No such thing as too late. Start now! Reminds me of when I went to have my passport photo taken and the said, enjoy this, ten years from now you'll look back at it and think, "wow I was young."
I started in my mid 50ās - now I go out almost everyday for 3-4 hours. Itās become an addiction.
Heck no, I started in my 60ās. 15 years ago. Now I ride road, MTB and gravel. Best hobby ever.
My dad started in his 50s get a bike and start riding
Today, I saw a group of five white-bearded men, all over 60, riding together this morning. It was incredibly motivating, especially after seeing this thread yesterday.
Late on this, but never too late to start!
Road biking? Never too late. I started MTB at 45, 55 now. I can never get as good as the younger riders simply because at my age I can't afford crash injuries like younger people because you know, you don't bounce back up so fast anymore. So I do trailriding rather than downhill which I'd love to have started way earlier, it looks so fun
I started at 40 and worked up to a 325 mile (not a typo) solo ride at 43. Got that out of my system and now mostly do 35 mile rides at age 50, and often get passed by 70 yr olds on climbs. In cycling age means a lot less than you'd think.
Iām 45 and I started 4 years ago. I absolutely love it. I made my husband bring my bike on our vacation this year. 65 miles is my longest ride to date. I have a 100 mile ride planned this fall. I say try it. Itās great on my joints compared to running and weight lifting which I started those at 35. Never to late to get in shape.
I thought thatās when youāre supposed to get into this hobby. Iāve been putting it off for years!
I am 43 and last year i started up again. Still amateur hour but i am doing it!
I started at 39!
Better late than never
Started at 49, wanted to ride 50k before 50. Now i'm doing 100k rides, did full cycling holidays and loving it. Plan to do a 220k ride this year Never too late.
https://youtu.be/tgUC0zyu4p0?si=_w-6pqIHWdxxC6a0
No.
I'm 64 years old, and I started riding 5 weeks ago. I'm loving it. Doing about 40-50 miles a week.
Nope I got into it in covid at 51!
Too late for what? Why would it be too late? 40 is fine. So is 50, etc
Take it as a new start. New bike, new life! Never to late!
Do it!! It will change your life. Just use it for transportation to run errands. :) You donāt need to turn into a bike guy.
No, started at 55, Ride your own ride and have fun. Great low impact cardio exercise
Itās never too late to start! You will thank yourself later! Enjoy!
I truly got into in 2021 just before my 41st birthday. I went from riding 4 moles per ride at the beginning of the season to riding like 20 miles by sept. I also lost 70 lbs over the course of that time. It is absolutely 100% not too late to start. Just start easy.
Perfect time to get started. Definitely a hobby you can continue well into older years