Still Riding Strong — Even If the Knees Snap, Crackle & Pop
If you’re under 50, you might want to click away now. Not because there’s a secret cycling club we don’t want you to know about — but because some of us are at the stage where we scroll Strava with reading glasses and schedule long rides around… knee-friendly weather.
I’m 54. I still ride regularly. And I’ve learned a few things — not from glossy magazines or elite training plans, but from real-world experience: early-morning saddle time, stiff joints, and conversations at café stops that start with, “Remember when we could ride 100km without needing a recovery week?”
So, in the spirit of keeping the wheels turning well into our fifth, sixth, and hopefully seventh decades, I’m sharing 5 practical cycling tips — plus a bonus one you might not expect.
Tip 1: Accept Your Age — and Own It
You’re not 20. You’re not 30. You’re not even 40.
You’re in your 50s — and that’s totally fine. Don’t train like you’re still chasing KOMs. Leave the leaderboards to the kids, and embrace the climbs for what they are: a chance to breathe, think, and enjoy the ride. You might not be first up, but you’ll still be smiling at the top.
Tip 2: Ride for the Journey, Not Just the Intensity
I spent 12 years riding and working in the Alps — where every ride was full gas. But the older I get, the more I value zone 2 rides. Endurance builds better fitness, faster recovery, and more resistance to injury.
Intensity has its place — short, sharp, once or twice a week. But it’s the long, steady rides that’ll keep you rolling for years.
Tip 3: Little and Often Beats Big and Brutal
Still driving to work? Maybe it’s time to ditch the car and ride in.
Working from home? Add a quick 20km spin before breakfast or at lunch.
Forget the “epic Sunday sufferfest” — short, consistent rides will build more resilience and reduce burnout. Routine > hero rides.
Tip 4: Ride the Right Bike (Not the Flashiest One)
You don’t need a 10-grand aero beast that saves you 20 watts in a wind tunnel.
What you need is a comfortable, sensible bike that makes you want to ride.
Dust off the one in your garage. Ride it. Improve your fitness. Then, maybe think about upgrades. But don’t fall for the marketing hype — you don’t need carbon cranks to get healthy.
Tip 5: Fuel Like You Know What You’re Doing
You know your body. Eat before you’re starving.
Forget overpriced organic bars — I get mine from Decathlon or the local supermarket. One even has chocolate on it. Tastes great. Does the job.
And yes, you’re in your 50s. It’s the weekend. Stop for a cake. You’ve earned it.
Bonus Tip: Time to Ditch the Leg Shaving?
Here’s one for the blokes:
Do you really still need to be shaving your legs?
Your partner will thank you. So will your plumbing.
(You know exactly what I’m talking about.)
Let me know in the comments — are you still shaving, or have you gone full retro?
🎥 Watch the Full Video:
I’ve put all this together in a fast-paced, no-fluff video — complete with real-life examples, a few laughs, and one slightly cheeky bonus.
👉 Watch it here (and bring your best dad jokes to the comments – the more comments and shares the video gets the cheaper I can make my cycling holiday next year !)
