Question for the older riders

[ed72]

Old British Time Trialers are a good source of data, this blog post shows that fit riders retain a lot of their power until about age 65 and that the decline over the decades is not linear, as many exercise Physiologist has told us.

Coggan's curve in the attached would indicate 75-80% of FTP of youthful FTP is normal at age 60 whereas the TT group data suggests it is more like 90%. When I was in my 20's and 30's, we did not have power meters but being an engineer, I would estimate my power on long steep climbs because I did have a speedometer (Avocet 20) and knowing the elevation gain profile, I could estimate my FTP. I believe I have only lost 10-15% of my aerobic power at age 61 compared to 30 years ago.

Way back then a racer in our club was a 56 minute 40k time trialer (she has won like 40 national championships) and from her times, it looks like early 60's, times really started to increase. She and I had a long chat in a coffee shop earlier this summer. She said that it was very hard to train consistently as she aged, we both blame the dirty air in NJ. I just looked it up, she finished third at Nationals this year.

A bigger issue for me? At 6'3'', I used to get to 168lbs in the middle of the season, I have a hard time getting under 200 lbs anymore. I must have lead in my old bones.

http://agpowertritraining.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-effects-of-age-on-functional.html

 

[jond]

Gee whizz ed arthritic rib cage. Wowsers ed that’s a freakish one. Chase that sixth doctor.

Perhaps ignorance is bliss if you’re not living in pain and understandable concern ?

I sometimes want to throw out all declining metrics and just ride. That decline is inevitable like my mortality makes it no less salutary and bears no contemplation compared to the simple joy of cycling.

after all we are all still twenty something inside from time to time. Heck I’ve got seven good years left to 65.............let’s make it ........85

Let’s rejoice in being the best we can be. My ambition is to be alive and cycling at 82.

god willing.

it is very interesting reading the latest findings on ageing fitness.

one thing for sure we are all benefiting from cycling

 

[bladderhead]

I sometimes want to throw out all declining metrics and just ride. That decline is inevitable like my mortality makes it no less salutary and bears no contemplation compared to the simple joy of cycling.

Abso bloody lutely.

Cruzbikes at (decreasing) Speed.

 

[ed72]

Perhaps ignorance is bliss if you’re not living in pain and understandable concern ?

Stay away from Doctors

Keep the rubber side up

Keep smiling, riding your Cruz

(I was falling asleep riding my bike and always in pain, reason for checkup that sent me on that dead end journey....LOL)