starting to ride a pushbike again at 64!

Hi Moonbeames,
I'm 72 and have just started riding my bike again (bought it 10 years ago but almost never ridden it).
Mine has 15 Shimano gears; 3 "chainwheels" and 5 on the back wheel. I think they are called derailleur gears. They involve changing units mounted on both the downtube by the chainwheel and the frame where the back wheel hub fits.

Sturmey Archer gears fit into an enlarged hub in the back wheel. They are less popular because they create more drag.For SA gears you have to stop pedalling to change gear, derailleurs require you to keep pedalling.

I don't have a helmet - a personal thing as I like the freedom of feeling the wind in my hair (yes, still got it).
I don't use my bike on big, busy roads and if I have to go near them I use the pavement (so long as it's wide enough).

Anyway - good on ya....enjoy.

Hi Bellanonna, no I am from Australia. There is a lot of traffic here as well but I am out in the suburbs and I am fortunate that where I live there a few areas near my home that are fairly flat. So I go there.
We are coming into our summer so I have picked a good time. Who would have thought that I would ride a bike again at 64. But then again, my father who recently passed away was riding right up to 85. Thank you all. Great positive and very helpful posts. Good to see so many people also out riding. Take care with the silly season approaching.

Happy days Moonbeames, and more power to your elbow (and legs). I take it you don’t live in the UK so perhaps where you are has less traffic (or else you are an American in the UK). But whatever, go on having a lovely time on two wheels.

Well thank you all for being so encouraging! I was delighted to read all your posts. Here is the update. I have been out and about on the bicycle about four times to date. I have the helmet and some basic riding pants and windcheater top. I am still very tentative but guess what, I haven't forgotten how to ride a bike. Its true for me. I still know what to do. It is the most amazing feeling. I feel like I am about 10 years old again. It is a flat area and I can ride a bit on the footpath and then a bike track. I have just started so I am just doing 1.2km which for you guys is I think about half a mile. I am taking little steps, little goals and just enjoying myself. I had forgotten the thrill of it, and also how fast it goes and the other thing I love is the wind and sun on my face. Wow. Thanks again.

Too old?!!! Rubbish!

We bought bikes (after ten, yes, TEN years of my cajoling my husband who steadfastly ignored me but eventually gave way and guess what? He absolutely loves it. and is probably even keener then me Grrr.) some eight years ago whilst in our sixties.

Cycling really is fun, with a capital F. As long as those other road users don't get you (and yes, I am one of those, too) and the chances are that they won't (think fear of flying v the number of miles flown etc.) you will become fitter and those endorphins will chase away any dose of the blues and you'll feel oh so happy at the end of a ride.

Those who don't cycle just don't understand the fun, which is OK, as there is more room on the road for us!

Please call your local council as they will very likely give you two lessons which are set at different levels. There is a 'beginners/never sat on a cycle'before' class which can be followed by a roadcraft lesson which will show how to cycle on the road.

Although I love it, I will admit to being a bit nervous of traffic but knowing I have the right training and doing the right thing (i.e. not driving up to a parked vehicle and then moving out round it, etc.) gives me confidence.

I also enjoy the off-road cycle paths and there are a surprising number of them around. Ex-Beeching railway lines are great too, and are 10 - 20-mile-ish long and give a great day out.

Is there a river or canal near you? Once you have your balance, cycling along these gives a very pleasant ride.

You will need to 'get your bottom in' but this comes with practice. One's posterior, no matter how well padded, um, er, 'naturally', takes a little training! You may have to stop every mile or two until your rear is 'trained'.

As has been said previously, never cycle without a high-visibility waistcoat (cheap as chips from many outlets) and a cycle helmet. Most sold in the UK have a kitemark and price is not indicative of quality. A £9.99 one should be perfectly fine.

If you take to cycling, a pair of padded trousers or shorts will help with comfort, as will a sprung gel-filled saddle.

I very much enjoy my cycle computer (a small gizmo which sits on the handlebars) as it computes my speed, distance etc. I just love it.

If you are on your own, 'Breeze' rides are recommended. I have done a few: these are for ladies only, led by a lady leader (well, I guess she's a lady - she was very well mannered...!). They vary in distance and difficulty and there are beginners rides, too. You will stop for coffee at a cafe and it is all very socialable

We had a cycling holiday abroad this year with our family and there were ten of us aged from five into our seventies and we had a great time. It is a very sociable thing to do.

Earlier this year, we needed a new car and when entering a car showroom, surprised the staff by asking for an immediate opening of the car boot. We would then produce our tape measure and measure the distance between the dropped rear seats and the rear door. If there was room for our cycles, we had a test drive. Everything else was secondary!

Our bikes (bought when I finally convinced 'imindoors' to give it a go) have brought much pleasure and I can really, REALLY recommend them.

Moonbeames you're certainly not too old. Some good suggestions here especially see if your local council organises Return to Cycling courses, lots do, they're very useful. No one is too old to learn a few tips about how to ride confidently and safely on the road.

No one has mentioned Cycling UK www.cyclinguk.org. They used to be called the CTC, the Cyclists Touring Club. They're the oldest cycling organisation in the country, they organise local groups which are full of friendly folk who lead rides of all sorts, also courses, holidays, a magazine, advice etc.

It's often pot luck as to local facilities and groups but do keep going, start off on quiet roads and cycle tracks and enjoy yourself. It's marvellous exercise and good for the planet to boot!

I’m 70 next year and bought myself a new bike 2 years ago. I’m lucky enough to live in the country in a Leisure Park so can cycle traffic free, but I never go above first gear. No reason other than it takes less effort to cycle I think as I suffer from osteoarthritis and other mobility problems, but it is good exercise, just a little everyday. By the way I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was about 10 years old but you never forget.

Love riding my bike, my H and I go out about 3 times a week taking the bike by car across the bridge to Wales and ride the wonderful bike paths that they have like the Taff Trail and are traffic free. At present I am waiting for a new knee and find it difficult to walk far but I can cycle all day long with no problem and I am losing weight! The best bit about my bike is my basket on the front so handy. Go for it, I am 70 and cAn do up to 30 miles on a good day but most days average 16.

Oh, that’s sad langelei ,

Loved reading the memories. I had a bike for many years, then lost the use of it. After 20 years of not being on a bike my brother persuaded me to use his wife's very expensive bike (Pashley - am I allowed to say that?) down Devon lanes. Needless to say after 500 yards I seemed to end up 5 foot down a gully with the bike on top of me! I was unceremoniously hauled out (the bike was not very badly injured thank goodness) but I tore the upper ligaments of my left arm, cracked my collar bone and bruised ribs. Ended up walking back home. Today we live in a very nice flat area of Hampshire and my husband wants us to exercise by bike - sorry no chance. My cycling days are finished for good!

My husband and I started cycling a few years ago, just short rides for fun really. We have recently joined a cycling group from our local U3A and we are now cycling regularly and have met a lovely group of people. The rides vary in length, we usually do about 20 miles. It is lovely, a social event, fresh air and great exercise. High viz jackets and helmet are required.......padded pants are recommended.

Can anyone tell me why Gransnet decided to call this post "Too Old to Try"? I was a bit horrified by that label!

Moonbeames, you are NOT too old to try and I'm very happy for you that you are giving it a go. It's great exercise and also great for your brain to try something new (ish) and a bit difficult.

Helmets are best, just in case, and trousers with narrow legs towards your ankles so that the fabric doesn't flap into the chain or the wheels.

Hope you have a brilliant time out on your bike and that you get to lots of of exciting new places. The more you do get out, the more likely you'll be able to keep on riding for a very long time. You are never too old to try something new.

Moonbeames, enjoy! I'm 65 and cycle to work 3 days a week. Hi -Viz gear and a helmet will help you feel confident and a bell to alert the pedestrians who don't see cyclists and just step out into the road in front if us.

Yes car gears are a good guide. Start off in a low gear (1st?) and change up as you get faster. You'll need to change down when going up hill or it will be really hard work to pedal. But when you are going fast (eg downhill) your legs wont go fast enough to push the bike along unless you change up to a higher gear. But you can freewheel going downhill of course. When you get to the bottom you'll probably be going fast enough for a high gear.
I'd practice off road at first eg on flat paths in a park. Narrow paths near a river or canal
might be a bit dodgy though - till you've got the hang of it and don't wobble too much!

Make sure it is well maintained. Have it serviced every year, even if it's barely been ridden in previous 12 months. And find some very quiet roads in the middle of the dsy to practise!
Good luck and enjoy.

I loved riding a bike most of my life. 14 or so years ago I got myself a bike. After a few days I realize I didn't have the knees for it anymore. Of course I stood up and petaled and acted like I was young pushing myself hard. It brought my bad knees to my attention and I sold it. Someday in my future are knee replacements. Maybe then I can cycle?

I’ve always loved cycling. Have even done a few cycling holidays in France. I wish I still could as there’s something magical about rolling along the lanes to the sound of whirring wheels. I’ve done lots of cycling here too, although very little in the past year. My bike has 21 gears and is described as a hybrid. My plan is to reattach the cycle carrier and drive to some lovely off road spots in the East Sussex or Kentish countryside with little grandson. Do go for it, keep to quiet areas, and enjoy it. As a schoolgirl friends and I used to pack lunch in our saddlebags and cycle for miles. Very little traffic then.
?‍♀️ Happy days

A helmet is a must and just comfortable non restricting clothes....

I have a bike which is gathering cobwebs in a shed. I'm moving soon and want to start cycling again and am seriously considering investing in an electric bike. I would use it as a normal bike but just kick in the extra help when struggling up hills.
Does anyone have one of these and can comment?

Good luck Moonbeames I'm sure you'll be fine, but for goodness sake take your wings off first!

Have a look online for Breeze Network. It's a women's only cycle group and they do rides of various difficulty levels that are led by a trained rider. I would never venture out into traffic on my own (luckily I can cycle home to work on a cycle path away from traffic), but I have done some lovely rides with Breeze, as having company makes me feel much more confident.

I just LOVE being out on my bike!

I started cycling at 60 and love it! Try to find somewhere quiet to start with such as an empty car park and use cycle paths or quiet roads to start. See if your council runs Return to Cycling courses. Wear a helmet and I think you will find you will want some cycling clothes if only padded shorts: Halfords is good or Aldi but they only have stuff twice a year. Look on the website Let's Ride, this is run by British Cycling and has guided rides including ones for women only called Breeze rides. You can select the area and distance etc. The leaders are there to support you. Good luck and happy cycling!

I rode my bike everywhere in my teens as I lived in a small village. Gave up when I learned to drive, I needed a car to get to work, too far to cycle.

I am not tempted to get back on a bike now as my balance is bad & I have neck problems. Shame really as we have some lovely cycle tracks round where I live (Devon)

I begged and begged my parents for a bike all through my childhood but to no avail as we lived on a busy road which my parents thought far too dangerous.
I did ,however, have roller skates !
Oh, the joy of those skates,they were hardly ever of my feet. I can still feel the clackity clack of the wooden wheels going over the gaps in the pavement...sheer magic.
I'd be on them still were it not for the pesky arthritis!!

Hi Morganna I know they say "you never forget how to ride a bike" but I HAVE! I just cannot balance. I used to ride all the time, I am reasonably healthy, walk, run ( not a great deal, but still can), can balance equally well on each leg, but just CANNOT balance on a bike any more. I've tried starting off leaning against a wall, just sitting on the bike and pushing with my feet against the floor, but once I access the pedals - I come off! Cannot understand it. Can you get adult stabilisers? Or perhaps I should go for an adult tricycle?