Senior Bicycling Complaints and Solutions
Afraid of Traffic? Sore Butt? Knee Pain? Exhaustion? Weight Gain?
Jul 2, 2008
Bicycling is great as an active vacation tour opportunity and as an alternative to driving a car everywhere. But too many seniors and boomers give up on bikes. Here are 5 problems and their solutions.
Seniors Hate Riding Bikes in Traffic
More and more cities are creating bike lanes just for non-motorized travelers. Also, bike club and commercial tour group rides often seek the roads less traveled. Riding in packs tends to be safer than riding alone. Yes, some cyclists have been killed by out-of-control cars and trucks. But few, compared to the millions who ride without incident. Try to ride in a special bike lane or on a wide shoulder of a road, and wear bright clothing. Another aid: a red and yellow reflective vest, like school crossing guards wear.
Senior Cyclists' Rear Ends Get Sore
Just as runners need to break in new sneakers, bike riders often need to break in new saddles or to switch to a more comfortable one. The best saddles are not deeply padded ones but saddles that allow the rider's "sit" bones in their butts to be positioned correctly. Extra seat pads simply add weight to the ride. Ask a local bicycle specialty shop for help. If you become numb in the wrong places, ask about saddles with cut-outs in them for sensitive spots.
Senior Knees Cause Pain
Knee pain may come from riding in an improper position or using too difficult a gear. When riding, your leg should be slightly bent at the knee at the bottom of the down stroke – that is, the “6 o’clock” position. If your knees are very bent at this point, the seat is too low. A bike shop or friend can adjust this.
Learn to change gears; the object is not to push hard on every revolution of the pedals but to rotate them quickly with less effort, which means using an easy gear. When buying a new bike, seniors and boomers are well-advised to get a “triple crank” --- 3 rings on the front of the chain. When the chain is in the small gear in the front and close to the largest one in the back, the rider is in a “granny gear.” Good name, right?
Seniors Cyclists Gain Weight or Get Exhausted
Calories count! And all cyclists must ride long enough and exert enough energy turning the pedals to burn those calories. Newcomers should start on the easy side—a half hour is good. Incrementally work up to an hour or more over a period of weeks. Heart-rate monitors – the same kind serious runners use – are helpful in finding a target calorie-burning exertion rate. Those concerned about exhaustion should consult a physician before beginning any cardiovascular exercise
“I want to be safe but I dislike ‘helmet hair.’”
You still have hair?
Need to know more? Click here for "How to Buy a Senior Bicycle"
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