Mid life crisis cyclists?

[croyde]

Some days it's faster to cycle in London than using my motorbike.

I stopped going to the gym a year ago and now just use cycling to get fit and sometimes commute and it fulfils the male desire to buy bits and pieces and the odd bike along the way without spending the sort of cash that keeping some sports car or motorbike on the road entails.

[Funkateer]

I often joke about mountain biking being my 'mid life crisis'. As with other posters on here, it's a the best way of keeping fit for me without the choredom of going to the gym, and it's good to get some outdoors at weekends after being stuck in t'office all week. Helps living near the Peaks.

I even attempt the 46 mile round trip to work twice a week, if I'm not on site.

May get a road bike on the CTW scheme at some point as it will be quicker than my full susser or the hardtail with slicks!

[Rich_W]

sjg said:

I think more generally though there's been a big increase of interest in fitness from people in their late 20s onwards - people will go to uni, drink lots, eat crap food, graduate, start a job, fall out of the habit of getting exercise then wake up and realise they're unfit and overweight. Some will have kids and have a similar thing happen. Some can't be bothered and will stay fatties, lots will take up running, cycling, triathlon, etc - and they're usually in a comfortable financial position by then to spend the money on decent kit.

This.

I have always wanted a properly flat if not slightly 6 packed stomach. Last year I hit the ripe old age of 31 and although I was 6'1" and 13 stone so hardly obese. I decided enough was enough and I signed up for the London Tri (Sprint distance) as an incentive for me to stick to training. I've probably spent in the region of £2K ish on all the equipment and products and magazines and books and swimming pool time. On the plus side. I've had the sum total of 6 beers in that time. So it's not exactly an expenture on top of what I would have spent, just a different one. And of course, now I have it i don't need to spend anywhere near that much next year or the years after.

It's worth it when a girl remarks that I "have the David Beckham lines" (those diagonal lines above that trace your hip bones on your stomach area)

[GanglePin]

Rich_W said:

I decided enough was enough and I signed up for the London Tri (Sprint distance) as an incentive for me to stick to training.

I did the team relay Olympic distance on Saturday - I rode the 40k bike leg. We had a great day and have signed up for a couple of other tris.

Were you pleased with your time?

[Mars]

From the article:

Middle aged and returning to cycling? YES
Lycra? NO
Tour de France style bike? NO
Affluent, and would own a sports car? WELL, YES I DO
Desire to stay active? YES
Returning to families enjoying themselves together? YES
£7000 on a bike? ARE YOU F***ING JOKING? NO WAY

[Mars]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

It's all about jousting isn't it?

[angusc43]

Dunk76 said:

- £50 per month buys you a lot of bike, and you can't cycle the cardio machines to work.

Err, you can now.....http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1300547/Freecross-trainer-Soho-Gym-Taking-exercise-class-outdoors.html

[Rich_W]

GanglePin said:

Rich_W said:

I decided enough was enough and I signed up for the London Tri (Sprint distance) as an incentive for me to stick to training.

I did the team relay Olympic distance on Saturday - I rode the 40k bike leg. We had a great day and have signed up for a couple of other tris.

Were you pleased with your time?

Yes. First event. Wasn't last out the water. Did good on the bike, and my run was fast too. 1h31. Nearly a thousand people behind me in the final results

Already signed up for OD next year

[Coco H]

What I don't get is why the need for spending a fortune on a bike. Perhaps when you have been cycling for a while it may be appropraite but I can think of a couple of people who have spent around 1k on a bike which has been used for 6 months, then left in the shed. I started cycling again recently as I have to try and repair all the damage done and I dragged out a bike that I bought second hand 15 years ago. It works, does the job, it's a bit short for me and is very heavy. But it works.

[ewenm]

Coco H said:

What I don't get is why the need for spending a fortune on a bike. Perhaps when you have been cycling for a while it may be appropraite but I can think of a couple of people who have spent around 1k on a bike which has been used for 6 months, then left in the shed. I started cycling again recently as I have to try and repair all the damage done and I dragged out a bike that I bought second hand 15 years ago. It works, does the job, it's a bit short for me and is very heavy. But it works.

Shiny kit!