Study reveals why middle-aged men enjoy cycling

I got back into it because my wife took up commuting on a bike.  She used to run but the impact caused issues with her arthritis.  So I have her to thank for getting me back in the saddle, upgrading both our bikes to nice carbon racers.  I still had a 20 year old Raleigh Activator! Of course she has to have 3 bikes and good knows how many pairs of shoes, shorts, jerseys.... but we both enjoy getting out and about.  It's the fresh air, freedom, simplicity, challenge and achievement of it.  Yes, I like the occassional solo ride to push a little further and higher but our motivations are the same.

I've been cycling off & on since a lad when I used to cycle across Devon Hills to Motor Cycle Scramble meetings - yes I am that old!! Not much cycling done during 20 years in the Navy, but up and down ladders all day and many other sports kept the legs and lungs fit. Badminton, running & swimming met my 'middle ages' fitness needs during business travel across many countries. Finally got back into serious biking around 10 years ago, upgrading my bike over that time, now have a Carbon Cannondale Synapse.

I find Cycling a great way to keep fit and enjoy the outdoors (in all weathers I hasten to add) through solo rides and sportives. Average 150km a week if not more sometimes. Just spent 6 weeks in Southern France cycling over many hills to build up the legs (which worked) culminating in a ride up Mont Ventoux - that's a big hill!!! Did I break any records? No of course not, but what an achievement for me and one of my cycling boxes ticked!!

Not bad for a 68 year old whose managed to keep reasonably fit over the years.

I like when people tell me I don't look 50...

but by god I feel it....

I enjoy riding my bike. Whether that's going to the shop up the hill, getting to and from rugby training, taking the kids to cubs, potting around the lanes of a weekend or bashing myself in an open TT, I just enjoy riding and it's better than walking or driving and much better than even the decent public transport we have here. I would commute but traffic and respect for Mrs RJ's concerns for my safety stop me. I've been riding 'seriously' for 23 years but before then it was my primary form of transport since I was about 14. Now as a proper MAM (often)IL I don't see why I should change.

I'm not sure about their conclusions either: can't the many reasons for riding a bike complement each other, as opposed to contradict/contrast?

I'm 42 and have just bought a new TT bike. Pointless purchase, really, other than I wanted it. I don't really want to tot up the money I've spent on bikes since my 30th, but I'm fairly sure that money would've been spent on other daft bloke stuff if I hadn't been into cycling.

As far as competition goes: I was a pretty good sprinter (athletics) when I was younger, and an OK boxer. I wouldn't be anywhere near competitive in either now, but can enter a decent standard TT, or ultramarathon, or triathlon of any distance and be disappointed if I don't comfortably finish in the top half of the racers of all ages. Endurance fitness and age is linked - no mention of that.

LIfe for cycling 'researchers' often seems to end at 50 something. They also seem to assume that middle aged cyclists have just started as a reaction to 'mid life crisis' or some other new fangled sound bite condtion. I am now 66, been cyling regularly for 60 years including racing and touring. For much of my life cycling every day. I have met, and currently know, a lot of other cyclists who have had a similar experience. All cycling for the reasons, amongst other, just been 'discovered' by these hotshot researchers. It would be good to find out something new from research rather that the bleedin' obvious.

Put simply, I'm happiest when on a bike. Be it climbing/descending on the road bike, through the city on the single speed, or pootling around on the shitebryd. And I like cake.

I agree with the findings but I don't think the results are limited to any particular age group.

Researcher: Why do you ride for multiple hours on the weekend?

Me: Have you ever been shopping with my wife?

Because...

Going long

Going fast

Going down

I live in a dark, dark world. Out on my bike, just some times, I see a little light.

"We're just having fun riding our bikes. End of story."

#bemoremike

No shit Sherlock.

Really, it takes University research to uncover what asking any three blokes in a cafe would tell you?

No wonder my three kids spenta decade of my income getting degrees.

As far back as my Uni days cycling has been my go-to exercise for getting in shape, staying there and actually enjoying the process. There have been years, even decades, where I've let it slide because of life, circumstances, or other "reasons" but in the end I'm always happier and healthier (all around) when I get regular saddle time. What do I say to justify it to those who don't? Nothing. I've found my bliss, I hope they find theirs.

Personally I like not turning into a middle aged blob like a lot of blokes my age. I never get tired of people saying 'how far!' When doing a century ride over the weekend.

I'm a long way past middle age, I started cycling regularly 6 years ago when I was 64.   I used to play football and after retiring from that I was a distance runner.   Those sports caused knee and other problems which resulted in my being unable to walk for more than 20 minutes without pain. 

So my reason for taking up cycling was practical, it's the one exercise I can which do without making my knees hurt.   In fact I now have no knee problem and can walk for miles pain free.

I'm 48 and cycling is the only activity where I can feel like a child again. forgetting all life's worries and just get out and enjoy being alive. 

I can relate very much to those findings.

Happy to go an entire ride without more than a few words of conversation beyond the pleasantries.

Enjoy wearing the club kit and being part of a group. Some competition but everyone makes a group effort to get round.

Skills of group riding, personal challenges sometimes requiring effort to exhaustion.

Fulfillment of equipment and mechanical devices fetish.

Fresh air and escape to a place where you are 10 years old again enjoying the rush of moving fast through pleasant countryside but not isolated from it.

Its my release from work, in fact its my release from the world..

Hang on a moment.  Does this mean that researchers have finally caught up with my mother who, 50 years ago, was telling me, my brother and our friends to get outside into the fresh air because it was good for us?  

I do it to get away from those who use words like empower, stakeholder, etc.  Puts all thoughts of corporate nonsense out of my head.