Cycling at seventy

I’m assuming you are hiring a bike? I was going to suggest breaking yourself in before you go but if your hiring, that won’t be possible. My husband bought a gel saddle which he finds very comfy.

Gel saddles are very good, but even with one I wouldn’t be persuaded onto a bike again. Depends what they mean by gentle cycling I suppose, but good on you! You can also get cycling shorts with padding in certain places ! I agree with tanith try hire a bike before you go just to get used to it again. There’s bound to be a bike trail near you that you test yourself on.

Some local authorities run cycling support services. Worth investigating and having some pre ski sessions. But be careful you may get hooked!

Tanith and Greyduster thank you both for your replies. I will be hiring a bike. Do you mean a gel saddle or a gel saddle cover?
Just writing this post has made me think I should contact the cycle holiday company as I expect I'm not the first person to have this concern !

Apart from saddle, it’s important to get a bike that fits you properly. I’ve cycled on and off over the years, but was having problems with saddle of recent bike. I tried changing to gel saddle, cycling shorts with padding but neither helped much when cycling for around an hour or more.

Then I decided to treat myself to a new bike- older style, upright with nice big basket in front. It’s a smaller frame size than a lot of standard bikes and I found it much more comfortable as I’m fairly small 5’ 3”.

One of the problems of getting older is that one has less natural padding in the rear. It would definitely be worth having a few trial runs on a bike before the holiday.

I m 73 and still ride my cycle most days ( not long distances though) I bought my Dad his last cycle at age 80 and he rode it for another three or four years before deciding to give up
I don’t think the riding would be a problem but what sort of distances would you be going and what pace is gentle I ve never had a sore bottom but then I ve never ridden long distances

Both! A gel saddle and a gel cover. Add to that if possible (borrow) cycling shorts with the hideous padded bum. They can be worn over or under other stretchy trousers. Feel like a nappy ????? But comfort and cushioning is all. Take some sudocream for any sore bits. Kitted out correctly you will have a great time. Ask around and borrow what you need. Get those endorphins pumping with the pedalling.

I am sure the pre ski lessons will be an advantage ⛷?‍♀️?‍♀️?‍♀️

i bought a BIG BUM saddle off ebay nice n wide...think it was around £8-00 have sen simial in Wilkos/asda/no doubt have them in Halfords dearer than eabay though.

Have you or a friend got a static bike? It might be a good idea to get in a bit of practice. If you are in Norfolk you can borrow mine. I just tend to walk past it and ignore.
Good luck.

Silver unless you are really thin and boney your bum will be fine on the bike You can’t fit new saddles as it’s not your bike

I would be MUCH much more concerned about what their idea of gentle is and what distances you ll be riding than my bum If you haven’t been on a bike for years you definitely need some practice before going
I would imagine the rides will probable be at least 5 miles at a time and you have to remember the hills I can’t manage hills anymore, thankfully there’s not many where I live
Good luck

Thanks everyone. Good advice! Firstly I'll check the daily distances! The other couple we are cycling with are 75 and 76 but tootle about on their bikes most days I think.
I like the sound of layers of gel padding even if I look like Michelin man! Sudocreme is an excellent idea.

I had a new bike for my birthday a few years ago.
I’ve been surprised by how much I enjoy it. I went to a proper cycle place & got good advice I think from the staff there.
Something that’s not been mentioning is the gears system. Mine has 3 lots of gears with 7 positions in each gear. This means that pedalling seems effortless most of the time. Sometimes I get off to push it up hills but the rest of the time it’s fine.
Unfortunately MrA is now nagging to do the C2C next month ???

When I got a new hip, I was - rightly or wrongly - afraid to get back on my bike, so, appropriately, I freecycled it. I haven't regretted the decision because the roads around here are badly neglected and a pot-hole is bad enough in a car, but on a bike it could be lethal.

We got gel saddles for our bikes some years back but I still found it a bit too hard. They've been in the shed for years now - I'm just too nervous to go out on mine with or without the OH. Strangely I think the reason is that it's one of the smaller styles - the old fashioned one I used to have seemed so much easier to handle. Hopefully they'll have a selection of bikes for you to try out before you ride off into the sunset so give them all a go to find the one most comfortable to you.

I have friends who frequently go on day long cycle rides. Not sure where they get their energy, certainly both are very fit and both are 70. They soneyptines go with crowds of friends, all similar ages if not older. I can only sit back in admiration.
Good luck.

also....just to mention as yes you cant change the saddle if its not your bike..but in our local £1 shop they had gel saddle covers which you can take on and off..I bought my friend one n she said it was great.,.

I must have a well padded bum as I ve never had any soreness but then my riding would only be a few miles a day and I don’t go all out I just poodle around
I think it’s really important to get a real idea of distances and pace as cyclist will say oh it’s only a little way and we ride a very easy pace ....oh yes their easy is my very hard ? I personally wouldn’t go on one of these hols for that very reason I can imagine everyone about three miles ahead of me while I m struggling up a hill or something also I don’t like riding a different bike Im used to the feel of mine and when I get on my daughters it feels all wrong
Having said that I m not nearly as adventurous as I used to be so you’re probably much better at ‘having a go’ than I ve become

I ve just got well confused just realised we ve got a silverlining47 and silverlining48 that’s a bit close for comfort I can see me getting really befuddled

Will be interesting seeing how you go...I bought second hand bike last year...(my friend an I used to go trips out on our motorcycles/scooters) but unfortunately she had to surrender her driving licence due to RP (tunnel syndrome)

So I lost interest o
in my scooter...so....I bought bicycle to try and (support her and go rides .As yet we havnt managed as Im not working and shes retired.

But we are hoping to jump on the train with our bicycles and ride along the prom from Lytham St Annes. we have a trail called the Preston Guild Wheel (21) miles round a designated cycle track.

I need to get out and practice lol

Mine is (I think) I hybrid mountain bike, but Im looking to try and find a Raleigh sit up and beg style. happy cycling

I would like some advice too please. I am 73 and haven't ridden a bike for nearly 50 yrs. I would really like to cycle again as we have many good cycle paths near us. How shall I start.?

BBevan we have groups round our way, some have short simple rides suitable for beginners.

Maybe search for Bike/Cycle rides/groups and put yopur postcode...I can see it may be the begining of a cycle thread lol (now then, where that pump)

I'd want an electric bike

Hi BBevan I know you don't live in Northumberland, but our county council does a lot to encourage people to be active via the Active Northumberland website.
One of the things they do is hire out bikes to people who are thinking of taking up cycling.
www.activenorthumberland.org.uk/News/2018/Jun/Hire-a-cycle-for-Bike-Week.aspx
It might be worth seeing if your council has something similar.
I hadn't cycled for many years, and we hired bikes on holiday one day. I was terrified but managed not to fall off and the knack hadn't gone away! The secret for me was being able to put my feet properly on the ground. I have been told I should have the saddle higher up but feeling safe is important to me.
Good luck!