Ride your ride
Age does not define your time on the bike
I recently returned from three weeks in the sun and warm breezes of Florida. It was an escape from cold grey Ohio. I cycled daily, often with snowbird cycling friends, putting 500 miles under my tires. Enjoying the freedom of my retirement to the fullest was my goal. Goal accomplished!
My Sunshine State cycling adventures took me across the state on amazing trails. I cycled through vibrant urban spaces. I visited popular tourist destinations. I experienced the unspoiled Florida. A common thread of these days was the diversity of people enjoying life on two or three wheels.
My snowbird Ohio friends, Mike and Sue, invited me to join them on a four-day Florida coast-to-coast tour. Bike Florida, a cycling and tourism non-profit, was hosting the leap year tour for those 55+. Approaching my 70th birthday, the tour spoke to me as a person embracing cycling late in life.
My leadership of and love of the Ohio to Erie Trail (OTET) leads me to explore other long-distance, cross-state trails. The Florida Coast to Coast Trail (C2C) is a 250-mile multi-use trail from St. Petersburg on the Gulf of Mexico to Titusville on the Atlantic Ocean. The trail is 80% complete with a 50-mile gap in Central Florida.
I was curious about those joining me on this tour. It was a versatile group. People spanned the ages of 55-80s. Some were long-time cyclists. Others were casual cyclists. Bikes ranged from carbon fiber roadies to e-cruisers. It was a life challenge for some. It was about having fun and socializing to others.
My goal as a cycling advocate is to open the world of cycling to all people, particularly those who are not seen as the typical cyclist. My motto is, “If you ride a bike, you are a cyclist.” I saw my motto in action in real life on this tour. Every cyclist rode their ride and was supported by the group.
I speak about the Ohio to Erie Trail as the president of the trail. A common question I encounter in my talks is. “How hard is it to cycle the trail?” My answer is that you can slice and dice the tour based on your abilities, speed, time, and touring style. It is doable for just about everyone.
The Bike Florida Coast2Coast 55+ Tour showed that age does not limit a person from cycling long distances across a state
The Bike Florida Coast2Coast 55+ Tour showed that age does not limit a person from cycling long distances across a state. All of my fellow tourists found their style. Each of us celebrated the day in the evenings. I saw much support from fellow cyclists and friendships formed.
Bike Florida provided an environment for this to happen. I share the following takeaways on what made the four days doable and enjoyable for everyone. These bullets are applicable when planning a bicycle tour with friends.
The miles cycled per day were doable. 40-60 miles allowed time for exploring the world beyond the trail. A bike tour is about what happens between the start and end. A bike ride is all about the start and end. Set your miles per day to what makes your day enjoyable.
The day ended at welcoming and comfortable hotels. This was an inn-to-inn tour. Choosing a comfortable overnight applies to both a camping and credit card tour. The next day on the bike is better when the evening is relaxing.
Sharing the route in different ways accommodated everyone. Guiding by printed cue sheets and on-bike navigation by phone and GPS-enabled devices kept people on track and not lost searching for the route.
Having support when you need it. Three Bike Florida cyclists accompanied the group, one in the lead, one in the middle, and one in the rear. The organization kept track of cyclists’ progress at rest stops. Help was also only a phone call away on our wristband.
A diverse group of cyclists was a good thing. The #1 rule for me when touring with a group is choosing people compatible in skills, style, and abilities. This tour showed that a diverse group can work. Everybody was able to pair up with a buddy in this group of 36 cyclists.
Age was a positive factor. The bullet above spoke about cycling with a diverse group. Although diverse, the group had age in common. Bike Florida was spot-on on offering a 55+ tour. Camaraderie and friendship made for a supportive community cheering on others.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the bike on the tour. I plan on joining Bike Florida on future tours. I often find myself fighting the effects of aging. My fellow senior cyclists showed me how to make the most of an active life in my way. I came away with a solid belief that I could ride my ride and be proud.
Ride your ride!
