Strava link: https://www.strava.com/activities/11440444393
You exercise at your own risk!
If I have inspired you to exercise more to keep fit or go out on a bike and see the countryside you could be in for a bit of pain, but there’s no pain without gain! If you’ve not exercised much in the past I would seek medical advice from a qualified doctor first and taylor your exercise to suit your body.
I believe it’s always a good thing to keep pushing the boundaries just a bit, you know what they say, “Train hard play easy”!
Not that I’m training especially hard, I’m not but my body is adapting over time and now a day in the saddle and 40 or 60 miles is quite a breeze, it wasn’t always like that!
My goal is just to try and keep fit and cycle as often as I can, I’m training to just stay fit and active for as long as I can.
The benefit of the bicycle is it’s almost free, you get to eat what you want and almost as much as you want and not put weight on, you will become stronger and everyday living will become easier.
The “Struggle” that I refer to is becoming easier the more I train and the more I train the stronger my legs become.
We need that “Struggle”, we need that Adversary, it is our friend, it makes us stronger, healthier, sharper of mind.
Don’t struggle, sit down and rest up and watch your health decline!
47 Comments
Another great video, Sandy! I agree with you, it's important to stay active. My mother always stayed active, and she is 97 years old and still drives a car. Cheers!
Good to see you out again Sandy…I fully understand what you mean…I'm 64 and for the moment have had to stop cycling after getting my foot rebuilt…but I am able to go walking and take my camera …hopefully I will be able to get back on my bike as I depend on it for when I go photographing down country lanes.
Really enjoyed your cycle route…absolutely beautiful villages.
Very best wishes and look forward to your future adventures.
Im glad you dont put your feet up you put us youngest to shame (59) so it makes me get out there and do my best cant wait to retire so i have more time to injoy life keep it up 😉
Sandy like all your stuff you do and I can see me in at your shoes in a few years, do what you have to do fella to keep going, the only thing I won't do is drink ditch water , you need to cut that out l think as no good for you ,extreme emergency only. But dig in and crack on .x
Getting older and slowing down
Maybe life has passed it’s crown,
For some it could be a sofa in town,
Unluckily health for some, drags them down,
There is no denying we are all on countdown,
For sure we are all getting older and slowing down.
Yes we are Older
Some would say wiser,
Maybe slower,
Being paid to be at home we are happier,
We have our bikes to be out, as an explorer,
Pedalling the lanes, byways, and downs just like we were younger,
We appreciate the smiles for they last longer,
Yes make the most of being older.
Hi Sandy. Which SMP saddle do you have fitted to your 29’re . I have a Cube Kathamandu 625 one ( similar to Dave’s) I can’t get on with the standard saddle so I fitted a Brooks ..after 1000 miles ithat to is still nut crunching ( I have the standard telescopic post fitted also) any advise ??.. Alan
A relative who's now 95 and still lives on his own has a saying 'No rest no rust, No rust no bust'. He follows this and still does his own gardening.
At 80 I have to admit cycling is harder but i can still manage a 40 mile ride so long as i take a few breaks.
I decided in my 60's I needed a more upright position and moved away from dropped bars.
Glad to see you out and about.
On yer bike
Thank You Sandy… We all need a reason to get up and get on!
Wasting away is no way to look forward… Yes it still happens as we age but we all must push on
Thanks for being an inspiration to us all young man
I hope you don’t mind Sandy but I’d like to mention diet as another way to keep healthy. About a year ago I finally mentioned chest pains to my doctor. She shot me off for several serious tests that eventually determined I was ok but not great. I could have told her that at the start. Anyway, she prescribed aspirin and statins but nothing about my diet so I did some “research”. As a consequence of that research I have cut out all sugar and reduced carbs by 95% while using plenty of butter and bacon fat to cook with. I eat a few green vegetables and a some apples and blueberries; but quite a lot of meat of all sorts. Most packed food at the supermarket contains too much sugar or carbs so I stick to plain meat and green veg. No potatoes. No rice. No bread. No pasta. No pastry. No cakes. No biscuits. The meat and green veg are very filing / satisfying so I am never hungry. If I need a snack, I have a few almonds – roasted with salt. Over the last few years I’ve had several blood tests and my numbers are GREAT. I’ve found a new doctor who understands LCHF – low carb, healthy fat – and he is pleased with my blood numbers. Also, very importantly, I avoid all oils especially seed oils like sunflower, canola. I only sparingly use very high quality extra virgin olive oil on the green veg not for cooking. And I eat many more eggs than I used to; they are good for nutrients and fat. I’ve lost quite a bit of weight, but mostly I feel a lot better; more energy, fewer aches and pains, better balance. I have an ebike – I converted one of my bikes over lock down but I prefer my acoustic muscle bikes including an old 6 speed Brompton; I too like the challenge of the hills but perhaps unlike you , I happily get off and walk up with I feel riding up will either wear out the bike or wear me out. Walking briskly up a hill is still good exercise I find. For the record, I’m 71 in July and happy with my lot.
Hi Sandy, good to see that your feeling a little better, your doing the right thing, you keep going my friend, more power to you oh, by the way, i just turned 68, and not giving in.
I've got ten years on you, Sandy, and as we get older, I think "We do what we can". But the only way to find out what we can do is to keep trying. Boundaries seem to get harder to push as the years go by, so you just have to push them a little harder, or maybe a little smarter. Thanks for taking us along on your trips around your beautiful countryside. Who wouldn't want to get out and experience that loveliness any way that they could. If age causes new squeaks and pains (as it does for all of us), my Dad used to say, "It beats the alternative". Keep riding! David
Good video Sandy. I’m your age and despair at people in their 30’s and 40’s who let themselves go. It doesn’t take much to keep reasonably fit. Must admit though I’ve been drunk more than twice.😃Glad ur enjoying your gravel bike. Take care Martin WB
Sandy, the bike looks good and the price isn't too bad either. The ride was a splendid loop; for myself, I would have taken a couple of bottles of beer and a ploughman's lunch to eat in the grounds of that beautiful church. These days I tend to coddiwomple on the bike with said beer and lunch and find a river to enjoy it by. It's not always about destination or reason. Ride your bike for no other reason than riding your bike.
Brilliant video Sandy, couldn't agree more. Very nice new bike you've got too.
Don’t slow down Sandy👍I’m 61 still power lifting,backpacking and fishing 👍it’s better to drop dead doing what you love than sat watching TV or wired to a monitor in hospital. Keep peddling 🏋️♀️🏋️♀️🏋️♀️
I totaly agree with you sandy! Getting out and about on a pushbike or hikeing keeps you mentaly and phiscaly fit for what ever adventures come your way, and they are the best fun ever.
I agree with you. I'm closer to 70 than your are to 60 and I am fighting back and enjoying the burn. I've lost 10 kg in the past two calendar months and need to lose a bit more, but it can come off more slowly now as I get stronger through calisthenics, heavy bag punching, resistance bands, jumping rope, free weights and all kinds of off the cuff exercises using whatever I can dream up as resistance. I'm not perfect in any of the foregoing, but what can you expect after not doing such for a quarter of a century as I used to be a very fit guy when I was younger.
I used to drink, smoke, eat too much crap food and basically burn the candle at both ends, but when I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, obesity and degenerative osteoarthritis in my knee, I could see the writing on the wall of an old man walking with a stick and on constant anti-inflammatory and painkilling tablets and didn't like the picture in my head so decided to do something about it. The pain is gone, I can do Asian squats without pain and dumped the prescription tablets.
We are responsible for our own health and we can't expect Doctors to fix us if we're not prepared to try and fix ourselves first. Keep right on till end of the road is my motto.
You don't stop because you get old – you get old because you stop. You're a huge inspiration to so many of us ❤.
Praying for a prompt recovery, moving is living life more fully! You slow down you go down! Keep cycling, keep on pedaling life to keep living fully full of vigor, zest and good health!
I've said it before, a lot of wisdom on this channel. You are so right ,Sandy.
Well said, Sandy. Lovely bike too, what seatpost is that? I'm thinking of getting one 👍 keep on keepin' on mate 👍
Dont listen to all that cobblers. I'm 69 do everything you want to do .Who wants to sit looking through a window when you could be outside .Wind,rain,snow who cares. Keep going Sandy.
Yeh…. I love this video and good on ya pal….Rage against the 'machine' 😉 I am 66 Sandy, and will not have anybody tell me to slow down… I do ME really, really well and listen to my body. I'm booked in for a total knee replacement in September. I'll be watching you and riding vicariously. KTF🙏
Great bike.
My elder brother is 77 and is still putting in the miles. The other year he went with his cycling friends to Majorca, they got there by plane, while he cycled most of the way. A 2000 mile round trip.
73
All things in moderation is a cliche, but also good life advice. And we are in the best position individually to judge what moderation is for us! As several comments note above, the more you do, the more you can do. Bugs will hit us from time to time and slow us down, but this is usually temporary. Stay active for your sake and our enjoyment, Sandy! Thanks from a 69 year old.
Gday Sandy mate your an inspiration you get out there and do , keep up the good fight and keep doin what u do cheers Glenn.
Cheers Sandy, keep struggling. Lovely bike.😊
Didnt mean to annoy you and your attitude is great! Just pointing out that all your bones and joints have been around for 60 odd years now and the battery needs charging a bit longer thats all im nearly 70 and work harder gardening now than i did in my old day job ,and feel better for it ! But i enjoy a rest now more than i did! Sometimes you have to stop and smell the roses more! Good luck to you anyway.
As the saying goes sandy we either rust out or ware out 😂..
It's a personal choice I can't see you happy sat around doing puzzles or stamp collecting.
But as you say you have been warn out lately and that suggests a virus rather than a age related thing.
Keeping your weight down is important and sleep. .
Sometimes taking a brief rest period is best sometimes, listen to your own body 👍
Well said Sandy! plus every new bike you buy removes at least 5 years from your actual age.
So when are you getting a BMX?😀
Another beautiful ride Sandy, thanks for taking us along and thanks for the “pep talk”. You have a wonderful inoffensive way of getting your message across👍👍👍. Hope you get better soon, take care of yourself. Judy🇨🇦🇨🇦
Well Sandy what can I say! You inspired me to eat a beautiful pork pie and now I got to get my retro bike out! Well done and keep up the good work (Chloe) 👍
Offend away 😂
Enjoyed this video bro it makes a lot of sense. Safe travels. Ken.
Turned 68 yesterday and by a twist of fate, attended the funeral and gave the eulogy of a dear friend who bravely battled Parkinson’s for ten years. He was four years older than me. I am fortunate that since retiring in 2018 I got back into cycling and mountain bike riding, lost 28kg in weight and am now the fittest I have been in years. Also sea kayak and walk a bit to balance things out. I too have received the odd comment on “slowing down”. That ain’t going to happen and I average in excess of 120km of riding each week. At my mate’s Wake yesterday several people remarked on how well and fit I “look” for my age and what is the secret. My reply was simply to motivate oneself to enjoy each day, watch their diet, exercise to their capability and fight/eliminate the things that cause them stress. Do not become a “lounge lizard” as we say in Australia.
Keep on keeping on mate!🇦🇺
We are the same age. I agree with everything you've said about exercise.
More important as you get older to keep moving. Keep it up!
I am 61 had a quad heart bypass two years ago and cycle five times a week no issues. Just make sure you are eating the right things, especially when exercising, get the carbs in 🙂
Completely agree with you. Once you stop fighting the battle is over.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Dylan Thomas, 1914 – 1953
In your last bike packing adventure we witnessed you filling your water bottle from a stream. The timing coincided with a warning given on National UK news channels about increased cases of cryptosporidium, a really nasty and sometimes fatal infection,, particularly in the South of the UK. Please be careful Sandy.
I agree 100% with you, use it or lose it. I am 72 now and still walk long distances and cycle. I am not ashamed that I do it at a steady rate, but I strive to keep going, it keeps me hay to be outdoors. You are an inspiration Sandy, well done.
Keep going as long as you are enjoying yourself. Not everyone slows down, some go out like a light, that's regardless of how fit they are or the fact they didn't smoke or drank. So my advice is don't over do it, moderation in all things. Yes the factors you highlight bode well, but don't assume it guarantees anything. Otherwise all the best, live long & prosper!
Top man – use or lose it is what I say.
Older age doesn’t come on it’s own they say. Great content fully agree we need to push on within limits for body and mind fitness. It’s all down to us far too many expect a magic pill to “make them better” when good food and exercise is the starter for 10 for the mind and body. How many bikes do you now own ….? Ride safe.
As Dylan Thomas said in his poem about old age: ‘Do not go gentle into that good night, old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.’ 👍
Hi Sandy, love the channel and your work. Like many of your followers I'm sure, we're of the same generation give or take, and like yourself and many who have posted, we're all active. I won't list what I do or have done but what I never do is reference my age. I mix with those 30 years younger and many years older and nobody talks about, or references, jokes about, or makes any allowances or concessions for age. My parents were old when they were in their 40s whilst my 30-40 year old children still don't see me as old. Let's just keep on doing what we do.
Hi from Ireland.. Ya I'm 55 now. Like yourself I enjoy cycling, motorcycling, we also have a camper that we like to get out in, we often visit your area actually. Plus I work full time too. In the past year or so iv noticed a few aches and pains in my hips and knees. Like you the aches are less problematic cycling. Recently I started taking fish oil and turmeric every morning with my breakfast. It's early days but I definitely notice an improvement in my joints. It's not cheap though, the fish oil (in liquid form) is 48 euro and the Turmeric is 17 euro. That's for a six week coarse. Try it, it might help you. Also, if you don't mind me saying so, you look a little thin and shook in recent videos. Maybe a visit to a dietician for a chat to ensure proper calorie intake!? .. Keep up the good work and keep those videos coming. Thanks Sandy..