On a crisp October day, an unexpected tumble from my bicycle left me sprawled on the pavement, my left elbow and hip bearing the brunt of the fall. While the small fracture in my forearm was a minor setback, it was the unsolicited advice from a doctor that truly shook me: “Stop Riding A Bike.” At 80 years young, and someone who cherishes my weekly 80-mile bike rides, this pronouncement felt like more than just medical advice; it felt like an indictment of my active lifestyle.
The doctor’s disapproval was palpable from the moment he entered the room. His demeanor seemed to question my very presence on a bicycle at my age. When I explained the mishap – a U-turn taken a bit too quickly – his response was far from reassuring. “There are some activities you can do both inside and outside,” he stated, suggesting I confine myself indoors. My instinctive reply, “I’ll always be outside,” was a declaration of my enduring connection with the open air and the joy of cycling.
Is it Ageism or Genuine Concern? Navigating Doctor’s Advice on Cycling
“I’ve witnessed some truly awful injuries from bicycle accidents,” the doctor cautioned, his tone laced with concern, yet tinged with admonishment. While his worry was evident, I felt dismissed, my passion for cycling reduced to a reckless activity for someone my age. This encounter sparked a period of reflection and conversation with fellow cyclists and friends, seeking their perspectives on this unsolicited advice.
The responses echoed my own feelings of disbelief and mild outrage. “Inappropriate,” “insulting,” “no place for ageism,” and “disrespectful” were among the sentiments shared. The consensus was clear: the doctor’s reaction was an overreach, particularly given the minor nature of the accident. As one cyclist in her 70s aptly put it, “Life happens.”
Seeking to understand the doctor’s viewpoint, I wished I had been more assertive in explaining the profound significance of cycling in my life. Cycling is not merely exercise; it’s a cornerstone of my well-being, offering both physical and mental health benefits, and a unique perspective on the world as I pedal through diverse landscapes. Like swimming, the thought of relinquishing cycling is almost unbearable. For years, I have consciously weighed the risks against the immense rewards of maintaining an active lifestyle.
The Cyclist’s Spirit: Freedom, Health, and Sociability on Two Wheels
My love affair with cycling began in childhood, riding to school, where I first tasted the exhilarating sense of freedom that two wheels could provide. Rediscovering cycling in my 40s reignited that youthful feeling, and I’ve never looked back. It blossomed into my preferred outdoor pursuit, shared with a group of responsible and like-minded friends. Weekend bike rides became synonymous with happiness, improved health, and enhanced sociability.
My journey into group cycling started with the Charles River Wheelers and the Appalachian Mountain Club, and was further enriched by a safety workshop with the League of American Bicyclists, whose motto, “Life is better for everyone when more people ride bikes,” resonates deeply with my own experience.
In my 50s, a work colleague and I, both Cambridge residents, embarked on adventurous bike commutes to Quincy, a 20-mile journey each way. Our early morning rides along Boston’s Emerald Necklace, through Jamaica Plain and Dorchester to Milton’s Blue Hills and finally Quincy, were invigorating and unforgettable.
During weekends and weekday evenings, my rides extended to 40, 50, and even 65 miles. As I entered my 60s and 70s, I consciously scaled back the distances, now typically cycling 14 to 25 miles, up to five days a week during the summer and early fall. I’ve also shifted my focus from road cycling to safer bike paths, with only brief road detours. Maintaining an average speed of around 10 mph and always wearing a helmet, along with headlights, flashing red tail lights, and cyclometers on both bikes, are non-negotiable safety measures.
Further Reading: 9 Inspiring Stories of Seniors Defying Age Limits: Biking, Running, and Thriving
Past Bike Accidents: Learning and Resilience in Cycling
This recent fall wasn’t my first bike accident. Years ago in Plattsburgh, New York, while riding in a designated bike lane, a driver overtook me and then abruptly turned right, directly into my path. The collision with her car left me bruised but thankfully unharmed. In 2018, another incident occurred when I encountered improperly placed steel plates covering road repaving. The gap between the plates was just wide enough to trap my front tire, sending me sideways and onto the ground, resulting in significant hip bruising but no fractures.
These experiences, while unsettling, haven’t diminished my passion for cycling. Instead, they’ve reinforced the importance of vigilance and adaptation as a cyclist, especially as I age. Reflecting on my encounter with the doctor, I regretted not engaging in a more open conversation, advocating for my active lifestyle and challenging his age-biased assumptions.
Serendipitously, just days after my doctor’s visit, I came across a timely blog post from Hebrew SeniorLife about empowering older adults in healthcare and advocating for oneself in medical settings.
Empowering Yourself: Advocating for Your Passions with Your Doctor
“As a geriatrician, I always appreciate when patients are ready to advocate for what matters to them,” writes Dr. Matthew Schuster in the blog post. He emphasizes the importance of preparation for doctor’s appointments and highlights “age-friendly care,” which includes understanding a patient’s personal health goals and priorities. “Considering these questions before your appointment can guide your conversation with your physician. Even if what matters most to you isn’t health-related, it can still provide clinical value to your doctor.”
My subsequent follow-up medical visit was a stark contrast to the first. A younger female doctor entered with a welcoming demeanor, expressing admiration for someone “who is 80 and still biking.” She encouraged me to recount the details of my bike accident, demonstrating a genuine interest in my experience and perspective.
“I Want to Meet the Person Who is 80 and Still Rides a Bike” – A Doctor’s Positive Approach
I described the suddenness of the fall, recounting my ride along a peaceful beach road in Falmouth, a brief detour from the scenic Shining Sea Bikeway. I had admired the empty osprey nests and the sunlight dancing on Buzzards Bay. As I initiated a U-turn at the road’s end, a slight increase in speed, coupled with my right foot seemingly catching on the pedal, led to the unexpected tumble.
Immediately after the fall, I assessed myself for injuries, ensuring the mobility of my fingers and arm. Satisfied that nothing was broken, I remounted my bike, notified my friend about my change of plans, and cycled the five miles back to my car. The initial adrenaline masked the pain, but by the time I arrived home after an hour’s drive, stiffness and pain had set in, particularly in my left elbow and forearm. Ice packs and anti-inflammatory medication became my immediate remedies.
Sharing this narrative with the younger doctor, I acknowledged the need to adjust my cycling habits with age, a point she readily accepted. She proceeded to order X-rays of my forearm and elbow. Upon her return, she was accompanied by the older doctor, her supervisor, whose initial reaction had been so discouraging.
While most people I shared my experience with sided with my perspective, a couple understood the older doctor’s cautionary stance. This prompted me to ponder a crucial question:
What’s the “Too Old” Age for Riding a Bike? Reframing the Question
This whole episode led me to question the very notion of an age limit for cycling and other physical activities. I posed the question online: “What age is too old to ride a bike?”
The AI’s response was reassuring: “Age 80 is generally not considered too old to ride a bike, as long as the individual is physically capable and takes necessary safety precautions. Cycling can be a beneficial exercise for seniors when done appropriately, with many older adults enjoying the activity well into their 80s.”
A British blog, echoing this sentiment, questioned, “How old is too old to ride a bike?” and asserted that “cycling is sometimes seen as a form of exercise and enjoyment reserved only for children or the most avid of sporting enthusiasts. However, when you peel back the surface of cycling, it’s a sport that is perfect for everyone, including people over the age of 60!”
Other online sources reinforced the benefits, highlighting cycling as “a great form of exercise for older people … It’s an exercise you can perform at an intensity that suits your needs and abilities, is low-impact and can be very social if you ride with others.”
A Realistic Perspective: When to Reconsider Cycling as You Age
While overwhelmingly positive, the online resources also included necessary caveats: “If you have health issues or physical limitations that make biking difficult or unsafe, it may be time to reconsider.” And, “If you feel unsteady or are at risk of falling, it might be wise to evaluate your biking habits.”
However, my personal conviction remains: “If you still enjoy riding a bike and it brings you happiness, there’s no reason to stop.”
My primary care physician recently affirmed this, stating, “The best thing you can do (to slow down aging) is to keep up your exercise.”
A friend’s supportive response further validated my approach: “It is an understatement to say that you are doing the right thing by being active and staying active despite a small setback. I support your actions 100%! You are a very diligent and disciplined person. I know you will do well with your recovery. In the meantime you have the opportunity to discover new muscles, new places and new workouts!”
Wisdom from a 95-Year-Old Cyclist: “It’s Your Decision to Make!”
Seeking further guidance, I reached out to my cycling friend Joanne Staniscia, a remarkable 95-year-old who cycled until the age of 90. Joanne, an inspiration to many, maintained her cycling passion and strength throughout her 80s. Though she no longer rides after a fall at 85 resulted in a broken wrist, her perspective is invaluable. “You all continue the ride without me,” she had said after her accident. Remarkably, she returned to cycling two years later, still outpacing me on hills at 88 and 89.
No one ever suggested to Joanne that she should stop cycling outdoors. Her own decision to stop was personal and insightful: “I just decided at some point that it was time to keep my feet on the ground,” she advised. “It’s really not for someone else to tell you. You’ll know when you want to stop. It’s your decision to make.”
For now, I am focused on allowing my elbow to heal completely, regaining full range of motion, and eagerly anticipating the return of spring and the open road – or rather, the bike path. The saddle is calling, and I intend to answer, for as long as it brings joy, health, and that irreplaceable sense of freedom.
Reach Sue Scheible at [email protected].
Facebook Twitter Email
