Tips For Elderly People To Start Cycling

Cycling can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and it’s a great environmentally friendly way of getting some exercise. However, it’s a fact of life that as we get older, physical activity becomes more challenging, and we experience more aches and pains. Here are some tips to safely continue or even take up cycling in later life. 

Find the right bike

A bike that you are comfortable with will make all the difference. The seat should be at about hip height when you are standing, and when you are sitting in it, you should be able to comfortably reach the handle bars and pedals. 

For those who want to achieve longer rides, or perhaps are starting to need a helping hand up hills, an e-bike is a great option. This is a battery assisted bike, which allows you to control the level of power. You will still get exercise from turning the pedals, but the extra oomph will kick in when you need it, to take out the really hard slog. 

Do some warm up exercises

Ours bodies are designed to keep moving no matter what age we are, but to minimise your chances of strains and injuries, it helps to warm up the muscles with some stretching and light cardio exercises. 

In between rides, exercise such as yoga or pilates can keep you supple. Include some resistance training to keep your muscles strong, and some moderate interval training to help keep your heart and lungs in shape. 

It’s as old as you feel…

There’s no reason at all why you can’t keep cycling at any age, as the Frenchman Robert Marchand proved by setting the world record in one-hour track cycling in the over 105 age group! He stopped riding outdoors at the age of 108 due to hearing loss, but continued indoor cycling until a week before his death at 109. That’s certainly an example for us all!

If you are looking for a lightweight electric bike, talk to us today.