Why Most Cyclists Quit After 60 — And How I’m Still Riding 150 Miles a Week at 70

Last updated: — Last updated: October 2025 — Expanded with new stories, internal links, and the complete senior cyclist toolkit.

Quick Take:

Most cyclists don’t quit after 60 because they lose interest. They quit because pain, fear, and slow recovery pile up—and no one shows them how to adapt. I almost quit too. By changing my pacing, putting comfort first, and treating recovery like part of the ride, I still average 150 miles a week at nearly 70. You don’t need to ride harder. You need to ride different.

Senior cyclist in red jersey riding on the road, still cycling 150 miles a week at nearly 70 years old

Still rolling strong at nearly 70—comfort, mindset, and smarter riding keep me in the saddle.

I’ve ridden more than 150,000 miles in my lifetime—and I’m still riding 150 miles a week at almost 70 years old.

Here’s the truth most cyclists won’t say out loud: almost every rider I used to roll with has already quit. Not because they stopped loving the bike, but because staying on it after 60 gets hard. Pain lingers. Traffic feels sketchier. Recovery takes days. Confidence slips.

I almost quit too. What follows is the honest version you won’t find in fluffy list posts: why most cyclists quit after 60, why I didn’t, and the exact blueprint that keeps me riding.

Why Most Cyclists Quit After 60 (The Real Reasons)

Let’s skip the fake internet advice (“drink water!”) and talk about what actually takes people off the bike.

Pain doesn’t bounce back. At 40, I could ride hard, sleep, and wake up fine. At 60+, one bad route and I’ll feel it for three days. Knees, back, hands—DOMS hits harder and lasts longer.
Recovery takes forever. Stack two tough days and your next three get worse. Recovery isn’t a luxury anymore—it’s survival.
Traffic fear is real. Drivers are more distracted. Tinted windows mean you can’t make eye contact at a stop sign. I watch the front tire for a twitch—that’s my tell.
Confidence collapses. Hills that used to be warm-ups now sting the ego. Pride is a silent career-ender.
Weight & energy change. Same food, fewer miles. Hormones and muscle loss are real. If you stop riding, the weight gain doubles back on you.
The industry forgets us. Most “advice” is written for 25-year-old racers. We’re left to figure it out or fade away.
Loneliness creeps in. Riding partners stop; group pace gets silly. If joy fades, the bike goes to the garage.
Mind games. “Am I too old?” “What if I crash?” “Do I still belong?” Those thoughts wear you down more than any climb.

The Moment I Almost Quit (And What Changed Everything)

There was a stretch where it all hit at once. My knee replacement—pain-free for a decade—started hurting again. A steep day in West Texas left me so cooked I had to call my wife to pick me up. On a hot, confusing day in central Louisiana, Google Maps sent me in circles until a guy on a pieced-together bike guided me out of the maze. That kindness kept me rolling, but the doubt stuck around.

I asked the dangerous questions: “What if I’m done? What if one crash ends my independence? What if I just can’t keep up?”

Then I made the only decision that mattered:

I won’t quit cycling. But I will stop doing it the dumb, younger-me way.

I rebuilt everything around comfort, recovery, awareness, and honesty. That saved my riding life.

How I’m Still Riding 150 Miles a Week at 70 (The Real Blueprint)

A) I Changed How I Ride

Consistency over hero days. Most rides are steady, not sprints. I chase longevity, not Strava segments.
Pace the hills. I used to attack every climb. Now I gear down, sit tall, and ride it like I’m going to do it again tomorrow—because I am.
Listen to the body. If my knee whispers, I back off that day and save three good days later.
Route smarter. Early mornings, safer roads, better sightlines. Confidence is a training tool.

Story hits quickly here: After a brutal hill session, I stubbornly tried a 40-mile ride the next day. By mile 20, my legs were concrete—classic DOMS. Now I respect the recovery window and I ride more overall because of it. (If DOMS wrecks your week, read my visibility & safety routine and injury-prevention playbook.)

B) I Upgraded Gear for an Older Body (Comfort = Survival)

Most “age problems” were gear problems. The right kit fixed the pain that was pushing me toward quitting.

Comfort Gear That Kept Me From Quitting

Bib Shorts (my #1 upgrade): No waistband, no chafe, all-day comfort. See options
Supportive Saddle or Suspension Seatpost: Takes pressure off spine and hips. Saddles · Seatposts
Wider Tires at Lower PSI: Softer, safer, less vibration. Shop tires
Padded Gloves + Gel Bar Tape: Hands and shoulders stop going numb. Gloves · Bar Tape

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Story: The day I finally accepted bib shorts changed my riding life. No waistband digging into my gut on long days. No sliding around. No hot spots. That simple swap pushed me another 10 years down the road.

C) I Treat Recovery Like Part of the Ride

Sleep is the best “supplement.” If I shortchange sleep, tomorrow’s ride is a pretend workout.
Protein + electrolytes. I take in protein within an hour; I don’t ride with just water. That’s how cramps happen.
Mobility beats macho. Five quiet minutes after a ride saves three grumpy days later.
Targeted help when needed. Chiropractic tune-ups and shockwave therapy kept my knee in the game when pain tried to push me out.

D) I Ride With Confidence Tools

At our age, confidence = longevity. Being prepared keeps me riding more, not less.

Tech That Keeps Me Confident & In Control

Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT V2: Turn-by-turn navigation, hill grade alerts, calorie tracking. Check price
Daytime Running Lights + Smart Brake: I ride lit up like a Christmas tree—for drivers, not for looks. Front/Rear lights
Rear Radar or Bar-End Mirror: Seeing cars early keeps the heart rate down in a good way. Rear radar · Mirrors
RENPHO Smart Scale: Tracking weight and muscle keeps the engine honest. My scale

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Story: I once got turned around on back roads and the Wahoo + Ride with GPS kept me off a busy highway shoulder at sundown. That’s not “tech for tech’s sake.” That’s me getting home safe—and wanting to ride again tomorrow.

E) I Fixed My Mindset

When I was younger, cycling was performance: How fast? How far? Who did I drop?

If you keep riding for the same reasons you did at 30, you will eventually quit—because age will slow you down. If performance is the only reason to ride, the joy dies with it.

I don’t ride to prove anything anymore. I ride because it reminds me I’m alive.

When I let go of fast, I started riding more—and enjoying it again. Funny how that works.

Short Stories That Changed How I Ride (So You Don’t Learn the Hard Way)

The day I called my wife in Carlsbad. I overreached after a hard day, tried to “prove” something, and blew up. Pride cost me a week. Now I pace hills and protect tomorrow’s ride.
Lost in Louisiana, saved by a stranger. A man on a pieced-together bike guided me out of a confusing grid. I learned to plan safer routes, and that cyclists still look out for each other.
Heat exhaustion on a long tour. I pushed when the smart move was to stop. Your body whispers before it screams. Listening is not weakness—it’s wisdom.
Lightning in Bowie, Texas. That storm turned from “maybe” to “move” fast. I called 911 and got out. I’m not invincible, and I like it that way. Respect the sky.
Tinted windows at a four-way. Now I watch the front tire, not the driver’s face. That little habit has probably saved me more than once.
Feeling out of place around “elite” riders. I thought they were snobs. Now people might think I am. Here’s the truth: most riders are friendly if you are. Say hello. Offer a wheel. Be the rider you wish you’d met earlier.

Older Cyclist Survival Toolkit (Comfort, Safety, Confidence, Energy)

Here’s the quick version of what actually keeps me on the bike week after week:

Comfort: Bib shorts, supportive saddle, wider tires, padded contact points. Fix pain → keep the bike.
Safety: Bright sleeves/jersey, daytime lights, mirror or radar, routes with sightlines. Prepared beats fearless.
Recovery: Sleep, protein, electrolytes, five minutes of mobility, purposeful rest days.
Confidence: Navigation, realistic pacing, a scale that keeps you honest.
Mindset: Let go of ego; keep your identity. You’re still a cyclist at any speed.

Deep dives you might like: 30 Minutes a Day for Weight Loss · Traffic & Low-Light Visibility · Two Things That Changed My Riding Forever

How You Can Keep Riding for Life (No-BS Action Plan)

Stop riding like you’re 30. Pace climbs, protect recovery, plan routes.
Fix pain first. Comfort isn’t optional—it's survival. Gear solves more than grit does.
Ride smarter, not harder. Brains beat lungs at our age.
Adapt to traffic. Lights, visibility, mirrors, earlier rides. Live to ride tomorrow.
Expect setbacks. Take the recovery day. Keep momentum over perfection.

Older Cyclist FAQ (Real Answers)

Am I too old to start cycling at 60 or 70?

No. Cycling is joint-friendly and scales to your fitness. Start small, ride often, recover well. Read: Should a 70-Year-Old Ride a Bike?

Can I still ride long distance?

Yes—train smart and prioritize recovery. Touring resources: Your First Multi-Day Bicycle Tour (FAQs) · BOB Trailer Is Sensational for Long-Distance Touring

What bike is best for older riders?

The one that keeps you comfortable and confident: endurance geometry, wider tires; step-through if flexibility is an issue; e-assist if hills are a limiter. (Post: Best Bikes for Older Adults — update and link here.)

How do I prevent pain?

Bike fit + bib shorts + supportive saddle + recovery routine. Read: Pedal Pain-Free.

Should I get an e-bike?

If an e-bike keeps you riding, it’s worth it. Test at a local bike shop where you’ll also get service support. (Post: E-Bike: Shop vs. Online—Which Is Smarter? — add link.)

Read This Before You Even Think About Quitting

If you’ve made it this far, let’s be honest: you don’t want to quit cycling. You’re just tired of it getting harder. Pain, fear, fatigue, slowing down—those don’t mean you’re done. They mean you’ve entered the stage where you have to ride different. Different isn’t worse. In a lot of ways, it’s better: more wisdom, more gratitude, more awareness, less ego.

I’m not trying to be 30 again. I’m proving 70 isn’t the finish line.

I’m still riding 150 miles a week at nearly 70 years old—not because I’m tougher, but because I refused to let the world tell me I was “done.” You’re not done either.

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