I wonder how typical this situation is: we had our second kid in 2010, and I pretty much hung up racing. I concentrated on being a Dad. I’ve tried repeatedly to come back, but just didn’t have the momentum or the wherewithal. The hardest thing for me was the 35 pounds or so that I gained (slowly, but esp. during Covid). I realized in late 2024 that I was on a path, ultimately, to ill health if I didn’t get serious again.
I guess what I’m asking is that once I’m down to the 81kg I need to be (well on my way, I’m down about 10kgs already)–with my old Cat 2 engine, will most stuff come back? I’m 56.
Mine is a different situation, but I too took a hiatus for a while (first because of school and then transitioned to triathlon, then grad school). I though I wanted to return, but it turns out I didn’t. I’d say the competitive environment changed too much in a direction I don’t enjoy. But that is XC racing and I guess road racing hasn’t changed that much. I know my input is useless so far, all I wanted to say is that expecting thing “to come back” is just not the right approach, it wasn’t for me anyways. Making a new start made more sense. A curious mind, learn about how my body reacts today, and let go off the past. The good thing is that bike racing has evolved so much you can focus on trying new things like nutrition, new tires, different brake pads, etc. That can keep you motivated and curious until you get to a point where your body feels fine racing. Then you’ll be fighting injury that your young body could overcome in no time, but that is another story.
I know that isn’t inspiring, but I also have to say that even thinking I wanted to come back to racing has motivated me enough to work on getting fitter, and the occasional race is enough to keep me focused on getting better. Have fun!
Slightly different story here. I never raced cycles in my younger years - played soccer, then raced motorbikes, but took up cycling in 2010. Turned to cycle road racing when I was 59 and loved it. Still racing now, mainly Masters. Now 65.
I have a similar story as the original poster but didnt gain that much weight from back in the day. All i can say is prepare your ego for what is ahead. Im 59 now but you will find aging is brutal and the sooner you accept that the easier the transition to you new reality. The mind will think you are capable of things you body wont be able to follow through. I have been training pretty consistently 8-10 hrs a week for the last 3-4 years and my 28 year old son can drop me with minimal training.
That sounds familiar. I have had seasons of life where riding took a back seat to career changes, young family, other goals.
53 doesn’t feel like 38, but it is a great time to get out there make real progress. Totally agree with lloydrm about “new start” vs “come back”. My new start to XC racing started in ‘21 after 11 years of no racing. I made good progress through ‘23 then plateaued a bit in sport class the past two seasons. I’m making some adjustments this year to keep taking ground.
I am not the same racer as I was 20 years ago. Aging does lots of things that make us slower, alas. Managing weight is harder, max aerobic capacity declines and all the zones shift down. There’s the muscle loss, too. And general decline in durability - a tumble off the bike can hurt more. Recovery slows down. Getting older isn’t for wimps. But that’s why we have age groups.
But I’m wiser today. My younger self just went out as many times as he could each week and hammered in the woods for an hour or so. He ate like crap and didn’t mind his recovery. My older self knows that my consistency with a good plan, nutrition, recovery, etc., can put me ahead of many of the younger pups out there on the course with their hummingbird hearts. (Nothing I can do about the younger AND more consistent racers!). Around here, the 50+ masters show up and show out, taking some overall podium spots and more than their share of top 10s.
