Am I too old to get serious about cycling?

Hailey!
I'm 26 and have recently developed a real interest in road cycling. I'm certainly not planning on riding in the Tour de France, but I’d love to wrap my head around how the sport actually works, find a club that fits around my schedule, and maybe eventually enter a local race... Just looking to do this recreationally; I don't intend to make a living out of cycling. I was wondering if anyone could offer some guidance:

1.) Am I too old to start?

2.) Do clubs actually take people like me on?

3.) Which clubs would you recommend in the Chicago area?

4.) How much cash should I set aside for decent gear and a proper bike for training?

Thanks in advance! 👍

Keith Ward said:Hailey!
I’m 26 and I’ve really been getting into road cycling lately. Don't get me wrong, I’m not planning on riding in the Tour de France or anything crazy like that, but I’d love to dive deeper into how the sport actually works. My goal is to find a local club where I can train whenever my schedule allows, and maybe eventually chip away at some local amateur races. I'm looking at this purely recreationally—definitely not trying to make a living off of pedaling. That said, I could use a little guidance on a few things:

1.) Am I too old to start?

2.) Do clubs even take people like me on?

3.) Which club would you recommend since I'm based in Chicago?

4.) How much cash am I looking at for decent gear and a proper bike meant for training?

Thanks in advance! 👍

Are you too old? Honestly, that’s entirely up to you. Even Lance Armstrong is still out there competing in the Tour de France at 39, so age is really just a number if you have the drive.🙏

You’re never too old to get into cycling. You don't even need to be part of some official club just to start competing; there are plenty of local charity rides and community events where you can sign up as a recreational rider to test the waters. If you find you actually have a knack for it, then you can look into joining a team. Most clubs are happy to take people of all ages because their whole goal is to grow the sport and increase their membership numbers.
To kick things off, you'll obviously need a bike and the right gear. The guys at a local club will be your best resource here—they can give you solid advice on what to look for, and they might even help you hunt down a decent used bike to save some cash.
Just keep one thing in mind: unless you've already put in massive mileage, you won't stand a chance against a seasoned pro. If you're serious about competing, expect to face some grueling training sessions and a lot of hours in the saddle.

Hey everyone. I’m expecting my workload to pick up soon, but for now, my responsibilities are preventing me from riding as much as I’d like—currently averaging about 100-93 miles miles a week, which feels a bit light... I also have a vintage road bike from the mid-80s in pretty rough shape, but I’ve got plenty of motivation 🙂.
I suspect the best move would be to join a local cycling club to get some guidance. It’s always easier when someone shows you the ropes rather than trying to figure everything out on your own.
Does anyone have recommendations for a good club in the Chicago area?

Keith Ward said:Having someone point you in the right direction certainly takes the edge off compared to stumbling through everything on your own.
I

It’s definitely easier with guidance, but at the end of the day, you’re still on your own. For anyone just training for fitness rather than competing professionally, it's nearly impossible to sync up your schedule with a team or a group. You'll end up doing most of the work solo anyway. Plus, you'll eventually need to invest in better gear and get much more disciplined about your nutrition.

You’re done! And I don't mean just washed up—I mean you're ancient. Actually, looking closer, you're practically prehistoric. Maybe more like a fossil, or some kind of single-celled organism drifting through space. 😉

Calling you "washed up" is an understatement. Just stay on the grill. At this rate, you might actually find some stamina in six months, and if you're lucky, maybe a little extra by next year...

Patrick King7 said:You’re finished! You aren't just a loser, you're an old man! Actually, now that I think about it, you’re more like a great-grandfather... maybe even a fossil, or perhaps just the fossilized remains of a single-celled organism...😉

You’re being far too hard on yourself! Just stick to the grilling for now, and you'll have your fitness back in six months... maybe even a year from now you'll be feeling twice as good...

🙂 Well, I’ve made quite a few changes to my diet lately, and I even managed to quit smoking four months ago... I realize it might seem like a bit of a patchwork approach right now, but I’m truly going to try to do better!

Keith Ward said:🙂 thanks! I've overhauled my diet quite a bit, and actually quit smoking four months ago. ... I know it looks like I'm just patching holes, but I'm trying to do this right.

Nice. Keep at it. I've heard you start feeling the benefits of quitting smoking in just a few days. That's huge.
Any weight change yet? Or did the diet change keep things steady?

Keith Ward said:🙂 , I actually quit smoking four months ago... !

It’s great that you finally kicked the habit, though it certainly wasn't good that you were doing it in the first place. Realistically, it will take at least two years for your lungs to fully clear out and regain the capacity needed for high-intensity training. Still, everyone has to start somewhere, so sooner is always better. Just keep up with the training and stay on the bike.

Patrick King7 said:Wow! That’s incredible! Keep it up! I heard you can actually start feeling the benefits of quitting just a few days in! Amazing!
Have you gained any weight yet? Or did it stay about the same because of the diet changes?

I actually overhauled my diet a couple of months before I quit smoking. I haven't put on much weight, though I still have maybe 10 or 15 pounds of fat left to burn off🙂..
It feels like the positive effects are only just starting to kick in for me now. The toughest part has been the irritability from withdrawal, but I didn't find a substitute in food—instead, I turned to push-ups, squats, pull-ups, and... you guessed it... cycling😁.
Look, I'm no saint, so don't get the wrong idea! If I'm having a drink, I might light up. But it's not a whole pack, just two or three cigarettes for the hell of it. A craving is a craving. People claim you can't function like that, but it works fine for me. What really changed was my mindset. Honestly, I feel that mental shift more than any physical change right now. I just feel strong and healthy😁😁😁!

Keith Ward said:Look, I’m certainly no saint, so I can’t blame anyone for looking at me sideways! When I have a drink, I usually light up. It’s not a whole pack, though—just two or three cigarettes to enjoy the moment. Sometimes you just want that little extra something. People claim you can't function like that, but honestly, I haven't had any issues at all. What really changed was my mindset. And so far, I feel that shift more than any physical change. I actually feel incredibly strong and healthy 😁😁😁!

Don't let yourself get fooled: even the impact of a single active cigarette sticks with you for years, and statistically speaking, there's a clear link to increased rates of oral, bronchial, and lung cancers...
Unfortunately, it's my line of work, so I'm not just talking nonsense here...🙄

Betty Edwards22 said:Don't let it fool you; the damage from even one active cigarette lingers for years, statistically manifesting as an increased incidence of oral, bronchial, and lung cancers...
Unfortunately, this is my line of work, so I'm not just talking nonsense...🙄

I know it, or rather, I believe it. My primary motivation for quitting was the addiction itself. I have no desire to be a slave to a habit while simultaneously paying for the privilege. Health and money were factors, of course, but they feel secondary now. A cigarette is trash, much like this bottled piss we call beer, and there’s no excuse for having a couple of brews and lighting up. I do it to unwind, and it doesn't really worry me. If the beer starts interfering with my serious cycling sessions, then it'll have to go.

Anyway, could someone recommend a bike shop in Chicago where I can go to pick some brains? I don't expect to jump straight in, obviously, but it would be helpful to have someone take a look at my bike and my riding posture... Sometimes my lower back aches during rides... I suspect my bike isn't tuned quite right...

Keith Ward said:I switched up my diet a few months before I quit smoking. Weight stayed about the same, though I’ve still got maybe 5 pounds of fat left to burn off 🙂..
It feels like the benefits are finally starting to kick in now. The worst part was the irritability from withdrawal, but I didn't find a fix in food—I found it in push-ups, squats, pull-ups, and you guessed it... cycling😁.
Look, I'm no saint, so don't get the wrong idea! If I have a drink, I might light one up. But it's not a whole pack, just two or three for the hell of it. A craving is a craving. People claim you can't function that way, but I haven't had any issues. What really changed was my mindset. That’s hitting harder than any physical change right now. I feel strong and healthy 😁😁😁!

🙂
Not happening. A little bit of drinking is fine, but if you go overboard => 🙂
And as for smoking, there's really no point in even discussing it

Keith Ward said:Hayley!
I'm 26 and I'm getting really into road cycling. I'm definitely not planning on riding in the Tour de France or anything, but I'd love to learn the ropes of the sport, maybe join a local club whenever my schedule allows, and eventually enter some local races. Basically just looking at this recreationally—I'm not trying to make a living off a bike. So, I was wondering if anyone could help me out with a few things:

1.) Am I too old?

2.) Do clubs actually take people like me?

3.) Which club would be a good fit since I'm living in Chicago?

4.) How much cash am I looking at for decent gear and a real bike that can actually handle training?

Thanks in advance! 👍

Now, I can't remember the exact study—I found it online so if anyone finds it, just drop the link (I'm feeling too lazy to hunt for it)—but the gist of it was something like this...

People in endurance sports, like cycling, usually hit their peak around twenty-five to thirty. Obviously, that doesn't mean you're a total amateur before thirty, just that you're an active recreationalist (in shape, let's say). That peak is supposed to last about 5-10 years, and after that, things start to slide.
I don't know the science behind it—some weird thing with muscle fibers or whatever—BO!!!

Anyway, it's never too late to change your habits for the better. 😉

In endurance sports, like cycling, people usually hit their absolute peak somewhere around twenty-five to thirty. Of course, that assumes you weren't just some total amateur before thirty, but at least a reasonably fit recreational athlete. That prime window is supposed to last maybe five to ten years before things start a slow, gradual decline.

So, I guess that means my downhill slide has officially begun... though, on the bright side, I don't actually have to pedal anymore...🤣

Keith Ward said:I know it, and I truly believe it. My number one motivation for quitting is just wanting to be free from the addiction itself. I don't want to be a slave to it and then have to pay for the privilege. Of course, health and money were big factors too, but those feel more secondary now. A cigarette is trash, and honestly, so is this bottled garbage we call beer. Nothing justifies grabbing a couple of beers and lighting up a cigarette. But that’s how I unwind, and it’s not something that really worries me right now. If my drinking ends up getting in the way of taking my cycling more seriously later on, then I guess it'll have to go.

Well, look—cigarettes and beer don't exactly belong in the same category. Plus, if you actually want to get serious about cycling, you should probably take it a bit more seriously; it's not quite working out the way Patrick King7 suggested to you. 👎
Smoking is a direct hit, not just on us, but on the health of everyone around us.

As for the beer—look, it all comes down to what you're actually drinking. 😁
If you're just sticking to basic Budweiser, maybe it's time to branch out. I've realized it isn't necessarily about the amount you drink or that self-deception where we claim it quenches our thirst. It's more about the concept of treating it as a reward. In that case, the quantity isn't really the issue.

Sarah Hill55 said:I can't recall the exact study right now—I did a quick search online, so if anyone happens to stumble upon the direct link, please drop it here (I'm feeling a bit too lazy to dig for it myself!), but the gist of it was something like this...

In endurance sports, like cycling, athletes typically hit their absolute peak somewhere between ages twenty-five and thirty. Of course, that doesn't mean they were total amateurs before thirty; I'm talking about being an incredibly active enthusiast, at least in terms of fitness. That peak window usually lasts about five to ten years, after which performance starts its gradual decline.
I'm not entirely sure of the biological reason behind it—maybe some weird quirk involving muscle physiology or something else entirely! BO!!!

Regardless, it’s never too late to turn things around and adopt healthier habits. 😉

Look—even if someone decides to go all-in and try to become the next Basso (I won't even mention Armstrong, because with him, anything seemed possible), 🤣 I honestly don't think even he expected to reach those heights.
On the flip side, just look up the term "Family Hoyt." You'll find a story about a father who, even in his later years, competes in triathlons—running, swimming, and cycling—alongside his son, who lives with cerebral palsy. The whole world looks up to them.
So, what matters more: chasing the dream of winning a yellow jersey, or enriching the lives of others and finding victory through that kind of impact? If we wanted to list the winners of the Tour or a Gira, we'd just need an internet connection, but to list the people who have truly touched our lives—how much time would we actually need😉?

Betty Edwards22 said:Look—smoking and beer just don't belong in the same category, and frankly, you really ought to take your cycling more seriously... it’s just not working out, exactly like Patrick King7 told you. 👎
Smoking is a direct assault on both our community and the health of everyone around us...

As for what you drink—look, it all comes down to what’s actually in the glass... 😁
If the usual choice is the gold standard, maybe it’s time to branch out... I’ve realized it isn't about how much you drink or that hollow claim that it actually quenches your thirst; it’s about the fact that it should be treated as a treat, and when you look at it that way, the portion size doesn't really matter.

I can't stand that cheap domestic lager... gross. It's not like I have access to a Corona, an Erdinger, a La Trap, or a Guinness when I'm out, since they only serve those tiny 3.4 oz pours... $10 On the downside, since I’m only pulling in $3.50 an hour right now, there's really no point in acting like I'm Rockefeller... 🙂I make compromises on things like that just so I don't have to on others... But beer isn't really what people are talking about. 😍 It turns out I’m a total lightweight... one minute I’m grabbing a drink near Union Station, and the next I’m stumbling toward the gym before heading to the main arena... it was just too much... 😂..!

I have the drive, even if my bank account isn't exactly ready for top-tier gear just yet—but that’s only temporary, and let’s be honest, I’m no saint... amen. My goal is to see how much I can squeeze out of myself over the next couple of years. I wouldn't call myself a naturally competitive person, but the moment I hop on my bike, everything changes; suddenly, being first is the only thing that matters. I can't stand seeing anyone else in front of me—I find myself racing against city buses (they don't stop often enough to give me a chance) or streetcars, basically anything moving on the road. At 5'8" and around 160 lbs, I've got some decent power in my legs. Of course, this is worlds away from professional cycling, but at 26, I've started having these... let's call them childhood fantasies... swirling in my head. When I sit on that bike, I feel like Anthony Hopkins in "World's fastest Indian"... I just love those athletic silhouettes on the spec sheets and that aggressive riding posture... it feels like it pushes me straight to warp 6. 🙂It brings a smile to my face... 😍😍😍

Just wanted to jump in here and share my two cents on this thread.
I’m 26 myself, and I only recently started taking cycling a bit more seriously. I actually joined a local cycling club, and we go on weekly rides ranging from 100 93 miles miles up to some shorter routes too. It’s nothing too intense or professional—you won't see everyone racing on high-end carbon fiber bikes—it's much more about the social side of things and just enjoying the scenery while you ride.
The bottom line? It’s never too late to get started with something like this.

As for the whole beer and biking thing, I know plenty of people who will knock back about seven beers after a five-hour ride! :-) Probably not the healthiest way to do it, sure, but I don't see why you can't enjoy a cold one to refresh yourself once you're done. After all, it's basically food, right? :-)

Keith Ward said:I've got the drive, just don't have the cash for high-end gear right now (it's temporary) and I'm no saint... amen. I want to see how far I can push myself over the next couple of years. I'm not naturally competitive, but once I'm on the bike, everything changes. I have this constant need to be first. I can't stand riding behind anyone. I find myself racing buses—they don't stop often enough, so they're too fast for me—even streetcars, basically anything moving on the road. I'm light, maybe 155-160 lbs at 5'8", and I can hold my own. Obviously, that's nowhere near professional cycling, but at 26, this sudden urge to go all out started hitting me... I feel like Anthony Hopkins in "World's fastest Indian" the moment I sit on the saddle...! I live for that aggressive riding posture, those athletic lines on the frame... it feels like I'm being pushed to warp 6 🙂. It puts a smile on my face. 😍😍 😍

That’s really the core of it. You sit on the bike, you think you're going to cruise along slowly, and then a few seconds later—wooosssssshhhhhhhhhhhh (that's the wind)😁 That's how I ride. Honestly, lately, my bike spends more time at the repair shop than on the pavement. The wear and tear is getting real. I need to hit the jackpot somehow🤔