Cycling can be described in many ways, but at its core, it is a form of aerobic exercise. Naturally, exercise can be generally thought of as easier when we are younger due to our reserves of energy and the flexibility of our bodies, but trickier as we age. In terms of ability then, is there a set age when a cyclist is at their peak? As a leading supplier of mtb components in the UK, we deal with a wide range of people of varying ages. Most of our customers are seasoned cyclists with a special interest in their hobby or career pursuit, so who is the most likely to enjoy peak cycling ability?
Like the many cyclists who support UK manufacturing by using our CNC machined mtb components, Tour de France participants push their limits with mountain climbs downhill descents. The average age of the winner of the Tour de France is 28: perhaps slightly higher than expected given the 2022 winner Jonas Vingegaard is 25 and Tadej Pogačar won the 2020-2022 events at an even younger 21 – 23 years old, in addition to the notoriety of the event being one of the toughest sports events globally.
However, the most important factors for whether you can still achieve peak performance in your sport are aerobic endurance, leg strength, diet, and weight. Not all of these are equally weighted, but they do enable riders in their 30s to still achieve success in sporting events and off-road adventures. Overall, the average cyclist is less limited by age then they would have been in the 20th century, thanks to advances in medicine, science and even technology.
The body can be trained, and cycling is a widely accessible hobby for all ages, with more and more cyclists in middle age investing in their love of the activity. Fortunately, the noticeable changes in what you can achieve on two wheels are only incremental and coincide with a realisation that you have nothing to prove in terms of what you can do. The main point of spending Sunday replacing mtb components, cleaning your drivetrain and getting out by the afternoon is to make sure you continue to enjoy yourself while keeping fit simultaneously. As long as you sustain your cycling passion through the years to keep your body in good shape, and get plenty of recovery time, you are on the way to personal success.
If you want to enquire about any of our road, gravel or mtb components to sustain your performance, please contact us via our website.
