How to train for gravel cycling in your 40s, 50s, and beyond

I get a few regular questions here on The Ride:
-What’s your favorite gravel bike?
-How do you train for gravel?
-And, how old ARE you?

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Gear I use for shooting (not sponsored!):

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[GravelRacer]

I'm 53 and instinctively follow the 7 rules. I would add #8: Listen to your body. If after a hard session you're still not feeling it on day 2. Take an extra rest day.

[mogulmayhem]

My only goal in cycling now is to have fun. Cycling is an escape from life. These days I prioritize avoiding injury, "feeling fast, " and developing the right habits off the bike to keep having fun while on it. Maybe I'm the minority, but racing, power, and KOMs mean nothing to me.

[perjensen]

Hi Ben. I’m 62 and started cycling during Covid on an MTB. Now I ride my cheap gravel bike on every Saturday (20-50 miles) and I commute every day on an e-bike. I just love my Saturday rides and slowly my endurance and stamina are getting stronger. I love your videos and your down to earth attitude. Thank you so much. First ride today btw with my single sided 4iiii power meter.

[deanf]

At the age of 60 after 32 years of cycling (25 of those racing) I bought a power meter to train for a UCI World Gravel Series Event. Without this is the best bit of cycling kit I have ever bought. A brilliant tool for training. Obviously, I have many years of experience of training but a power meter a great aid to managing your effort and data to use when I actually did the race. I have qualified to ride the Worlds in Belgium. So will be using the power meter to train for the worlds.

[SpaceGhostLeni]

gravel dads + ben delaney videos
name a more iconic duo

[SteveSurette]

62 yrs young I Just downloaded the FasCat app thx

[andrewnicholas]

I appreciate the fact that your talking to us. Rather than talking down to us like some youtube or pod casters.

[jeffs]

Excellent video Ben, informative. I was waiting for the age- 48 yrs is young from my 62 yo perspective.

[robbchastain]

This is a really fantastic conversation, Ben, thanks so much. And if I could add my two centavos, it would be to not be ashamed of safety and one thing I do is ride on flats these days. Not afraid of clipless, just that falls are instant and I'd rather not go down with the ship. I just think flats provide that little bit of time to react to slips and falls.

[gravelDave]

One thing i learned from 30 years of mountainbiking is that all those injuries you pick up in your early years come back to bite you in your 50's. Back, knee problems for me. The net effect is that it is this pain that prevents you from riding frequently enough and this is what sends you on a downward spiral. Advice - bike fit, rear suspension and try to stay on the bike!

[redrep]

Thanks Ben and Frank for the very practical advice and acknowledging that we can all have different goals.

[ljhoule]

Retired to CO from Alaska in ‘19 intent on buying a “new” mountain bike. However, I discovered a Diverge Gravel bike and gravel races. Love the gravel community and gravel races, it has replaced my passion for XCountry skiing! Great video great insight - keep it up!! Thanks!

[larryt.atcycleitalia]

You're living the dream my man! Keep it up until you can't...then you can move on to e-bikes. I'm already there! My goal is just to have fun and keep on getting out there every day that I can. As they say, "use it or lose it."

[downundermtb]

Driving a Specialized Diverge with an 11 speed. I watched one of Ben’s videos about him riding with an Ethirteen cassette. I made the change with a new set of carbon wheels. At 55 I struggled between mountain biking and Gravelling. Work or working shift work takes it toll also. I’ve come to the conclusion that I should just do what I can manage. Love your videos Ben . Taiwan is a must . Stay strong stay healthy 👍

[andymarks]

Thanks for this video. I'm preparing for two rides in September, a 20 mile 50/50 gravel ride in Idaho, and a 60 mi road ride in western Colorado. I'm not quite 150% of your age, but I've noticed over the last 7 years that my body sends bills for past transgressions, almost like in Dickens A Christmas Carol. I tend to over do everything. I like this video because your advice to break goals down and address them bit by bit is working. I'm following a coach's training plan, riding 80-100 mi/wk, with two "off bike" days I honor, and unless I go nuts with property maintenance work, Garmin tells me I'm recovering well each week. I liked the video because I'm trying to get race-day (ride, I don't race) stuff ironed out before the day, and you named a few things I haven't quite worked out yet. I'm envious of those trails you feature with Boulder's Flatirons in the background.

[timpenney]

Best advice I've heard. Thanks- good tip on practicing how to handle a bike on gravel.

[ralphmartinez]

You’re a chill dude. I remember I left a shitty comment a few yrs back about the s works gravel bike you reviewed and you were cool about it. Sorry about that Ben. Big thumbs 👍🏽 up for that

[williamroberts]

CU South! My stomping grounds! Me 67 and doing pretty well on 6 hrs. a week with plenty of (slow) climbing and days off between efforts.

[gearsofmedicine]

Excellent video Ben, awesome for health and longevity - and safety and proficiency - hope everyone enjoys the ride!

[flamencoguru]

Thanks a million for this video, Ben! Super helpful and insightful! I'm going to take this advice and run with it (or ride with it 🙂) Peace, Errol