Coach's Corner — Why Different Cyclists Have Different Priorities

Our Coach’s Corner series is your chance to have your biggest cycling questions answered — right from longtime cycling coach Darryl MacKenzie. In these short Q&As, Coach Darryl speaks from his 35+ years of cycling and coaching experience to help you become a stronger, smarter cyclist.

Curious Cyclist:

Coach, why do other cyclists prioritize different aspects of their cycling than I do? It seems like they think entirely differently about their cycling plans and goals.

Coach Darryl:

As a sport, cycling appeals to all sorts of people from different walks of life. And that means priorities can vary widely from one rider to another. I find this is especially true across different age groups. 

Long ago, I developed a philosophy that adults prioritize three things differently depending on their life stage. Their approach to money, time and health may differ depending on their age. As a result, one person may make a different decision than you would, largely because they are in a different stage in life. 

Recently, I was talking with another cyclist about this, and we applied these principles to other riders’ decisions. Here’s how it typically works.

The Youthful Years: Tight on Money

Generally, people don’t have major health and time shortages between ages 20 and 40, but money is in short supply. They're beginning their career, often at a lower pay scale. They may also buy their first home or a nicer car, or they’re having children — all major expenses. 

As a result, they may not have the newest bicycle. They spend their extra time repairing their bike to save money, and they may miss rides due to financial reasons.

Middle Age: Short on Time

In the next stage — ages 40 to 60 — cyclists usually aren’t as tight on money. They are in their highest earning years, and they are still relatively healthy. It’s time that comes up short in this season. Job responsibilities may keep them at work for long hours. They may be part of the “sandwich generation,” caring for kids and parents. 

So, they tend to spend money to buy more time. They’ll take their bike to the mechanic to avoid working on it themselves. They pay others to clean the house or mow the lawn to buy pedaling time. And they often have the newest and most expensive bikes, even if they do not always have the time to enjoy them.

The Senior Season: Declining Health

The third group, ages 60 to 80 (and older), faces a shortfall in the last area: health. Many are in or nearing retirement, freeing up their time. They’re also spending much less money, with no kids at home and fewer family and work expenses. However, some develop chronic health conditions. Many are having joint replacement surgery. I had to have both hips replaced a few years ago, which kept me off the bike for a full year — and it took another two years to get my cycling levels back to normal. 

If riders in this stage miss rides, it’s often due to health issues. I personally know two cyclists battling eye issues at the moment, making it harder to safely join group rides. That’s why many older cyclists often ride alone or with others who match their slower pace. And they tend to ride older bikes, since having the newest is less desirable than it once was.

The big idea? Different people have different cycling concerns depending on their current life situation. When someone makes a different cycling decision than you would, consider their current life situation and perspective before passing judgment on their priorities.