Riding a Bike at Age 50
We’re not chasing speed or racing for medals — riding a bike slowly through green, peaceful roads, we savor every moment of life
Any Age Is the Right Time to Start Loving Yourself
Riding a Bike at Age 50
Have you ever paused halfway up the stairs, feeling slightly breathless? Or noticed how it takes you a little longer to get moving in the morning? Perhaps your days are so packed that you’ve lost touch with your own body. And then comes the thought: “Don’t I still want to live well—with joy, purpose, health?”
That was the moment I chose to begin. Quietly. Without fuss or fanfare. Every Saturday morning, while the city is still wrapped in sleep, the “K19 Cycling Group and Friends” gathers on a familiar street corner, ready for a new journey. Colorful bikes, sporty outfits, and bright smiles fill the scene with energy — the energy of people who may not be young anymore, but are still burning with passion.
Our group began as a circle of university friends, all from the K19 cohort, united by a love of cycling for health and connection. At first, our rides were just a few kilometers. Then we pushed to 20–30 km, winding through backroads around Ho Chi Minh City. Eventually, our paths led further, past sleepy villages, lush dikes, and rice fields scented with early morning dew.
Five years later, our group has grown beyond old classmates. Teenage children, and even members in their 60s and 70s, now ride with us. From 120 to 150 km a day, we’ve conquered sun-drenched coastal highways in Central Vietnam, mountain passes in the Central Highlands, and peaceful rivers of the Mekong Delta, meeting generous and kind-hearted people along the way.
The number of friends and family members joining the cycling group is increasing
Even in our fifties, when our stamina isn’t what it once was, cycling still brings wonder. It isn’t as intense as running or as repetitive as the gym. Each ride strengthens the body, refreshes the lungs, and nourishes the soul. Cycling teaches us to listen to our bodies, keep our heart rate steady, and recognize the improvements that come ride by ride.
While driving might make you miss the world outside your window, cycling lets you become part of it. Some country roads are barely wide enough for a single bike, shaded by rows of swaying palms. On misty mornings, the fields are veiled in fog, and sparrows sing from the treetops — and all you want to do is pause, breathe deeply, and take it all in.
We often stop to snap photos at places few people visit: a hidden beach, a fruit-laden garden beside a narrow lane, or a simple wooden bridge over a quiet canal. Each photo marks not just a moment, but the memory of a journey well-traveled.
Cycling, for us, is not just about fitness or exploration — it’s about connection. On long rides, we talk about work, family, and life, sharing coffee at rest stops. A flat tire, a sip of water under the blazing sun, a gentle push up a steep hill — these moments become treasured memories.
Ride a Bike, Rediscover Life
Under the guidance of our devoted team leader, we’re more than companions on the road — we’re companions in life. Cycling has shown us that sometimes, all it takes is the right word at the right moment, a hand on the shoulder, to push through life’s tougher climbs.
Cycling not only allows us to accompany each other on various routes, but also helps us make more high-quality friendships
Being 50 doesn’t mean slowing down — it means living more fully. After years devoted to careers, children, and family, we’re finally giving time back to ourselves, embracing experiences we used to put off.
Each rotation of the pedals not only holds back the hands of time but reveals the joy in life’s smallest details: a sugarcane drink by the roadside, a breeze through your hair, or simply the sensation of a strong, capable body after a ride.
We’re not chasing speed or trophies. We ride slowly, savoring every green-lined path and enjoying life on our own terms. We hope our journey inspires others who are still hesitating. It’s never too late to begin, never too late to explore the world your way, and never too late to grow beautiful friendships along the way.
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