The Midlife Cyclist

The Road Map for the +40 Rider Who Wants to Train Hard, Ride Fast and Stay Healthy

By: Phil Cavell

Narrated by: Phil Cavell

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Bloomsbury presents The Midlife Cyclist by Phil Cavell, read by Phil Cavell.

Renowned cycling biomechanics pioneer Phil Cavell explores the growing trend of middle-aged and older cyclists seeking to achieve high-level performance. Using contributions from leading coaches, ex-professionals and pro-team doctors, he produces the ultimate manifesto for mature riders who want to stay healthy, avoid injury - and maximise their achievement levels.

Time's arrow traditionally plots an incremental path into declining strength and speed for all of us. But we are different to every other generation of cyclists in human history. An ever-growing number of us are determined to scale the highest peaks of elite physical fitness into middle-age and beyond. Can the emerging medical and scientific research help us achieve the holy triumvirate of speed and health with age?

The Midlife Cyclist offers a gold standard roadmap for the mature cyclist who aims to train, perform and even race at the highest possible level.

©2022 Phil Cavell (P)2022 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic reviews

"I am blown away by the level of detail Phil Cavell brings to his work." (Elinor Barker MBE, multiple world champion and Olympic gold medallist)

"An amazing accomplishment...a simple-to-understand précis of your midlife as a cyclist - you won't want to put it down." (Phil Liggett, TV cycling commentator)

"Phil is eminently qualified to write The Midlife Cyclist. Well, he is certainly old enough." (Fabian Cancellara, Tour de France rider and two-time Olympic champion)

Must Read fie the mid life cyclist

Perfect timing as I’m in the target audience for this book. Well researched and interesting listen on how to be a healthy cyclist as you enter your 50s.

I'm not a cyclist, but it's worth a read.

Being the only rational person in the office who doesn't cycle, my colleague were hoping that it would inspire me to join their ranks as certified road pests. Although it failed to inspire me to make a commitment to long-term in saddle abuse, it is still worth reading. Definitely has a message for all of us struggling with training and performance in our chosen sports and hobbies as we get older. Definitely carries a message that will resonate with anyone over 40.

Good, not great.

Good, not great. Lots of useful information, albeit not supremely entertaining. know what you’re getting into.

Worth the read

This is a must read for those over 40 and wanting to have a healthy second half, rather than a decline in health. Aging doesn’t have to mean giving up. Too many are in poor health because they think that’s the normal progression. Bull crap. Read, ride, strength train! Get after it!

Learned a lot about aging, not just as a cyclist

I have to admit, while curious, I learned a lot about aging, and not just as a cyclist. I'm glad that I got the opportunity to give this a listen. Life, IMHO, is al about learning. I'm glad for the experience and to be able to por this into practice.

If the Title Describes You, Buy This Book

Fantastic collection of wisdom and science for we cyclists over 40. It’s enlightening and motivating for cycling and health. I also bought a Kindle copy for the section on bike fit adjustments for specific aches and pains. Just wish I could go on a ride (and have a drink) with Mr. Cavell.

Must read

This was a very insightful read. Riders over and under 40 should read this book.

Exceptionally well put together.

I’m a 41yo cyclist, seven months into a return to the sport after several years away from it. I’m around 182cm, 80kg, fairly lean and my FTP is currently around 300w according to Trainer Road’s AI estimate and edging up a little each month I’ve been back. I’m very much enjoying my return to the sport and as a result, after listing to this book, am realizing I may have overdone the FTP sessions a little, causing too much fatigue, as I have become obsessed (a common trap for many modern cyclists) with raising my FTP, with the view to racing in B grade, or, maybe even being handy to help out in A grade Masters, eventually. I’m so so glad I’ve listened to Phil’s book The Midlife Cyclist. It has given me a great deal of perspective and some golden information as to how get the most out of my still relatively young, but nonetheless ‘past peak’ aging body. This book is brilliant for any cyclist, or non-cyclists for that matter, of any age - not just midlife, whom want to be strong, fit, healthy and happy both on and off the bike. The scientific input with recent medical and cycling specific empirically based data, is a cut above! Furthermore, Phil’s high intelligence and depth and breadth of life experience and within the sport, really come to the fore in how this book has been put together and delivered. I highly recommend it and will be doing so to anyone, of any age, wanting to be fit, strong, healthy and happy as we all peddle down the cycle lane of life. Who wouldn’t!

Excellent and Enjoyable Cycling Book

This was a really excellent and enjoyable cycling book for the avid cyclists, as well as amateur racers, and pros. It's for over 40, but it should be read, (or listened to), by younger cyclists as well, especially those approaching midlife.

Certain parts of it can be fairly detailed and in depth, but if you pay close attention anyone can understand it.

Not for everyone, but well worth it for others

This book covers how aging athletes, especially bikers, need to understand how their metabolism changes. It sometimes gets a bit dry, but it was very informative.