SlimRider

I dunno, after you've won so many races and lost so many races, it all just seems so elementary to me.

I think racing, for the most part, is a youthful occupation. As you mature, your thirst for speed and competition begins to subside in favor of exercise, recreation, motion, scenery, and the holistic synergy of cycling. You develop a greater appreciation for other aspects of cycling, as well. Though, at the same time, speed is not totally forgotten. It's sometimes revisited and enjoyed upon occasion.

Perhaps that's the reason the Fred population increases with maturity...

Farmer Dave

Being fast definitely helps stave off the ridicule after the group drops you on the typical club ride.

RT

Well said. The only form of racing in which I participate is being the anonymous guy who sneaks up the ladder on Strava segments.

mprelaw

I stopped reading around a third of the way down page 3.

Here's the bottom line: you don't have to be fast. But, you may have to be single.

Paul Barnard

You look like you are in a hurry to get home and play your next World of Warcraft game.

TMonk

how do you explain masters racing?

all my teammates are M35+ (still young), but I know plenty of M45+ guys who are stronger than me, and many local events around here have M55 or even M60+ categories.

ColinL

OP, in your sig there is a mileage counter. By most standards, you ride plenty.

If you're not reasonably fast then I would suggest easing back on long slow miles and ramping up interval workouts. Most riders that can do the miles that you have done would (should?) not be struggling to average 16 mph.

chasm54

You know nothing, as has been amply demonstrated by your posts on a host of other subjects. I started my first race this season, at the age of 57. You're a dipstick.

Drag

This.

Rx Rider

I learned 20 odd years ago that guys in their 50's can put it down with the best of them. slo is a state of mind. my goal is to be one of those 50 somethings that puts them whippersnappers in their place.

RT

Good Lord.

big john

You just haven't met the right guy on a mountain bike yet. When you do, there won't be anything you can do about him (or her) dropping you.

Drew Eckhardt 

No although with less torque countering your torso weight you might appreciate a less aggressive position.

Road bike brake hoods at an appropriate height and closely spaced gears feel good regardless of how fast you're going.

patentcad

Because I'm probably the oldest guy in the friggin race, that's why.

patentcad

The only video game I ever liked was Grand Turismo (cool driving game), and I stopped playing it because it actually gave me motion sickness.

mikepwagner

I think that I am the proverbial "$100 rider on a $1000 bike".

When I started riding last summer, I pulled a 1987 GT Tequest out of the garage and started pushing pedals.

I promised that if I kept riding through spring, I'd buy a nice bike. This spring, I bought a carbon frame Ultegra equipped bike with a Mavic Aksium Race wheelset.

There is no doubt that the bike is overkill for my current abilities.

But I had the money, and I love the bike. What else can I say?

The two aspects of the new bike I like the best:

1. The drive train is reliable. Since I don't have to worry quiet as much about missed shifts, I change gears more frequently. That allows me to attack hills a little more aggressively, and is a lot of fun.
2. The fact that the bike is much lighter helps with hills (I think), but ti really makes schleppning the bike around a lot easier.

BillyD

Fast is overrated.

Terry66

I think part of the issue here is what is a "nice" bike? Lets face it...a decent entry level road bike will cost you about a grand. Is that what the OP is calling a "nice" bike compared to a $400 hybrid....or is he talking a $10K carbon bike, Di2 group with carbon aero wheels? I suppose it really doesn't matter, but I think if someone is a beginner rider, it makes perfect sense to buy up a couple of levels from the bottom so they have something to grow into. I started off with a $1000 Specialized aluminum bike and then after the first year and a half I spent about $3K on my current bike. I would have been much better off just spending the $3K from the beginning....at the time it seemed like $3K was CRAZY to spend on a bike and that I would NEVER need a bike like that.

JustinNY

Hindsight is 20/20. For every one person who loves it, theres probably 5 that give up and sell their bike on CL at a loss. I'm a big fan of buying something reasonably priced to start, even if it means you outgrow it quickly. If you realize you love the sport and know you will stick with it, then the sky is the limit.

twodownzero

No.

cellery

This is completely wrong. Everyone knows it's all about the bike.

RJM

I object to the title of this thread. Road bike does not equal race bike and no, you don't have to be fast to ride a nice road bike.

patentcad

fify

patentcad

Sit down counselor.

alexaschwanden

Thanks for all your input and opinions. I would have never guess this thread would reach five pages.wow