cat0020

Anyone else ride the same mileage as their age on their birthday?

Since age of 15, I've been pedaling the same mileage as my age on my birthday.
The last decade or so, I ride the route that I have around my house near Valley Forge, PA near horse farm country where there is little traffic, plenty of open space and calm country roads to really soak in the experience, reminiscent the year gone past and think about the people/events that have influenced my life in the last year.

This year, since I'm stuck in NYC area for my birthday, I had to come up with a slightly different plan to my birthday ride. 40+ miles among three boroughs in NYC, crossing two landmark bridges, dodging heavy traffic in summer heat in the city.

Started out in Coney Island, following the Belt Pkwy up to the Verrazano Bridge with nice easy bike path with sea breeze..





You can see the Statue of Liberty among the boats in the water:


Cut into heart of Brooklyn in Prospect Park, where I get two flats from glass shards on the road:




Cross Manhattan Bridge from Brooklyn into Manhattan:



Had planned to stops and took pictures in Manhattan, but the traffic and heat really made it difficult.. Rode into Central Park and up to Harlem.. then cross the George Washington Bridge back into NJ:







Though it's been well over a year since I've lived within NYC vicinity, I can't get used to the hectic pace, tight living space and the constant noise.
Sure I can operate among them, but I think the older I get, I more I crave the quiet countryside, open space, fresh air..

jefnvk

My birthdays are mostly covered in snow, and my age is such that I don't know that I'd want to do 30+ miles through random snow on a fat bike

Maybe I'll do my half birthday, that is coming up in 8 days!

indyfabz

Never, and I hope I never get to the point where doing that would interest me.

Phil_gretz

I'd love to ride on my birthday. I'll be 58 this year, so not too long of a ride. It would be nice.


I have never, ever, gotten to decide what I do on my Birthday. If it's a work day, then my employer gets to decide. If it's a weekend, then my wife and family get to decide what form of celebration makes them feel good about themselves. I simply tag along and smile appreciatively.


So, no, this coming birthday will be no different...

pdlamb

I've tried to do that for several years; it makes a good excuse to take off and go for a ride in the middle of the summer. I didn't get to do a birthday ride this year, but just wait until next year!

SA_Brak

Seems a little silly to me so I don't do it. But if that something you want to do, why not?

10 Wheels

Neato on the pics. Thanks

BobbyG

I did it for the first time this year.

bikecrate

Nice pics. The graft line for my age is going up and the line for my mileage is going down. It has been a few years since they intersected.

cat0020

I realize the mileage will just increase... that's why I started riding recumbent few years back, maybe switch to km instead of miles when it gets rough.. but the idea is to stay active.

I get a sense of peace and focus that I don't get from most other activities.. I enjoy cycling than most other activities.. regardless what kind of bike I'm riding, it's just what works for me.

CliffordK

Not on my birthday, but I did manage 52 MPH about a month ago.....

I could imagine it could get pretty exciting as I get older.

justtrying

Looked like you had a good time if you excluded the flats. If your in Brooklyn another nice ride is over the Marine Parkway Bridge to Jacob Riis Park To Rockaway Beach Blvd which has bike lanes. When you get to B126st you can ride the Boardwalk to Beach 9 st then over the bridge to Long Beach if you wants

pvillemasher

I think it's a cool idea.
But my birthday is in February, and even here in Texas the weather is sketchy that time of year (not to mention I'm usually out of shape in February)

Hey, if it gets really tough just change to meters, or feet

OldTryGuy

SUPER RIDE and pictures. Good old GW Bridge, I've crossed it many times. Glad to have left it behind in 1986 when we relocated to SW FL from Teaneck..

memebag

Nice pics! Looks like fun.

Machka 

I've been cycling my age on or near my birthday every year for the past 25 years or so.

Actually, most of the time I cycle more ... often a century (100 miles) just for good measure.

John_V 

I've been doing birthday rides since I got back into cycling at age 63. In October, I'll be 71 and on the last weekend of October, I do a ride across my state that actually gives me two birthday rides back to back (at least until I turn 80).

cat0020

45th birthday, 45 miles pedaled..
Started around 5:20 AM to beat the heat, neighbor's two feline friends came over to send me off:


Sunrise just above the trees:


Breakfast at a local high school track, 15 years ago when I 1st moved here it was a corn field.


Approaching the local sight:


This is about as close as you can get before flashing lights come after you.
After 9/11 there was an ARMY attack heli parked on the lawn:


Hiding in a tunnel for a snack to escape the heat:


Above the tunnel:


Over a bridge:


Got home just around 10:30 AM.. heat index in the triple digits today.. going to chill out at the YMCA pool.

bruce19

I was born and grew up in Hackensack. Very happy to be living in New England where the riding is so much better. But, I do enjoy seeing the old "stomping grounds" pics. Thank you.

mynewnchome

Really enjoyed the pictures on this thread, thanks.

I'm doing 2,019 miles in 2019. Just got back into cycling last January, about 1,100 complete. Never done a birthday ride...maybe this year.

delbiker1 

I do not do it every year but some years. It sure doesn't get easier. Sixty seven and Sept 6th, I believe a Friday, but I will back to driving a school bus. Still might do it on another day. I will definitely get in a b'day ride of some length.

cyclist2000

My bday is just after Christmas, and I live up north, it's a bit cold to ride 62 miles outside so I rode 62 miles on a trainer last year.

wipekitty

I've managed a ride on my birthday for the last five years or so, I think! Being born in July and located in the northern hemisphere helps.

Last year, I tried to do 100 + my age in miles, but came up about four miles short. This year, I was recovering from an injury and probably shouldn't have been riding at all, but did anyhow. I managed to hit my age in MPH, if that counts for anything!

jade408

Never have, maybe Incan make it a goal for next year. That’s a lot further than I ride, almost 2x the longest I have fit into a day. The weather is usually go around my birthday.

cat0020

Usually I prepare for long hours in The saddle by drinking lots of water 48 hours prior. 16-20 oz. per hour.
During the ride I drink about 24 oz. per hour. Today's heat index was triple digit with few point in the mid 70's.
I'm glad I got out early before the hottest part of the day.