Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Fifty Plus (50+)
Reload this Page >

Getting Soft

Notices
Fifty Plus (50+) Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling.

Getting Soft

Old 04-15-20, 11:36 PM
  #1  
downtube42
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
downtube42's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,802

Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Focus Mares AL, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Volae Team, Nimbus MUni

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 878 Post(s)
Liked 2,019 Times in 1,055 Posts
Getting Soft

In the last 6 years a lot of crap has happened. Laid off, moved twice leaving behind my cycling group, put on some weight, diagnosed with hypertension and put on meds. I've kept up the randonneuring, finishing two more 1200s but it's clearly harder. On brevets, I've gone from a front-third finisher to a last-third finisher. October last year, just after finishing a tough 1000k, I fractured my neck in a bad crash, setting things way way back. Basically a six year downhill slide with an exclamation point.

I'm finding the recovery harder than expected. Not because of loss of fitness; it's the lack of willingness to suffer. Just 6 years ago at age 54, in 24 hours of focused effort I covered 400 miles. Tonight I went out and did hill repeats, and I'd say my intentions to lay down some rule #5 were not met due to general wussiness.

Getting slower with age is expected, and even to be embraced as yet another challenge. But this... basically I feel like I've gotten mentally soft, and that is creating an existential crisis.

wtf.
downtube42 is offline  
Likes For downtube42:
Old 04-16-20, 01:15 AM
  #2  
bruce19
Senior Member
 
bruce19's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,456

Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1722 Post(s)
Liked 1,272 Times in 734 Posts
I guess we have some things in common. My attitude has always been bent towards competition. Having been a college QB and SS.that's to be expected I suppose. On July 24th 2013 I crashed and broke my neck. After 8 days in the hospital I came home with C1 & C2 fused and limited ROM. I was 67 at the time. Shortly after that I started having issues with high BP. I was put on a Beta blocker and that almost killed me. I couldn't spin the pedals. I had to sleep every 6 hrs. And, I got depressed. A friend who is a Naturopathic Doctor suggested that I dump the meds and take 100% organic beet juice. That helped quite a bit and I later found out that professional athletes drink it as an energy booster. Then last year, after about 3 days of zero beet juice, I got up and took my BP. It was 170/110. Now I was concerned. But, rather than just resume the beet juice, I did some research. I was trying to see what in my diet and lifestyle might contribute to high BP. I settled on caffeine. I have been a HUGE coffee drinker. First I went to decaf and my BP dropped to 125/85. Then I experimented by taking my BP after zero coffee. Even lower. I think my low was 117/77. These days I limit my decaf as long as my BP is around 120/80. I have also managed to reign in my competitive juices except for a 7 mi. TT I do about twice a month. It's fairly flat but last year I managed a PB of 19.1 mph. If you haven't already I'd do some examination of diet and lifestyle. Good luck.
bruce19 is offline  
Old 04-16-20, 07:58 AM
  #3  
Classtime 
Senior Member
 
Classtime's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,672

Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1924 Post(s)
Liked 1,954 Times in 1,086 Posts
I attribute my slower speeds and inability to suffer to my focus on riding primarily long slow distance. I thought that I was pushing it on solo rides and doing lots of climbing. A few weeks ago, I put new batteries in my HR monitor and realized that my perceived effort was fantasy. 4 or five weeks ago I did hill repeats--3@150 bpm and i was suffering. I was complaining out loud during the latter parts of each 10 minute effort. Then for a couple rides, did that same climb a single time at 160 and while it hurt, I did do it. Last week I did 3 @ 160 and it didn't feel any worse than the earlier 3 @ 150. Part of that is probably improved fitness and part of it is mental. I'll do my regular 25 mile loop today and try to keep my HR at 125-130. I'm pretty sure that when I was riding long and preparing for 200 events, all my rides were too easy and likely 90-110 bpm on the flats. Our doctors tell us that a 30 minute casual ride is enough. But not for us. Keep it up.
__________________
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
Classtime is offline  
Old 04-16-20, 08:38 AM
  #4  
Happy Feet
Senior Member
 
Happy Feet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Left Coast, Canada
Posts: 5,126
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2236 Post(s)
Liked 1,313 Times in 706 Posts
I think, as we get older, we need to readjust our expectations away from external benchmarks and refocus on more intrinsic goals. At 56 I am more active now than I was in my 40's but there is also the reality that a 56 YO body will not have the recovery of a 20 or 30YO (how I still see myself internally). These days I focus on maintaining a regular routine of fitness, selecting physical challenges that appeal to me, and really work on diet and stress free lifestyle.

For example, one may think not being in the top third finish of a 1000km event may seem bad in comparison to earlier efforts but you are probably in the top 10% of your age bracket of people who could even complete one. If one remains focused on working to remain active in those activities, though not necessarily as competitive, this fitness within your age bracket will only increase as you age. Like a brevet, I am aiming at the long game in terms of ability. The key is to overcome the psychological pitfalls that creep in to say you are getting too old to be doing XYZ. Looking at past performance and feeling bad that you can't repeat them is one such mental trap.

Laird Hamilton (older big wave surfer) said a neat thing in an interview. Basically, it's not so much the body that gets old but the mind. It says "I'm too old for this" and then the body accepts and follows suit. Conversely, you can think the opposite but have to be skillful in adapting to the way the older body reacts to effort; mainly longer recovery time and a greater need to focus on diet, rest, stress.

Also, the most destructive thing for maintaining athletic performance is thinking we somehow now deserve comfort. Whenever I talk to others about activity the chief complaint and de motivator is the fear/rejection of discomfort. However, you can't go big without it. My philosophy is: there will be plenty of time to rest when I'm dead.

Last edited by Happy Feet; 04-16-20 at 08:44 AM.
Happy Feet is offline  
Likes For Happy Feet:
Old 04-16-20, 09:17 AM
  #5  
TakingMyTime
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Los Alamitos, Calif.
Posts: 2,477

Bikes: Trek 7.4 FX

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1026 Post(s)
Liked 912 Times in 535 Posts
Originally Posted by Happy Feet
I think, as we get older, we need to readjust our expectations away from external benchmarks and refocus on more intrinsic goals. At 56 I am more active now than I was in my 40's but there is also the reality that a 56 YO body will not have the recovery of a 20 or 30YO (how I still see myself internally). These days I focus on maintaining a regular routine of fitness, selecting physical challenges that appeal to me, and really work on diet and stress free lifestyle.
Exactly. If I could do all the things the same way I did when I was 25, I'd still be 25. There's just no way that will happen now at 65. That's a 40 year difference. Try and show me something that hasn't lost something over 40 years. I remember training for my first Century at 25. I still live near those places and could recreate those rides if I wanted. Sure I want to, but they would kill me. I have a whole new set of goals and expectations and I'm perfectly fine with that.

If we all got faster and stronger as we aged you'd see a lot more 65 year old guys on the Olympic podium. Be happy with where you are and get out and ride.
TakingMyTime is offline  
Old 04-16-20, 09:38 AM
  #6  
Digger6255
Junior Member
 
Digger6255's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Rochester,WA
Posts: 111

Bikes: CAAD13 Disc, Ridley Fenix, Electra Lux 7D

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Liked 24 Times in 17 Posts
I wish I could still do the physical things that I did in my 20's but it's not realistic at 56. I don't push as hard as I used to during any exercise and I'm ok with that. I do still drive a 195 mph dragster though....
Digger6255 is offline  
Old 04-16-20, 09:59 AM
  #7  
big john
Senior Member
 
big john's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,095
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8183 Post(s)
Liked 8,840 Times in 4,390 Posts
Originally Posted by Digger6255
I do still drive a 195 mph dragster though....
What class?
big john is offline  
Old 04-16-20, 10:01 AM
  #8  
Digger6255
Junior Member
 
Digger6255's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Rochester,WA
Posts: 111

Bikes: CAAD13 Disc, Ridley Fenix, Electra Lux 7D

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Liked 24 Times in 17 Posts
Originally Posted by big john
What class?
Top Dragster and I bracket race.
Digger6255 is offline  
Likes For Digger6255:
Old 04-16-20, 10:08 AM
  #9  
big john
Senior Member
 
big john's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,095
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8183 Post(s)
Liked 8,840 Times in 4,390 Posts
Patience is the key. I don't have the ultra riding experience you do nor have i suffered the same setbacks but my riding, my speed, and my endurance dropped off a lot during my last 2 or 3 years on the job. It got to the point where I was pricing e-bikes and checking their range to see if I could do group rides with my friends. I also considered switching back to motorcycles.

Instead, I retired when I turned 65 and spent months riding 4 days per week and I actually started hanging on to the faster groups and sometimes I wasn't last. It takes time and patience. It's frustrating and even after seeing obvious gains sometimes I want to give up, at least give up keeping up with younger and/or fitter riders.
big john is offline  
Old 04-16-20, 10:09 AM
  #10  
big john
Senior Member
 
big john's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,095
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8183 Post(s)
Liked 8,840 Times in 4,390 Posts
Originally Posted by Digger6255
Top Dragster and I bracket race.
Big block Chevy? What's your breakout time?
big john is offline  
Old 04-16-20, 10:18 AM
  #11  
Digger6255
Junior Member
 
Digger6255's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Rochester,WA
Posts: 111

Bikes: CAAD13 Disc, Ridley Fenix, Electra Lux 7D

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Liked 24 Times in 17 Posts
Originally Posted by big john
Big block Chevy? What's your breakout time?
Yes 632 ci all aluminum BBC with 1320 hp on motor. Dial in depends on numerous things, 1/4 mile or 1/8 mile weather etc. In Top Dragster I am usually dialed in the 6-90's for 1/4 mile. When I bracket race I slow it down a bit and dial 7.00's in the 1/4 and 4.40's for 1/8 mile races.
Digger6255 is offline  
Old 04-16-20, 10:31 AM
  #12  
Wildwood 
Veteran, Pacifist
 
Wildwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,303

Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?

Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3874 Post(s)
Liked 4,779 Times in 2,204 Posts
Welcome to middle age. It really is a wake-up call for many.

Just keep riding some, it will come back to you... or not.

At almost 70yo, cycling is more important now than ever to me. But I don't ride faster or further. Saddle time with smiles over miles. Take some pics, entertain us. Ever pack a proper lunch for a longer ride?

You sound the competitive type - try the indoor smart trainers. Group rides and races, virtually all over the World. Less hassle, no roadside break-downs, etc.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Wildwood is offline  
Old 04-16-20, 10:41 AM
  #13  
big john
Senior Member
 
big john's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,095
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8183 Post(s)
Liked 8,840 Times in 4,390 Posts
Originally Posted by Digger6255
Yes 632 ci all aluminum BBC with 1320 hp on motor. Dial in depends on numerous things, 1/4 mile or 1/8 mile weather etc. In Top Dragster I am usually dialed in the 6-90's for 1/4 mile. When I bracket race I slow it down a bit and dial 7.00's in the 1/4 and 4.40's for 1/8 mile races.
6-90! Awesome. Sounds like it would be so much fun. I've been to the Winternationals here a few times and I'm amazed by the fuel cars but the pro stock cars are going faster than the fuel cars were when I was a kid. There was a strip called San Fernando Drag Strip in the 60s and my friends and I would ride our bike there on Sundays and we could watch for free from an overpass. The fuel cars were just starting to hit 200 in the 1/4 mile.
big john is offline  
Likes For big john:
Old 04-16-20, 01:46 PM
  #14  
Classtime 
Senior Member
 
Classtime's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,672

Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1924 Post(s)
Liked 1,954 Times in 1,086 Posts
I'm with downtube42 wtf?

I was having difficulty hanging my '85 Schwinn Cimarron on the upper bike rack in the garage and considered switching it with a lighter bike that currently rests on a lower rack. And then I htfu. I started adding a little lifting to my normal core strengthening sessions. I got soft but I'm not going to stay soft.
Of course, at our age (any age really), there can be accidents and distractions. If we perceive them as challenges and not excuses, we get harder and not softer.
__________________
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
Classtime is offline  
Likes For Classtime:
Old 04-16-20, 03:12 PM
  #15  
hrdknox1
Junior Member
 
hrdknox1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 184
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 85 Post(s)
Liked 53 Times in 40 Posts
When I turned sixty (60) I started taking short cuts on group rides to keep contact with the younger riders. It kind of made me lose some of the impetus to train hard. I have since (seven years later) moved to the old folks state of Florida. Now I am more motivated than ever to train hard because there are lots of people my age here who stay fit and competitve.
Don't stop being competitive. Performance is quite relative to who you are up against. Find a group of riders your age, and enjoy.....you'll feel much better.
hrdknox1 is offline  
Old 04-16-20, 03:31 PM
  #16  
canklecat
Me duelen las nalgas
 
canklecat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,522

Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel

Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4558 Post(s)
Liked 2,798 Times in 1,798 Posts
Yeah. Yup. Mmm-hmmm. Same.
canklecat is offline  
Old 04-16-20, 06:29 PM
  #17  
OldTryGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SW Fl.
Posts: 5,604

Bikes: Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser

Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1063 Post(s)
Liked 771 Times in 499 Posts
Originally Posted by downtube42
In the last 6 years a lot of crap has happened. Laid off, moved twice leaving behind my cycling group, put on some weight, diagnosed with hypertension and put on meds. I've kept up the randonneuring, finishing two more 1200s but it's clearly harder. On brevets, I've gone from a front-third finisher to a last-third finisher. October last year, just after finishing a tough 1000k, I fractured my neck in a bad crash, setting things way way back. Basically a six year downhill slide with an exclamation point.

I'm finding the recovery harder than expected. Not because of loss of fitness; it's the lack of willingness to suffer. Just 6 years ago at age 54, in 24 hours of focused effort I covered 400 miles. Tonight I went out and did hill repeats, and I'd say my intentions to lay down some rule #5 were not met due to general wussiness.

Getting slower with age is expected, and even to be embraced as yet another challenge. But this... basically I feel like I've gotten mentally soft, and that is creating an existential crisis.

wtf.
DT42, I'm going to be 70(hopefully) in July, a little broken neck bike crash in 2011, bi-lateral orchiectomy( look it up) in 2015 to begin my treatment for Gleason 10(look it up) Prostate Cancer, 141 miles last Tuesday and took until last night/this morning to find legs for another ride of 121 miles. I've got it easy compared to my PCa Brothers so my suggestion is to keep in mind that just one crank rotation at a time gets you places and ENJOY whatever you can do.
OldTryGuy is offline  
Old 04-16-20, 09:06 PM
  #18  
downtube42
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
downtube42's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,802

Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Focus Mares AL, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Volae Team, Nimbus MUni

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 878 Post(s)
Liked 2,019 Times in 1,055 Posts
Thanks everyone for the useful posts. I went out tonight for an easy spin to follow up last night's attempt at intervals, and it was quite enjoyable. I guess I'll back off the expectations a bit but keep up with some structured training.
downtube42 is offline  
Likes For downtube42:
Old 04-18-20, 08:04 AM
  #19  
Happy Feet
Senior Member
 
Happy Feet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Left Coast, Canada
Posts: 5,126
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2236 Post(s)
Liked 1,313 Times in 706 Posts
Originally Posted by downtube42
Thanks everyone for the useful posts. I went out tonight for an easy spin to follow up last night's attempt at intervals, and it was quite enjoyable. I guess I'll back off the expectations a bit but keep up with some structured training.
I think the key thing is to be skillful about it. Remaining (relatively) competitive is possible as we age but requires a degree more dedication and calculation/scheduling. Recovery from fatigue and injury just takes longer.

What makes for a good older athlete is the continued internal drive required to work with those limitations and move forward. Others bump up against them and assume it means their time has come and gone, and stop. Or.. they mainly engage in sport for external rewards and when those decrease they are no longer as motivated.

I've always thought that being athletic doesn't require any particular base skill other than the ability to endure discomfort and fatigue. DOMS, heat/cold, exertion, boredom, bonks... some meet those experiences and quit to seek comfort. Others work through them and continue to develop. As we age you now add longer recovery intervals to the mix.

Last edited by Happy Feet; 04-18-20 at 08:08 AM.
Happy Feet is offline  
Old 04-18-20, 02:59 PM
  #20  
downtube42
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
downtube42's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,802

Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Focus Mares AL, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Volae Team, Nimbus MUni

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 878 Post(s)
Liked 2,019 Times in 1,055 Posts
Originally Posted by Happy Feet
I think the key thing is to be skillful about it. Remaining (relatively) competitive is possible as we age but requires a degree more dedication and calculation/scheduling. Recovery from fatigue and injury just takes longer.

What makes for a good older athlete is the continued internal drive required to work with those limitations and move forward. Others bump up against them and assume it means their time has come and gone, and stop. Or.. they mainly engage in sport for external rewards and when those decrease they are no longer as motivated.

I've always thought that being athletic doesn't require any particular base skill other than the ability to endure discomfort and fatigue. DOMS, heat/cold, exertion, boredom, bonks... some meet those experiences and quit to seek comfort. Others work through them and continue to develop. As we age you now add longer recovery intervals to the mix.
I had an older cycling mentor who simply hung up his cleats when he could no longer ride with the recreational A group. I told myself I wouldn't be that guy... actually I can't be that guy because I was always with the B group, but you get the point. And I'm not lamenting the inevitable loss of athletic potential and performance. It's about the drive and willingness to suffer. Maybe it's just the impact of recovering slowly from immobilization.

I registered for a 1200k in August that was supposed to be my motivation. In my head I know that strategic suffering between now and then is essential to avoid intolerable suffering at the event, but it ain't working.

I'm just going to put my head down like it's a long headwind stretch, stop thinking, and grind it out.
downtube42 is offline  
Likes For downtube42:
Old 04-18-20, 03:16 PM
  #21  
tyrion
Senior Member
 
tyrion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 4,077

Bikes: Velo Orange Piolet

Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2228 Post(s)
Liked 2,011 Times in 972 Posts
If getting mentally soft as you age makes you anxious or upset, you're probably not smoking enough pot.
tyrion is offline  
Likes For tyrion:
Old 04-18-20, 03:34 PM
  #22  
Hondo Gravel
Life Feeds On Life
 
Hondo Gravel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Hondo,Texas
Posts: 2,143

Bikes: Too many Motobecanes

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4385 Post(s)
Liked 4,496 Times in 3,008 Posts
Originally Posted by downtube42
In the last 6 years a lot of crap has happened. Laid off, moved twice leaving behind my cycling group, put on some weight, diagnosed with hypertension and put on meds. I've kept up the randonneuring, finishing two more 1200s but it's clearly harder. On brevets, I've gone from a front-third finisher to a last-third finisher. October last year, just after finishing a tough 1000k, I fractured my neck in a bad crash, setting things way way back. Basically a six year downhill slide with an exclamation point.

I'm finding the recovery harder than expected. Not because of loss of fitness; it's the lack of willingness to suffer. Just 6 years ago at age 54, in 24 hours of focused effort I covered 400 miles. Tonight I went out and did hill repeats, and I'd say my intentions to lay down some rule #5 were not met due to general wussiness.

Getting slower with age is expected, and even to be embraced as yet another challenge. But this... basically I feel like I've gotten mentally soft, and that is creating an existential crisis.

wtf.
Soft? Well I don’t see you that way at all. Hardcore is more like it. Too hard on yourself! Not many people can do what you can. I’m coming back at 52 I have a about 750 gravel miles so far, I’m on mile 133 this week and I’m shot so today I rest. DUDE YOU ARE NOT SOFT.
Hondo Gravel is offline  
Old 04-19-20, 02:35 AM
  #23  
peterws
Senior Member
 
peterws's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Near Lancaster
Posts: 548

Bikes: Carrera Virtuoso and friend

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 129 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 47 Times in 38 Posts
Always, the talk is of miles. I had an associate who was a keen racer, late 50's 20 years ago. "Get the miles in!" was his mantra. I never done that; I've always rode alone, sometimes encounter someone on the road for a natter. I always went out for an hour, two hours or 45 minutes over my favourite hilly course with 1 in 4s to contend with.
I preferred those and still do. With the state of the roads, the Gym seeemed the sensible option with the bike courses they run (I've mentioned them before) which also took on the task of motivating me.
Since it was shut it was back around the local roads again, over the hills.

It is harder. In the Gym you subconsciously work out your best power delivery options for what comes next. Your feet dance to the music, and recovery is short so you cheat on the loading. On the road, you tend not to. there's always the top of the hill; the harder you go, the faster it comes and you get out of breath in a way that just doesn't happen in the Gym.
I've enjoyed the fresh air, my roadbike, even the traffic; the enthusiasm's still there but for the bumps. I'm too old to do bumps in the road without a bit of cushioning, particularly the wrists in my case.
peterws is offline  
Old 04-19-20, 11:31 AM
  #24  
bmcer
Senior Member
 
bmcer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 406

Bikes: Full campy Record EPS BMC Team Machine slr01, Canyon CF SL 8.0 Endurance

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 106 Post(s)
Liked 107 Times in 66 Posts
I think a lot of the discussion that goes into these "I ain't what I used to be" laments is just a matter of perception. The fact is as we age, our bodies decline. That's just basic biology. At 72 y/o, I can't do what I did when I was 20 years younger without feeling it more and taking longer to recover. So what? I still love the feel of riding, pushing myself hard enough to see little improvements over time, but not so hard I miss the scenery or that lovely sound a good set of tubulars makes on a hard climb or in a tight corner on an enthusiastic descent. To me, it all depends on your perspective. I'm either a very average 50 y/o or I'm in the top 15% of what's expected for a septuagenarian. Either way, my body still responds to training. Just not as fast or as much. But it feels just a good as when I was a whole lot younger, and it makes me smile just as much now as it did then.
bmcer is offline  
Old 04-28-20, 04:08 AM
  #25  
David Bierbaum
Senior Member
 
David Bierbaum's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: St. Louis Metro East area
Posts: 1,633

Bikes: 1992 Specialized Crossroads (red)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 35 Times in 19 Posts
The pride of achieving a goal through physical suffering is a form of enjoyment for some, but I have to think that one day, everyone will wake up and think to themselves; "what is fun about making myself hurt?"

It may be time to replace "How far do I want to go?" with "where would I like to go today?". As you get used to riding again, you can revisit your original goal, or decide that it's no longer the main goal for you.
David Bierbaum is offline  
Likes For David Bierbaum:

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.