Helderberg

It was my first day with the temps in the 90's so I decided to take it easy and see how I fared. Surprised myself and feel good. At 70 I did not want to go out to hard and not be in any shape tomorrow to ride again. Elevation gain of 508' so it was a bit of a challenge but hey, can't make it too easy on the old legs.
Be safe all, Frank.

Mtl01

I have the opposite problem here in Montreal. We still are barely breaking into the low 60's. Add some clouds and wind and the biking conditions have been awful so far this season.

Had to end a ride earlier this week cause my ears were cold, lol.

Hondo Gravel

Better than the 0 miles I did today.

CodyDog

Think 8 - 10 miles is a great ride!

Helderberg

You'll get em next time.
Frank.

FiftySix

It sure has warmed up here, too. Last night's ride had me sweating while riding! I got so used to the cooler weather where I didn't start sweating until I got off the bike.

Maelochs

There are people who measure rides by how many miles, or average speed, or watts .... i measure rides by how much I liked the ride. I am not as far from 70 as i'd like, but if i end up there, i hope I can still make a post like yours.

Heat can be a real killer too, particularly early in the season. Going shorter and easier is smart. I am trying to stay acclimatized as the heat builds so that I don't have that day (as I did last year) where I sprinted to try to beat a traffic light on my first really hot-weather ride, and then had to limp home because I was so overheated I felt I could hardly ride.

Lemond1985

You'll be eager to get back on the bike again tomorrow, that's worth a lot. Compare that some awful ride where you have multiple mechanicals, crashes, and flats, get rained on, honked at, cramped, ticketed, swerved at, bitten by dogs, tormented by insects, robbed, molested, and then skinned alive and left for dead by hobos.

After a ride like that, it can be tough to get back on the bike the next day.

beach_cycle

Great work!

bogydave

High of 45° to mid 50°s , = low motivation here.
I have a (my weather go to ride) 10 mi MUP loop
that keeps me semi conditioned.
+
Layers means ... cold front , sweaty back, slower speeds.

Did a 30 mi few days ago, died at miles 27.
without doing the 10 mi loop often, I’d be
done after a loop around the block.

8.5 keep the system activated

Helderberg

I hope this isn't you experience on a daily basis.
Thank you all for your responses, Frank.

Mtl01

Was fighting the wind on today's ride (steady 46 km with gusts up to 61 km). That really cuts into the overall distance I can put in. Little less distance for the day is no biggie. The important thing to me is that I still got a ride in. Little bit every day or so adds up in the long run.

gobicycling

Don't say "only" - I read that all the time for "shorter" rides on bike forums. Don't ever apologize for getting out and exercising. 8.5 miles is a nice accomplishment. You tell the average Joe or Jill our ages at the local grocery store that you rode 8.5 miles - they will be blown away. Good job.

Helderberg

Thanks. I appreciate this more than you can understand.
Frank.

gobicycling

You are very welcome!

bruce19

The operative phrase is "I went out for a ride." I belong to a club and every year the B ride gets longer as the season goes on. Last year I just go to the point where I didn't want to spend 5 hrs. on a Saturday morning riding a bike. So, I created the Alt. B ride which is never more than 30 mi. and done at a pace the group wants to ride. During the week my gf and I do rides that are shorter and uptempo. I call them "chasing Vicki." Whatever you do, you are good. Just do something and enjoy it. FWIW, I will be 73 in June.

GeezyRider 

Hey Frank, you put a smile on my face this morning making me remember what one of my old bosses always said, "We didn't get much done today but we'll give 'em hell tomorrow!"

I also agree with the sentiment of others that most people our age (I'm 72) couldn't imagine riding a bicycle 8 miles in a single day. I used to get upset with myself if I didn't ride at least 20 miles every time I got on my bike but now I cherish every ride no matter the length. I feel blessed to be in good health and physical condition. And, riding seems more enjoyable to me now than ever before.

Best regards, Don

Helderberg

Thanks for this and all the support here. I am somewhat of a walking gift to my self in that I was told after surgery on my spine in 2001 that I would never be on a bike again or do any heave work. After I went through physical therapy I realized I was better off than I had been in years so I reopened my residential plumbing business and worked it, with knowledge of my obvious limitations, until 2014 when I retired. Got back on a used Schwinn and rode that for a year and moved on to my Quick 7 and now my 3. I enjoy myself but have felt like a pretender when I hear the miles so many people on these forums rack up but the responses here have been a real eyeopener and foundation of encouragement. Thank you all for the support. I truly appreciate it.
Frank.

BobbyG

Well, you showed them!

Last ride 76 

Me too.
I have just started riding after a 6 week layoff from skiing. Mostly crappy weather and bad timing when the weather was nice,

I am still unpleasantly surprised by my lack of strength, speed, etc. I remind myself that before I raced, I rode my bike everwhere. Just to get around, and how I basically enjoyed the feeling of pedaling, the efficiency of it. Last year I got back up to being comfortable riding 25 miles at a time.

Yesterday, I "only" rode 7 miles. I had only planned to ride 5. I rode the extra 2 because it felt good. I didn't ride more, so it would feel good to ride today. This is very hard sometimes. I was away from bikes for so long, that I have difficulty acknowledging and accepting the changes in my body. Yesterday however, was a good day, and reading your positive post helped some more. Thx, Eric

bruce19

FWIW...on July 24, 2013 I did an endo on my road bike on a state road. Broke my neck. Eight days and two 5-hr. operations later I was home with C1 & C2 fused. My surgeon was a cyclist. I had some other spinal fractures and my nose and lower lip had to be surgically repaired. My gf, who was just awesome, was at the hospital almost constantly. A rock. I told her that when I got back on the bike I was going to be better than ever. She was sure I was hallucinating. But, while I may not be better than "ever", I was back on the bike by November. I have a 6.5 mi. TT course and last year my goal was to do it at 18 mph. I did it at 19.2 mph. This week on a flat 1 mi. Strava segment I hit a PB at 24.6 mph. Clearly, I have been very lucky. OTOH, there are still things we can do at our age. And, we get to decide what, if any, "goals" matter to us. Ride on.

Oh....and I just got a new bike and I'm braggin' like a 15 year old.

Helderberg

That is a goal I have set for my self. To get back on a road bike, with drops, and feel good. Your Caad is beautiful and you should brag about it and your ability to come back from your disaster and wring this bike out. You could have folded up your tent and said I can't do it, or anything, but you didn't. Congratulations on your resolve and also, that beautiful bike. Envious!!!!!
Frank.

Last ride 76 

thehammerdog

I did 30miles in NYC took day off from work needed to get out and ride felt great