BKE

I was wondering if I was the only one thinking this. A couple posts in and it went to a I/ME thing.
It's about "Fred" who is definately out there.

KraneXL

If you keep those intros short and sweet more people will read it. There's plenty of space/time to wax philosophical once you've got them hooked. Just a suggestion.

OldTryGuy

If you want to read about a REAL FRED, read the following. Scroll down to page 11. p.s.- On page 15 you will read about Richard Schwinn's meeting with Freddie and how Waterford winds up sponsoring him and building his bike. p.p.s.- Freddie presented a beautiful plaque with a set of his 50,000 mile chain rings to my wife and myself in July 1986 before we moved to Florida.

https://manfromallouez.files.wordpre...diehoffman.pdf

Steeler_fanatic

I am striving to become one of those older guys - 58 years old and back into biking since July last year. I've lost 55 lbs so far. The secret is either retirement or having a job (Consulting in my case) that frees up time for riding .

jamesdak 

LOL, well in @burnthesheep defense. I'm with him and I'm not the fastest around, just another old, fat man. But a typical normal daily ride is 25-27 miles over varying grades with an easy avg pace of 18 mph and a hard pace that'll sneak over 20 mph. Yet I get passed often enough around here. I'd not consider the mentioned speeds by the OP that fast either. Not meaning to offend, just being honest. Still great story and one we've all experienced and can relate too. It really doesn't matter the speed. There's always someone faster.

livedarklions

Yeah, that's really not a defense. If someone is being frank about their speed, there's no reason to post the "I'm too fast to care about your story" snark.

The only reason I'd put down someone for their numbers is if they were condescending to me or someone else and my numbers were better. That's just begging for it.

jamesdak 

As long as folks are out riding nothing else really matters. Certainly not getting offended by anything said on any of these silly internet forums, LOL!

Phil_gretz

The boy is one of an identical set of triplets?

livedarklions

I thought @Skipjacks handled it really well--called out the jerkiness in a really funny way.

Skipjacks

Not to mention BurnTheSheep then responded comically and helped me make fun of crossfit vegans and it was a joyous shared experience.

livedarklions

Oh, yeah, I forgot about that part--I laughed so hard I nearly choked on my single-activity-program beefsteak.

2manybikes

Must be.

downtube42

Most recreational riders are operating so far below their athletic potential, that age is not much of a factor until quite late in life. Injuries and disease aside, sustaining speed and endurance levels through your 50's is not really remarkable. Endurance events like randonneuring are so much mental, that age even has its benefits.

The notion that people in their 50's and 60's and beyond are unathletic comes from observing the vast majority of people - who have been sedentary for 50 and 60 years.

caloso

Well put.

wolfchild

Somebody needs to do a study: An elite level pro rider on a cheap Wall Mart bike vs an amateur weekend warrior on a $ 10 000 high performance bike.

Skipjacks

For those of us who haven't reached our 50's or 60's yet, this is all VERY uplifting to know that we don't have to slow down just because we get older (disease and injury aside)

That's why I love seeing anyone older than me out there on the trails tearing it up. It reminds me not to be scared about getting older and to just keep enjoying the rides!

Skipjacks

My money is on the elite pro rider every single time. Especially if the test is over distance rather than sprinting speed.

The amateur might be able to out sprint the professional for a higher top speed due to the bike over a distance of less than a mile.
But over 10+ miles the pro is going to pass him.
Over 50+ miles it wouldn't even be a contest.

None of this is scientific, of course. But if I had to wager my hard earned money, that is how I'd place the bet.

2manybikes

To make it realistic, the Walmart bike should have the fork on backwards, 15 psi in the back tire, and loose seat clamp bolts.

livedarklions

Most amusing thing I learned this weekend is that the Walton family owns Rapha. I realize this might be old news to people who care about such things, but the irony of the snobbiest bike clothes brand basically being part of the Walmart empire cracked me up.

I-Like-To-Bike

Believe it or not, many, if not most cyclists of all ages recognize that it is possible to enjoy their bicycle rides without "tearing it up", or being concerned at all about their speed relative to strangers, or how many other riders they do or don't pass.

I-Like-To-Bike

The Walton family has a financial interest in Ralpha =True.
Ralpha basically being part of the Walmart empire = False.

livedarklions

I suppose the boys bought the company with money they raised doing chores, then.

It's not just an interest, it's the majority interest, and "basically" and "empire" are not exactly precise legal terms.
It's certainly Walmart-adjacent, enough so the snobs' love of it is ironic.

Skipjacks

Are you actually upset that I complimented the specific group of people age 50-69 who ride fast, but didn't equally compliment anyone age 1-49 and 70-120 or anyone who enjoy riding in different manners?

Like...for real?

livedarklions

He definitely likes to kvetch more than he likes to bike.

Skipjacks

Everybody needs a hobby.