baj32161

I have never been a speed demon and never really cared. This year however, I am riding noticeably slower dye to switching from a "proper" road bike Cannondale Synapse 5) to a gravel/cyclocross bike

I have been 4idibf road bikes since 1972 when I got my first road bike and I never really took the actual ride into.account. I just enjoyed riding

​​​​​​As I got older and faster (still not very fast) I became more concerned with that 5han anything else ...when I got into my 40s I stopped worrying about how fast I was going but, rather,how far I could go.

Now, in my 60s, I am slower and yet, due to a bike change, I am enjoying riding more than I ever have.

​​​​​​My bike is older,heavier and yes, slower...it is also far more comfortable than anything bike I've ridden in 50 years. I have direct my computer. I do not use Strava. I do not "train" anymore, I just ride..I ride slower but I am so much more comfortable and feel far less beat up after a ride (the roads here in Southern Ontario ar not exactly pristine.

​​​​​​AFter a.if my tears of riding, it took a si.oke bike change to remind me again just how much fun this is.

​​​​​​I don't care to HTFU. I just want to ride and, 2h4n I'm tired, head home.

I don't want to do complicated anymore.

Cheers!!,

freeranger

Not a thing wrong with slowing down some and enjoying the ride. Maybe slow down on the keyboard too!! I've found that my slower rides (not a speed demon either) have been ones I've enjoyed more. Recently went on a ride where the pace was a fair bit higher than my usual. Found it was not enjoyable for me. If speed is "your thing", that's ok. I've never used more than a basic cyclometer with basic functions. But ask me what I've noticed along the way and you'd find I don't miss much. Aren't we glad we can all find something about riding we enjoy-be it speed, just riding along and taking it in, etc.

datlas 

Kudos.

Smiles per hour matter more than miles per hour.

Trey83

I am riding for better fitness and I feel that pushing a little harder or further is needed. But I still make sure some of my rides have no goals whatsoever other than to enjoy the ride and scenery. Those are the rides I enjoy most.

Bah Humbug

Nothing wrong with that.

randallr

Today my wife and I rode along the South Platte River, enjoying the great blue herons, snowy egrets, black-crested northern herons and some fish. We stopped to get a really good look at these delightful creatures. Several decades ago I would have just burned along to keep the overall elapsed time down. That was fine then, but I'm sure enjoying stopping to smell the roses once in a while.

jadmt

I was a serious cyclist from the early 80's thru mid 90's raced both on the road and mountain bikes and did double centuries, triathalons etc. life happened and pretty much stopped riding and focused on running. last year I decided to start riding again. In July of last year I bought a heavy steel 1x11 bike with a mustache bars and figured I would just putter around and enjoy the fresh air. I did not realize I would get hooked again. In the last year I have put on about 8000 miles. I am almost 65 yoa and I don't really know what defines slow, is 15,18, 20mph considered slow?. I try to average 18mph or above and actually am disappointed if on a long ride don't average close to that. I did a century earlier in the month and averaged 18mph and actually felt a little disappointed. I have a new, more road oriented lighter bike ordered and my goal is a 5 hour century. I know I probably will be disappointed and find out that father time has caught up to me..

rsbob 

My rest days are very much like what BAJ is describing. Leisurely, relaxed soft pedaling while I enjoy the sites and the sensation of movement on the flats. No pressure, no goals, just riding.

Then there are the rest of the days of the week. One or two are dedicated to hill climbing with a goal of hitting them hard to help me climb with less effort on my long 60-70 mile rides. Achieving PRs is my way to determine if I am getting stronger. When not working on hills, I work on keeping an average speed about 18 and try to get PRs on flat segments and/or fastest for my age group.

My long day runs typically at 16 MPH with 2000’+ climbing. The goal on those is to enjoy the ride without knocking myself out because I am already trained.

merlinextraligh

Heretic

mstateglfr 

You are doing it wrong.***

OldTryGuy

Riding slower as I age >>> sucks

Iride01 

I don't care how fast you ride. The amount of time you spend riding is more important. It's better if you do it in a manner you enjoy.

zandoval 

That's the ticket... Happy HAPPY, Joy JOY!

waters60

I love long climbs next to gurgling brooks, preferably with a Hermit Thrush thrown in for good measure. Going through wooded stretches I will slow down to hear the birds!

Reflector Guy

It's very flat where I live, so my best workout comes from going fast. But sometimes it's nice just to take it easy instead.

cyclezen

Yup, you gotta do your ride, every ride. Try to make it what you most desire, at that time...
now, it might/will be different for everyone.
some like the sharp edge of 'competition' and devote their cycling completely to that arena, training and time on bike.
I try to blend as much as possible into my riding 'universe'. More true now than ever.
One thing I found is that when one devotes a large amount of riding to a 'very comfortable' level, we (us 'vintage' riders) become slower... And I fear it's slower, and less capable, than what aging might do, on it's own. SO keeping an 'edge' on some significant part of riding, helps keep me in the 'best me' that I can be. It's also why I do some overall strength conditioning as well.
I'm somewhat afraid of becoming severely frail at some point. Legs may be tough and strong, but if I suffer more back and shoulder/arm injuries, there might not be enough muscle mass to handle that shock load...
Fragility scares me...
Upside is, I like coming off a hard ride, feeling spent and having done the 'hard' ride, same for other physical work. I volunteer to do physical work (which benefits something I might care for), and with that comes a feeling of accomplishment.
I like hanging in with a hard ride of younger riders, and often getting shelled. There is payback in trying and doing your best, even if it might not be enough.
But I do know my age, and likelihood to injure more and easier... so I'm more cautious...
Luckily, I have a nice group of riders in my same envelope, we charge with the younger riders, and celebrate not getting shelled as early in a ride... LOL!
DO a ride, any ride; your ride, it's always better than not riding.
Ride On
Yuri

MinnMan

Just riding is most important, fast or slow.

I'm in my early 60s. I do some of both (well, fast for me, maybe not fast by other's standards).

Probably the proportion of slow rides is increasing through the years.

But riding fast and enjoying the fruits of my fitnss is a fantastic feeling, and I will miss it when I can no longer do it at least some of the time.

downtube42

I entered a crit in the 60+ category last year*. On the last lap approaching the finish line I sprinted. Afterwards having a beer with some friends who'd been watching, I asked "did you like my sprint across the line?" The response was, "you sprinted?"

ROFL

I have slowed. Life is good.

*or 5, not sure