Any other old timers enjoy riding slow?
08-21-18, 04:34 PM
#76
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Dunno. Since resuming cycling in '02 I've ridden an average of 6-7000 kms/year. All solo; all at my own pace. I don't track anything (speed; hr; etc. etc.) so I've no idea how 'fast' or 'slow' I am other than through anecdotal/empirical observation: I'm 'faster' than some, 'slower' than some. That's all I know.
I like climbing more than descending (I'm skeered of going too fast downhill), and like 'rolling' terrain with lots of corners best of all.
That said, I've enjoyed every kilometer, and plan to continue to do so as long as my health holds out.
I like climbing more than descending (I'm skeered of going too fast downhill), and like 'rolling' terrain with lots of corners best of all.
That said, I've enjoyed every kilometer, and plan to continue to do so as long as my health holds out.
08-22-18, 10:15 AM
#78
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I'm 71 and my hat is off to those the same age and older who can keep up with the younger guys.
I ride at my pace which is slow. I don't need to prove anything to anyone, but only to enjoy the experience of riding my way.
I get passed by joggers, so that tells you how slow I ride, but what the heck. It's better on my back and knees.
I ride at my pace which is slow. I don't need to prove anything to anyone, but only to enjoy the experience of riding my way.
I get passed by joggers, so that tells you how slow I ride, but what the heck. It's better on my back and knees.
08-22-18, 10:46 AM
#79
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FWIW, I think recreational riding is like walking. Everybody has the speed (or effort) they are most comfortable with, and going either faster or slower than that speed just doesn't feel right.
It's not like people who ride slower or faster are making some kind of statement ... it's just feels right to them. And that is what I do. I'm really not a fan of purposely riding at a snail pace just to "relax," nor am I a fan of busting my gut into the land of anerobia to see how much punishment I can take. I just ride.
Typically, my average speed on a longish ride sux. That is mostly because although I usually ride at a brisk pace, I stop a lot to eat, chat, or take pictures. Then, it's back on the bike to catch up.
It's not like people who ride slower or faster are making some kind of statement ... it's just feels right to them. And that is what I do. I'm really not a fan of purposely riding at a snail pace just to "relax," nor am I a fan of busting my gut into the land of anerobia to see how much punishment I can take. I just ride.
Typically, my average speed on a longish ride sux. That is mostly because although I usually ride at a brisk pace, I stop a lot to eat, chat, or take pictures. Then, it's back on the bike to catch up.
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08-22-18, 07:53 PM
#80
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In my mid-60s I don't have the legs/lungs to ride fast anymore, and that's okay. On my fitness bike I average 12-13, 14-15 on my carbon road bike. I want to get back into longer rides but don't know if I have the stamina to train for centuries, so I'm cutting myself off at half-century (ok, and maybe metric century). I've got several half-centuries coming up and I need to train to ride faster, because for some reason I think it's bad that a half-century will take me 4 hours I guess it's interval time, though I loathe doing 'em.
09-17-18, 07:28 AM
#81
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I'll have days where I'll ride faster and days where I'll ride slower. Lots depends on the terrain, wind, whether there's interesting scenery/wildlife around, etc. I recently took out my old, heavy, steel, mtn.bike for a ride on a paved MUP, just to get a bit more of a workout than the road bike provides. Found out that the cyclometer had finally quit-after only 20 yrs or so!! But without anything to see how fast or what distance I covered, had one of the more enjoyable rides of late. How fast did I go--don't know, but fast enough to get to where I was going and back, and enjoy the day!
09-17-18, 12:32 PM
#82
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Some interesting thoughts so far. I am slow about 12mph on a Giant Cypress. I have found that I am continually in the 85% range on my HM. After reading that LSR at a slower pace will help endurance & eventually speed. I did that this past weekend along the shore. It was slower but I did enjoy it. I will try to incorporate more when time permits. On another note as a previous poster wrote I really wish I started this wonderful activity years ago and not in my 60s. I wonder how much better I would or could be.
09-17-18, 03:15 PM
#83
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I think slow is a relative term, I feel I ride slow. I'm an 18 mph average rider. I'm the slow guy in my friend group and always getting hassled. I love it. my friends push me to workout harder. when I want to ride slow I ride alone and enjoy the scenery(rare these days). but most days I chase my buddies around town for a great workout. I may never catch them but I have so much fun trying.
09-17-18, 05:43 PM
#84
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54 here. I'm not as old as some, but many think of me as 'old timer'. I abide by 'hard days hard, easy days easy'. I'm only good for two or so 'hard' rides a week, otherwise I'm rolling slow and easy. I enjoy getting out by myself, finding my own pace and getting lost in my head. Sped? I don't know; maybe 15-16 mph on rolling hills. The fall is my favorite time for it.. buy usually around December I start thinking about base training again.
09-18-18, 05:24 AM
#85
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I only have one pace....
Slow, I guess.
Slow, I guess.
09-18-18, 11:50 AM
#86
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Earlier this summer I had a real scare when riding with a group of friends that I had not seen in a year. I pulled the group up a hill to put the hurt on, and half way up I could not breath. Just gasped for air and could not get any in. This never happened to me before outside of some specific training for it in a past life. Now, I ride low and slow and enjoy it all the same.
09-18-18, 04:54 PM
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Since the roads are full of potholes, I do my riding to the gym, or to the shops on my shopper bike with man-basket. Both are excellent warm ups for well, in the second case, nothing really. Since 15 years ago, I'm quite accustomed to being overtaken by the ladies, some of who are powerhouses. But I do not like being overtaken by fellas. I got passed by two blokes today on my way to the gym down the cyclepath.
It is hard to change gear with clenched fists . . . .
It is hard to change gear with clenched fists . . . .
09-21-18, 07:28 PM
#89
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What is this "slow" thing people are talking about???
09-23-18, 12:20 PM
#90
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Every once in a while I like pushing myself where I'll average around 15 mph over 10-15 miles just to stay for but for the most part I enjoy a more relaxed pace of 10-12 mph. Where I can more enjoy the scenery around me. A lot of riders get too worked up over how fast a pace they can keep and miss everything that's going on around them.
09-23-18, 08:49 PM
#91
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slower = more enjoyable?
64 year old guy who rides a local 20 mile loop at about a 13 mph pace (depending on wind), and this loop takes me through a very large 55+ retirement community. I routinely pass people when I'm riding there. But I wonder if that elderly woman on the adult tricycle with a basket in the front and a Yorkie in the basket is enjoying her ride any less than I am because she's only going about 6-8 mph?
Here's another fun question for us old timers -- do you still wear Lycra shorts?
Here's another fun question for us old timers -- do you still wear Lycra shorts?
09-23-18, 09:00 PM
#92
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I enjoy pretty fenders and baskets. And cotton/poly blend.
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09-23-18, 09:50 PM
#93
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09-23-18, 10:13 PM
#94
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64 year old guy who rides a local 20 mile loop at about a 13 mph pace (depending on wind), and this loop takes me through a very large 55+ retirement community. I routinely pass people when I'm riding there. But I wonder if that elderly woman on the adult tricycle with a basket in the front and a Yorkie in the basket is enjoying her ride any less than I am because she's only going about 6-8 mph?
Here's another fun question for us old timers -- do you still wear Lycra shorts?
Here's another fun question for us old timers -- do you still wear Lycra shorts?
09-23-18, 11:08 PM
#95
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09-24-18, 08:55 PM
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09-25-18, 01:41 PM
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I spend a lot of my bike time on a gym bike. but I'm always late setting out . . .I use a bike to get there and back along a bike track. When I get on the open road it's a treat; riding over railway bridges, up and over the track is fun. Flat out. Love it. I do find it hard to ride slow on any bike, but my road bike just begs for speed. how can I deny my old friend her greatest need?
09-25-18, 08:01 PM
#100
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