Originally Posted by
jcsimko
...but this year I have started to experience extreme fatigue after every intense ride. The fatigue lasts 3-5 days after each ride. In addition, I have experienced headaches both during and after the rides.
It's likely you're
Overreaching. Been there, done that. For me it sucked worse than the worst cold I've ever had.
And in general (YMMV) 53 is not old when it comes to cycling. When I'm (48 yrs old) at my fittest (FTP of ~230w), a 73 yr old in my group still beats me to the top of every hill, and he hardly breathes during and after the effort.