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Fifty Plus (50+) Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling.

Still riding.

Old 08-21-21, 08:29 AM
  #1  
Helderberg
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Still riding.


I found this on a FB group and thought it was appropriate for me. Be safe all.
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Old 08-21-21, 03:35 PM
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"....I ride harder for them. I know they would do the same for me." I don't understand this. How does riding hard benefit someone else?
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Old 08-21-21, 05:25 PM
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I don't get it either, but then again, I am rather dense.
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Old 08-21-21, 11:26 PM
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It is supposed to be inspirational for the average joe. Or exculpatory for the overtrained OCD types.

Either way, I embrace -

just Ride On
Clear your handlebars and your mind will follow.
Keep the rubber side down.
If you are not smiling you must be training.

Last edited by Wildwood; 08-22-21 at 12:39 AM.
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Old 08-22-21, 06:55 AM
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At close to 70 and able to ride some beautiful paths here on Cape Cod and other parts of New England I always say a prayer of gratitude just to be able to do the ride. So many of our peers are not so fortunate. Someone smarter than me said it’s hard to be unhappy when your grateful.
be safe all
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Old 08-22-21, 07:31 AM
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At 83 I ride from 15 to 35 miles every other day. I consider it a blessing that I can.
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Old 08-22-21, 08:22 AM
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As the OP said his motivation is appropriate for him, maybe not you but helpful for others. Motivation is a very personal thing and many appreciate help. As an example personal trainers have become a 10 billion dollar industry in this country.
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Old 08-22-21, 08:40 AM
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I am a 72-year-old Vietnam war Vet that is dealing with PTSD every day. Maybe I am reading other things into this that you can not feel so please just pass it on by. Not thinking this would appeal to everyone and just hoped it might ring true to some. Be safe all and please be kind to yourself.
Frank.

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Old 08-22-21, 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Jtmav
At close to 70 and able to ride some beautiful paths here on Cape Cod and other parts of New England I always say a prayer of gratitude just to be able to do the ride. So many of our peers are not so fortunate. Someone smarter than me said it’s hard to be unhappy when your grateful.
be safe all
Well said and so true.
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Old 08-22-21, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Helderberg
I am a 72-year-old Vietnam war Vet that is dealing with PTSD …
70 yo Navy Nam vet, no in-country & no real PTSD.
Unlike my 55yo Army Ranger turned BlackwaterCIAguy b-i-l.

________________
Almost cut my hair
but I didn’t
and I wonder Why?
I feel -
like I owe it
to someone.


Or - I owe it to everyone who died undeservedly in a war or conflict.

whatever one needs to do…wear it with pride…you may find friends along your journey. Otherwise, it’s a lonely (or anonymous) slog.

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Last edited by Wildwood; 08-22-21 at 11:52 AM.
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Old 08-22-21, 11:58 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by rydabent
At 83 I ride from 15 to 35 miles every other day. I consider it a blessing that I can.
That's excellent. At 65 I enjoy rides up to 20 miles; any more is self defeating. I hope to have half your stamina if I reach 83!
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Old 08-22-21, 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Helderberg
I am a 72-year-old Vietnam war Vet that is dealing with PTSD every day. Maybe I am reading other things into this that you can not feel so please just pass it on by. Not thinking this would appeal to everyone and just hoped it might ring true to some. Be safe all and please be kind to yourself.
Frank.

appreciate the post and your bike looks awesome, I love the way gravel bikes look
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Old 08-22-21, 03:34 PM
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Though I still can't make any sense of the OP, I agree that's a good looking bike.
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Old 08-22-21, 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
Though I still can't make any sense of the OP, I agree that's a good looking bike.
That's fine. Ride on and be safe. Thanks for the remark about my bike.
Frank.
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Old 08-23-21, 03:49 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by Wildwood
70 yo Navy Nam vet, no in-country & no real PTSD.
Unlike my 55yo Army Ranger turned BlackwaterCIAguy b-i-l.

________________
Almost cut my hair
but I didn’t
and I wonder Why?
I feel -
like I owe it
to someone.


Or - I owe it to everyone who died undeservedly in a war or conflict.

whatever one needs to do…wear it with pride…you may find friends along your journey. Otherwise, it’s a lonely (or anonymous) slog.

70+ and you have hair!
Harrumph. Wind resistance off the scale.
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Old 08-24-21, 12:23 PM
  #16  
John E
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Originally Posted by bargeon
70+ and you have hair!
Harrumph. Wind resistance off the scale.
Yup -- I am jealous. My elder son pretty much lost all of his in his early 30s. I warned my boys not to expect much, since both of their grandfathers went bald in their 20s.
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Old 08-24-21, 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by bargeon
70+ and you have hair!
Harrumph. Wind resistance off the scale.
Harrumph - I agree.
No helmets for us non-aero types.
And ... still riding.

edit: upon looking at pic - hair nicely fills that 'laminar disruptor' neck area.
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Last edited by Wildwood; 08-24-21 at 02:34 PM.
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Old 08-24-21, 03:10 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by easyupbug
Motivation is a very personal thing and many appreciate help. As an example personal trainers have become a 10 billion dollar industry in this country.
I've been going to physical therapy for a broken kneecap. There are some messed up people in there that have worse injuries and other health issues. I figure it is my responsibility (as an otherwise healthy person) to be a role model to motivate them; so I go hard, acknowledge the pain, and talk loudly about how well PT has worked for me. I don't know if my positive attitude is helping anybody else, but at least I'm not whining all the time.

I'm sorry I cannot contribute to the long-white flowing hair element of this thread. But I can give a vet high-five. (MM1/ss, cold war, no PTSD)

#50+ Epic mustache club.
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Old 08-24-21, 07:35 PM
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Sub-mariners need no motivation, just let them breathe real air and they can go bananas for a time (SSN = shorter time than = SSBNers)
With a high 5 from the black shoe Navy.

Anybody remember 10cent mixed drinks during happy hour, at several on-base Navy 'clubs' in Subic Bay. Better to get them drunk @ Subic than cross the Shat River to Olongapo City's attractions.
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Old 08-24-21, 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Wildwood
Anybody remember 10cent mixed drinks during happy hour, at several on-base Navy 'clubs' in Subic Bay. Better to get them drunk @ Subic than cross the Shat River to Olongapo City's attractions.
What happens on Magsaysay stays on Magsaysay.
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Old 08-25-21, 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
"....I ride harder for them. I know they would do the same for me." I don't understand this. How does riding hard benefit someone else?
I sort of get it. Years ago when I was working (in my 40s), I would frequently go for a run during my lunch breaks at work. A guy that I worked closely with was a complete leg amputee due to bone cancer. On those days, when we’d get back to work after lunch, he would question me intently about my run. How long, where’d I go, how were the conditions, etc. Sometimes it made me feel kind of guilty, as if I were disregarding his disability. But sometimes he’d start asking before lunch if and where I was going to run. Then I discovered a close friend had known him since grade school. The friend informed me that in middle school, and early h.s. the guy was the preeminent distance runner on the middle school, and early h.s. track and CC teams. He’d be seen running all over town, all throughout the year. It’s what he was known for. Then the bone cancer struck and his leg was amputated from about an inch below the hip. His running days finished. Evidently he queried every runner he knew about their runs. I soon met some others who he likewise questioned. It was apparent that he was visualizing himself in those conditions, experiencing and reliving them as if he was still running. And so often, on days that I really didn’t feel like running, I’d find the wherewithal to go anyway. Just as sort of an acknowledge to him. And for me it gave me a greater appreciation for my abilities.

Dan
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Old 08-26-21, 07:52 AM
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Originally Posted by _ForceD_
I sort of get it. Years ago when I was working (in my 40s), I would frequently go for a run during my lunch breaks at work. A guy that I worked closely with was a complete leg amputee due to bone cancer. On those days, when we’d get back to work after lunch, he would question me intently about my run. How long, where’d I go, how were the conditions, etc. Sometimes it made me feel kind of guilty, as if I were disregarding his disability. But sometimes he’d start asking before lunch if and where I was going to run. Then I discovered a close friend had known him since grade school. The friend informed me that in middle school, and early h.s. the guy was the preeminent distance runner on the middle school, and early h.s. track and CC teams. He’d be seen running all over town, all throughout the year. It’s what he was known for. Then the bone cancer struck and his leg was amputated from about an inch below the hip. His running days finished. Evidently he queried every runner he knew about their runs. I soon met some others who he likewise questioned. It was apparent that he was visualizing himself in those conditions, experiencing and reliving them as if he was still running. And so often, on days that I really didn’t feel like running, I’d find the wherewithal to go anyway. Just as sort of an acknowledge to him. And for me it gave me a greater appreciation for my abilities.

Dan
Yes, you do get it. Thanks.
Frank.
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Old 08-26-21, 04:59 PM
  #23  
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70 y.o. here. I ride on and off-road (less off-road, mostly due to lack of as many trails where I now live). One of my other forms of exercise is attending a Silver Sneakers class at a local gym. Some of the seniors which also attend would not be capable of riding, due to injuries or other reasons. A friend, who is 83, has been lucky enough that even with a knee replacement, has been able to continue to ride. Even rides up some steep hills which I've seen many walk! So I'm always thankful for each time I'm able to get a ride in, and happy for those like my friend who is still able. Amazing what we now give thanks for, that we used to take for granted.
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Old 08-26-21, 06:13 PM
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
"....I ride harder for them. I know they would do the same for me." I don't understand this. How does riding hard benefit someone else?
I've raised tens of thousands for cancer treatment and research riding hard in the PMC. Could be the reference; charity rides.
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Old 08-27-21, 12:32 PM
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Gee whiz.

Every day is a gift.

Everything is a gift.

I’ve had an easy life.

But I want more. Much more.

Nah, just kidding. I’m very thankful for my good life.
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