Does Anyone Still Do Birthday Rides?
09-12-22, 06:05 PM
#1
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Does Anyone Still Do Birthday Rides?
I’ve only ridden once since early July but riding my age is on my mind. I used to ride double my age pretty regularly but it’s amazing how things can change…..
Lots of stuff going on the last several months and couldn’t find the motivation to get on the bike but still walking 18 holes 5 days a week and have kept the weight where it needs to be.
But Just turned 70 so might give it a try. My friends are saying I could do it with no problem and if I take it easy and possibly throw in a BBQ lunch as a rest stop who knows…..
How about you?
Lots of stuff going on the last several months and couldn’t find the motivation to get on the bike but still walking 18 holes 5 days a week and have kept the weight where it needs to be.
But Just turned 70 so might give it a try. My friends are saying I could do it with no problem and if I take it easy and possibly throw in a BBQ lunch as a rest stop who knows…..
How about you?
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09-12-22, 06:54 PM
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I can ride the miles pretty easy, 64 miles. Soon to be 64 but riding it in December makes it a lot harder. I ride year-round but riding in the winter I shorten my rides to 30 to 35 miles.
09-12-22, 07:07 PM
#3
Master of the Universe
No never have done a birthday ride , born in December. Will be 72. Longest ride ever was 119 more than ten years ago. Things have changed for me also.
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09-12-22, 07:25 PM
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I did on my last birthday, the 57th. Family, work and other life situations combined with my birthday being lat November make it a challenge. But last year, I went in to work, looked at the forecast and it was going to be in the 70s. By the time I made the 40 minute drive back home, loaded a bike I had just rebuilt and drove another hour or so to where I wanted to ride, I was able to get it done before dark. I'm going to make an effort to do it again this year if I can manage my schedule and I have shaken off the effects of COVID last month by then.
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09-12-22, 08:11 PM
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Yes. Did a ride double my age this year. But only riding since early July? I wouldn't. Put it on your calendar for next year. Nothing sacred about any particular age.
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09-12-22, 08:39 PM
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I always do rides of near that mileage every week anyway so for my birthday I like to do something with a lot of climbing. One of my favorite rides for this is about 75 miles with close to 8K feet of climbing. I did it twice last year around my 67th and planned to do it again this year but something came up. Ended up doing a 77 mile ride with some friends. Only 5500 feet but it kicked my ass pretty good.
Been slacking off lately, need to do some more climbing rides. jppe, with your background you could knock out a 70 mile climbing ride with just a little preparation, I'm sure.
Been slacking off lately, need to do some more climbing rides. jppe, with your background you could knock out a 70 mile climbing ride with just a little preparation, I'm sure.
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09-13-22, 04:10 AM
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Does Anyone Still Do Birthday Rides?
Been doubling for many years but last year's crash just 6 days before birthday began the spiral downward. Between the torn rotator cuff from the crash to Prostate Cancer issues I just haven't gotten back.
My 2022 - 72nd in July Birthday Ride of 101.08 miles >> https://www.strava.com/activities/7439670857
2021 - 71st Birthday Ride Segment 1 of 43.34 miles >> https://www.strava.com/activities/5607459979
2021 - 71st Birthday Ride Segment 2 of 72.27 miles >> https://www.strava.com/activities/5607462292
2020 - 70th Birthday Ride Double Age of 141.25 miles >> https://www.strava.com/activities/3741404995
I’ve only ridden once since early July but riding my age is on my mind. I used to ride double my age pretty regularly but it’s amazing how things can change…..
Lots of stuff going on the last several months and couldn’t find the motivation to get on the bike but still walking 18 holes 5 days a week and have kept the weight where it needs to be.
But Just turned 70 so might give it a try. My friends are saying I could do it with no problem and if I take it easy and possibly throw in a BBQ lunch as a rest stop who knows…..
How about you?
Lots of stuff going on the last several months and couldn’t find the motivation to get on the bike but still walking 18 holes 5 days a week and have kept the weight where it needs to be.
But Just turned 70 so might give it a try. My friends are saying I could do it with no problem and if I take it easy and possibly throw in a BBQ lunch as a rest stop who knows…..
How about you?
My 2022 - 72nd in July Birthday Ride of 101.08 miles >> https://www.strava.com/activities/7439670857
2021 - 71st Birthday Ride Segment 1 of 43.34 miles >> https://www.strava.com/activities/5607459979
2021 - 71st Birthday Ride Segment 2 of 72.27 miles >> https://www.strava.com/activities/5607462292
2020 - 70th Birthday Ride Double Age of 141.25 miles >> https://www.strava.com/activities/3741404995
09-13-22, 04:52 AM
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Yeah, I have a late November birthday. I wouldn't take most of my bikes out in inclement weather, and those I would would be rather uncomforable for 60+ mile. I did a birthday ride for my 60th on a Trek 520 converted to fixed gear. I keep thinking I should do it again, will be 69 this year.
09-13-22, 05:49 AM
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No. I've never done it. I think the rule should be 100 miles minus your age. Makes more sense to me.
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09-13-22, 06:30 AM
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oof. That's how I still feel after doing my 58th birthday ride last Saturday. My rides are only about 20-25 miles, so the birthday ride is a challenge.
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09-13-22, 08:24 AM
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09-13-22, 09:03 AM
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I try to do a birthday ride, but not necessarily on my birthday. I try to do it within a week or so, though, depending on the weather cooperating.
09-13-22, 09:35 AM
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What's this about riding double your age on your b'day? I didn't know that was a thing.
My b'day is in March. Usually I am a slacker through the winter months and not in the riding shape to do that distance easily. However this year for some reason I did get started riding regularly again in January and did do my b'day ride. However not double... just 64 plus a mile or two to spare.
Is there an age where we get to reduce that or maybe start using kilometers?
My b'day is in March. Usually I am a slacker through the winter months and not in the riding shape to do that distance easily. However this year for some reason I did get started riding regularly again in January and did do my b'day ride. However not double... just 64 plus a mile or two to spare.
Is there an age where we get to reduce that or maybe start using kilometers?
09-13-22, 09:49 AM
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What's this about riding double your age on your b'day? I didn't know that was a thing.
My b'day is in March. Usually I am a slacker through the winter months and not in the riding shape to do that distance easily. However this year for some reason I did get started riding regularly again in January and did do my b'day ride. However not double... just 64 plus a mile or two to spare.
Is there an age where we get to reduce that or maybe start using kilometers?
My b'day is in March. Usually I am a slacker through the winter months and not in the riding shape to do that distance easily. However this year for some reason I did get started riding regularly again in January and did do my b'day ride. However not double... just 64 plus a mile or two to spare.
Is there an age where we get to reduce that or maybe start using kilometers?
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09-13-22, 09:54 AM
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That way I won't be makings replies showing how superior in my own world I am to others.
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09-13-22, 10:16 AM
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What's this about riding double your age on your b'day? I didn't know that was a thing.
........My b'day is in March. Usually I am a slacker through the winter months and not in the riding shape to do that distance easily. However this year for some reason I did get started riding regularly again in January and did do my b'day ride. However not double... just 64 plus a mile or two to spare.
.........Is there an age where we get to reduce that or maybe start using kilometers?
........My b'day is in March. Usually I am a slacker through the winter months and not in the riding shape to do that distance easily. However this year for some reason I did get started riding regularly again in January and did do my b'day ride. However not double... just 64 plus a mile or two to spare.
.........Is there an age where we get to reduce that or maybe start using kilometers?
09-13-22, 10:43 AM
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New, old tradition.
I used to do BD rides every year but somehow fell away from cycling for a while. This Sunday I've got a 64 miler cued up to re-boot the tradition. Gotta get warmed up for my inevitable century in 36 years 
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09-13-22, 02:50 PM
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I did my first birthday ride at age 50. I've only missed three or four since then, usually for a good reason. Recovering from a heart attack was a good reason, as was this year's staying off the bike for 7 weeks on doctor's orders. Still hope to get a late BD ride in this year -- maybe adding a "year" in the process.
As Feynman titled his book, "Why do you care what other people think?" I enjoy the challenge, yes, and also being outside, riding my bike for a long ride, and the feeling of "See, I can still do it!" when I'm done.
As Feynman titled his book, "Why do you care what other people think?" I enjoy the challenge, yes, and also being outside, riding my bike for a long ride, and the feeling of "See, I can still do it!" when I'm done.
09-13-22, 04:38 PM
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Not long ago, I used to say, "All my centuries are metric."
Now, if given a challenge, I say, " All my miles are kilometers".
Not sure what the future holds. But 100mi minus my age isn't much of a challenge today, more like an average ride.
My grown children (only occasional cyclists) are still impressed with some of my rides.
Saddle time over mileage is growing more appealing as a measurement.
Indoor cycling will be a part of my life in the not too distant future, and there will be no counting of those miles, period.
Now, if given a challenge, I say, " All my miles are kilometers".
Not sure what the future holds. But 100mi minus my age isn't much of a challenge today, more like an average ride.
My grown children (only occasional cyclists) are still impressed with some of my rides.
Saddle time over mileage is growing more appealing as a measurement.
Indoor cycling will be a part of my life in the not too distant future, and there will be no counting of those miles, period.
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09-13-22, 05:17 PM
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09-13-22, 05:24 PM
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What's this about riding double your age on your b'day? I didn't know that was a thing.
My b'day is in March. Usually I am a slacker through the winter months and not in the riding shape to do that distance easily. However this year for some reason I did get started riding regularly again in January and did do my b'day ride. However not double... just 64 plus a mile or two to spare.
Is there an age where we get to reduce that or maybe start using kilometers?
My b'day is in March. Usually I am a slacker through the winter months and not in the riding shape to do that distance easily. However this year for some reason I did get started riding regularly again in January and did do my b'day ride. However not double... just 64 plus a mile or two to spare.
Is there an age where we get to reduce that or maybe start using kilometers?
09-13-22, 05:26 PM
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Grumble grumble "Get off my lawn" grumble
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