View Poll Results: Do you Feel old?
No, I still feel middle aged
47
45.63%
I feel younger than I look
30
29.13%
Yes, I definitely feel my age
21
20.39%
I feel older than my chronological age
8
7.77%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 103. You may not vote on this poll
How many “Old guys” actually feel old?
12-29-23, 06:20 PM
#101
OM boy
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Hard to do this poll. "Younger than I look" might be closest... but there are a few others who look really younger than I. Biggest issue is when I look in the mirror, I do look old - But NOT AS OLD as when I see photos of myself. Without 'seeing' me in some reflection; mentally I feel my 'very young' self - sortta like one expects 'Older Adults' to step into the room... LOL!
I do notice that I'm not as limber (even though it's a regular focus for me) nor as strong (also a focus) nor as long lasting as was my younger self.
SInce I've never been this age before (74) I'm not sure what to expect. I see others in my age group, and that scares me - so I work harder to train the body towards where it once was.
Given all the health things I've experienced recently, I guess I'm happy with my current status - 'alive'.... LOL!
I don;t expect me to be my very much younger self; but not meeting where I was 15 yrs ago is a bit perturbing. But I'm no longer driven by a competitive impulse, and some reasonable acceptance makes for a much happier day. But I do persist... especially since all I like and do requires a strong amount of effort.
I'm not ready for shuffleboard. LOL!
Ride On
Yuri
EDIT: Posture ! The one thing which really irks me... I catch myself too often slumping into an 'Old Man's Carriage/posture'. Then I slap myself upside my head and push everything back up and into good posture. happens much too often for my liking...
also piqued by another user's comment about 'Learning'. I think of myself as a student, always wanting to learn, in everything - I think that keeps me thinking and feeling 'young'.
I do notice that I'm not as limber (even though it's a regular focus for me) nor as strong (also a focus) nor as long lasting as was my younger self.
SInce I've never been this age before (74) I'm not sure what to expect. I see others in my age group, and that scares me - so I work harder to train the body towards where it once was.
Given all the health things I've experienced recently, I guess I'm happy with my current status - 'alive'.... LOL!
I don;t expect me to be my very much younger self; but not meeting where I was 15 yrs ago is a bit perturbing. But I'm no longer driven by a competitive impulse, and some reasonable acceptance makes for a much happier day. But I do persist... especially since all I like and do requires a strong amount of effort.
I'm not ready for shuffleboard. LOL!
Ride On
Yuri
EDIT: Posture ! The one thing which really irks me... I catch myself too often slumping into an 'Old Man's Carriage/posture'. Then I slap myself upside my head and push everything back up and into good posture. happens much too often for my liking...
also piqued by another user's comment about 'Learning'. I think of myself as a student, always wanting to learn, in everything - I think that keeps me thinking and feeling 'young'.
Last edited by cyclezen; 12-29-23 at 06:28 PM.
12-29-23, 06:34 PM
#102
Grupetto Bob
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The face of a 69 YO. Not too scary - yet!
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12-29-23, 06:47 PM
#103
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Looking good Bob. You could pass for at least a decade younger and probably more.
12-29-23, 08:54 PM
#104
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I think you'd lose that bet.
Here's why. The Masters record for the One Hour Time Trial at ages 55-59 is 49km387. Do you honestly think you can get an untrained 25 year old fit enough to average over 30 mph for an hour on an indoor track with just three months of training? Good luck with that. BTW, in the 50-54 category the record is 51km013. That record bests all the records in Masters from aged 30 on up. For reference, the Elite record is 53.037 km. As a further reference, the best Juniors distance (17-18 years) is 50km792.
The 90 - 94 age record is 34km498. That's an average over 21 mph - for an hour. Perhaps an untrained 25 year old could get to that standard with 3 months of training. But it would have to be the right 25 year old. I'd bet that on average, the 25 year old would fail.
There is no doubt that peak performance declines with age. If you look at that records page in the Masters categories this is obvious. But any individual's decline will depend a lot on what their best peak ever was. And I bet a lot of people here (like me) started at moderate levels. So the decline may not be obvious or even actual - depending on how they trained and are now training. Further, even among elite athletes the falloff isn't dramatic - if they continue to train at high levels. It is enough to take them out of elite competition though. Because even small differences mean an awfully lot there.
https://usacycling.org/resources/nat...tional-records
Getting back to the poll and original question, the answer will vary wildly depending on the individual. And as I said before, it is also a subjective question.
Here's why. The Masters record for the One Hour Time Trial at ages 55-59 is 49km387. Do you honestly think you can get an untrained 25 year old fit enough to average over 30 mph for an hour on an indoor track with just three months of training? Good luck with that. BTW, in the 50-54 category the record is 51km013. That record bests all the records in Masters from aged 30 on up. For reference, the Elite record is 53.037 km. As a further reference, the best Juniors distance (17-18 years) is 50km792.
The 90 - 94 age record is 34km498. That's an average over 21 mph - for an hour. Perhaps an untrained 25 year old could get to that standard with 3 months of training. But it would have to be the right 25 year old. I'd bet that on average, the 25 year old would fail.
There is no doubt that peak performance declines with age. If you look at that records page in the Masters categories this is obvious. But any individual's decline will depend a lot on what their best peak ever was. And I bet a lot of people here (like me) started at moderate levels. So the decline may not be obvious or even actual - depending on how they trained and are now training. Further, even among elite athletes the falloff isn't dramatic - if they continue to train at high levels. It is enough to take them out of elite competition though. Because even small differences mean an awfully lot there.
https://usacycling.org/resources/nat...tional-records
Getting back to the poll and original question, the answer will vary wildly depending on the individual. And as I said before, it is also a subjective question.
Just look at some of the master's class races. Some tend to be faster than the younger guys.
12-29-23, 09:21 PM
#105
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Yeah. For the last few years I go to St. George and compete in the Huntsman Senior Games Table Tennis events. My wife loves it so I have a good time too. The cycling events overlap with Table Tennis schedule. So given that I started back cycling, I thought maybe I could ride some cycling events while I'm there. Maybe a time trial? So I looked at some of the times. Maybe not.
12-29-23, 09:35 PM
#106
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Yeah. For the last few years I go to St. George and compete in the Huntsman Senior Games Table Tennis events. My wife loves it so I have a good time too. The cycling events overlap with Table Tennis schedule. So given that I started back cycling, I thought maybe I could ride some cycling events while I'm there. Maybe a time trial? So I looked at some of the times. Maybe not.
12-29-23, 10:13 PM
#107
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Big enough so that I know I wouldn't be in the medals. Huntsman generally draws a big crowd. But how strong the field is varies a lot between different sports. Do a search and you can find past results and probably get an idea.
12-29-23, 10:21 PM
#108
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A couple guys from one of the clubs I ride with like to go there. One has been 6 times and the other 4.
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12-29-23, 10:26 PM
#109
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related story / personality
Harry Kirsch - ‘Hot Harry’
Harry was a fixture at a nearby county park parking area where we often started and ended our bike rides
a granite stone with a bronze plaque was placed at the parking area to honor him (picture above)
Harry ran his first marathon at age 58 - completed 50 marathons by age 80
he received a ‘Golden Shoe’ award from Runner’s World magazine
https://www.mcdonald-aeberli.com/obituary/Harry-Kirsch
.
Last edited by t2p; 12-29-23 at 10:33 PM.
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12-29-23, 10:46 PM
#110
Grupetto Bob
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The only time I really feel my age, is when I am forced to take a rest day.
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12-30-23, 08:42 AM
#112
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During a ride yesterday my wife said something related to this thread's topic. When we met, 44 years ago, I was on the college rugby team. She apparently thinks I can still do that!
12-30-23, 10:50 AM
#114
Grupetto Bob
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Non-humble brag. Last summer I rode around Mercer Island (10.5 miles, 500’ gain with lots of S curves) at an average of 18.5 MPH at an average 195 Watts. I was chasing a stronger fellow at 20/21 MPH, but not gaining, when I came across another guy (probably in his 40s) going barely slower than me who decided to join the chase. After about 10 minutes he looked over and said, “Man you are strong”. It was high praise.
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12-30-23, 11:29 AM
#115
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Anyone old guys interested in attempting a 5 hour century this late spring or early summer? I know two decent routes where it really should be doable...the first I posted above in post #58 that I did solo on a clunker and then the one below on my newer bike solo. the bottom one I kind of bonked as I did not pack enough carbs...could be called the "beer drinking 100"
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and then the one below on my newer bike solo. the bottom one I kind of bonked as I did not pack enough carbs...could be called the "beer drinking 100".
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01-01-24, 04:14 PM
#116
well hello there
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Chronologically still feeling pretty strong, but admit that I'm getting slower and weaker.
Mentally I feel stronger than ever.
But emotionally I haven't progressed past my mid 20s.
Mentally I feel stronger than ever.
But emotionally I haven't progressed past my mid 20s.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
01-02-24, 05:40 PM
#117
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Up until a few days ago I felt pretty good about by mental (45? 38? vs. chronological (74-3/4) age.
Getting diagnosed with an RSV infection today I have more ammunition about why I's suddenly felt pretty crummy since last Friday.
Here I'd been thinking it was maybe the weather or short daylight (or both) but it's not.
You might think it's just a cold, but it s'not.
Getting diagnosed with an RSV infection today I have more ammunition about why I's suddenly felt pretty crummy since last Friday.
Here I'd been thinking it was maybe the weather or short daylight (or both) but it's not.
You might think it's just a cold, but it s'not.
01-02-24, 06:33 PM
#118
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01-02-24, 08:32 PM
#120
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01-03-24, 07:54 AM
#121
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Several mentions of arthritis in this thread so I thought to post a reply to Old Guy8 question on arthritis:
Diclofenac Sodium 1% gel keeps me moving. Rheumatoid was more of a nuisance to me until my 70s when Osteoarthritis came to town and would shut me down. When I follow the directions exactly (application size, four times a day, etc.) and importantly start when I first notice it coming on it has worked very well. We are snowbird and up at the cabin it can be hard to find Voltaren but I have learned all of the generic diclofenac sodium 1% gels work just as well. If you don't catch it early it can take days to have an affect. Hope it works for you as well.
Diclofenac Sodium 1% gel keeps me moving. Rheumatoid was more of a nuisance to me until my 70s when Osteoarthritis came to town and would shut me down. When I follow the directions exactly (application size, four times a day, etc.) and importantly start when I first notice it coming on it has worked very well. We are snowbird and up at the cabin it can be hard to find Voltaren but I have learned all of the generic diclofenac sodium 1% gels work just as well. If you don't catch it early it can take days to have an affect. Hope it works for you as well.
01-03-24, 08:50 AM
#122
Made it to 84 WHOOPIE
Several mentions of arthritis in this thread so I thought to post a reply to Old Guy8 question on arthritis:
Diclofenac Sodium 1% gel keeps me moving. Rheumatoid was more of a nuisance to me until my 70s when Osteoarthritis came to town and would shut me down. When I follow the directions exactly (application size, four times a day, etc.) and importantly start when I first notice it coming on it has worked very well. We are snowbird and up at the cabin it can be hard to find Voltaren but I have learned all of the generic diclofenac sodium 1% gels work just as well. If you don't catch it early it can take days to have an affect. Hope it works for you as well.
Diclofenac Sodium 1% gel keeps me moving. Rheumatoid was more of a nuisance to me until my 70s when Osteoarthritis came to town and would shut me down. When I follow the directions exactly (application size, four times a day, etc.) and importantly start when I first notice it coming on it has worked very well. We are snowbird and up at the cabin it can be hard to find Voltaren but I have learned all of the generic diclofenac sodium 1% gels work just as well. If you don't catch it early it can take days to have an affect. Hope it works for you as well.
01-03-24, 11:12 AM
#123
Senior Member
I have Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis and I’ve had it for over 20 years. I’m on Sulindac and Imuran and it’s working great for me. I’m also on high blood pressure drugs and that is pretty much in check. My wife has a lot of problems as well. I have to take care of her as well. I still try to get out and do a short ride of 20 or 25 miles 3 times a week.
Im 83 years old and I started riding when I had these problems, just to be doing something. I wish I started riding a lot younger, but I had other things to do. That was sailing and motorcycling. I still miss doing that as well.
Old man time is bear.
Im 83 years old and I started riding when I had these problems, just to be doing something. I wish I started riding a lot younger, but I had other things to do. That was sailing and motorcycling. I still miss doing that as well.
Old man time is bear.
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01-03-24, 11:29 AM
#124
The Wheezing Geezer
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Free advice: Don't take a month off, if you can help it. Or else, when you start back up, if you are like me, you will definitely feel older.
Oops!
Oops!
01-03-24, 11:41 AM
#125
Just Pedaling
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If I can't make time for a day ride or the trainer, I will do a night ride, which is less strenuous but so much more exciting.