An 80th Celebration
12-12-16, 10:41 PM
#1
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An 80th Celebration
Never thought I'd make 80. So, as the day approached we decided to make it a Big Deal.
We decided to go to DEN for a Special Dinner. Since DEN had been dry thought it had a certain symmetry to ride 80 miles on my 80th.
Hadn't even gotten out of the airport before it started to snow. So, I got in a 21 mile ride between snow dumps.
Fortunately, a good friend had invited me down to TPA to ride. So, a week later I'm there. First was equipment failures. Then it RAINED and BLEW. Afterward we tried to rent a bike.
Only place that would rent anything was a shop about an hour away that only rented Trikes. I had never ridden one. But, Plan A bombed; Plan B was a bust. It was Adapt and Overcome Time.
So, me as a Trike Newbie and my friend set off. We rode 65 miles on a beautiful trail.
I'm a blessed 80 y/o. A celebration that didn't go as planned, but worked out even better. Great start to a new life chapter.
We decided to go to DEN for a Special Dinner. Since DEN had been dry thought it had a certain symmetry to ride 80 miles on my 80th.
Hadn't even gotten out of the airport before it started to snow. So, I got in a 21 mile ride between snow dumps.
Fortunately, a good friend had invited me down to TPA to ride. So, a week later I'm there. First was equipment failures. Then it RAINED and BLEW. Afterward we tried to rent a bike.
Only place that would rent anything was a shop about an hour away that only rented Trikes. I had never ridden one. But, Plan A bombed; Plan B was a bust. It was Adapt and Overcome Time.
So, me as a Trike Newbie and my friend set off. We rode 65 miles on a beautiful trail.
I'm a blessed 80 y/o. A celebration that didn't go as planned, but worked out even better. Great start to a new life chapter.
Last edited by ModeratedUser150120149; 12-12-16 at 10:48 PM.
12-12-16, 10:48 PM
#2
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Congratulations on the trike miles and being 80... YAY.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
12-13-16, 12:11 AM
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Congrats!
12-13-16, 12:45 AM
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Super cool. and impressive. good on ya! 
Advice for youngsters? - at 65 i'm willing to try to copy success stories.
Another oldie passed on this pearl - insist on your right to pursue youthful exuberance
Advice for youngsters? - at 65 i'm willing to try to copy success stories.
Another oldie passed on this pearl - insist on your right to pursue youthful exuberance
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
12-13-16, 01:26 AM
#5
What happened?
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Keep going, shoot for 85, then 90.
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12-13-16, 08:03 AM
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Tough guy!
12-13-16, 08:28 AM
#8
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You make me feel young, thanks for the post and congratulations.
Happy birthday.
Happy birthday.
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George
George
12-13-16, 10:52 AM
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Same here -- 14 years to go. Thank you for starting this thread and providing encouragement to all of us youngsters.
I remember when my next-door neighbor, a retired university dean, hit 80. (She is now 85.) Her kids threw a delightful "Night in the Library" garden party, in which everyone was asked to come dressed as a book character or book author. I wore my cycling kit and came as Lance Armstrong, "It's Not About the Bike."
I remember when my next-door neighbor, a retired university dean, hit 80. (She is now 85.) Her kids threw a delightful "Night in the Library" garden party, in which everyone was asked to come dressed as a book character or book author. I wore my cycling kit and came as Lance Armstrong, "It's Not About the Bike."
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Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
12-13-16, 11:25 AM
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Jesus. I hope Jane Austin kicked the ever-loving crap out of you for that.
12-13-16, 12:28 PM
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Overcoming adversity is a good thing.
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12-13-16, 01:08 PM
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It was a good ride and a lot of fun. Just wished it wasn't so cold (for Floridians). We were glad to have you down here and I'm glad that my wife let me ride her trike so we could trike ride together. Looking forward to the next ride together.
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12-13-16, 03:04 PM
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Never thought I'd make 80. So, as the day approached we decided to make it a Big Deal.
Fortunately, a good friend had invited me down to TPA to ride.
So, me as a Trike Newbie and my friend set off. We rode 65 miles on a beautiful trail.
I'm a blessed 80 y/o. A celebration that didn't go as planned, but worked out even better. Great start to a new life chapter.
Fortunately, a good friend had invited me down to TPA to ride.
So, me as a Trike Newbie and my friend set off. We rode 65 miles on a beautiful trail.
I'm a blessed 80 y/o. A celebration that didn't go as planned, but worked out even better. Great start to a new life chapter.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
12-13-16, 05:47 PM
#18
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Out and back from Floral City on the Withlacoochee. I liked South the best.
And YES I had fun with John. Could not have asked for a better riding buddy.
And YES I had fun with John. Could not have asked for a better riding buddy.
Last edited by ModeratedUser150120149; 12-13-16 at 05:50 PM.
12-13-16, 07:29 PM
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My hero...
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12-13-16, 07:45 PM
#20
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I would have given up after Plan A - although the trike option would be intriguing. Congratulations on the birthday!
12-15-16, 03:53 PM
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Ron,
We went from the bike shop in Floral City to Ridge Manor and back, then north to Hernando and back to Floral City. Hardly anyone on the trial until it warmed up in the afternoon.
We went from the bike shop in Floral City to Ridge Manor and back, then north to Hernando and back to Floral City. Hardly anyone on the trial until it warmed up in the afternoon.
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12-16-16, 07:09 PM
#23
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Maybe you will get a chuckle out of how the evolution finished.
We were back at Floral City a bit before the bike shop closed. John_V said he had on too many clothes so was going to shed some. I was OK. After all temps were pretty moderate for me. So, he set off to his vehicle to dump the extras.
I set off down the trail at a creep while he was doing his thing. I told him I'd go slow so he wouldn't have to work too hard catching me. He replied I didn't have to worry, I couldn't run away from him.
So, off we go. Me at a nice relaxing pace that was suited to the Tadpole. After awhile I saw the bike shop would be closing soon and No John_V. Hmmm, what happened? He must have had a problem. So, I reversed course an back to the shop at a much faster pace. I even hit 14mph on one stretch!
There he was, sitting on his trike waiting. I said: "What happened?". Him: "I lost you". "By the way your wife called and I told her I lost you".
About that time my phone rang and my wife gave me an extensive interrogation about my location. "I thought you were with John_V; Are you OK?; What are you doing?" You married folks get the idea.
A fitting end to our Trike Adventure.
We were back at Floral City a bit before the bike shop closed. John_V said he had on too many clothes so was going to shed some. I was OK. After all temps were pretty moderate for me. So, he set off to his vehicle to dump the extras.
I set off down the trail at a creep while he was doing his thing. I told him I'd go slow so he wouldn't have to work too hard catching me. He replied I didn't have to worry, I couldn't run away from him.
So, off we go. Me at a nice relaxing pace that was suited to the Tadpole. After awhile I saw the bike shop would be closing soon and No John_V. Hmmm, what happened? He must have had a problem. So, I reversed course an back to the shop at a much faster pace. I even hit 14mph on one stretch!
There he was, sitting on his trike waiting. I said: "What happened?". Him: "I lost you". "By the way your wife called and I told her I lost you".
About that time my phone rang and my wife gave me an extensive interrogation about my location. "I thought you were with John_V; Are you OK?; What are you doing?" You married folks get the idea.
A fitting end to our Trike Adventure.
12-17-16, 10:16 AM
#24
Senior Member
Sorry to be late to your party, but congrats none the less. I'm 67 and have had a heart attack. Doubtful I'll see 80 but to reach it as you have in good shape...quite a blessing.
12-17-16, 10:47 AM
#25
Senior Member
What a wonderful story! Many more, HawkOwl!