Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

GrooveSlave

As one of the 'old-timers' you mention, I would say this.

For every overweight guy you see on an expensive bike, keep in mind that he was probably more overweight yesterday than he is today - because of riding and trying to achieve a goal.

When you see somebody going slower than you, keep in mind they could be 50 miles into an unsupported century or on their cool down.

I estimate my FT to be around 180w at this point and frankly, I've had to work my butt off to get it here. I'm proud of my accomplishments and plan to keep going.

In fact, I would submit that it's harder to take up cycling and consistently improve at an older age than it would be for someone who is younger and fitter - the chasm between what you want to do and what you can do sometimes seems insurmountable. It takes real strength and commitment to keep going losing a pound or so a week.

Peace.

whoawhoa

One more contribution to this thread for me:


The winner of the U.S. 50-54 National tt last year (Kent Bostick) would have placed 5th in the U23 category (same course, same day). Interesting, huh?

SolarEnergy

Compared to most other sports, I think cycling comes first as for the performance level of its 'oldtimers'. You won't see it in swimming. The winner of 50-54 cat in 1500 free style will not be in the top 100 of U23 category. Probably not even in the top 500.

It has always been a wonder to me. Why does our swimming (or even running) level of performance deteriorate so much compare cycling.

curlew

BullGod, if you have good reasons for riding into the April wind while you are young, don't you think that many if not all of those reasons could still be influential when you are in your 50's?



But what if you want to do substantial things with your free time when you are in your 50's? Having a "mid life crisis" seems to mean that there has been an unexpected, sudden, change in the identity of a person. The once thrifty, family oriented neighbor suddenly goes out and buys a fancy sportscar is the common stereotype. What I see going on in older riders is just the opposite of a mid life crisis. Instead of suddenly turning to racing to try to prove something, they are trying to maintain the coherence of their identity over time. These are people who were vigorous, energetic people in their youth. They may not have been riders but they were runners, climbers, swimmers or active in some other way. These people aren't who they are for themselves or people who know them unless they are physically active. So, if I suddenly announced to my wife that I wasn't going to ride hard anymore and was going to tour around, she would look at me and not understand me and be worried that I was having a crisis of some sort. So I don't face those April winds primarily because I know it is good for my health or because I have the illusion of being able to reach the pinnacle of the sport. I ride and race primarily because that is who I am. I am a rider. I know that the satisfactions that come from being a rider are tied to how strong and skilled I am. So when I see an older rider buying a power meter and trying to develop themselves, I don't see something misguided going on. If you are a teacher, you ought to spend time doing the things that need to be done to be a better teacher. If you are a father, you ought to do the things that need to be done to be a good father. If you are a 50 year old racer, then you ought to face those April winds and engage in analytical discussions of power and heart rate monitor data. That's what it means to be good and get better at who you are.

Sure, there are people that are new to riding having been previously runners, active in some other way, or even more sedentary. There is a period of transition where they make all kinds of mistakes. But we are all weak, frail or strong in different situations at different times. When you have had the great good fortune to excel at riding, don't you want to be a force that helps people of all ages, riding styles and dress develop so that they too discover the joys that excellent riders know and experience?

RapDaddyo

This is one hell of a goal. Good for you. I am working with a group of recreational riders in my cycling club to do a century in 5 hours or less as a team time trial. It's not all that easy (for recreational riders) to ride 100 miles at 20mph average speed. We don't have any completely flat courses here (unless we want to ride around a block ~100 times), so it's much more difficult with a hilly course. Good luck.

Sillyoldtwit

TYSON 63 - 64 in August!

Smilf

I'm only 21 and there are several 40-60yr olds in my area that can drop me on the flats, at some even have a belly! Also for running, several guys on our team that are 45-55 I pace with them, they are super fast. I always love the older guys, who may be a lil out of shape out there pushing their limits. I swear they are always having the best time.

As far as being yelled at, coke cans tossed at ya or honked at(not a nice honk either). I have had this happen to me on the bike but not nearly as much as I have while running. I would get "Learn how to run you *****" and I'm doing a 5:40 pace fo a 2.5miles run(if it was at the end of a 16mile run and I was bout to pass out, ok that would make sense). I'm doubting the guys yelling could run near that, so I never really got that.

But it has always kinda struct me odd that people would hassle people running/cycling.

Lonnie Utah

A week or two ago my group (of 2) and two other guys went by an "older" group (I'm 37 and my riding buddy is 47), we were hauling the mail at the time at 23-25+ mph (tailwind). One of the older guys jumped on our wheel and hung with us for a while. Must have been close to 60, with a belly, but there he was and he even took a few pulls. We did about 4-5 miles like that before he we his seperate way at an intersection. Could I have most likely droped him if I wanted too> Most likely, but I would have dropped my buddy too. But that wasn't my intention at all. After the turn my buddy said "I see that guys out here all the time. He's good." If somebody can hang and is doing their share of the work, I don't care if their 6 or 60. If the tables are turned, I would expect the same in return.

But I know when NOT to hammer as well too. I've had some great rides with folks by sitting up and NOT showing them my rear wheel. There are some really nice "older" riders out there. When I first started out, there were a couple that I met on the road and they gave the the old "Have you ever thought about doing this..."

L

__________________
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Pick any Two.

frenchyge

Yeah, too many oldtimers trying to actually do stuff, and stuff.

I got my 57 y/o Dad into cycling this past fall, but now that I realize how I've hurt the sport, I'll try to make him stop.

Sillyoldtwit

LOL Does he wear a red polkadot King of the Mountains jersey like me - true?
Tyson

janiejones

So on your 50th birthday are you going to put away your roadbike, your passion, and say, just because what people might think of me I'm not going to ride anymore, and buy yourself a nice "old person's" bike? A lot of those 50+ cyclist may have been riding since they were 10 for all we know.

Would you tell Eddy Merckx he looks silly if he rode past you on your next ride.

I'm going to ride until.....

Doctor Morbius

C'mon guys, don't feed the trolls. You should all know better than this. They thrive on this kind of stuff.

janiejones

Yep, and there's too many Cat 1s who have to tell the world they are Cat 1s who have raced in Europe!!

Give me a 50 year old belly on a top end roadie on his weekly 20km ride, who doesn't care what people think, but he loves his sport, his bike, his kit and his life, anyday.

frenchyge

Not for long -- I got him a replica World Champion jersey, and gold helmet and shoes for father's day. He should look sweet taking a breather on a park bench this summer!