keeping it fun

After years of bike riding, this year I took the plunge and began
racing. I have had a lot of fun even if I suck at road races. I just
haven’t gotten comfortable riding in large groups. But I have done
well on the TT. The best placing about ½ way up the overall in an
uphill TT that took about 1 hour. In the context of being the oldest
person in the race I was pleased. So there in lies the problem. How do
you keep it fun? At a racing age of 62, I have to be realistic, it
will be hard for me to improve. So the question is: How do you keep it
fun in the face of declining ability?

good racing
Steve

On Jun 28, 8:50*am, steve wrote:
After years of bike riding, this year I took the plunge and began
racing. I have had a lot of fun even if I suck at road races. I just
haven’t gotten comfortable riding in large groups. But I have done
well on the TT. The best placing about ½ way up the overall in an
uphill TT that took about 1 hour. In the context of being the oldest
person in the race I was pleased. So there in lies the problem. How do
you keep it fun? At a racing age of 62, I have to be realistic, it
will be hard for me to improve. So the question is: How do you keep it
fun in the face of declining ability?

good racing
Steve

So I'm the same racing age as you. If this is your first season of
racing, expect improvement in performance for another 3 years. That
is, if you train consistently with improvement in mind, this will
overshadow an age decline over the next few years. I can still time
trial a 40K at 26+mph which is only 1 mph slower than my best. And
remember, 60 is the new 40. The fun is in riding away from bike-racers
whose grandfathers are the same age as I am
Phil H

On Jun 28, 5:13*pm, Phil H wrote:
On Jun 28, 8:50*am, steve wrote:

After years of bike riding, this year I took the plunge and began
racing. I have had a lot of fun even if I suck at road races. I just
haven’t gotten comfortable riding in large groups. But I have done
well on the TT. The best placing about ½ way up the overall in an
uphill TT that took about 1 hour. In the context of being the oldest
person in the race I was pleased. So there in lies the problem. How do
you keep it fun? At a racing age of 62, I have to be realistic, it
will be hard for me to improve. So the question is: How do you keep it
fun in the face of declining ability?

good racing
Steve

So I'm the same racing age as you. If this is your first season of
racing, expect improvement in performance for another 3 years. That
is, if you train consistently with improvement in mind, this will
overshadow an age decline over the next few years. I can still time
trial a 40K at 26+mph which is only 1 mph slower than my best. And
remember, 60 is the new 40. The fun is in riding away from bike-racers
whose grandfathers are the same age as I am
Phil H

It is my first real season And I believe I can improve especially in
RR. I did 23 mph on a 40 minute TT if I could get close to your26 mph
I would be thrilled. Do you have any thoughts on what training
consistently means. I ride a lot including a lot of hills but don't do
much speed work.

You're right there is a real thrill in pasting 20 somethings even if
it is only on Strava.

Steve

On Jun 29, 10:15*am, steve wrote:
On Jun 28, 5:13*pm, Phil H wrote:









On Jun 28, 8:50*am, steve wrote:

After years of bike riding, this year I took the plunge and began
racing. I have had a lot of fun even if I suck at road races. I just
haven’t gotten comfortable riding in large groups. But I have done
well on the TT. The best placing about ½ way up the overall in an
uphill TT that took about 1 hour. In the context of being the oldest
person in the race I was pleased. So there in lies the problem. How do
you keep it fun? At a racing age of 62, I have to be realistic, it
will be hard for me to improve. So the question is: How do you keep it
fun in the face of declining ability?

good racing
Steve

So I'm the same racing age as you. If this is your first season of
racing, expect improvement in performance for another 3 years. That
is, if you train consistently with improvement in mind, this will
overshadow an age decline over the next few years. I can still time
trial a 40K at 26+mph which is only 1 mph slower than my best. And
remember, 60 is the new 40. The fun is in riding away from bike-racers
whose grandfathers are the same age as I am
Phil H

It is my first real season And I believe I can improve especially in
RR. I did 23 mph on a 40 minute TT if I could get close to your26 mph
I would be thrilled. Do you have any thoughts on what training
consistently means. I ride a lot including a lot of hills but don't do
much speed work.

You're right there is a real thrill in pasting 20 somethings even if
it is only on Strava.

Find a local club and/or local rides where you can get used to riding
in groups and learn to be comfortable doing so-- and more, learn to be
a notable "good wheel" that other riders are glad to have in the group
because you take care of business.
That's the most "fun" you can have on a bike IMHO.
There are lots of little things going on all the time that many riders
unfortunately just never pick up on. Old dog, new tricks = fun.

If there are local rides that have crashes every week, stay away.
Those aren't good rides or good riders, either, no matter how "fast"
they are.

Find a good coach who helps you get results-- i.e., progress in
fitness/fastness.
"Riding lots" is a good start, depending on what "lots" means. Then
maybe you have to "get specific" and practice the tasks you want to
perform on the bike.
Some kind of power meter would be a big advantage, along with ability
to use related software to track workout results (and see how your
coach is doing, too g).

Hi-tech gear is all well and good but after a certain point there is
little true advantage and the benefit/cost ratio climbs a pretty steep
curve.

Diet is big and rest/recovery/sleep are too. "Lifestyle".
--D-y

On 30/06/2012 15:17, --D-y wrote:

Diet is big and rest/recovery/sleep are too. "Lifestyle".

+1

Only young people can party a lot and stay fit...unfortunately.
--

On Jun 30, 4:55*pm, atriage wrote:
On 30/06/2012 15:17, --D-y wrote:



Diet is big and rest/recovery/sleep are too. "Lifestyle".

+1

Only young people can party a lot and stay fit...unfortunately.

Which is just another example of youth being wasted on the young.
So it goes...
--D-y

On Jul 1, 1:06*pm, --D-y wrote:
On Jun 30, 4:55*pm, atriage wrote:

On 30/06/2012 15:17, --D-y wrote:

Diet is big and rest/recovery/sleep are too. "Lifestyle".

+1

Only young people can party a lot and stay fit...unfortunately.

Which is just another example of youth being wasted on the young.
So it goes...
--D-y

Perhaps one needs to go near to death to discover the elixir for youth
and vitalty. My vigour in body and mind may have lapsed, yet my
spirit kept fighting. My fight back to health should also lead to a
vigour of body and mind as yet unsurpassed at any time. I enjoyed a
bright mind and enthusiatic body and will do everything in my power to
surpass my previous peaks in my early twenties.

consumption is all!