Fifty Plus (50+) - How many racers souls are there in our 50+ bodies?

Looking to get an idea of how many of us have or had a racing mentality. Have you raced on a team? Entered into races or competitions as an individual. Ridden in time trials where times were ranked and posted? Or even joined in on multiple group rides for the purpose of riding in that lead pack and caring a lot about where you finished?

I've sure there are several variations that I'm not covering, please feel free to add more to the thread.

I'm not restricting this to road racing - mountain bike, track, long distance, whatever.

Nope. Though I used to street race in my 20's. That was just spur of the moment aggression.

Looking to get an idea of how many of us have or had a racing mentality. Have you raced on a team? Entered into races or competitions as an individual. Ridden in time trials where times were ranked and posted? Or even joined in on multiple group rides for the purpose of riding in that lead pack and caring a lot about where you finished?

I've sure there are several variations that I'm not covering, please feel free to add more to the thread.

I'm not restricting this to road racing - mountain bike, track, long distance, whatever.

I'll be 50 in January. Can I be the first to cast a vote? (j/k)

Whoops! Too late!

I was giving racing some serious thought til I read the following in a book called Bike Racing 101: "If you race, you will crash." And thus ended my career before it started.

Nope.

I could have been a contender!

Its funny because, racing is only now just becoming interesting to me. I will probably have to try it at some point, redriders comments of how going fast was fun, will probably inspire me to at least try a local event sometime. But, then I read Jet Travis's comment about crashing, and I immediately chicken back out and say no, so time will tell. Basically I think my competitive streak has laid down, but it has not died!

I was giving racing some serious thought til I read the following in a book called Bike Racing 101: "If you race, you will crash." And thus ended my career before it started.

:crash:

The expense of fixing my bike and myself kept me from racing. I'm not bothered when people pass me. So I don't have the competitive drive.

Rode the 24 hrs of Canaan mtn bike team race to celebrate turning 50


Never before never since

Glad I did it ONCE

I find it much more enjoyable to imagine I could have been Lance Armstrong - than to actually have been him. :D

Its funny because, racing is only now just becoming interesting to me. I will probably have to try it at some point, redriders comments of how going fast was fun, will probably inspire me to at least try a local event sometime. But, then I read Jet Travis's comment about crashing, and I immediately chicken back out and say no, so time will tell. Basically I think my competitive streak has laid down, but it has not died!

RedRder may have the right idea. Time trials seem like a good way to enter the fray.

I trained for the Missouri Senior Games in 2006, had expected to ride in the TT but a change at work caused me to miss the event. I didn't particularly like the few races I competed in for preparation.

Only against myself. I ride for the challenges of the distances, times, climbs, etc. To be able to go back this year & take almost an hour off my time from 15yrs. ago riding in the RAIN ride last month is race enough. Next goal is to be able to ride Mt. Mitchell & Bridge to Bridge like jppe does. That comes next year.

No how no way. I respect and admire the racing crowd from a distance.

Well, today, while cruising along on my roadie on the little traveled MUP at 17 mph, a young guy on a mtn bike with knobbies passed me. Choosing my spot carefully, I then zoomed past him at 27 mph. Does that count?:D

At age 20 you have all your faculties and can actually do the things the racers do. They can do interval training, etc. But at age 50 + its a far different thing. Just imagine how much time it would take to race competitively, how much work it would take to do the interval workouts, the hill climbs, the individual time trials. There's a lot of preparation to get an athlete to racing condition.

Not only do you have to carve out time to do all this but you also have to figure out if your body can take the punishment, the mileage and tough workouts ahead. Those of you who ever were in competitive sports know what I'm talking about.

Otherwise we would be like those silly bowflex commercials, all claiming to be grandparents and buff.

What a bunch of whimps.

What a bunch of whimps.

We're mountain bikers?

http://whimpsmtb.com/history.htm

We're mountain bikers?

http://whimpsmtb.com/history.htm


There ya go. :beer: x 6

At age 20 you have all your faculties and can actually do the things the racers do. They can do interval training, etc. But at age 50 + its a far different thing. Just imagine how much time it would take to race competitively, how much work it would take to do the interval workouts, the hill climbs, the individual time trials. There's a lot of preparation to get an athlete to racing condition.

Not only do you have to carve out time to do all this but you also have to figure out if your body can take the punishment, the mileage and tough workouts ahead. Those of you who ever were in competitive sports know what I'm talking about.

Otherwise we would be like those silly bowflex commercials, all claiming to be grandparents and buff.

At age 20 I wasn't smart enough or disciplined enough or confident enough to race a bike. I rode for fun, for transportation, but never saw myself racing. (H*ll, in those days I rode an orange 10-speed from K-Mart wearing my Dr. Scholl's :eek: :eek:and painter pants with one leg rolled up and halter tops made from two bandanas -- Frederique, that was me.)

Now, I already have a grueling workout schedule. What I needed was a goal -- and Velodiva offered me that, and now I'm taking it on. I look forward to riding because I have a purpose.

I'm not looking to make my living riding a bike. I just want to ride fast and have fun. I don't even want to ride crits and road races -- I just want to time trial. That doesn't seem to be such a big commitment to me. I'll let my body be my guide. The days I hobble to the kitchen are the days I'll know are for rest.

Not only do we not own a Bowflex, we can't claim to be grandparents, either. :( I will, however, admit to being buff. :D

RedRder may have the right idea. Time trials seem like a good way to enter the fray.

Thanks, JT. That's just what I thought. It's clean and uncomplicated. It's also far safer (to me, anyway) than crits or road races.

Funny how my idea of having fun has morphed over the years...;)

I raced from 1984 through 1991 and was a Cat 2 for the last five seasons, finally retiring at age 40. FWIW, I placed 12th in my last Pro, 1, 2 race and was in the money. Seriously, though, fifty races a year, broken bones, tendonitis and expenses finally just wore me down. I've only raced one race, a 100 mile UMCA race last year, since 1991 and really have no interest in doing more.

I've never done any racing but I am slightly competitive and have considered doing some Senior Olympics time trails. I think it would be fun and might look into it for next year.

Only against myself. I ride for the challenges of the distances, times, climbs, etc.


This pretty much describes my current situation, although this past January, I *did* sign up to do a June sprint triathlon. It was a noble goal that helped focus my training for several months before reality (and the overwhelming desire to avoid embarrassment) set in. :rolleyes:

I haven't given up completely, however. Among other things, I need to develop more endurance, speed, stamina, strength, and tolerance for pain. I also need to get some experience in group riding and in local 5K road races. I need to figure out how to breathe in water while splashing alot. I need to practice doing all three activities in one 2 hour span. And I need to decide whether or not feeding my competitive spirit is the best way to maintain mental health.

I'm shooting for 2009. :p

I did get all jazzed about RedRider's time trial report though! I just wish I didn't live 4 hours away from the Lowes Motor Speedway! :D

The closest I've come to racing is fast club rides, pace lines, etc., and I grew tired of that after awhile.

I've said this before. Cycling can easily become a microcosm of the things we're trying to escape through cycling, if we let it.

I feel no urge to compete on a bicycle. My bicycle has a harmonic relationship with nature and all things good when I'm riding. A force I don't want to mess with.

But, hey, that's just me.:)

I just completed the only season of racing I've ever done, XC MTB racing. I had done a couple of roadraces back in my 20s and a couple of MTB races in my 40s. The racing experience confirmed what I already knew. I have a bit of a competitive streak, but not an all consuming desire to win. I enjoy pushing myself to meet challenges, but I don't enjoy the total focus and dedication required to be a successful racer. There is too much else in cycling that I enjoy. I'm sure I'll do some more races in the future, but I'll never be a racer.

Did competitive running and recreational bicycling and bike touring in my 30's and 40's. Got back into cycling last year when we moved to the Bay area. This year Hermes and I took up tandem time trialing and have done six to date (including the N. Cal. district championships) competing in the mixed 110+ category. We love the competition. I have spent the last year building my base (now doing about 180 miles a week although that will decrease when we start losing daylight in the evenings - for better or worse I have a demanding day job!) So at age 57 I decided to do my first individual time trial last weekend at Esparto. I am so hooked. I'd like to do some road racing - maybe next year - then again most people hate time trials so that might be a good niche. It is never too late to start something new and challenging (if that is what you want to do).

I've been racing (6-10 races a year) since 2004. Never won a race. Came in 2nd twice, 3rd once, plus a number of top 10 finishes (not large field sizes, mind you). Was ranked by the USCF as high as 7th in California for my age group. 2007 was not a good year for racing, though. I don't have a training program. I just race every now and then just for the fun of it.

Bikes?

Only once thought about entering a race. They have some state games up here which encourage participation. So I, and a couple of other older guys with bents decided to do the 50 miler for the heck of it. Like most people run a marathon - not any thought of winning, just doing it for their own personal gratification and to finish.
But believe it or not the young roadie racers blew a gasket that an old guy like me post back surgery and a weak leg because of a stroke was going to ride a RECUMBENT and tole us "Hell, NO Stay home!"
So I haven't had a positive thought toward racers since! We had heard they tended to be rather arrogant types, but couldn't believe the reaction to having a few old guys on bents enter in the over 65 and over 70 group!

I only compete against myself, trying to better my own performance. Of course, I use other folks' examples of speed and endurance as inspiration, not necessarily as something that I have to beat. Fitness, distance, endurance and FUN are my goals. For some reason I have never been one to hanker for speed, though part of me does understand the rush; I just don't need it.

I only compete against myself, trying to better my own performance. Of course, I use other folks' examples of speed and endurance as inspiration, not necessarily as something that I have to beat. Fitness, distance, endurance and FUN are my goals. For some reason I have never been one to hanker for speed, though part of me does understand the rush; I just don't need it.

I competed in both running and cycling in the past. These days I just don't have the incentive to do it anymore. If I am going to compete I want to be competitive and that means training and discipline. I figure I really don't need to prove anything to myself anymore so I ride hard for exercise only. I would say I still have a racers soul though as I chase anything I see in front of me and I hate being caught.

Recreation/fitness rider here (mostly fitness), but down deep inside of me is a racer. I've always enjoyed speed. However, I am not competitive with others, only myself. I enjoy the thrill of going fast, but I don't care if I pass someone else doing it. At least, I don't think so......... if the opportunity presents itself, I might go for it.

If you speed up when passed, or if you pull hard trying to catch that rider ahead, then you know the answer.

This has been a build year for me. After returning to cycling in June 2006, I knew that I needed two years to get my power, lactate threshold and VO2 Max up to Cat 5 racing standards. Velodiva and I decided to race time trials on our tandem this season as a niche way of getting in some racing time and great training rides. My plan is to keep training over the winter to build power and endurance and commence racing next season.

As for crashing, it is not a concern for me in TTs. The rider is in complete control of speed and direction. There is no drafting allowed (that is why it is called the race of truth) or you are disqualified so there is no worry about other bikes crashing in front of you, bumping you or hitting you from behind. Traffic is generally light on the race course. The courses are generally flat (there are exceptions) and not technical. You have course marshals at intersections and turns. If there is a problem, you slow down – the rider can choose to be safe.

I've retired from track racing and put SPD pedals on all my bikes so that I can wear riding shoes I can walk in. Although I was never great at it, i DO miss it. Track racing is a gas...It's like a carnival ride. It just may be the best sport there is.


Thinkin' of doing one or two triathlons next year.

Bikes?

On order...

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/rallen94402/CerveloP3C.gif

Racer Soul.
Plodder legs.
Jim
age 69

congratulations for being so rich.

Downhill racer. XC race on a much less serious level; and enjoy an off-road duathlon when they come my way. Might try mountaincross next season.

http://bonesovermetal.oonp.com/gallery/SilverRoxx07/IMG_3320.jpg

I don't have the physical coordination required for safe pacelining or riding in any tight formation. I don't have enough fast-twitch muscles to be a credible sprinter. I have never had competition-caliber athletic ability, even when I was 20. However, as I get older and maintain my cardiovascular conditioning and light body weight, I may eventually become a competitive hill climb individual time trialist by default.

On order...

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/rallen94402/CerveloP3C.gif

Thats not a bike. That should be hanging around on the cieling of a chapel somewhere. That should be enshrined. The grimy tools in my shop would not be allowed to touch that. I may have to give up building bikes and become a monk.
Surely that cannot be allowed to "race" with mere mortal bikes, it wouldn't be fair.



Ok




Its ok






I'm back now.

I got roped into racing about 15 years ago and did a few seasons MTB racing- Just to make up the numbers. That is what I intended to do and actually did- but one race I dropped down an age as no other competitors in my class. Did well and came 2nd out of 11- but the other 9 dropped out. Next race and I was put up a categorie- due to my excellent placing from my last race. Took a year before I convinced them That I was still a Rubbish racer and they let me go down again.

Raced for 10 years in my younger days up to a cat 3 racer, guess I got smart and older, tired of road rash and the attitudes. Did some local mtn. bike racing 7,8 yrs back just to hard to recup. anymore. Now I ride for pure enjoyment.

Riding Hotter N Hell in a few weeks for fun. But getting ready for the Redman Tri (I'm a half Ironman) in September. Regularly take Mimi (my '69 U08) to Oly tris.

Tyson

On order...

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/rallen94402/CerveloP3C.gif

Sweeeet!!


I competed in my first USCF Time Trial last Sunday, a 5K run yesterday evening, and will compete in my first USCF road race this Saturday.

I'm also registered for a triathlon in September, a duathlon in November, and a road race, hill climb, time trial, crit and triathlon at the Huntsman World Senior Games in October.

So, yeah...I guess I'm a "competitor".

That bike looks sleek and sexy, but you'd have to pay me a lot of money to take it on a 10 mile ride. I cannot imagine trying to ride a bike where the handlebars are that far below the saddle.

That bike looks sleek and sexy, but you'd have to pay me a lot of money to take it on a 10 mile ride. I cannot imagine trying to ride a bike where the handlebars are that far below the saddle.

You adjust the position for a flat back. I am sure you saw the TdF time trials this year and team CSC rode Cervelo TT bikes. And you have to train on the bike to be effective in races. Most people who are good at TTs ride their TT bikes a couple of times per week, if not more.

I have a bigger question for you. As the OP of this thread, what's the deal? Curiosity, thinking about racing :eek::eek::eek:or other.

Other. I read the occasional post about people being in road races, MTB races, time trials, etc., and was just wondering how many forum participants were into that sort of thing.

I have no desire to race at all.

Being a statistician and a Myers-Briggs INTP, I gather data just for the sake of having more data. The only agenda is to have more and more data.