Fifty Plus (50+) - What a difference a ride makes

Last week I was in a serious mental slump. I rode all three days last weekend (3-day weekend) then nothing all week, and I felt worse as the week progressed. I don't know why.... a few things and then there's the toothache of unknown origin on top of that.

Anyway, we decided to go on another ride with the seniors group yesterday, they're a really fun group of very nice people with a mix of riding skills. Due to my frame of mind, I was reluctant to go, but I knew it would be good for us, we like the people, and so we did. Yesterday we rode to the beach.

I felt much better soon after we started and by the end of the ride I felt like a million $$. I still felt great today.

There's just no words to describe how much fun it is to ride a bike in the sunshine with a fun group of people and what it does for the senses.

My ride report is on my blog..... http://jimnjenonbikes.wordpress.com.

As a side note, I was very pleased with my skill at maneuvering my bike through the meandering people along the beach sidewalk. My skills have clearly grown and I felt 100% confident, a stark contrast to the shaky newbie I was a year ago. And on my road bike, no less! [I'm being careful not to brag -- clipless is just around the corner! :eek:]

I agree how a satisfying ride makes the cares of the world seem like small potatoes. I'm glad you got that zen back.

Now, about going clipless: Have you bought those Sidis yet? :D

I agree how a satisfying ride makes the cares of the world seem like small potatoes. I'm glad you got that zen back.

Now, about going clipless: Have you bought those Sidis yet? :D


Scroll to the bottom... http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=436854&page=2 :love:

Most of my rides yield positive results for me. Sometimes it is minor, sometimes it is even exhausting.

But every once in a while, they are almost intoxicating, where every minute was a treat, and it is hard to put the bike away at the end.

Last weekend I was very stressed over some work issues. I went for a good long ride on Saturday and, for much of the ride, I still kept thinking about work. But by the end of the 30-miler, I had much more clarity about how to approach the coming work week ... and it went pretty well.

Somtimes you have to push yourself over the hump and just get out there. Gald you were able to get the "make a difference" ride in. In terms of your improved bike handling skills. Doesn't it feel great to be 50+ and still learning, growing, and developing?

Being out on a bike is such a rush to the senses - the sights, the sounds, the physical experience and the wind in your face. Last night my riding buddies called and said they would not be waiting in my drive at 5:50AM tis morning - when the alarm went off at 5:00 I turned it off and rolled over. As I layed there I thought - get your sorry A.. up and ride anyway. I did get up - I did go out. For the first mile I was sluggish, for the second mile I was feeling better and then the rush hit and I was off. If we could only can that feeling about the second or third mile into a ride - we would never have trouble getting started!

Being out on a bike is such a rush to the senses - the sights, the sounds, the physical experience and the wind in your face. Last night my riding buddies called and said they would not be waiting in my drive at 5:50AM tis morning - when the alarm went off at 5:00 I turned it off and rolled over. As I layed there I thought - get your sorry A.. up and ride anyway. I did get up - I did go out. For the first mile I was sluggish, for the second mile I was feeling better and then the rush hit and I was off. If we could only can that feeling about the second or third mile into a ride - we would never have trouble getting started!

It would have been so easy to roll back over and say forget about it. You pushed yourself and the satisfaction you experienced is apparent. I'm new to this sport but I can see its all about pushing yourself and pedaling the extra mile when your legs say something else.

Great post. Thanks

Didn't go for a ride yesterday but had a rest in the garden. However later in the day- I had to go round to my daughters- only 1/2 a mile or so- but just on the trip round there on the bike- I realsied what I was missing. So did a detour for the 1/2 mile home and finished up doing 15 miles on the MUP. Should have taken a different bike as the Bianchi still had the Mud tyres on from last trip out and they were a bit Sqirrely.

The number of times I have been dragged out on a Sunday morning ride by my mates when I did not feel like riding is more than I can count. 2 miles in and I am ready to go. Just getting on a bike is the best remedy for lethargy I know.