Fifty Plus (50+) - Rode my age, and a bit more

54 today, so I cancelled court and set out for a birthday ride (it's good to be the boss and be able to do that). The plan was 108km, or 67.1 miles, but I ended up at 80, which is the longest ride I've done in a few years. The wind was really whipping around from the north and east, the effect of Hurricane Earl close by. I felt good and might have gone farther, but I popped a spoke at about 78 miles.

Here's the amazing part. According to my Garmin 500, this 80.43-mile ride included a whopping 330 feet of climbing. That's right: an average of 4.1 feet per mile. I'd challenge any of you to find a flatter 80 miles.

Here's the Garmin Connect track of the ride (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/47160360), out along the beach, past the space shuttle launch pads, through Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and back home. A nice dinner, a glass of wine, and off to bed.

Not bad for a "kid" :)

54 today, so...this 80.43-mile ride included a whopping 330 feet of climbing. That's right: an average of 4.1 feet per mile. I'd challenge any of you to find a flatter 80 mile.
Congrats! But I'm surprised you even found 330ft in Florida. :lol:

Congratulations!!

Exceeded mileage goal, climbed a tall building. Pretty good stuff.

Nice ride. Wind is just as tough as hills.

Way to go, Kurt.:thumb:

And happy birthday as well.:beer::bday:

Nice ride report and happy birthday. I hope you planned the ride to have the downhill on the 2nd half.

I'm 59. I hadn't ridden my age this year. I had to drop out of a century where I usually get it done. On my summer tour I fiddle-farted around for the first week and didn't get any long days in. Then I rode 58 miles. I contemplated riding around the campground for a mile to get the "ride your age" thing taken care of, but my friend with a car had brought a comfortable chair and an ice chest with cold beverages. They were too inviting.

Later in the tour I finally got my butt in gear and rode several 60+ mile legs so it's done for another year.

I'm not looking forward to the time when I can no longer do this milestone. I know that day will come eventually, but it will mark a sad turning point in my life.

Good job, Kerlenbach!

I'm 59. I hadn't ridden my age this year. I had to drop out of a century where I usually get it done. On my summer tour I fiddle-farted around for the first week and didn't get any long days in. Then I rode 58 miles. I contemplated riding around the campground for a mile to get the "ride your age" thing taken care of, but my friend with a car had brought a comfortable chair and an ice chest with cold beverages. They were too inviting.

Later in the tour I finally got my butt in gear and rode several 60+ mile legs so it's done for another year.

I'm not looking forward to the time when I can no longer do this milestone. I know that day will come eventually, but it will mark a sad turning point in my life.

Be glad you are not a runner. For some reason I started running my years(age 36-42) in miles into my early forties. Once into my 40's I changed to Kilometers. In my 50's I would run in the AM and the PM. Example--at 55 I ran 5 in the morning and 5 in the afternoon. Into my 60's I now do this: Soon to be 67, I will run 6.7 miles. Riding my age will be a lot easier. Only back on the bike about 4 months, after no riding for 12 years, and have covered over 50 miles 20x with several 75 mile rides. I plan a "Birthday Brick". I will run 6.7 miles then ride 67 miles. Hey, it gets easier as you get older.

Congrats!!

Also +1 on the wind being just as tough as hills.

Yeah, congrats and belated happy birthday. So, you're the reason I get called for jury duty, show and and then sent home because the case is being rescheduled? ;)

First, congratulations and Happy Birthday! Nice ride.

Now for the bad news. Just finished the 115 mi trip around lake Okeechobee. Departed: Sep 04, '10, 06:37AM
Starts in: Clewiston, FL 33440, US
Distance: 115.4 mi
Elevation: + 216 / - 216 ft
Max Grade:
3.1 %

I was 2nd oldest on the ride at 62. Tom was 66. I'll post details and pix.