Fifty Plus (50+) - Why is it so much fun? Am I nuts?

Can someone tell me why going out bicycling for 2.5 hours in 48F temps with a 20+ mph headwind - where one has to pedal to go downhill - IS SO MUCH FUN?

I guess I AM NUTS!! :D :eek: :lol: :thumb::)

Under those conditions I would say, Yes, you are nuts. :lol:

Under those conditions I would say, Yes, you are nuts. :lol:

Thought so. Don't tell my wife or PCP.

One of the worst rides I have ever had was in South Dakota last May. Weather changed almost every day we were there and we were there for more than a week. One day the sun came out and I decided to take a ride after lunch. Got about six miles west of the Camp Ground we were staying at and started running over some good sized rollers. After about the third one I had droped off the top of the rise and was in the big ring building speed for the next little climb. Came over the top and wham got hit in the chest by a 20 to 30 knot wind. I didn't get another 5 miles because I had to drop into the small ring and about halfway up the back one just to get down the hill with any speed. The wind wasn't just strong it was cold as if it had come directly from the north pole. The only good part was it made climbing back on the rollers a bit easier but without a winter jacket I was in misery. Cut my planned 25 miles down to about 15. It was not fun in any way. :eek:

Because it feels so good when you stop.

Can someone tell me why going out bicycling for 2.5 hours in 48F temps with a 20+ mph headwind - where one has to pedal to go downhill - IS SO MUCH FUN?

So what you are saying is that it was a tough winter?

The only good part was it made climbing back on the rollers a bit easier but without a winter jacket I was in misery.


Interestingly, I don't wear a winter coat, just several light layers, down to about 32F. Today, I had on two breathable light undergarments, one breathable long-sleever bicycling jersey with hood, and a very light breathable wind breaker. I was perfectly toasty. I also had bibs and winter-weight tights, although I could have gotten away with leg warmers. I also had the world's bes long-fingered gloves, sold in Target many years ago, and no longer available. Just the right thickness to not be too warm, yet keep your fingers toasty. Too bad they don't make them anymore - I think they cost me $6 per pair. I still have 2.5 pairs left.

So what you are saying is that it was a tough winter?

One of our mildest and least snowy winters ever. I have ridden at least once a week all winter, generally 2 - 3 or more.

Sounds as much fun as riding up GMR at night. Temps in the 30's, 2200 ft of climbing in the dark of night wondering if the wild animals are going to attack you from behind and eat you as a warm meal.:D

It's actually pretty cool once your eyes adjust and the fear leaves your body!:p

Can someone tell me why going out bicycling for 2.5 hours in 48F temps with a 20+ mph headwind - where one has to pedal to go downhill - IS SO MUCH FUN?

I guess I AM NUTS!! :D :eek: :lol: :thumb::)

Ride faster, it'll be less fun. I promise.

Yes, yer nutz...;)

Can someone tell me why going out bicycling for 2.5 hours in 48F temps with a 20+ mph headwind - where one has to pedal to go downhill - IS SO MUCH FUN?

I guess I AM NUTS!! :D :eek: :lol: :thumb::)
But it's a good nuts.:p

195655

195656

Yes

Denver, you've asked two completely different questions, to which the answer are likely to be quite different as well. Which do you really want to know? ;)

Denver, you've asked two completely different questions, to which the answer are likely to be quite different as well. Which do you really want to know? ;)

I would suppose that, if there are 2 different questions, two quite different answers might be appropriate!

Love your avatar!, just not the results, picked up 3 this year already
R&J

I would go NUTS if there were Goatheads around here.

Love your avatar!, just not the results, picked up 3 this year already
R&J

You are one ahead of me, but I will likely catch up.

Are goatheads the same thing as sandspurs? I don't think a sandspur could puncture a bike tire, but they sure can puncture your foot out on the beach.

Are goatheads the same thing as sandspurs? I don't think a sandspur could puncture a bike tire, but they sure can puncture your foot out on the beach.

No

Goatheads are much more impressive than sandspurs. And, yes, goatheads can get through anything, including Armadillos, kevlar belts, Gatorskins, etc. My LBS guy - years of experience, states that nothing can stop a determined goathead.

I have used slime in lower pressure tires - such as mtbike, and the slime will seal the leak, only for it to likely open up at some other time, leading to garage flats and the like. I have used Goop in higher pressure tires - they will hold up to maybe 85 psi, but, of course, pretty much ruin the valve and make the tube unpatchable. If you fill it to 110-120 psi, it will gradually deflate to 85 psi or so.

No you are not nuts! If I thought you nuts for that ride my 30 miler a week or so ago in direct headwinds 29mph gusting to 39mph(per weather service) would make me nutsier. That can't be so. :)

If you're nuts then congratulations and welcome to the club. llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

Excuse the odd post. I just had my dental work done. I like that too.

Pain is good.

Beats sitting in a warm office.

Can someone tell me why going out bicycling for 2.5 hours in 48F temps with a 20+ mph headwind - where one has to pedal to go downhill - IS SO MUCH FUN?

I guess I AM NUTS!! :D :eek: :lol: :thumb::)

Do you ride a bent? I'm wondering how you do so well against headwinds.

Do you ride a bent? I'm wondering how you do so well against headwinds.


No bent.

I don't believe I do well at all. Wish I did better. I just pretend I am going up a long, never-ending hill, gear it down, and go along at about 10 mph with a good cadence. Others go faster than I - and I am also not a fast rider.

Maybe it's just because you like the wind in your face !

t's a rare day when I don't have a 10-20 mph wind in my face so I just look upon it as an opportunity to work on something. The extra resistance can be useful when training in the absence of hills and doing hills with a headwind just makes you a better climber on a calm day.

Yup, you be nuts, but you be a "good nuts"...:beer:
We ain't passing this way but once!! ;)

Or perhaps we were dogs in a previous life ?

Can someone tell me why going out bicycling for 2.5 hours in 48F temps with a 20+ mph headwind - where one has to pedal to go downhill - IS SO MUCH FUN?

I guess I AM NUTS!! :D :eek: :lol: :thumb::)

It is so much fun because you are RIDING YOUR BIKE!!! Duh!

SP
Bend, OR

Yes, yer nutz...;)
Here's one more vote for nuts.

Interestingly, I don't wear a winter coat, just several light layers, down to about 32F. Today, I had on two breathable light undergarments, one breathable long-sleever bicycling jersey with hood, and a very light breathable wind breaker. I was perfectly toasty. I also had bibs and winter-weight tights, although I could have gotten away with leg warmers. I also had the world's bes long-fingered gloves, sold in Target many years ago, and no longer available. Just the right thickness to not be too warm, yet keep your fingers toasty. Too bad they don't make them anymore - I think they cost me $6 per pair. I still have 2.5 pairs left.

No, there's nothing SURPRISING about liking a challenging ride, you body nearly helpless in the face of the elements, and by endurance and maybe a little guile succeeding against them, I like that, too!

Nuts is another question - seen a psych lately? I wouldn't have a clue ...

But if that's nuts, let's have more of it!

Interestingly, I don't wear a winter coat, just several light layers, down to about 32F. Today, I had on two breathable light undergarments, one breathable long-sleever bicycling jersey with hood, and a very light breathable wind breaker. I was perfectly toasty. I also had bibs and winter-weight tights, although I could have gotten away with leg warmers.
I dress pretty much the same way, I don't even bother with winter weight tights. I'll wear a breathable shirt under a light windbreaker when it's 32F to 45F, I use summer weight running tights worn over my shorts. If it's colder than that then, I'll wear a fleece top layer although I find that to be a bit too warm. If I wore a winter coat, I'd keel over from overheating. I think I'll go for a pair of booties next season to keep the wind out because I find that my toes get a bit cold.

If it's over 32F I'll go to short fingered gloves but I stuff a pair of long fingered ones in a pocket just in case it gets colder.

Denver, I would ignore some of the smart a$$ed replies to your query. After all, how much does a lad of 50 or 55 actually know about Life, the Universe and Everything. However, this being so, I would change wording somewhat. Rather than the use of the word 'fun', I would use the word rewarding. An analogous situation is dealings with the opposite sex. It has not always been 'fun' but always rewarding, or at least instructive.

I will not at this time (several martinis into the thought process) delve into the existential realm characterized by Baba Ram Das, wherein he urges us all to 'be here now'. Well, I could just say that cycling focuses attention on the now which is an entirely non-controversial observation.

Or perhaps we were dogs in a previous life ?

Wow that's given me an idea. Next big headwind ride I'm going to get in touch with the inner dog. Mouth open, tongue hanging out, eyes blinking.

cycling focuses attention on the now which is an entirely non-controversial observation


Funny. I am always thinking of and planning about the future when I am bicycling! :p

As far as the comments from the young'uns, I value them for what they are worth.

OK, next question. Do you ride a road bike? 10 mph against a strong headwind would be pretty good for me. However, almost all my riding is on a fat-tire mtb. I do have a road bike but I only seem to ride it in the dead of summer and I don't remember how fast I go into a good wind. I do know that I'm noticeably faster on the road bike.

OK, next question. Do you ride a road bike? 10 mph against a strong headwind would be pretty good for me. However, almost all my riding is on a fat-tire mtb. I do have a road bike but I only seem to ride it in the dead of summer and I don't remember how fast I go into a good wind. I do know that I'm noticeably faster on the road bike.


This was on a Lemond BA roadie, one of two that I have. I am NOT, repeat NOT, a fast rider, nor is that ever my goal.