I really didn't expect to make it this far
03-11-09, 10:29 PM
#1
Laid back bent rider
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I really didn't expect to make it this far
Well, despite doing everything I could in my misspent youth and young adulthood to avoid it, I turned 50 on Tuesday. Now don't get me wrong, I "experienced life" quite a bit and enjoyed every minute of it and I'd probably do it all over again given the chance, but some of the things I did weren't exactly safe or sane choices. I did rock climbing, skydiving, motorcycle riding, and white water rafting. I ate too much, drank too much, smoked, and enjoyed some "alternative" intoxicants. Despite all that, here I am.
These days I'm pretty placid, relatively speaking. I enjoy woodworking and reading, as well as riding. I'm pretty much exclusively a transportation rider, commuting 18 miles each way, with 1500 feet of climbing on the way in and 1100 on the way home. The route takes me over downtown city streets, riding trails, and through suburbs. I ride a Bacchetta Giro 20 recumbent that's been outfitted as a daily commuter. Sometimes, in the summer, I'll do a century or so, but I don't usually plan them more than a couple of days in advance. I'm not fast and I don't wear fancy kit, but I get the job done eventually.
I didn't ride on my birthday because we had a snowstorm on Monday and there was still plenty of ice on the street on Tuesday. I did ride today, however. I hope the rules for the 50 don't require you ride it all at once. I did the first 18 on my way in and the other 32 on an extended ride home. If it makes any difference, the ride in was done in 25 degree temperatures.
Anyway, I've been mostly lurking here for a while and y'all seem like a pretty good group. Maybe we'll pass on the trails, eh?
These days I'm pretty placid, relatively speaking. I enjoy woodworking and reading, as well as riding. I'm pretty much exclusively a transportation rider, commuting 18 miles each way, with 1500 feet of climbing on the way in and 1100 on the way home. The route takes me over downtown city streets, riding trails, and through suburbs. I ride a Bacchetta Giro 20 recumbent that's been outfitted as a daily commuter. Sometimes, in the summer, I'll do a century or so, but I don't usually plan them more than a couple of days in advance. I'm not fast and I don't wear fancy kit, but I get the job done eventually.
I didn't ride on my birthday because we had a snowstorm on Monday and there was still plenty of ice on the street on Tuesday. I did ride today, however. I hope the rules for the 50 don't require you ride it all at once. I did the first 18 on my way in and the other 32 on an extended ride home. If it makes any difference, the ride in was done in 25 degree temperatures.
Anyway, I've been mostly lurking here for a while and y'all seem like a pretty good group. Maybe we'll pass on the trails, eh?
03-12-09, 03:55 AM
#2
Boomer
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Welcome to the asylum. If it was me I'd work up some sort of formula. For starters try distance divided by temperature. This should provide a multiplier to determine total distance for bragging points (now known as BPD or Bragging Points Distance). Obviously, some here require other formula's to determine BPD but for that commute, it seems fair.
03-12-09, 07:23 AM
#4
VoodooChile
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Wasn't it Eubie Blake who said:
"If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself."
"If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself."
03-12-09, 07:51 AM
#7
Senior Member
Welcome to 50+, Unixpro.
The Northwest Chapter of 50+ continues to grow. Unixpro is a helpful member of the Pacific Northwest forum as well, often helping newbs with commuting, weather and routing tips.
The Northwest Chapter of 50+ continues to grow. Unixpro is a helpful member of the Pacific Northwest forum as well, often helping newbs with commuting, weather and routing tips.
03-12-09, 07:51 AM
#8
www.ocrebels.com
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I didn't expect to make it this far either, but I'm glad I did. It's been fun so far, even though I'm not old enough for the senior citizen discount yet . . . guess that starts at 60?
Rick / OCRR
Rick / OCRR
03-12-09, 07:54 AM
#9
Pedal pusher...
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03-12-09, 09:36 AM
#10
rebmeM roineS
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I remember the day I joined 50+......................................that's not true...............what was the question?
03-12-09, 02:18 PM
#13
His Brain is Gone!
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"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
03-12-09, 02:21 PM
#14
His Brain is Gone!
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These days I'm pretty placid, relatively speaking. I enjoy woodworking and reading, as well as riding. I'm pretty much exclusively a transportation rider, commuting 18 miles each way, with 1500 feet of climbing on the way in and 1100 on the way home. The route takes me over downtown city streets, riding trails, and through suburbs. I ride a Bacchetta Giro 20 recumbent that's been outfitted as a daily commuter. Sometimes, in the summer, I'll do a century or so, but I don't usually plan them more than a couple of days in advance. I'm not fast and I don't wear fancy kit, but I get the job done eventually.
__________________
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
03-12-09, 02:33 PM
#15
Senior Member
I'm there too. Turned 50 and actually riding more and buying more bikes than I ever had. I am so into cycling that I can't wait for Saturdays for my 30 miler and day light savings to ride after work.
I have 9 of them and need more.
- Basso Lotto: SLX steel frame, full campy record w/ delta brakes, immaculate condition.
- IBEX Aprisa Team: 6061 Al. full Ultegra, Aksium wheels.
- Tomasso Aggraziato: Full mono carbon fiber, Dura-Ace/Ultegra mix, neuvation wheels, Token parts. Awesome fast light bike.
- Specialized Langster London Single speed.
- Trek 1988 660s.
- SWOBO Otis SRAM 3 speed, w/ avid bb5 frnt dsk.
- Schwinn KOM S9: full Shimano XT, girven flex stem
- Trek WS 7200
- 2007 Jamis Dakar Xam 2.0: XTR/XT grp. MTB
I have 9 of them and need more.
- Basso Lotto: SLX steel frame, full campy record w/ delta brakes, immaculate condition.
- IBEX Aprisa Team: 6061 Al. full Ultegra, Aksium wheels.
- Tomasso Aggraziato: Full mono carbon fiber, Dura-Ace/Ultegra mix, neuvation wheels, Token parts. Awesome fast light bike.
- Specialized Langster London Single speed.
- Trek 1988 660s.
- SWOBO Otis SRAM 3 speed, w/ avid bb5 frnt dsk.
- Schwinn KOM S9: full Shimano XT, girven flex stem
- Trek WS 7200
- 2007 Jamis Dakar Xam 2.0: XTR/XT grp. MTB
03-13-09, 02:37 AM
#17
Senior Member
:-)
Welcome to today. I am almost 61 and have been an insulin-dependent diabetic for 45 years. I am still going strong without major issues involving my heart, kidneys and lungs, BUT have noticed the demise of more and more "healthier" friends in the last few years :-(
I am quite surprised that I have lived as long as I have - and so have a LOT of physicians who look at longevity statistics for diabetics. So far, so good.
Enjoy every minute and don't put things off: if you can do them, then ... DO THEM - and that includes your "next" bicycle "adventure". There is no guarantee that we will last another 5 minutes ;-)
I am quite surprised that I have lived as long as I have - and so have a LOT of physicians who look at longevity statistics for diabetics. So far, so good.
Enjoy every minute and don't put things off: if you can do them, then ... DO THEM - and that includes your "next" bicycle "adventure". There is no guarantee that we will last another 5 minutes ;-)
03-13-09, 07:30 AM
#18
Shredding Grandma!
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Oh welcome unixpro!
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Private docent led mountain bike rides through Limestone Canyon. Go to letsgooutside.org and register today! Also available: hikes, equestrian rides and family events as well as trail maintenance and science study.
Private docent led mountain bike rides through Limestone Canyon. Go to letsgooutside.org and register today! Also available: hikes, equestrian rides and family events as well as trail maintenance and science study.
03-13-09, 10:52 AM
#20
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03-13-09, 11:13 AM
#22
Time for a change.
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At least it's not McD's
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How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
03-13-09, 11:25 AM
#23
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03-13-09, 12:54 PM
#24
Shredding Grandma!
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Really I didn't know... actually I seldom eat at either (my fast food choice is Chick-Fil-A or Del Taco). I get embarassed about asking for discounts but I guess I shouldn't.
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Private docent led mountain bike rides through Limestone Canyon. Go to letsgooutside.org and register today! Also available: hikes, equestrian rides and family events as well as trail maintenance and science study.
Private docent led mountain bike rides through Limestone Canyon. Go to letsgooutside.org and register today! Also available: hikes, equestrian rides and family events as well as trail maintenance and science study.
03-13-09, 02:16 PM
#25
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Welcome to the club and a belated Happy Birthday. 
Many of us wonder how we ever survived as long as we have. I still haven't decided if we're "The Lucky Ones" or if those who didn't are. For now I'll assume that we are.
It's nice to have yet another 'bent rider among us, and one without all the fancy duds even.
I'll be looking foreward to more posts.
Many of us wonder how we ever survived as long as we have. I still haven't decided if we're "The Lucky Ones" or if those who didn't are. For now I'll assume that we are.It's nice to have yet another 'bent rider among us, and one without all the fancy duds even.
I'll be looking foreward to more posts.
Last edited by cranky old dude; 03-13-09 at 02:20 PM.