rubic

..."because someday I won't be able to do this anymore"...

I used to run. I ran everything from the 50 yard dash to marathons. I ran in the flats and in the mountains. I loved it and I thought I could do this forever. Then at age 57 a knee injury ended my running career and I could not do this anymore.

I ride now. I love it. I will ride for as many years as I can.

kr32

To answer your question....no. I have not thought about the future of my riding. Maybe I should and in some way maybe I really do, by riding I believe I am extending my time. But to be honest I ride today and hope there is a tomorrow for me to ride again.

I think you have given me something to think about though.

gash44

This is the reason I ride mostly by myself. I can go as fast or slow as I want and ride as far as I want and the only person that can be upset with me is me.

gash44

--------------
Nowhere enters the opinion of others in these priorities. It is MY LIFE.[/QUOTE]

Right on.

will dehne

Right on.[/QUOTE]

This is for those of you too young to know:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOfaYFIHt1g

gash44

This is for those of you too young to know:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOfaYFIHt1g[/QUOTE]


Right on.

Billy Bones

Life is short. Spend time in the saddle, not providing apologia for why you live your life as you do. Let your trim body and serene mind do your explaining for you.

NOS88

I used to ponder such stuff....until some very close loved ones who were healthy, vital, active people suddenly passed away. I no longer worry about what I won't be able to do in the future. Rather, I focus on what I can do today... tomorrow may or may not come. Should it come, I'll be thankful and deal with whatever it brings me.

In terms of the questions from the "other riders", I see these kinds of questions as "bear trap" questions. They don't really want an answer. They want to trap you into thinking the way they think and/or behaving the way they want you to behave. Personally, I would tend to answer those kinds of questions with, "Tell me what you really want to say. I get the feeling that you'd like me to conform to your standards of riding. I'm hopeful my feelings are wrong."

Kurt Erlenbach

As to the qeustion about why you ride so much, the answer is that you live in Elyria and there's nothing else to do.

will dehne

I must defend the OP a little here. Ohio does have some of the nicest cycling trails in the USA. We as cyclist should commend Ohio for that (cost money). There may be not much else to do in Elyria but the same can be said for many mid size towns in the USA such as Rockford, IL and many more.
I bike in Ohio since my Son lives in Dayton area. Fantastic bike trails. Wish we had them and wish they would connect all over the USA.
Biking allows us to be outside a lot in the summer. Bugs are bad in the Mid West but OK if you bike.
Fitness is an additional benefit.
If I would want cultural diversity I would go back to Germany. No contest.

Retro Grouch 

No, I don't think that I did. I do whatever I think is best for me at the time. What I think is best for me changes over time. When that happens, I change too.

Right now I can't ride at all due to injuries that I suffered in a bicycle accident. I guess that if I were to worry too much that it might recur, I'd be afraid to ride anymore. Insted, my highest priority is to avoid a setback so that I'll be able to get back on the bike as soon as possible.

Booger1

I going to die one day also,I don't think about that either.

keesue

That's the right answer! I'm 58 and ride like the wind while still I can!!!! I was riding the Lake Tahoe ride and a woman blew past me going up Spooner like I was walking. We got to the end of the ride and I went up to compliment her on her fitness. She was 66. hehe

Allegheny Jet

Leinad,

You are at a place where demands on your life are diminished. Both you and your wife have taken riding a bicycle to another level and are doing it together. More power to the both of you! Enjoy and savor the moment. If your interest and passion in riding faster and longer lingers then pursue it until your heart's no longer in it.

Last summer both my grown boys were riding road bikes and lived locally. They would both ride on our local group rides and I even got to do several races with them. Life's pathway includes changes, one son now teaches in Columbus and the other has entered grad school for the next year. I don't know if I will ever be able to ride with them like last summer but I will always have the memories. My commitment to riding is also balanced into my wife's life and around our other interest even though my dedication to the activity is paramount.

Pat

"so fast"? "so much"? So what is "too fast"? And what is "too much"? I ride as fast as I do because I enjoy it and I ride as much as I do because I enjoy it.

mustang1

I shouldn't post to this forum as I am no where near this age, but I know a guy who's 96 years old and continues to ride. Saw him just yesterday. He rides slow, on an old style bike, but he rides. Has his raincoat on, and a hat. And just rides.

I also met another woman who's 76, used to be a racing cyclist. She still rides. She also told me about her best friend who's 74, and also still rides.

Chin up everyone.

lhbernhardt

The classic response to the "why ride a bicycle" is the traditional Zen story. I'm sure most of you have heard or read it, but for those who have not:

Five students of a Zen master was back from the market on their bicycles. As they dismounted, their master asked : Why are you riding your bicycles ?"

Each of them came up with different answers to their master's query.

The first student said "It is the bicycle that is carrying the sack of potatoes. I am glad that my back has escaped the pain of bearing the weight"

The master was glad and said : " You are a smart boy. When you become old you will be saved of a hunch back unlike me"

The second student had a different answer. " I love to have my eyes over the trees and the sprawling fields as I go riding"

The teacher commended : "You have your eyes open and you see the world"

The third disciple came up with yet a different answer : " When I ride I am content to chant 'nam myoho renge kyo'"

The master spoke words of appreciation " Your mind will roll with ease like a newly trued wheel"

The fourth disciple said : "Riding my bicycle in live in perfect harmony of things"

The pleased master said " You are actually riding the golden path of non-harming or non violence"

The fifth student said " I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle"

The master walked up to him and sat at his feet and said "I am your disciple!"

(From: https://living.oneindia.in/yoga-spiri...ry-030209.html)

L.

momof4greatkids

Hi Dan!

Nice post. I highlighted the part that spoke to me, because I feel that same way quite often. And you and the Mrs are really quite amazing in what you have accomplished, and the challenges you continue to rise to, in cycling. I especially think it's great that you can share your passion for cycling together as a couple. I'm getting Greg to come along, slow but sure!

I'm not quite 50 yet, but I certainly see the years piling up and getting used to the idea that I'm not as young as I used to be.

I guess for me it will always be a matter of trying to be the best I can, no matter the age. I might not be able to rock a sub-5hr century when I'm 65 (well, I can't do that now, but no matter ) but I know that I will be able to enjoy myself on the bike if I adjust my expectations and try to make the best I can of what will undoubtedly at some point become a diminishing capacity.

Colleen

Lanceoldstrong

I ride fast, as fast as I can. Like I am in a race, but against who, what?
I race against laziness,those tasty snacks in the cupboard, old age and inevitability.
I must stay ahead of the vices and I might out run the inescapable for a little while longer If I put the work in.

I am like a breakaway out in front of the peleton of old age and slowing down.
Eventually I will be caught but I will fight for every minute and every mile I can stay off the front.

leinad

Thanks all!! It has been fun to read the many perspectives that each derives from the posed question. I don't think that there is a true right or wrong answer. It is all what each of us needs and desires and drives us on.

BTW Elyria ain't that bad, jeez! LOL! Well if ya been reading the paper lately I guess maybe it is.

jdon

I ride to enjoy today not knowing what tomorrow holds. Yes, I would miss it very much if it all ended tomorrow and certainly hope I will be doing it 30 years from now but am not booking any races or tours that far out..

Hermes

I grew up in North Olmsted and my wife the west side of Cleveland - very familiar with Elyria. You need to find stronger cycling friends. We belong to a racing club and there is never a discussion about cycling too much, getting too strong or going too fast. We talk a lot about winning. Non cycling friends are totally clueless about performance cycling and the discipline required and many somewhat accomplished cyclists mostly clueless about racing.

I stay focused on my cycling goals and do not obsess about hypotheticals of getting old and blah blah blah. I think it is useless waste of energy, counter productive and in many cases out of my control. For ME, one thing is certain...I feel better and have a better state of well being with goals. The key for me is to make them achievable. IMHO, that is age independent.

zonatandem

Geez!!! Got kids older than you!!!
At age 76 am doing it, and not just thinking it.
My days of sub-5 hour centuries are over. Am much slower now, but still can kick in a pretty good short sprint.
Still pedalin' 100+ miles a week.

Retro Grouch 

I sometimes ride with a fellow who owns a jersey that says on the back: "You have just been passed by an 80 year old man." Please don't ask me how I know.

He holds an organized ride on his birthday each year. This summer the ride was 84 miles - with a cake stop in the middle.

Velo Dog

I've been saying the same thing in many contexts, including cycling, for at least 15 years. A few years ago, in my 50s, I re-roofed my house by myself. It was pretty straightforward, just climb up there and nail down shingles, but people kept coming by making the usual comments about age, not accepting the passage of time, risking my life, blah blah blah: "Why are you doing that at your age?"
Because I still can, but won't always be able to. Because I'm a desk worker and enjoy the change. Because I saved between $5000 and $7000 with three or four days of work.
I'll be 65 in January, and every time I get on the bike these days, I remind myself to enjoy the ride, because I don't know how many I have left.