I'm 49 years young. Did a lot of racing when I was really young (19-25) but that's all over now. I am purely recreational now. On big rides (like My Old Ky Home, HOPE, Amish Land and Lakes) of 30-60 miles length my sister and I average 14-15mph. We call ourselves the Recycled Cyclers and our motto is 15mph or Less !!! My training (when the weather finally warms up) is only 75-120 miles per week and only riding 3-4 days per week. You will find if you give yourself 2 or 3 rest days weekly and execute a good plan on the days you ride, you'll improve faster than if you just grind out the miles 5-7 days weekly. Your body needs time to recover (older = more time). I try to do 15 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with back to back rides of 30 on the weekends. That averages 90 a week and is plenty. Let's face it - none of us Recycled Cyclers are going to win the Tour de France. We should do it just because IT'S FUN !!!!! If it gets to be a burden then it's no fun anymore. You should have realistic goals. On short rides of 15-25 miles with local club on weeknites during the summer I usually end up riding alone - they are way too fast on such short rides. But on rides of 50 or more miles it it amazing how many of them I start passing on the hills towards the end of the rides. I'm in it for the long haul and not the sprint!

Funniest thing I heard last year: at one of the SAGS on the Amish Land and Lakes Ride, a 40 something with a little gut around the belt was bragging about how he was averaging just under 20mph for the ride. I just laughed to myself - the scenery and weather were so awesome, the Amish folks selling lemonade and baked goods along the way so nice - I was actually slowing down just to make the ride last as long as possible - I did not want the day to end. It was quite possibly the BEST day I ever had on a bike - and here's this other guy out to make his day as short as possible. Just goes to show you there are different approaches and goals to cycling - and mine is much different than it was 30 years ago!