i'm back on the bike in a serious manner after about 12 years off. just finished my first century of the year on sunday. no question for me of taking a couple of days off. in fact, the weather forecast has wind gusts to 45 tomorrow, so i may take 3. if i do go out, it will be in the woods on the mtn bike. i have been averaging 4 days a week. at 65 i just can't do the endless every day riding i used to handle just fine. but with rest i've been able to average about 125 miles a week pretty comfortably. i resisted the urge to join a couple of groups on the ride sunday that were too fast for me, most awkwardly from 4 guys who were my age or older. but going my pace i finished right at 7 hours. rest is key!
You are being smart.....BUT.....don't blame being 65! It just takes longer to achieve the levels that satisfy you. That is both actual performance AND, as this thread addresses, restoration time. It used to be at 50, people sat on rocking chairs on porches, now look at us! I have invested the last 2 years averaging 140 miles weekly (among other things) and couldn't be happier about my performance at 64. I weigh 215 so now my goal is making myself 190, there is always something to shoot for. Keep it up, 125 miles weekly is formidable! Raydog