Originally Posted by
LAriverRat
If you can get in miles every week after 70 you are a strong rider IMO, compared to all other people who are 70 or more. We all are weak compared to the TDF riders. Same as golf, there are only a very few people who can play golf, the rest of us suck.
Yup, some play the game, others play AT it. The only difference is how you are compensated -- by dollars, or joy?
Originally Posted by
crazyb
I think it depends on where you start out at. An elite athelete is going to see a decline much more apparent than a person with average abilities. I started riding again at age 53, I am 58 now and my stamina, recovery, speed, has increased, not decreased evey year so far.
I find it funny that, while I can't hit the same top speed anymore, I can cross town faster now on a bike than I could at 16!
Originally Posted by
cyclingvirtual
From my experience, endurance drops of slightly, but strength falls off faster as does recovery after 50. Saying that a good 50 year old can still beat the younger ones.
Especially when so many of the younger ones are so SOFT!
Originally Posted by
Kerlenbach
I'd be reluctant to put much stock in the kind of chart you are looking for.
Yeah, I'm basically with this idea. It really doesn't matter, because if you and I were the same age, started riding at the same point in time, and did the same types of training, our results would still be different.
You really only ever compete against yourself, and as for me, I'm done trying to show myself I'm better; I do it for the joy.