We do have a few members here that are fit. And not just fit for their age--They are fit.

And we also have a few newcomers that are just about surviving whenever they take their bikes out for a ride.

Up until a few years ago I would have classed myself as one of the fit ones but no longer. I have found myself struggling to keep up with the other riders in our group to such an extent that I will find excuses not to ride with them. I feel that I am holding them back on speed and making them wait too often for me. So I have taken to riding solo just so I can keep riding. Problem is that those solo rides are taken at a pace that is comfortable for me and all that can be said is that I am riding.

My problem is that up until 5 years ago I used to train for 10 months of the year for a hard ride. Then last time I did it in 06 it hurt. I know the weather was against us that year but at 59 I decided that a 12 hour ride was punishing my body just a bit too much. When I stopped the ride I also cut back on the training for it and from then on I was on a downward slope. Didn't help in that this was the time that I went road for an easier time. Not saying road is easier and for a few years I kept up the training for a few holidays in France going up slopes and I quite enjoyed the comfort of a road bike on the 100 milers but If you want to get fit- start riding 120 miles offroad each week up 15% rutted trails and you will find a difference.

This summer has bought it home to me that I am not as fit as I should be. I can still do a metric tomorrow without any warning but I will know it afterwards. To do a full 100 miler and I know I will have to train a bit for it. What is more worrying though is that my speed has gone down tremendously. I was never a speed merchant and IF i ever got to 20 mph as a top speed it would have been on a downslope and probably with a tailwind- but a 30 mile ride with 2,500 ft of climbing would have been done at an average of 15mph. Last sunday it was an average of 13mph although I still managed the basket hill and did not fall off the bike at the top.

There is only one way to get over this and that is to get more riding in. I retire next year and that will leave enough time to get out more often. Riding once a week- which is what I am currently doing- is not enough. Especiall when I have stopped pushing myself for at least part of that ride.

Although this is a post to try and motivate myself- It should also act as a warning to others that are finding themselves in the same boat. Lethargy has set in for me and I have to get over it and get more riding in. I know I am getting older and could possibly be slowing down- but if I don't get out and exercise more- I am going to lose what I have still got. Just roll on retirement.