I haven't quite hit the 50 mark, but I thought you all might have the answer to this question...

When I was a kid/teenager, I could ride my 10 speed for great distances with no hands on the handlebars. I could even lean through corners without having to hold on! But now that I'm 44, I can't take my hands off those bars without getting wobbly. I'm riding a Lemond Tourmalet. So the style of bike is similar. Have any of you noticed a lack of balance? Is it just me? Is it the fact that I'm riding a different bike even though they are of similar style? The "teenage" bike was a Schwinn Continental 10 speed that I, unfortunately, no longer have....dang ex-husband anyway!...so I can't ride the old bike to see if it is the bike or if it is me.

So my question is -- is it me or the bike? Does the ability to balance decline as we age? (I'd love to be able to sit up and just stretch for a minute while still moving forward.)