+1 I have a mileage and effort goal for pretty much every solo ride, even if it's a commute, and all of them have stretch options. Most of those rides involve a nonscientific version of intervals--lung searing climbs, all out mile sections, staying in the drops and holding cadence into a stiff headwind. For me, it's what keeps it interesting.

I don't keep track of course records or the like, in fact my speedometer has been missing a battery for more than two months and it may well stay that way. Keeping track, keeping score is what racing is for. Feelings of strength, power and freedom, on the other hand, don't need to be benchmarked against anyone else's accomplishment, and being able to capture those feelings does not have to be age dependent.

Bruised: my advice is go for it.