Originally Posted by PhattTyre
I'm 23 and my dad is 55. Every year on his birthday (Dec 24) he rides up the road of South Mtn in Phx, AZ with any riding buddy who is willing to tolerate a little bit of pain. Over the years this ride has gotten a little competitve between my dad and I. For the first 3 years I just smoked him. He started taking is training a little more seriously, started racing, and got wicked strong. I, on the other hand, got busy with school and what not, so I did not train. On the 4th year he beat me. I put up a good fight and even set a personal best, but I couldn't keep the Old Man's wheel. This past Chirstmas Eve we both went all out. He was right on time with last years time, and I set a personal best and beat him, but only by about 30 second (over a 33 minute climb). He just turned 55 and is in the best shape of his life. He can even keep up with me off road on our singlespeeds (for the most part). Bottom line, old guys can be fast, fit, and strong, they just have to work at it.
Very inspiring, PhattTyre. I'm 48, been riding for years & years & years, albeit off and on.
My son, who is 24, when he does ride with me, can keep up fairly well on the flats, but I absolutely smoke him on hills. That is due solely because I ride MUCH more than he does. He has the same body type as me (lean/light) and there's absolutely no reason that he couldn't beat me if he trained. I'm trying to get him out more, but he's "busy". He's a guitar player in a damn good band, and you know how that can affect your schedule. I actually taught him how to play guitar and told him that one day he would be better than me, and now, so he is.
. Wish he would outdo me on the bike now.
Father & son competition - it's the best, isn't it?