Birthday ride???
01-06-19, 11:31 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Central California
Posts: 1,083
Bikes: 2001 LeMond Nevada City, ‘92 Merlin Titanium, '84 Torpado Super Strada, ‘84 Schwinn Tempo, '81 Bianchi Limites, '73 Raleigh Supercourse
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 161 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
41 Posts
Birthday ride???
So, I know this guy that (every year) rides his “age” in miles on his birthday. I think he started doing it when he was 50...but this year he was unable to...he is now in his 80’s.
I was thinking about this, and am under the belief that he went about it the wrong way. Being a math teacher I think that the formula of R = 100 - A is better. Where R is the ride length and A is age. This way as you get older, your rides get a little shorter.
Just thinking out loud...
Do any of you have some ritual ride that you do on your birthday?
I was thinking about this, and am under the belief that he went about it the wrong way. Being a math teacher I think that the formula of R = 100 - A is better. Where R is the ride length and A is age. This way as you get older, your rides get a little shorter.
Just thinking out loud...
Do any of you have some ritual ride that you do on your birthday?
01-06-19, 03:07 PM
#2
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4560 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
My goal is to aim for a metric century and settle for anything close to it. Missed my goal on my 61st birthday because I was in surgery that day! But I rode 41 miles two days later. Seemed reasonable. My personal training route is a tough roller coaster and very windy in some seasons.
The ride-my-age challenge is bound to be harder for some folks depending on terrain, traffic, wind and season. An alternative might be an indoor trainer ride with software to track distance -- some of my cycling friends enjoy Zwift even for casual pace group rides, not for racing or fitness challenges. One of them in particular didn't ride outdoors for a year after an accident, partly due to pain but also feeling beestung by the accident.
I recall reading awhile back about a fellow in his 90s or older who switched to training only indoors and rode his age on a track.
The tricky bit is staying interested while riding repeats on a circuit that makes the goal achievable. We have a few popular relatively flat time trial training segments but I get bored on those.
The ride-my-age challenge is bound to be harder for some folks depending on terrain, traffic, wind and season. An alternative might be an indoor trainer ride with software to track distance -- some of my cycling friends enjoy Zwift even for casual pace group rides, not for racing or fitness challenges. One of them in particular didn't ride outdoors for a year after an accident, partly due to pain but also feeling beestung by the accident.
I recall reading awhile back about a fellow in his 90s or older who switched to training only indoors and rode his age on a track.
The tricky bit is staying interested while riding repeats on a circuit that makes the goal achievable. We have a few popular relatively flat time trial training segments but I get bored on those.
01-06-19, 03:13 PM
#3
Senior Member
My birthday is in February, tends to be pretty awful weather.
01-06-19, 03:34 PM
#4
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
My birthday is in the early Spring, and sometimes (but alas not always) falls on a Saturday.
The PA Randonneurs run a 200k brevet around that time, always on a Saturday, so that is usually my birthday ride. This year they are doing it the week after that, but the DC Randonneurs have a 200k right on my birthday... so that will probably be it.
So, for me, the distance doesn't vary with my age.
The PA Randonneurs run a 200k brevet around that time, always on a Saturday, so that is usually my birthday ride. This year they are doing it the week after that, but the DC Randonneurs have a 200k right on my birthday... so that will probably be it.
So, for me, the distance doesn't vary with my age.
01-06-19, 03:39 PM
#5
Hump, what hump?
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: SC midlands
Posts: 1,934
Bikes: See signature
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 337 Post(s)
Liked 227 Times
in
145 Posts
Suggest he convert to metric measurement. 80 km is 48 miles.
In the past, when I felt my average speed was too low, I'd convert to kph! lol Now I'm focusing on time rather than mileage, as I'm building my base again.
In the past, when I felt my average speed was too low, I'd convert to kph! lol Now I'm focusing on time rather than mileage, as I'm building my base again.
__________________
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
01-06-19, 07:51 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 4,780
Bikes: Numerous
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1678 Post(s)
Liked 3,098 Times
in
914 Posts
__________________
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
01-06-19, 09:48 PM
#8
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,626
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3888 Post(s)
Liked 6,485 Times
in
3,209 Posts
I went on a birthday suit ride once. Just around the block a couple times about 3am. Don't worry, it wasn't my bike.
01-06-19, 10:22 PM
#9
Senior Member
I am planning on a Birthday Ride for my birthday this year
01-06-19, 10:25 PM
#10
Still learning
I turned 62 in June and road 62km in late September around Leelanau on my Schwinn High Plains mtb w/o any preparation I would call a training regime. IIRC, just about 3 hours.
01-07-19, 08:56 AM
#11
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times
in
806 Posts
I've never done a birthday ride that I can recall. My birthday now consists of whatever my wife thinks we should do to celebrate my birthday. I smile and conform, so that everyone believes that they've memorialized the day in the way that we "should".
Sigh. I'd be happy to simply ride my bike.
I do recall that my youngest daughter was conceived on my birthday in 1992, though, we believe.
Sigh. I'd be happy to simply ride my bike.
I do recall that my youngest daughter was conceived on my birthday in 1992, though, we believe.
01-07-19, 10:08 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,158
Mentioned: 481 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3810 Post(s)
Liked 6,701 Times
in
2,612 Posts
I've been doing the ride-my-age birthday rides for about 10 years. My birthday is in April, so weather in New England is usually decent. For probably the last five years, I've considerably exceeded my age on that day or close to it, and I'm thinking I should be allowed to bank those miles for when I'm in my dotage (I'll be 59 this year).
01-07-19, 03:49 PM
#13
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,409 Times
in
909 Posts
I've never done a birthday ride that I can recall. My birthday now consists of whatever my wife thinks we should do to celebrate my birthday. I smile and conform, so that everyone believes that they've commemorated (FIFY) the day in the way that we "should".
Sigh. I'd be happy to simply ride my bike. (hang in there)
I do recall that my youngest daughter was conceived on my birthday in 1992, though, we believe.
Sigh. I'd be happy to simply ride my bike. (hang in there)
I do recall that my youngest daughter was conceived on my birthday in 1992, though, we believe.
We still don't know where all your bikes are.
Happy Birthday, whenever it is.
01-07-19, 04:11 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,154
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2363 Post(s)
Liked 1,749 Times
in
1,191 Posts
My State Senator has been riding his age in miles every birthday for many years now. He's 91. Far as I know he'll be doing it again this year. Birthday is in May, IIRC, which helps....
He's the longest-serving state legislator in US history.
I bumped into him at a lunch place downtown many years ago, and offered a hand to thank him for something he'd worked on (forgetting what, exactly). Dude darn near broke my hand shaking it. A while before that, when he was just a 79-year-old colt, his computer battery went out during his birthday ride. So he just kept going, and guesstimated it. Got on a map site when he got home, retraced the route, and discovered he'd done over 100.
He's the longest-serving state legislator in US history.
I bumped into him at a lunch place downtown many years ago, and offered a hand to thank him for something he'd worked on (forgetting what, exactly). Dude darn near broke my hand shaking it. A while before that, when he was just a 79-year-old colt, his computer battery went out during his birthday ride. So he just kept going, and guesstimated it. Got on a map site when he got home, retraced the route, and discovered he'd done over 100.
01-07-19, 04:51 PM
#16
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,002
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4338 Post(s)
Liked 2,981 Times
in
1,617 Posts
My birthday is in April.
I don't do a birthday ride, but when I turned 50 I jumped out of an airplane and rode my one and only double century ... neither one on my actual birthday.
This year I turn 60 and I'm doing the long ride at l'Eroica California.
I barely notice my birthday on ages that don't end in zero.
I don't do a birthday ride, but when I turned 50 I jumped out of an airplane and rode my one and only double century ... neither one on my actual birthday.
This year I turn 60 and I'm doing the long ride at l'Eroica California.
I barely notice my birthday on ages that don't end in zero.
01-08-19, 06:09 AM
#17
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
I've done a Birthday Ride most years since joining BF. Sometimes I manage it my age on my birthday. Often (like about 5 out of 7 probability) my birthday falls on a workday so I have to do it the next weekend. Since it occurs mid-November the weather and diminishing daylight make it a challenge.
I turned 70 this past year. The last two years have seen only the mid-60's for mileage. It's getting harder to find a long enough route I can do in the available daylight window between storm clouds. Perhaps in mid-May I should do one that is 70.5 miles.
I turned 70 this past year. The last two years have seen only the mid-60's for mileage. It's getting harder to find a long enough route I can do in the available daylight window between storm clouds. Perhaps in mid-May I should do one that is 70.5 miles.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
