Not sure if any cheer leading will do much good. Anyone that's ever gone the distance - whether its 26.2 miles or 29,000 feet - ultimately asks themselves why? And whatever answer they discover in themselves has little to do with what others think.

Surely you have enough experience to know why age and circumstance brings limitations. But you also have the wisdom to know that it is when you give your brevets your fullest measure - your accomplishment has the most meaning and satisfaction.

"Anyone that's ever gone the distance - whether its 26.2 miles or 29,000 feet - ultimately asks themselves why? And whatever answer they discover in themselves has little to do with what others think."

I read sentence this in Phil Ligget's voice. Sounds a bit like one of his intros.

It is a wake-up call.

You need to stop competing with yourself and others and get out and just enjoy the ride.
A day standing is a good day!

At 77 I suffer with needing a lot more recovery; being too competitive has served me well for 40 years. I make myself ride with guys in their late 50's on Sat. and Sunday. I do have trouble staying on the group on quarter mile 8-10% hills and flats when they get to 28 - 30 mph. I now train with a power meter and recently started using training Peaks in hopes of increasing VO2 max and Functional threshold Power. I'm retired and cycling and grandchildren are my life.

Nowhere near as quick/fast, but I still like to accelerate. 30+ years ago, I had a mild 396 BBC in a '74 Camaro, best of 11.31 @ 119.5.

Pic before getting back-halfed:



Now I have a four-door land yacht grandpa car, that is nearly as fast and street legal... I dial 12.0 to stay in my class...





I'm staying slower than 11.5 because I don't want to be required to put a cage in it. Contingency stickers are on sheet magnet, and stored in the trunk. Sleepers can be fun, too!