Does Anyone Still Do Birthday Rides?
09-13-22, 06:11 PM
#26
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My birthday and my wife’s are 5 months apart so we usually do our birthday ride goal on or around August 15th which is halfway between our birthdays. I turned 71 in June and she will turn 71 in November. We rode 73 miles on a beautiful day. 
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09-13-22, 07:27 PM
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I've been doing birthday rides since I turned 50, I believe. This year was 62, and my birthday is in April, so weather somewhat cooperates here in the Boston area. Last year it snowed for the first ten miles or so, and this year I had hail come down a few times, but mostly okay. I started fairly intense indoor training in Feb for a challenging ride in early March, so I was in good enough shape to knock off a metric come April. Hope that's true next year.
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09-13-22, 07:32 PM
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Originally Posted by jppe
I’ve only ridden once since early July but riding my age is on my mind. I used to ride double my age pretty regularly but it’s amazing how things can change…..
Lots of stuff going on the last several months and couldn’t find the motivation to get on the bike but still walking 18 holes 5 days a week and have kept the weight where it needs to be.
But Just turned 70 so might give it a try. My friends are saying I could do it with no problem and if I take it easy and possibly throw in a BBQ lunch as a rest stop who knows…..
How about you?
Lots of stuff going on the last several months and couldn’t find the motivation to get on the bike but still walking 18 holes 5 days a week and have kept the weight where it needs to be.
But Just turned 70 so might give it a try. My friends are saying I could do it with no problem and if I take it easy and possibly throw in a BBQ lunch as a rest stop who knows…..
How about you?
If yes, Im even more impressed
Last edited by joesch; 09-14-22 at 06:37 AM.
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09-13-22, 07:42 PM
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Yes I think it a good idea even if you accomplish some time during the year and you pick a nice day and flat course.
09-13-22, 09:39 PM
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I think the birthday ride is an excellent idea, ,
even if partway in,
you decide
"CRAP - it's my birthday,
again,
At my age, I should be partying
like it's 1999."
Steel doesn't rust that fast,
ride tomorrow.
edit:
,even if partway in,
you decide
"CRAP - it's my birthday,
again,At my age, I should be partying
like it's 1999."
Steel doesn't rust that fast,
ride tomorrow.
edit:
Last edited by Wildwood; 09-13-22 at 09:46 PM.
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09-14-22, 09:38 AM
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Birthday “ride your age” rides have been a tradition among many on the 50+ forum. I do not participate in riding a certain number of miles but I try to do something special related to cycling on my birthday - route/location, climbing, riding, racing or even something in the gym.
09-14-22, 11:12 AM
#32
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Originally Posted by Bald Paul
I bought a calendar from Europe. Since it's a metric calendar, I ride my age in km.
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09-14-22, 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
What's the conversion rate to make your age in metric?
09-14-22, 08:52 PM
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I have learned at 72 that a 20+ mile ride with a day off between keeps me in good enough condition that is the kids or grandkids show up on a rest day I can do 20+ with them and not suffer and they are cool with that.
09-15-22, 06:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Bald Paul
Hey, it could be worse. I have a t-shirt that reads "In Dog Years, I'm Dead"
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09-15-22, 02:51 PM
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Birthday rides weren't in my repertoire until I got to an age when my diminishing strength and my own mortality became more obvious to me, around age 60. So I celebrate my birthdays now with rides that are strenuous enough to convince me that I've still got several more years to enjoy my lifetime passion of cycling. Self-assurance I guess.
Whether I match my years in miles, kilometers, or hundreds of feet of climbing my birthday rides are what the young cyclists I know call "type 2 fun," rides which end in exhaustion and misery but, in retrospect, were a lot of fun!
Brent
Whether I match my years in miles, kilometers, or hundreds of feet of climbing my birthday rides are what the young cyclists I know call "type 2 fun," rides which end in exhaustion and misery but, in retrospect, were a lot of fun!
Brent
09-15-22, 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted by bruce19
No. I've never done it. I think the rule should be 100 miles minus your age. Makes more sense to me.
My 65th is coming up in a few months, a 65 km/41 mile ride would be a fun way to spend a day. I've never been up to the end of the local MUP (about 25 miles one way) so maybe I'll give it a try since my birthday is midweek and the traffic should be minimal.
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09-16-22, 06:36 AM
#38
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Originally Posted by joesch
Could you throw in 2 good beers with the BBQ and still be successful?
If yes, Im even more impressed
If yes, Im even more impressed
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09-16-22, 06:40 AM
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Originally Posted by jppe
Last year several of us rode 3 days to the beach carrying our bags. 100 miles each day which included BBQ and Brewery stops every day. So definitely!!!
09-18-22, 07:47 AM
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I've been doing a metric century which is right around my age for a while on my birthday for a while. I don't think I'll ever do much more than that though. I'm not in denial about getting older but I find that a metric is a good distance. I've been riding my 1960 Olmo Gran Sport on my birthday. The parts (other than the saddle, bar and stem, and freewheel) are largely original. The gearing is 49/46 with a 13-26 gearing so I avoid any serious hills when riding that bike. I have a late 50s Claud Butler Jubilee I need to build up with more forgiving gearing so I can tackle more serious climbs on my b day ride. Both bikes have original paint and decals; I just wish I looked that good at around the age of those two bikes, :
:
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09-18-22, 12:11 PM
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Trying to find a bike built in 57' so I can always ride my age.
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09-18-22, 06:37 PM
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This thread made me realize I'm about to turn 100 years old, in kilometers.
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