smontanaro 

Went for a ride today, about 20 miles on my old Dawes Galaxy. Blue jeans and tennis shoes. When I was passed by other bikes, it was, "Oh well, I'm riding easy today." (For the sake of argument, ignore the fact that I ride easy most days. )

rsbob 

68 is great Will never ride as fast as a 40 YO but I would be happy with a 55 YO.

SurferRosa

No ****, Biker395. That's a far bigger issue. Compared to when I was age 10 and the day seemed to drag on forever, the earth now speeds around the sun at a dangerously crazy pace where the day of the week doesn't matter and the month barely stands still.

seypat

I turned 58 this past Friday. How did I celebrate? The same way I've been doing since I got into endurance sports about a decade ago. Shamrock weekend/Dolphin Challenge, baby! You have the beach, the sun, the after party and the rest of the people celebrating with me. You think I give a rat's a$$ about my time? I'm out there doing/enjoying it because I can and made it another year.

https://www.shamrockmarathon.com/2022-race-video/

smontanaro 

Not having heard of this, I searched. It seems to be an 8k Saturday and a half marathon Sunday. Both substantial efforts no doubt, but what do they have to do with dolphins (no water seemed to be involved)?

seypat

They have to put some kind of snazzy name to it. Just an ocean/beach thing. The 8k/marathon challenge is called the Whale Challenge. BITD when the half and full marathons started at different times, they had a challenge called the King Neptune Challenge. You run past a big statue of King Neptune about 50 yards before the finish. To complete that challenge, you had to complete the half in a certain time, cross the finish line, then go down a chute and start the marathon. If you didn't run the half fast enough, a gate on the chute to the full course would be closed and you couldn't complete the challenge. The Shamrock has the best after party I've been to in that huge tent on the beach. 4 beer/beverage tickets on your bib. A bowl of Irish stew from Murphy's Irish Pub. Lot's of swag. The whole weekend is a rolling St. Patrick's Day festival with some running included.

seypat

I see you're in the Chicago area. BITD when one of my brothers live in Chicago, I used to do an event there called the Men's Health Urbanathlon. 11 mile obstacle course. That was a fun event. Now, I think it's a Rugged Maniac or Tough Mudder.

Biker395 

My theory is that the reason is that we perceive time as a percentage of the time we have been alive. So when you are 5, one year is 20% of your life and seems to take forever. When you are 10, it is 1/10, and at 20, it is 1/20, and goes proportionally quicker. When you are in your 50s, 60s, and 70s ... it flies by.

striker65

Simple when you retire time doesn't matter, what time change? Oh wait why isn't the Price is Right on?

rsbob 

How old are you out there risking life and limb mtbing?

Have to admit that for the years, I loved the challenge, the exhilaration, the constant learning and the danger of mountain biking. One of the drivers was getting away from inattentive drivers. Unfortunately after a non-related back injury, I had to give it up since it only aggravated it. Those were good years and helped by road bike handling skills, so all is not lost. Enjoy you 71 YO.

terrymorse 

The brain study people say the "time goes faster when you're old" effect is due to the old brain geting worse at laying down memories.

staehpj1

Yeah, thanks. I hope to continue for quite a few years, but we don't get any guarantees. I am pretty good at falling safely when I do fall and minimizing injuries, also I have good bone density so that helps. With cars and hard surfaces I have had more serious injuries on than off road over the decades. Also where I am we aren't blessed with many long downhills so high speed crashes are less likely here. It is little ups and downs over roots and ruts on the more technical stuff here on my part of the Florida panhandle. We do have more hills than you'd expect for Florida, but it is still Florida. There are actually a few really steep grades here, but never real long and the ones on my regular rides are short.

My dad had a poodle take out his front wheel when he was 78 (on a country road). He broke his collar bone, healed quickly, and was back on the bike as soon as a youngster. I figure he might not have crashed if he had developed and maintained better bike handlng skills with some mountain biking. So just maybe I'll break fewer bones by mountain biking.

indyfabz

I thought the thread was literally going to be about your clock getting faster. The clock of my CatEye computer keeps becoming 16 minutes fast no matter how often I reset it.

seypat

That's what I thought as well. BTW, happy belated birthday. I think yours was one day last week. Same for me and same age as well. Yours was way more special this year. Glad you made it. Hopefully, you'll be taking off on one of those touring adventures before long.

indyfabz

Thanks. Yes. It was the 13th. I should be home in a week or two. Cancelled my Easter long weekend trip. Maybe I’ll get something in this late September/early fall. I was literally off my feet for some two months. I need to work on my walking before I can ride.

seypat

That's a heck of a journey you're on.

A wise man once said, "Put one foot in front of the other."

indyfabz

I just happened to have my first shower of 2023 this morning and did more walking with a walker. I’m so out of shape.

t2p

but hopefully in the not too distant future will be ‘good as new’ ... good as the old indyfabz

RB1-luvr

At 58 I'm not liking my slower pace and lesser ability to climb. I was doing great until about 52 years old.

terrymorse 

Are you riding as much, and training as hard, as you were 6 years ago?

ironwood

At 82, I often feel I'm going at a pretty good clip, when somebody goes past, even though he or she does't look like they are peddling particularly fast, The same when I'm walking at what seems a pretty good pace, and someone passes me even though they don't look like they are walking very fast. I've heard that this normal as we age, that is, time seems to go faster than when you are young. I just get used to it and am glad I can bike and walk without problems..

RB1-luvr

yes i am. Last year was a good mileage year. I'm just not as strong. I'm thinking to get back to where I was I would probably have to get a coach (ain't happenin) and clean up my diet (working on that). The older bod isn't as lenient as it was.

ah! I have gotten away from running though. Perhaps if I get back to that, some strength will return.

arex

Ignore the clock and just enjoy yourself.

Garfield Cat

Clock getting faster:

The mind is slower and the clock is the same. It takes longer to recall things, even things way back in time. Even when you're on the keyboard, the missteps and speed become more prevalent. The time to think things through seems to require more effort. All kinds of everyday events are subject to this "mind-body" thing.

Biking is no exception.

canalligators

I’m 71 and I’ve been slowing down for about 20 years. But I’ve never been a fast rider, so I’ve gotten over it. Acceptance, I guess. I do still have good endurance, and am thankful for that.

I’ve somewhat compensated by getting a faster bike. Well two actually. If I feel like going faster, I ride one of those.