Yeah, the wind here in April and May can be pretty intense. I actually hurt myself on a wind ride a bit earlier this year.

Hope you are doing much better now. I imagine a gusty cross wind could even blow you over.

It's funny you said that. On one of my regular routes it was a pretty windy day with a tailwind for the first 8 miles or so. I went down to the end of a large pier where there is a large building. I went around the building and there wasn't any wind. As I came around the back side, I hit a huge (maybe not really HUGE) side gust of wind that nearly blew me over. That sure woke me up, boomer

Age 60. Nearly died from sepsis two years ago. Didn’t walk or eat for the first two months of 2023 after 3 minor strokes and heart surgery.

Random shots from my recent two-week tour in Montana:

Indyfabz - Glad you have recovered enough to ride around Montana a little bit. It is sure a beautiful state out there. I was out there last summer and it had been a few years. Can't wait to get back there. Great pictures.

Thanks. I had done much of the mileage during previous trips. This time the threat of snow forced me to cut out my two favorite parts of the planned route. Six to seven inches forecast for the mountain range I was planning to ride through. (The summit sits at 8,000'.) Had to hole up at a hot springs resort for two days. All the lodging was full the first night due to weddings in the area, so I had to camp. Woke at 4:30 am to the sound of sleet hitting my tent. Had a cute cabin the second night. At least there was food, a bar, and a 104 degree pool fed by a natural hot spring.

Where were you? The post-pandemic population explosion in certain areas has definitely led to changes. One nickname I heard for Bozeman, which has seen massive growth, is "Bozeangeles".

Those gravel roads are motivating. Fixing to get back into the sport sooner than later. I miss the endorphins

Indyfabz - I was in Whitefish this time last year. We went to Glacier National Park and then we went to Under The Big Sky Music Festival. It was absolutely awesome, the best music fest we have ever been to. I got to do a little riding around the area but nothing serious. I was out there 40 some years ago, I was going on a big Hi -Line job but ended up on another one in Oregon. They don't call it "Big Sky Country " for nothing.

T2P - Can you please tell me the location of that rail trail ? I would love to ride that. Thanks, boomer

If you enjoyed the music festival, then you need to read my novel

the GAP - Great Allegheny Passage

outstanding ride and experience

people from all over the US and world ride the GAP

Prowler and indyfabz (fairly certain) in this thread have ridden the GAP













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reminds me - looking forward to one of your other books !

At 71 I am doing very short rides. They are Up and Down so its quite a workout for me. My routes are only 5 to 15 miles but I try very hard to ride every day. It works out to about four times a week a minimum. As a commuter you are way ahead of the game! Keep it up.

This past year my rides have gotten shorter with longer recovery times and some shortness of breath. So next week its Pulmonologist and the week after I'll be chasing a Cardiologist... RATS! This getting old ship is HARD!

Jus Saying...

Man! I would be stopping so often it would take me forever to finish this ride. What a beauty!...

Glad to see this thread at the top of 50+ so regularly.
When I hit 30, I knew I needed more than Work to be a happy, fulfilled human.
At the time it was Hike. I added Cycle and Ski.
At 50, more was needed = Volunteer, Reconnect with Old Friends, make New Friends
At 75, I have learned sometimes you just have to Dig Deep and Prep for adversities.
And always Search for Spirituality.
oh - be sure to keep it fun. The secret to consistency.

Hike (hard)

Cycle

Ski

Volunteer (Ski Patrol and Forest Service Wilderness) for me

Smile with old friends

Make a new friend -

Dig deep on occasion

Prep for adversities

Find your Spirituality - Pantheism for me.

. Spirituality? Individuality? --- Perfect your Weirdness, lifelong project within itself.

Here’s another, but not quite in the same genre

that’s it !

and that was just a few shots !

below pics are from just one relatively short section

Agree. A very memorable experience. So glad I could go. I musta been 68 yrs old at the time.

I revisited recently but did not ride (rain). So I explored Ohiopyle State Park which I just blew by on my tour. Neat place and great blueberry pancakes at the Falls Market (open 7am)

I'm 60. I only ride inside.

I have to admit that I like the suffering of riding. Like the other day when I rode gravel in 105 Heat Index with the sun beating me. Or going up a steep incline. As Dr. Hutch says, its a privilege to be able to do it. Everything comes out of my mind; my poor relationship skills with women, my big road project, my subordinates in my ear, all of it. Its just me, the bike and the road.

Ohiopyle is a great little town - one of the top whitewater rafting destinations in the country

Ohiopyle has been described as a small town plunked from Colorado and placed in the Laurel Mountains of PA

57 here HS grad 1986. Just get on that bike and don’t worry about it. You will be back before you know it. I’m coming back soon after 2 years off the bike got into weight lifting but the bike bug has returned with a vengeance. I miss the feeling of freedom and the rush of endorphins.

I am the same age and high school grad year as you. I have been riding quite a bit more since I posted my request. The heat hits harder these days than it used to. It does not stop me, I just need to plan for it.

I loved the pictures but I snipped those to focus on the words. These are a real gift. Thanks.