How many summers do you have left?
 

As spring hangs on here in the Northeast, I am looking forward to summer. As I think about what I want to do this year - on a bike and otherwise - I go back to this video I watched last year:


I have decided this year - at least for riding - will be the Summer of Fun. I will not be so concerned about how many miles I ride or how fast I go (although I do enjoy longer rides at what I consider a decent pace). This year will be more about exploring places I haven't been and areas that pique my curiosity. Maybe I'll stop and actually read that historical marker I've been by dozens of times before. Maybe I'll take more pictures. Maybe I'll find a quiet brook along a country road, stop, and throw my feet in while having a snack. After riding primarily road bikes, then adding a gravel bike to the rotation, I completely overhauled a proper XC MTB over the winter (late teens Trek Marlin - was a 3x8, made it a tubeless 2x9) so I'll have some fun with that also.

None of us really know how many summers we have left in life - so take advantage of them while you can.

I think I do take advantage of my summers for cycling. I dislike cycling in cold < 35F and even cool temps of < 65F. Though I do ride very occasionally in them. Last year was a piddling few miles though. Partly due to broken ribs at a time when I'm usually starting to ramp up my riding frequency.

This year I'm off to a reasonable start. Though I'm not improving as much as I feel I should. And just this week I'm sort of feeling achy around my right kidney. Hope it's not a stone. The doctor I saw yesterday said the urine test didn't show anything. So possibly just some tense muscles. The cyclobenzaprine she gave me to take before bedtime seems to have gotten rid of all the soreness.

And there is a Century ride on the schedule for Saturday. Though lately I do the metric one since I'm slow and frequently solo these last few years.. Although I do jump on a few pacelines for a time when they invite me. And there are two mountains in Colorado that seem to be beckoning for me to come cycle up them.

So I hope I do have a lot of summers remaining.

Several Summers.

"But about that day or hour, no one knows . . ."

One has the control to determine when that DAY AND TIME is. I AM prepared and wife and kids know this.

5 if I live to 90 and that's provided COPD and bladder cancer don't progress too fast:-)

As many as possible...at 71 one always wonders how many are left before he who shall not be named comes a knockin'...hopefully not for a long time and when he does come it is while I'm asleep and it is fast and painless to not bring stress to my family.

I'm in Southern California, the land of year round riding:

https://sothebys-md.brightspotcdn.co...5-b9ykr-01.jpg

My estimate is 6

How many Summers left?
 

I have 3 summers left … I’ll be 85 ….
JD , Dallas :50:

Why talk about only Summers?
 

No, No, No, ...
the better question is = How many Summers AND Winters did you get RIGHT?

I know there hasn't been a Summer since 1985 that I did not ride bikes.
But there were about a dozen Summers of volunteer US Forest Service Wilderness Ranger and a couple of others were paid. Bike mileage supplanted by hike mileage, but the bikes still got ridden some.
Your legs can take you places your bikes can't go.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c2be469238.jpg

Had a lot of Winters covered, too. Volunteer Ski Patrol - 3 of every 4 weekends for a dozen years included 1-2 shifts per typical non-holiday weekend.
One of the jobs before the ski lifts opened included contributing to clearing the Ski Patrol Bldg's 2nd floor deck from major overnight dumps.
Free skiing and 'head of line' privilege comes with a cost.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...91859ecfe0.jpg
edit: the 4+ foot snow depth was probably a 2 night total - those friday paid patrollers - usually only a 3 person team - never shoveled snow at the 'patrollers barracks' - too busy when the snow dumps. :lol:

You hope . . . I knew folks for whom that did not happen. On the bike and then, suddenly, not on the bike. Or have a great day, go to bed with their beloved and not wake up. Etc. The folks for whom the hospital was their last residence seem to be in the minority among those whom I've been close to. OTOH, I've lived dangerously and many of those I've known were similar. Kiss your loved ones at every opportunity.

Likely less than the 74 summers past. But hope to enjoy every single one!

One never knows. My brother was hit and killed by a car when he was 32 years old. In junior high school, I and some other kids formed a BMX club. One of us had access to pot, and soon all of us, myself excepted, got high after school and on weekends. I don't suppose it's too much of a coincidence that I'm the only one of our club who is still here, and I'm not yet 60. Live every summer like it's your last one, because it might be.

Cue up Seinfeld “The Summer of George!” episode for inspiration.

No idea.
Shopping for a new bike, maybe two, funds permitting.
Meanwhile I stay in touch with friends and family.
I listen to more music than I watch television.
I hit all of my medical appointments and follow my doctors advice, just wish there were not so many specialists.
back in the gym, much strength and aerobic capacity to recover.
Still working to figure out what the rest of my life should look like, as a widower.
Looking forward to my next pair of dogs.
Volunteer Opportunities to decide and pursue?
Bucket List Entries.

fat biker, Still much to be thankful for and looking to the future.

if things go according to plan at least 41 for me.

Summers left? Quién sabe?

But you know, I missed winter riding this year because I was on the disabled list, and that was disappointing. I've come to love winter riding.
So I'm with Wildwood . I hope I have lots of winters left too.

As a cyclist I’m always looking forward to next season, next summer, and eventually I’ll be looking forward to a season I’ll never see, but I won’t know

So my answer has to be n-1

I’m in with Wildwood as well. Get it right, right? I spent decades chasing the best of every season before exclusively cycling, and while I haven’t been around as long, I haven’t missed a summer riding bikes since 1987. I don’t engage in all the winter sports I used to love, but during a recent move ms marko counted four sets of studded snow tires, mounted of course

No offense, but the video started a little like a Neptune Society ad and got a bit depressing from there

I don’t let myself be too nostalgic about sports. I was all in all those decades and I still am

I dodged the question with my reply above. :thumb:

How many Summers (and Winters) left?
:roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2:
He!!, I'm so overdue from what I expected -
that I wake up laughing every morning
when there's air to be breathed.


In the meantime, I still got more bikes than I can ride in a typical month. Grandkids to teach swimming/hiking/biking. A buddy in Bozeman Montana for skiing @ Bridger Bowl to augment the local scene. Etcetera!

I hope many more summers. But, who knows, 71 with back and hip issues. I hope to have an amazing summer this year, I’m switching from a bike to a recumbent trike because of my hip and back issues. I’m bound and determined to keep enjoying the ride.

Just bought a new bike. In 10 years I'll be 77; if I can ride until then I'll call it a win.

Few enough to try to make each one special.

Amen. I have followed that philosophy since my twenties.