LIfe is the Slow Lane
 

Or at least the slower lane. That's my plan for the remainder of this year and through 2008.

I started riding longish distances 30 years ago, sometimes touring for weeks or even months at a time. Up until two years ago, I never had a cycling-related injury. Then I turned 50, and some sort of mid-life demon got ahold of me. I really focused on getting faster. And it worked. Until my back went to hell. Then after some serious rehab last year, I picked up the pace again this year. Then my knee went to hell.

I'm tired of going to hell to retrieve and revivie my various body parts. So--without suggesting this is a good idea for anyone else--I'm going back into touring mode (even for shorter rides). I'll be carrying my big ol' camera, stopping when and where I will and sauntering (not speeding) through the upcoming year.

Wave when you pass me, and happy cycling.

My favorite type of riding. You'll be the one waving as you pass me:)

I agree. Every now and then the demon gets ahold and I start training to be faster and before I know it the readout on the computer is all that matters on a ride. Then I wake up and slow down and ride for fun again.

Taking the camera helps. Picking up a couple of tourista's on the trail and showing them the sights helps. Going for a ride with no idea of where I'm going to end up helps.....:)

That'll be me too

Tomorrow morning I'm going to try to keep up with the guys, on my new fast bike - or it would be fast, in anyone else's hands.

I'll be with

Tim 2 Porsches, 3 times Ironman
Les 60 year old, ex track racer, feels a little challenged to average 40kph, only one porsche and 3 jeeps
Trevor doesn't say much, after pressing admits to winning a few 24 hour running and cycling events, takes the bus
Tim, Tim and Andy, US Navy Seals, don't say much about 12 hour surf night time swims
Neil, only one Porsche so that doesn't count, and neither do his regular 3.20 marathons
And me - 10 year old pickup, bumble along genially, touring pace

I'm there to offer an alternative approach. So far, it hasn't proved compelling

I'm sure your "touring mode" is still more intensive than my normal mode.

I've ridden almost 1000 miles this year. My single longest stretch where I rode without stopping was 10 miles. My 2nd longest one was only 6 miles.

My favorite ride is one of about 25 miles and I would make 6 stops during it. Not stopping because I'm fatigued, but only because I enjoy stopping to look at things, stretch a little, or stop in a town to check out an art gallery or bike shop or bakery. My 25 mile ride would take 3-4 hours to complete, well, there have been times when they've taken 6-7 hours when there are towns with old historic districts or beautiful parks on the trail.

:) LOL. Every group has its renegade.

Have found this year that Road riding is at a far lower pace than offroading. I probably made the decision to change at the right time, being 60, but I do miss those hard offroad climbs that get the HR up- Boil the legs with Lactic acid and give me the sense of achievement that I can still do it when crawling past the Walkers pushing their bikes up a rock strewn Gully with all sorts of debris all over it. I haven't been offroad for 6 months now- and the road riding does get a bit boring if I decide to take a flat ride and just churn out the miles.

Saying that- I am finding new Challenges to meet- Did Ventoux this year and that does give me a lot of Kudos with the speed merchants I ride with occasionally. Ventoux was not difficult- just took a long time. I climbed the 16% hill in my area on the Compact crank and even my LBS say I am mad for trying that one- They are aged 30 to 40 and still race so for an older rider to attempt it I am not doing too bad.

Bit of an unfair comparison due to the change of Bike- but I have slowed down this year. I still miss the Offroad but Road riding will keep me going for a few years to come. And thanks to Riding with my brain- I have not HAD to buy a new helmet this year. I did buy one but not because I bent it against a tree- or the trail- Just because I wanted one. That has saved the trips to the hospital to get another xray to see If I have broken anything this time.

I hear you, Jet. I have 3 bikes that help me "categorize" my riding. An upright, turns on a thought, feels every bump racer with 25mm tires, a sport touring long-rider with 28mm tires, and a gonzo frankenbike with 32's for go-anywhere rain or shine. There's a feeling to riding the gonzo bike that is kid-like, informal, no expectations, spontaneous-- and just for fun. It's not a beater by any means (old Ultegra, DA, Suntour), and it does get ridden a lot. For basic health and fitness (emotional and otherwise), the riding you describe is spot on. And as we get up near 70, the understanding there is more than speed to cycling will probably keep us on the road.

"What's that, sonny, you've only seen friction shifters and steel bikes in old photographs? Well, here you see the stuff for reals. It still works-- and so do I. Eh? You hope to be riding like me when you're my age? Well, tuck in behind me on that plastic contraption of yours and lemme tell you about the philosophy of Jet.................."

I love this thread!!! This has been MY WAY of enjoying cycling!! And recently there is burn out in my brain, and cyclilng has become less enjoyable !!! I hate that. so this thread is reminding me to do it the ay I like it! However, I MUST get ON the bike to enjoy that slow, stopping-to-enjoy kind of riding.

Nancy

I appreciate the knee issues, I have the same problem. It kept me in the slowish lane for several years until I discovered how to work around the problems. Now I have to watch my mental state and how deeply worn out I get and take breaks from pushing. If all you do is train for speed then cycling becomes a job, I already have one of those, thank you very much!

Cool! Now you can stop shaving! :D

Me too. I used to hammer on every ride and I was never happy unless I beat, or at least matched, my previous best. Now I do most of my riding sans computer and I'm happy all the time.

I have quite a few years before I can stop shaving:(

Hey Jet, thanks for the reminder! Many of us need to be reminded that the proper focus of biking is on the ride and not the number of miles at a given speed. I think I'll make that next years goal.

Sounds like you and I could have a race to see who made the most stops in a ride these days......I right there with you JT!!

Use it or lose it. Like the song says when you find yourself in hell don't slow down because you may get through it before the devil notices that you are there. I never have accomplished anything in sports and I am so slow that you have to drive a stake up beside me to see if I am moving but I am always trying to get a little better. I think that it is a fine line that I have to walk or ride with all my medical problems. If I go to hard I have too many set backs but if I don't go hard enough I have set backs so it is a struggle just to hang on.

Good luck deciding what it takes to stay fit and have fun.