Today I've officially made it into the 50+ club. If anyone had told me a year ago, that I would be out riding a bicycle on my 50th birthday, I would have called the ambulance to have them committed to the "looney house". Yet, that's just what I was doing earlier today. My beautiful bride to be and a couple of her friends made the mad dash to the outlet mall for "Black Friday" bargains and I got to sleep in, have a nice breakfast and I had the luxury of waiting around the house until the temp. rose a bit.

This certainly wasn't an epic journey or long ride by any standards, but it was my most challenging ride to date. I'm just a beginner, and today was only my 4th "road" ride, but I feel extremely good about the way I handled some really long and somewhat steep climbs, (several of them). And I feel great that I was able to go out and do it on my 50th birthday. Hell, I just feel great that I made it to 50..... Now it's on to more miles each week. I've set a goal of completing a century on my next birthday......Hopefully I'l make it, but regardless, I am so glad that I'm now riding a bicycle............What a great life it is!!

Welcome to 50+. Just keep riding and that century is certainly possible. I didn't do my first century until I was into my 60's.

Happy birthday, barryflht. One thing to remember, now that you've reached 50: Socks first, then shoes.

Funny how turning 50 tends to bring the realization for some of us that we've entered the "use it or lose it" phase of life. Stay on the bike, and by the time you turn 51 your only regret will likely be that you didn't start riding a decade or 3 earlier. Oh, and your bride to be will like the results too...

Happy birthday, congrats on road ride #4, and welcome to 50+. Keep spinning!

Congrats and welcome!! If it was as windy down your way as it was around Charlotte just staying upright was terrific today!!

There are lots of great centuries in Upstate SC BTW.

What part of the Upstate do you call home and will you be pulling for the orange or garnet tomorrow?

Born and raised near and presently live in Greenville, but spent about 15 years in the Clemson/Seneca area.

Go Tigers !!

You live in a terrific area of the country to ride. Within a few miles you can be up in the mountains. I come down that way and ride quite a bit. I also lived in Seneca/Clemson for several years and really liked it. I was there when Ford went down.......a tragic day in Clemson's history.

There are training rides out of North Greenville College in the spring-see Freewheelers website for details. Issaqueena's Last Ride our of Walhalla is a great little Century when you're ready for a 100 miler. Good to have you aboard and hopefully we'll see you out on the road!

Happy Birthday & congrats on your ride, especially if it was cold there.

And by next year you will probably be wanting to ride your age in miles.

Welcome to the gang! I did my first real road riding about six months ago, four months before the big 5-0, so I know of what you speak.

Enjoy the uniqueness that is yours in this sport (and smile knowingly at the kids who blow-up trying to stay with you next year!!!!)

Welcome to the club. We're a fun group.

Looking forward to hearing about your rides and your bikes.

If anyone had told me 10 years ago that I would still be riding- then I would not have believed them. Expected to be incapacitated by now with an old injury that threatened to curtail my physical activities but thanks to riding- it hasn't happened.

Riding has a lot to be blamed for a lot but keeping the body capable is not one of them. You now have a whole year to get to the magical 50 miles on a ride- because next year it has to be 51 miles on your birthday. Oh- and eat pie on the ride- so you had better get practicing that aswell.

Well done and welcome.

Happy birthday, and welcome!

Congrats on the ride. May it be the first of many for you!

Happy birthday, and welcome.

Happy 50th, and welcome to the "club". Think you'll like it here, good bunch of folks, lots of knowledge and experience to be shared.

Hello and

Welcome to 50+, kid! I've ridden bikes off and on all my life, but didn't really discover serious "road riding" until I was 60, so you surely have the advantage there in doing your century before I do mine.

You know, I always find these "hey, I'm old enough to be in your forum" kind of announcements to be a bit goofy. Even goofier are the "I'm just about old enough to be here, but do you mind if I hang around?" kind of posts. Being 50 isn't much of a big deal - being a cyclist is what matters.

So, Barry, it's good to have you, but just remember that you should never want to join a group with standards low enough to let you in.

Birthday card:

Roses are red;
Violets are blue.
If I were your age,
I'd be depressed, too!

Somebody pass Barry the Tiger Balm.

Oh, and Welcome.