cccorlew

I am old. It's been coming for a while, but on this day it is official. I have a lot of the things that let you know it's coming.
I have a compact crankset.
I have a gray goatee and wrinkles.

But the thing that makes it official: I now have a Grateful Dead inspired jersey, like the ones that all those big ol' beer-belly riders have.

I worry I am but one step away from a recumbent. Heck, I've seriously contemplated a triple, even though I know it's just a gateway drug toward becoming a 'bent rider. I know there is no reprieve from the steady tick of the clock and turn of the calendar page. But I hope I won't sink further.

If I start talking hybrid, recumbent, or breakfast cereal jersey please come and stop me.

DiabloScott

Tell me you're not flexing them leg muscles... poser.

Also, that's not a geezer's saddle.

Pamestique 

Well Happy Birthday but unless you just turned 80 telling this group you are old is just wrong.

I know many an 80 year old who still ride a regular road bike or mountain bike... recumbents to me aren't so much you got old but you went back to being a hippy... make sure you also get a tie dyed tshirt. All the bent riders I know are just alittle "alternative" if you know what I mean...

cccorlew

I think you're confusing shadows on my flabby legs with muscles.

Yen

Or, like my husband, they have sick shoulders and can't ride a "regular" bike without a lot of pain. For many, it's a reluctant choice but the only way they can continue riding after many years of enjoying a road bike.

Mojo Slim

Oh boy, did you ever step in it now. Those of us who ride triples, 'bents and/or like our goatees are gonna be all over you like dried egg on a fork. But, I'm guessing you knew that when you started typing.

cccorlew

I wasn't joking about the triple. I'm seriously eyeing that 2010 Specialized Roubaix Expert, with an Ultegra Triple. MMMMmmmmm. I'm actually putting away money every month for it.

But really, you never see a 20-something:

• In a "Dead" jersey
• On a recumbent
• With wrinkles like mine
• or riding a triple

Hermes

Solutions:

Razor
Botox
Tailor the jersey
Psychotherapy ...assist in getting rid of those rbent / triple thoughts.

Hermes

Remember... he is a master at photographic illusion and probably an ace at Photoshop.

JanMM

I must be Way Over the Hill - I just today ordered a second recumbent.
They both have triples, of course.
On the other hand, I stopped listening to the Dead decades ago.

Yen

My husband is considering trading in his 2007 Specialized Roubaix Expert all-Ultegra triple w/ Pro frame for a 'bent. He loves the ride but his shoulders don't, even after modifying with flat bars and adjustable stem. He'll return it to its original state to sell. A member of our group loaned him a bent on day, and after a few hours he said "I could ride this all day!". Also, if he falls, it won't be as far to fall. It is not an easy decision for him; he feels the same way many do about moving to a 'bent, but it may be his best choice if he wants to continue riding in comfort and not do further damage to his shoulders.

Ken Brown

Getting old is better than the alternative. Happy birthday!

waldowales

Who is this Greatful Dead? Some new hippie band? Don't they make Benny Goodman jerseys?

DiabloScott

Where does Cowboy Curtis say it's his birthday? Did I miss it or did others assume it based on the subject line? I got the idea he's "officially old" just because he put on the compact crank.

I've thought about this... it would be a tough choice between a recumbent (with electronic Dura Ace) and a vespa when that day comes. I already put a compact on my winter bike but not my main bike.

Happy Birthday, if appropriate.

Hermes

You are correct. He did not say it was his BD. He said, it is official: I'm old.

If you think you are.........you are! I wonder what his wife thinks.

jppe

Let's hear it Red Rider? What say you? Are you feeding this "I'm old" stuff somehow?

You must be dropping him on the hills pretty badly these days**********

Bud Bent

You're going to have to add a lot more aero-belly before you'll look right on a recumbent, Curtis.

Barrettscv 

I recently converted my 1 X 10 drivetrain for a 3 X 10 road triple.

I put a Brooks saddle on the bike

I added compact handlebars to make the reach a little easier.

But I disagree, the day I become old is when I don't ride anymore. That day is 20 years out.

JanMM

+1

Kurt Erlenbach

For the goatee, or the legs?

BluesDawg

Small world (but I wouldn't want to paint it). That bike is also currently at the top of my wish list.

Don't worry about the triple. I've been riding them for years without the slightest urge to get a recumbent (not that there's anything wrong with them).

For me, the advantage of a triple crank is not the low gearing but the better interplay between the two larger rings. Compacts require so much more double shifting in the range where I do most of my riding.

karjak

Looked at your post as curious to see what your evidence was to make you officially old. Going to a triple wouldn't be a gateway drug to a Bent would it? Alternative to a ticking clock might not be so good. A body is going to wear with age no doubt.

However if you ever did sink further might want to look at some of the performance HiRacer recumbents out there. There are some in the 17 - 22 lbs. category and can climb as good as most DF's. Carbent made in California is one that comes to mind.

What is really neat about the HiRacers is that you can still fit in pretty well with DF's if you like to ride in pacelines. Other benefits include a riding position that will put less strain on shoulder, neck, wrist, back and butt. You also get a full view of the scenery ahead in an aero position. It is quite possible you could ride farther and faster. Don't get old get bold.

t4mv

Does MyLilPony know you're spoutin' this stuff on a public forum?! You better retract that before she sends you packing...

dynodonn 

You'll know when you're getting old, it's usually starts when cashiers automatically give you a senior discount without you having to ask for it.

overthere

You know something we don't?!



Curtis is with MyLilPony. Red is with cgallagh or however it's spelled.

Meh...20 somethings look darn ridiculous on those BMX with knees up to their armpits. And they usually lack money for the really nice schwag

I started on a triple at the young age of 46. Now what?? A quadrille?