You're as old as you feel, that's all
 

Exactly!! its just a number. How old do you feel (hopefully, being a cyclist, younger than 50)? I'm lucky to be in great shape (5 pounds heavier than high school), and healthy enough to tag along with the racers 30 years younger than me on Thursday night.. most of the way, anyway.
Do yourself a favor, go get a physical, a colonoscopy, etc., and know where you stand.
Reflect on the fact that your perspective on life is profoundly more 'whole' than those in their 40s, 30s, 20s... I don't think I really would want to be back there living needless frustrations, concerns and 'considerations'. Use this as the time to set right the things in your life that are 'untenable' because you are now mature enough to make it happen; to see that it should be so.
Stay as active and fit as you can, it is harder than it used to be, but also grants more peace of mind and satisfaction than when you were 20.
Laugh and love, that's about all we have. And riding of course.:)

Quote:

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How old would you be, if you didn't know how old you are?

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I go into a store feeling like 30, but folks treat me as if I am 71 (which I am). Tends to deflate the ego when you get "sirs" and "Can I hel you with your groceries?" "Is that too heavy for you?" etc.

The best is yet to come dude. At 50 females know what they want and are not afraid to let you know. If you can deal with that. you're golden.

B@!!s!

Man Up...[or "Woman Up" since your name implies the Latin/Italian plural feminine].

Second...you're 50, it's the crappy hand you've been delt.

Face it like you're an action-hero in the best theatre production EVER WRITTEN. [Make sure you include a sex scene.]

Third...there are three 'secrets':

1. Look to the future...make a plan [or a hundred plans] and then go make them happen like your life depends on it. . .'cause it does.

2. Stay active...all the studies report that PHYSICAL ACTIVITY keeps you younger than your chronological age.

3. Hook up with people...I know...they're all insane SOBs or 2nd Amendment Psychopaths or Effete North-East Liberals, but we're programmed to need the b@stards so make friends and stay hooked up with 'em.

We ALL lose the fight, but I FORBID you to let go without a record of a RAGE against the Universal Forces of Entropy.

Let us know how it goes.

Get a copy of this:

http://www.amazon.com/Younger-Next-Y...8087194&sr=1-1

Then you can shed the foolishness.

Al

I was up in Scotland a couple of weeks ago visiting the Scottish side of my family and went for a couple of mountain bike rides with my 34 year old second cousin. He's a fit young lad and I couldn't keep up with him on the climbs. His mother came along too and she could keep up with me - she is 64!

Okay, you will eventually lose your youthful good looks; if we live long enough, we all get old and wrinkly, but did you stop loving your grandparents and parents when it happened to them? So, there you go - people will still love you too. You won't be quite as fit and strong as a fit, strong youngster but you can still be better than 75% of them!

50 is still young-ish. Keep fit and healthy and enjoy riding in the great outdoors.

I must admit, at 55, I'm a bit worried about my coming 100th birthday but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it! ;)

Since you posted this on 6/2, it's time to say--

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DOMINAE!
Welcome to the A team!

Yeah happy birthday, your OLD now, not a youngin' like me, I still have 2 days to go :D

Get a colonoscopy.

Update your will.

Be sure someone knows where you keep all the insurance policies, mortgages, deeds, stocks, and bonds.

Take a week long bike trip and drop the young fellows off your wheel.

Train for a triathlon.

Buy a new bike.

Don't drink cheap wine.

Ditto on all the above. At 50, I was going to work, sitting around the station house (I was a paramedic), coming home the next day and plopping my butt on the couch to watch TV. Hadn't done anything strenuous since hurting my back when I was 42. I never gave crossing the hump any thought because there isn't anything you can do to avoid it. The wife bought me a comfort bicycle at 63 on the advice of my doctor, what a mistake on her part. I'll be 65 in October and unless it's to go to work or eat dinner, you will find me on one of my two bikes.

I have always gone on the principal of not worrying about what you can't control. You can't control turning 50, but you can decide how you want to live it and go forward. Except for when I was doing martial arts (that's when I hurt my back), I am in the best shape since I was in the military. My doctor's are happy, my wife is happy and I am happy. By the time you read this, you most likely have turned 50 and found out that it was just another day. I do a lot of distance charity rides and at the end of the day, I have out done quite a few of the riders half my age. Plus, on the bright side, you can start getting discounts at many restaurants. :)

I didn't have any trouble at all with 50. I threw a "Half Century" party and asked everybody to wear their bicycling clothes. It was fun.

The age demon did manage to sneek up and grab me at 60 and I've been fighting him every since. I'll turn 69 in October and, physically, I'm finding myself having to battle him a little harder every year. That's the only downside.

The upside is, at least for me, this is (by far) the most pleasant time of my life and I haven't even quit working yet. Our finances, while not great, are at least adequate for the first time in our lives. All of my personal relationships are great. I get to spend another grand dad/grandson day today (we're going hiking in the woods) and Mrs. Grouch and I are baby sitting the littlest angel tonight. I've started giving my kids and grand kids, not so much specific advice, but more like philosophical guidence - and they listen! What could be better?

Yey I'm officially 50 as of today! Went on a nice long ride and came home and shaved my legs. Feeling much better thanks to all your suggestions.

BTW my wife got me a new Cannondale Super Six frame, so look forward to many many long rides.

The only day that matters is today. In fact, it's the only day that exists.

Welcome to the 50+ club. Most of my best cycling adventures and memories have been in my 50's (I will be 59 in July). I have yet to shave my legs, though I may trim them with my beard trimmers this weekend.

:bday:

All our kids are older than you . . .

My mother told me this when I turned 50, "In your 40's you were in the old age of youth, your 50's are in the youth of old age"

Just to let you know it only gets worse! Some time ago I was contacted by the Boy Scout council here
to see if I still had my old Boy Scout uniforms. They want them for the museum! This is a sure sign
of old age, I'm not even dead and they want my cloths in a museum!

In 1960 I had lunch with the president, Boy Scout thing, so the uniforms do have historic value.

BUT I"M NOT DEAD YET!!

When I turned 50 I looked over the hill and didn't like what I saw and turned around. I'm 38 now and in November I'll be younger than my daughter.

I'm only 78 . . .
Can't remember back that far!
Can hardly wait 'til I get older . . .

I'm kinda wimpy and I blew past 50 like it wasn't even there, more than a decade ago, can hardly remember it. So you should have no problem with it, kid. Most everything is mental anyway.