I think it is fair to say we all see ourselves younger than others see us. This is a touchy subject for many and not so much for others.

The average lifespan for an American is 77.9 years and 81.2 for Canadians. If I make it to 81.2, one can hardly argue I died a young man.

At 51, I feel better and stronger than I did in my 30's when the strain of career and family was at its highest. Some mornings when I turn on the bathroom light and see that aging face in the mirror, there is almost a disconnect.

I have done several group rides where there is some kidding by the younger guys that they always "have their ass handed to them by old guys". Really? Old? That isn't my perception.... yet. Maybe the near white sideburns throw them?

When you think you are. There a just a few posters in the 50+ forum - very few, who you can tell have already taken their first step into the grave. Cautions about this and that and the other thing. Don't ride this new bike, being overly careful is always required, etc. But most are still young because they believe they are and do "young" things.

The moment at which you truly believe you are old is the point at which you are old.

I remember a morning in my mid 30s I looked in the mirror, saw I had these bags under my eyes. I pinched one lightly and the skin kind of held that pinched shape for a second before smoothing back out. I was stunned by a feeling of being middle aged.

About the only time I feel really old is when I become apparently invisible to young ladies. This is a phenomena that is quite unsettling.

I love it! Why do I think I can still impress young ladies to the degree that they'd be "interested" in me? I don't feel that there is any age difference, but in reality, they are probably young enough to be my daughters. As I continue to acquire years, I find it disconcerting that there are less and less ladies who are youthful or have a youthful attitude. Most of them seem to transform into the stereotypical grandmother. I just want to ride, play tennis, and experience life by doing things and going places. The quantity of women willing to be as youthful seem to be less and less every passing year. (Oh, I'm not married so I'm not being unfaithful. Do have a wonderful lady friend that likes to ride, but both our work schedules prohibit as much riding as we'd like to do.)

All depends on the perspective, I guess.

There's a rather precocious four-year-old that comes to the library with his mom. Although he's not old enough yet to have his own library card, his mom calls him by name and I've learned it. Last week when I greeted him by name, he was shocked. "How'd you know my name?"

"I remembered from the last time you were here."

"That's spooky," he mused.

"Why?"

"You're old!"

In the words of Art Linkletter, "Kids say the darnedest things."


Back on topic:

And those, my friend, are the rides I savor.

I'm not old now.
But there were a couple of days in June when it was really hot and humid, and the climb was long and steep, and I was just old.

I got better!

When you dwell on the past and cease to look for life today and in the future.

85

When you look like this after riding 100 miles, when you both are 69.

When you think you are.

When you can't ride your bike anymore. So stay on it!

When I was a kid I can recall older people saying, "You're only as old as you feel." I thought that was crazy talk because I could see their wrinkles, graying hair, and decidedly unhip wardrobe. Now that I am them, I understand what they were saying and feeling.

When I was in my 20's and 30's, my widowed grandfather constantly embarrassed us by flirting with women of an age I was interested in. Now, I get it. He still saw himself as a young man from behind his eyes so why wouldn't a cute 30 year old be interested in him?

Age is as much psychological as physical. I'm aging but I'm not old. My mom is 82 and is aging but is not *old*. Like me (60), she is active and involved.

Well first off on the average age. Remember, average life expectancy means starting at birth. People who die at age 1, tend to deflect the average down considerably more than people who die at age 80. For the life expectancy to be 81, a large proportion of the people have to live beyond 81.

Being fit and active can prolong one's active life considerably. But being only as old as you feel is balderdash. Most people are old in their late 80's or early 90's.

Twenty years from now.

And as Eckhart Tolle says, it's always now.

80 miles into a 100 mile off road and I know the three steepest hills are still to come.

But then half way up the first one I overtake the walkers pushing their bikes and I am still riding.----- Second hill and the walkers are still there and I am still riding- Albeit slower than the walkers.

And the last hill And I have to get out of the saddle- I have to as the Butt won't let me sit down. I don't care if everyone else is riding- walking or Crawling- I am not pushing that Tandem up a hill--it's too heavy

At the point when you start to think that you are old. Then you are old.

It is a mindset..At 66 years old, I was doing things I never done before..Breaking thresholds on a lot of things.

All the way up to 70, I am popping like a 30 year old. Now, In the last couple months I have started to drag it a little.

The point is, I had a high bar that I kept, now that I have slipped below that bar, and can't jump or boogie like I used to. Now, I am whinning big time..

"Feeling" old is day to day. Usually after a day of feeling young...

We are already out of that (lifespan from birth) picture. Average American lifespan at 65 is 83.6. Old is when you can't ride a bike anymore?

My father-in-law has an interesting take on age that I have adopted. Young is ten years younger than I am. Old is ten years older than I am.

While to his way of thinking one is never old, it also precludes ever having been young, at least in the present tense.

"You are only as old as the woman you feel."
-- Groucho Marx

After 24

I like the idea of a mathematical definition. That would eliminate a lot of confusion. 50.0000 years could be the definition of old.

Great thread! Some wonderful and delightful rejoinders. Inspires me to keep on being youthful, even if my body protests after four hours in the saddle or the inclinometer reads 8%.

I see it differently, young is anything less then 5 years older then what you are, , old is 20 years older then what you are. Until you reach 80, because when your past 80 your old in anyone's books.