The plight of a former riding partner...depressing me.
06-08-13 | 08:16 AM
#51
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I can only tell my story. I was 352 pounds drinking 10 beers a day waiting to die. I wasnt worried about how long my retirement funds would stretch because
I figured I would only last 5 years at most. Then one day I checked my blood sugar - it was in the diabetic range 160+ for 3 days running.
That scared me and I quit drinking, changed my diet and started exercising. I love my new life but now I worry all the time that it will be taken from me by some disease.
lol when i was waiting to die i didnt give a ****.
Charlie
I figured I would only last 5 years at most. Then one day I checked my blood sugar - it was in the diabetic range 160+ for 3 days running.
That scared me and I quit drinking, changed my diet and started exercising. I love my new life but now I worry all the time that it will be taken from me by some disease.
lol when i was waiting to die i didnt give a ****.
Charlie
06-08-13 | 08:18 AM
#52
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I can only tell my story. I was 352 pounds drinking 10 beers a day waiting to die. I wasnt worried about how long my retirement funds would stretch because
I figured I would only last 5 years at most. Then one day I checked my blood sugar - it was in the diabetic range 160+ for 3 days running.
That scared me and I quit drinking, changed my diet and started exercising. I love my new life but now I worry all the time that it will be taken from me by some disease.
lol when i was waiting to die i didnt give a ****.
Charlie
I figured I would only last 5 years at most. Then one day I checked my blood sugar - it was in the diabetic range 160+ for 3 days running.
That scared me and I quit drinking, changed my diet and started exercising. I love my new life but now I worry all the time that it will be taken from me by some disease.
lol when i was waiting to die i didnt give a ****.
Charlie
06-08-13 | 11:31 AM
#53
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Charlie,
That is quite impressive accomplishment for you. I'm glad that you turned things around for yourself, and that cycling is a part of your success. Don't dwell on the negative possibilities, as Denver said, get the most from each thing you do and be thankful that you woke up and got things back on track. Well done Sir, well done!
Bill
That is quite impressive accomplishment for you. I'm glad that you turned things around for yourself, and that cycling is a part of your success. Don't dwell on the negative possibilities, as Denver said, get the most from each thing you do and be thankful that you woke up and got things back on track. Well done Sir, well done!
Bill
06-08-13 | 11:45 AM
#54
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I've some personal battles but I get up and ride to work every day. Once I decided to drive and got as far as keys in hand and out the door. I looked over at the bike, turned around and got the helmet and rode to work. I just couldn't let the bike be lonely all day.
Last edited by Blues Frog; 06-10-13 at 04:55 PM.
06-08-13 | 03:19 PM
#55
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From: Roswell
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I've notices that sometimes when a number of little things go wrong, I want to pull back into a defensive position,and what that means for me is that I don't want to do anything more than what I have to and become very passive towards everything else. Maybe your friend has has something similar happen.
Sometime we get to a point when we realize we're not got to accomplish certain things that we'd like to do. Eventually, we figure out that it's not really a great life failure, and move on, but during that time, it's very, very easy to start feeling nihlistic, and that can lead to passivity.
Sometime we get to a point when we realize we're not got to accomplish certain things that we'd like to do. Eventually, we figure out that it's not really a great life failure, and move on, but during that time, it's very, very easy to start feeling nihlistic, and that can lead to passivity.
06-09-13 | 04:27 PM
#56
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From: Perth Australia
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Hi team, I guess we all have our reasons for pushing on.... for me its family, my ex and I split up in 2008 and we have 2 young daughters, (11 and 13). my ex passed away with a brain tumor almost a year ago today (and 11 days after her 40th) leaving me the only parent of my two girls.... the sudden realization that I was now pretty much all they have has driven me towards fitness and looking after myself for their sake.
06-09-13 | 06:11 PM
#57
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From: NE Indiana
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Hi team, I guess we all have our reasons for pushing on.... for me its family, my ex and I split up in 2008 and we have 2 young daughters, (11 and 13). my ex passed away with a brain tumor almost a year ago today (and 11 days after her 40th) leaving me the only parent of my two girls.... the sudden realization that I was now pretty much all they have has driven me towards fitness and looking after myself for their sake.
06-09-13 | 06:16 PM
#58
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From: The old Northwest Coast.
Bikes: 1973 Motobecane Grand Jubilee, 1981 Centurion Super LeMans, 2010 Gary Fisher Wahoo, 2003 Colnago Dream Lux, 2014 Giant Defy 1, 2015 Framed Bikes Minnesota 3.0, several older family Treks
Read all the posts in this thread. My training partner and I met cycling several years ago, neither of us knew each other rode. I can't imagine not being able to send a text in the evening saying "5:30 am?" And getting a "
yeah!" back. A training partner eggs you on, pitches you crap, nods knowingly and shuts up when you hurt but is always there. Mine has medical issues, breaks my heart. I'm always getting dropped on the hills but I win every sprint.
I farmed and worked full time off the farm till '99. That kept me lean and strong. After nearly a decade of power walking, hiking, yet developing joint & heart issues, a friends constant yammering about cycling rekindled my long dormant love of the bike. Now I've four (plus 3 "family" bikes). Locally I'm known now as a "serious" cyclist...even though I'm a long ways from most of the fit BF'ers. If I don't ride...I feel like crap. I've dropped 20, going to drop 20 more. If I lost my training partner I'd be crushed. I'd soldier on but miss the memories.
yeah!" back. A training partner eggs you on, pitches you crap, nods knowingly and shuts up when you hurt but is always there. Mine has medical issues, breaks my heart. I'm always getting dropped on the hills but I win every sprint. I farmed and worked full time off the farm till '99. That kept me lean and strong. After nearly a decade of power walking, hiking, yet developing joint & heart issues, a friends constant yammering about cycling rekindled my long dormant love of the bike. Now I've four (plus 3 "family" bikes). Locally I'm known now as a "serious" cyclist...even though I'm a long ways from most of the fit BF'ers. If I don't ride...I feel like crap. I've dropped 20, going to drop 20 more. If I lost my training partner I'd be crushed. I'd soldier on but miss the memories.
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06-10-13 | 07:09 AM
#59
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From: Lincoln Ne
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This is a sad story of someone that just lets themselves go. As I have posted on several forums, as you get older keep doing what you can. If you just set, you will rust out and die early.
Im 75 and am in good shape. I bike and lift hand weights. Going for a ride is no problem, but I really sometimes have to force myself to lift the weights the 3 time a week that I do. But ---- I know if I dont, I will start that long down hill slide to the old dirt bed. Never give up!!!!!!
Im 75 and am in good shape. I bike and lift hand weights. Going for a ride is no problem, but I really sometimes have to force myself to lift the weights the 3 time a week that I do. But ---- I know if I dont, I will start that long down hill slide to the old dirt bed. Never give up!!!!!!
06-10-13 | 09:47 AM
#60
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Take a look at Greg Lemond, Eddie Merck, and countless professional sports figures. These are the prime examples of excellence. Then see what they lapsed into.
06-10-13 | 10:03 AM
#61
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From: Toronto
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I rode for years with a friend who was so much stronger than me that it wasn't funny, but he waited as I struggled, he taught me about fixing bikes, we chatted and he was great to ride with. We even did a two-day charity ride together, and a couple of weekend ventures (with the full support and approval of both spouses).
Fast forward to last year, and he admits he's not been riding much, so I finally dragged him out on one of those rides he would have aced back then. He struggled from the get-go, pushing his bike up the first big hill, and wheezing so badly I thought he wouldn't make it at all. We rode 10k, and then meandered slowly back to the car to catch a ride back home.
There's been a ton of reasons for it all, there always are. Stress at work, health issues, stuff like that, and I'm hoping I can tempt him out for a gentle ride in the city, without big hills. I try to meet him for coffee once every few months, and I just tell him I'm here if he ever wants to venture back on the bike.
I hope he does. I wish I could do more.
Fast forward to last year, and he admits he's not been riding much, so I finally dragged him out on one of those rides he would have aced back then. He struggled from the get-go, pushing his bike up the first big hill, and wheezing so badly I thought he wouldn't make it at all. We rode 10k, and then meandered slowly back to the car to catch a ride back home.
There's been a ton of reasons for it all, there always are. Stress at work, health issues, stuff like that, and I'm hoping I can tempt him out for a gentle ride in the city, without big hills. I try to meet him for coffee once every few months, and I just tell him I'm here if he ever wants to venture back on the bike.
I hope he does. I wish I could do more.
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06-10-13 | 10:18 AM
#62
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OP, that sounds like clinical depression.
I haven't talked with RL in several years. We used to live in the same town and ride almost every other day during summer months. The places we went, the roads we explored, the stories we told, are all firmly planted in my memory. It was a good time to remember. But as with many things it didn't last. About 12 years ago we moved far enough away from one another that riding together was not likely to happen. Maybe once a year we'd call each other and talk, but we both new talking on the phone wasn't all the comfortable for either of us. So, eventually the time between calls went from two to three months to once a year. Last night I tracked down his phone number to give him a call. We talked and as I hung up the phone I had a deep sadness. RL hasn't ridden in 7 or 8 years. He's put on 60 lbs. and doesn't exercise at all. By his own words he's given up on sports. It's not because of injuries either. He just doesn't want to put in the effort. I'm having a hard time making any sense out of this. I have an older brother who has done the same thing. Why is it that some folks reach a point where they seem to be coasting along just waiting for the end to come? I almost wish I hadn't called him, because now instead of the images of a healthy guy enjoying 200 mile weeks, I've got an image of him just giving up and waiting for the end. It's an image I don't want.
So this is the 50+ forum and the place to ask, why do we push on when others don't? Or maybe it should be, why do some just give up and throw in the towel? What's the difference between us? Is it a difference in what life has doled out thus far?
So this is the 50+ forum and the place to ask, why do we push on when others don't? Or maybe it should be, why do some just give up and throw in the towel? What's the difference between us? Is it a difference in what life has doled out thus far?
06-10-13 | 11:46 AM
#63
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I don't think it is. He seems happy and content. There is no loss of his wit, humor and interest in the world. He just feels that time has shifted and so has he. He seems very content waiting for the end. If I were to use a quick depression screening tool, I fully expect he'd do fine on it. There's no history of depression, and he doesn't report feeling down, depressed or hopeless.
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06-11-13 | 01:46 PM
#64
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I don't think it is. He seems happy and content. There is no loss of his wit, humor and interest in the world. He just feels that time has shifted and so has he. He seems very content waiting for the end. If I were to use a quick depression screening tool, I fully expect he'd do fine on it. There's no history of depression, and he doesn't report feeling down, depressed or hopeless.
06-11-13 | 03:43 PM
#65
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Huh? LeMond is in pretty good shape. Merckx less so, but certainly not looking bad for a man in his middle sixties. I wouldn't like to have to hold his wheel.
06-11-13 | 04:30 PM
#66
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LeMond is not the skinny, rail thin guy that rode the Tour but he is in good shape. I have met Monsieur Merckx at Interbike several times, he also, although no longer rail thin, is in great shape. I bet he can outride all of us!
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Last edited by Pamestique; 06-11-13 at 04:49 PM.
06-11-13 | 05:38 PM
#67
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Merckx still rides a good bit, there are several articles where he rode Grand Fondos and he dropped many riders and they were all several years younger, LeMond still rides and is active in riding and activism. Don't write either of these two off.
Bill
Bill
06-11-13 | 07:42 PM
#68
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From: NE Indiana
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Supposedly since then he's been riding again quite a bit, but before the incident I mentioned, the reporters claimed Merckx said he hadn't been on a bike for 20 or 25 years.
06-11-13 | 07:48 PM
#69
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Actually, either last year or the year before Merckx got on a bike for the first time in 25 years when some reporters were at his place, the reporters had to get on bikes to carry on the interview, he left the reporters in his dust, the reporters claimed they couldn't keep up and all them were in their 20's. At least that's how the story was reported, if true then he's just genetically gifted...unless he secretly doped before the reporters got there.
Supposedly since then he's been riding again quite a bit, but before the incident I mentioned, the reporters claimed Merckx said he hadn't been on a bike for 20 or 25 years.
Supposedly since then he's been riding again quite a bit, but before the incident I mentioned, the reporters claimed Merckx said he hadn't been on a bike for 20 or 25 years.
06-11-13 | 08:04 PM
#70
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From: NE Indiana
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He is still fit. https://www.granfondoaxelmerckx.com/c...-penticton.php
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...88%3B584%3B480
06-12-13 | 05:08 AM
#71
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From: Caerdydd
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People do change their interests and attitudes (sometimes) as they get older.
Near where I live is a man of my age - mid sixties - who is widely considered to be the best rugby player in his position the world has seen. He was a magnificent, imperious player.
Now he seems to have given up. He is a nice man who lives alone in a block of apartments for the elderly, spends most of his time in the pub and does not look as if he could run across the road.
As to the question could anything be done, I just don't know. He has friends and family but he has chosen this path, or possibly has not chosen it, but for various reasons just drifted into it.
When I was working I travelled around companies looking at their training systems. I always felt sad when interviewing people in their mid fifties who moaned at being asked to undertake training in new skills, saying they were too old at their age to be bothered to learn any new skills as they only had 5 to 10 years left to work.
Personally I just don't share their attitude but not everone is the same, and until you walk a mile in their shoes you will never understand.
Near where I live is a man of my age - mid sixties - who is widely considered to be the best rugby player in his position the world has seen. He was a magnificent, imperious player.
Now he seems to have given up. He is a nice man who lives alone in a block of apartments for the elderly, spends most of his time in the pub and does not look as if he could run across the road.
As to the question could anything be done, I just don't know. He has friends and family but he has chosen this path, or possibly has not chosen it, but for various reasons just drifted into it.
When I was working I travelled around companies looking at their training systems. I always felt sad when interviewing people in their mid fifties who moaned at being asked to undertake training in new skills, saying they were too old at their age to be bothered to learn any new skills as they only had 5 to 10 years left to work.
Personally I just don't share their attitude but not everone is the same, and until you walk a mile in their shoes you will never understand.
06-12-13 | 05:43 AM
#73
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Actually, either last year or the year before Merckx got on a bike for the first time in 25 years when some reporters were at his place, the reporters had to get on bikes to carry on the interview, he left the reporters in his dust, the reporters claimed they couldn't keep up and all them were in their 20's. At least that's how the story was reported, if true then he's just genetically gifted...unless he secretly doped before the reporters got there.
Supposedly since then he's been riding again quite a bit, but before the incident I mentioned, the reporters claimed Merckx said he hadn't been on a bike for 20 or 25 years.
Supposedly since then he's been riding again quite a bit, but before the incident I mentioned, the reporters claimed Merckx said he hadn't been on a bike for 20 or 25 years.
Moser rode in a race in New York last year. Like Merckx, he's ageing, overweight, and he hadn't been on his bike for months. Someone asked him if he'd be OK and he said "I can hold anybody's wheel for 40 km". He did, too. These guys are a different species.
06-12-13 | 05:45 AM
#74
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When I was working I travelled around companies looking at their training systems. I always felt sad when interviewing people in their mid fifties who moaned at being asked to undertake training in new skills, saying they were too old at their age to be bothered to learn any new skills as they only had 5 to 10 years left to work.
Personally I just don't share their attitude but not everone is the same, and until you walk a mile in their shoes you will never understand.
Personally I just don't share their attitude but not everone is the same, and until you walk a mile in their shoes you will never understand.
Much has to do with experience, but I feel that many who remain active throughout their lives have been inquisitive and curious since their childhoods.
Sportspeople aren't really good examples as individual cases. Their lives often are regimented during what are comparatively short careers, and many do not plan for retirement so that when it comes, they are unskilled to do anything else and face a lifestyle that is a far cry from the hero-worship they experienced beforehand.
But there are parallels there with ordinary people. Occasionally, we see a thread here about people retiring and wondering what they are going to do afterwards. Those who don't have a clear, long-term plan are the ones who end up at a loose end and finally, giving up on life.
Me? I've still got people to see, places to go, things to do. And all that's going to take the rest of my life.
06-12-13 | 08:44 AM
#75
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From: NE Indiana
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I don't think low T, or thyroid, or whatever medical reason causes some athletes to become sedentary. Personally I think they just simply get burned out, and some suffer joint pain from the years of sport activity and it pains too much to do whatever they may want to do. I remember when I was racing I got burned out, and I wasn't even a pro dedicating 8 to 12 hours a day 7 days a week to it! Anyway, that's my opinion based on no facts.