Just toted up my annual mileage so far this year and the result was not good.
Just 1000 miles. The excessive rainy cold weather combined with the great heat
and humidity early in the season did not help, nor did the fact that our street was
torn up with road crews for most of the summer.

On the bright side my weekly mileage is now picking up with the glorious August
weather we have had: 103 last week; 140 week before.

Had decided I would not keep track of my mileage but guess there is that in my nature
which likes to know how well I am doing. At 78 I am no master cyclist averaging 20+ mph.
On the other hand it is surprising how few people my age are out there with me. Hopefully,
I can continue to enjoy the fresh air, the blue skies, the discovery of new roads and the feeling
of independence, for some time yet.

Keep on trucking. 80's the new 60.

Some years, you wonder ????

This year is an example for me, had thought maybe get my act together this year, back in December, after 0 miles last year, new baby meant needing 25hrs a day for other things.... Even projected maybe passing my best year, a couple of years ago......

December 25th was spent in the ER, new hernia, saw surgeon, scheduled repair, I knew this would blow my conditioning, so it killed my momentum. Hernia fixed in April, we moved in May, so now it's June, had the wettest June on record, managed to get in 145km anyway. Dislocated my shoulder first of July, cracked the greater tuberosity, well there goes the best riding summer in about 15 years. See the doc tomorrow to see how it's healing, if the bone is healed, I'm back on the bike, as soon as it stops raining maybe Thursday.... Maybe I can get in 1000km, maybe not.... Some of that will be on the trainer, which depends on another move.....

I hear ya. I'm only at 1,600 and my yearly goal is blown out of the water. Can't really blame the weather. It's been a hot summer for sure, but that is no reason I couldn't ride in the early mornings. Just a lack of motivation this year. Lost my fitness over the winter, and it didn't come back very easily during the Spring. I suppose I could still meet my yearly goal in mileage and climbing feet, but it would take an almost Herculean effort. Good luck to you. At least you're riding. As you say, there are not many people your age who are doing so.

I'm sort of in the same boat. Early season wet curtailed long rides but I was still able to get in some miles by riding more errands around town and on the bike part. The result has been slightly more miles this year but lower longer distance capability. It will all average out in the end, I suppose but I was stronger last year.

78 -- you da man!

I met this guy at the top of Mount Constitution in the San Juan Islands. He was 79 at the time, and, unlike me, rode up without stopping.



I want to be like him when I grow up.

I too am just sneaking up on 1000 miles for the season. Started out good, but then Toad Work got in the way, turning me into a weekend warrior. Retirement is just too damn far away - I don't have time for this work crap!!

I'm way behind the previous few years in terms of my annual mileage to date for this calendar year. Mostly crappy weather, plus some ill-timed business trips. Eh, whatcha gonna do?

I hear ya. Life gets in the way.

I just pulled up my mileage: a little over 1100 miles. My wife thinks I spend all my time on the bike, but I'm not that slow.

Whats made a difference is the number of 40 miles or greater rides. Just haven't had the time to go long very often.

OTOH, there's always next year. Our bike club has a couple of pushing 80 types who manage to get in 8,000-10,000 miles a year.

I didn't set ant cycling goals this year and so just broke the 800 mile mark. I do expect to break 1000 miles though unless the weather turns really bad. A couple of weeks ago we escorted a 71 year old friend out of NYC on his first leg of a tour of the Hudson Valley. In 6 days he rode solo from NYC to Hudson NY, then back through the Berkshires in MA and down to Bridgeport CT where he caught the ferry back to Long Island and the rode another 20 miles or so to where he was staying with relatives. All this on a rented hybrid with two loaded panniers!

Taking your post literally and not as self-deprecating bragging.

Depending on birthdates, you have just about a year on me. Tonight I just started bumping 400 for the year. I'm just glad I can ride at all. Between rehab, weatherand taking care of family things it is tough to do more. Fact is, when converted to time, unless a person can ride in the 20+mph class riding long miles take a Lot of The Most Precious Commodity, Time. (It takes a 10mph rider twice as long to ride 100 miles as a 20mph rider)

On both ends of the river of life a few months makes a big difference. At our ages it makes a lot more sense to record rides in Time instead of Miles. But, I confess I record in Miles and then mentally convert.

Keep it up. Elders lead the way!

My previous years' totals were closer to 4500. I, too, even though retired, have a hard time making time. Must spend time and chores with my dear wife of 52 years. (The older you get the more precious that time is). It's interesting too that I have been fretting about the extra pounds I never lost after our last cruise. When I did the math about my totals I realized there's a good reason for it!
And yes, not cruising at 20 but closer to 10 or 12 it does take a lot of time to put in the long trips which I enjoy so much. Seem to have the stamina for long range but not the speed. But what good is stamina if the time, the weather and the responsibilities can't be ignored. Also, even though I have been retired for 13 years (as a graphic artist) I am still an artist and a sculptor. Last fall I sculpted 7 portrait heads in a month and a half. No one told me to do it I just had this urge that it had to be done. So I am too my own worst enemy being a victim of my own hunger for the many joys of life. It's not slowing down, either.

I just hit 5k for the yr. Best ever! I too ride 10-12 mph. I use my bikes for errands as much as possible. I just read an article on How to be a 75 yr old cyclist. I hope to do that in 15 yrs.

I started riding again last Oct. after 45 years off a bike, have only put on 1000 this calender year. I thought I was doing well till I read your post, I am only 58. You da man!

Duh! I just realized most of you folks who have high mileage live in places where bike riding isn't very limited by weather. My current pace is a 3000 mile year. Put in that context some of the claimed mileages aren't that extreme. So, how about doing like golf and having a Climate Handicap for reporting?

My current annual mileage is EXACTLY where it is and therefore, should be, and I feel quite good about that success.