No power in my legs today, but I did enjoy the ride. Much cooler than normal, but that's OK. Going to ride through the winter, which is not two bad for coastal South Carolina.

Me too...I'm only 56 but the diabetes gets the best of me energy wise some days so....I'm planning for my future....which won't include any "Blah/Weak" days...because I'll just keep snicking it down a gear until it doesn't feel like a weak/blah day! LOL!

Now of course by the time I hit 80 years old?...5mph will probably be hauling azz....but on the bright side?...when I'm 80?...5mph will probably also "look like" I'm hauling azz! LOL!

It's my theory of relativity...it's all relative.

Yeah, were still faster than a couch potatoe!

aaaaaaamen!

Got at least 15-20 80+ year-olds on this forum, many who are doing distance rides like centuries at good speeds. Don't let 80 be your limiting factor.

Cooler weather definitely has a negative effect on my speed, endurance. I thnk the body has to share the energy for warmth...

Sam, you did a ride, that is more than a tremendous percentage of men our age can say that they accomplished for their day. We all have some days where the legs feel a bit off, or even leaden, for me the ride helps get that feeling out of my system. With Parkinson's I have times when the legs go from twitching/tremors to feeling like they are a solid mass of clay. When I can get out and ride for a few miles that goes away and I feel much better. Getting some circulation going and a bit if fresh air is my pick me up, now. Good job on getting started cycling so well.

Bill

Bill, Denver, Jinkster, and Sammy have covered my comment -- exercise is still the closest thing we have to a Fountain of Youth. We all do what we can, and that varies from day to day, but we are all reaping benefits of bicycling, irrespective of speed or distance. I ride because I enjoy it, because it is often the best way to get from Point A to Point B, because it gives me the cardiovascular workout I can no longer obtain from running, because of orthopedic limitations.

Last week I saw a paceline (no joke) of full kitted 75-80yr olds riding nice road racing drop bar bikes. Phenomenal. I had mentioned this in another post but I still cant get over their ride and equippo. There were 6 male and female riders. Amazing.

Bill, you are an inspiration to me.

There's this story I know about an Old Bull and a Young Bull...that just came to mind for some reason...but I don't think I can tell it here.

But it's the thought that counts...I guess.

How awesome!

+1 I see many 80+ year old men on the bicycle paths. And they average a respectable speed too. Age...(in and of itself) isn't a real limiting factor. There are many health issues that can limit activity. And maybe nearly as many health issues that are caused by limited activity.

Some days you're the squirrel and some days you're the nut.

Sunday I forced myself to go ride in the name of training for a big cycling event here in Tucson on the 22nd.. Yesterday, I forced myself to spend time in the gym I didn't want to do for the same reason.

Today's a sore legs rest day, and I've wanted to go riding all day long, but tomorrow is a gym day, and I need a break. Thursday's a riding day, so I guess I can wait.

I am going to take Friday off so I can do more than the usual 1 1/2 hrs of mtn biking or 25ish road miles after work.

Just home from my second yoga class. Instructor made two BIG points. First, keep within your own limits. Getting hurt helps no one. Second, exercise keeps the juices flowing and keep a person younger looking and feeling. My personal experience in a variety of areas supports that.

A bit of time spent observing people shows most people are very unfit. They seem to be obese or nearly anorexic. Those who are fit stand out by their rarity.

If a person is fit I believe they may have up and down days; but no really bad days.

Coastal South Carolina, eh? Golf Central?

Even WITHOUT any health issues we older sort all have our off days. Don't sweat it. Just ride like you feel like for the day. As you say it's still way better than being a couch potatoe.

I belong to a gym for some exercise when the weather is too bad to ride. Don't know why it is but I get a lot more days when I just don't have much energy in the gym than I ever do when out on the bike.

Even a bad day outside on the bike is better than a day doing nothing indoors.