Kindaslow

I posted up about seeing a bunch of young and healthy guys pushing their bikes up some pretty mellow hills in a park I frequent. These are guys healthy enough to ride black diamond free ride trails with gap jumps and drops. No DH bikes in the group I am talking about. Yet, this old man, me, whose is not a strong climber was repeatedly riding past them as they pushed their bikes. I think this is kind of sad.

This section of the forum has more young guys, plus a bunch of SS riders, so I am curious how you see it. Please note, I am not negative toward these guys, everyone gets to enjoy their ride their way. I am just surprised, and a bit saddened if this is a new normal....

prooftheory

What was your question? I don't understand what you are asking.

Scrodzilla

That's nothing. Angie and I once saw a group of chubby SD cops walking their police-issued mountain bikes up a tiny incline and they were all huffing and puffing like they were going to pass out. To make it even more laughable, they were on the wrong side of the street.

If I ever do some illegal **** in this city, I hope those are the clowns chasing after me.

Scrodzilla

That's nothing. Angie and I once saw a group of chubby SD cops walking their police-issued multi-geared mountain bikes up a tiny incline and they were all huffing and puffing like they were going to pass out. To make it even more laughable, they were on the wrong side of the street.

If I ever do some illegal **** in this city, I hope those are the clowns chasing after me.

NYMXer

Maybe they brought a newbie with them? Or maybe, they don't like climbs? Maybe, you should have given them a lesson on climbing?
At the end of the day, as long as we get to do our "thing", who cares what or how others do theirs.
I bet it felt good pedaling past the younger riders but obviously, they had other things on their minds like girls. I'll walk the climbs and save my strength for the girls too, lol (that just came to me).

10 Wheels

D Rock

I am no physiologist....
But, in my opinion an old and healthy guy can be as fast or faster than a young and healthy guy. Cycling is fairly low impact. I think fitness may trump age. It is just about delivering power to the machine. I am 52 and while I ride no where near race caliber, my overall fitness and extended saddle time makes me just as fast as most of the 20 year olds chasing Strava on the MUP.

jacobversus

All I know is, I love passing people on their geared bikes when I'm on my fixed gear

Kindaslow

Totally sad, and that photo after your post almost looks impossible. Crazy times we are in....

Kindaslow

I did not do a good job of that, now did I.....

Do single speed riders, as a group, toughen or HTFU just because riding a SS gives you no choice? Do younger riders in the SS section have an even higher HTFU attitude?

i am no stud rider, just an older guy out having a good time, so this was shocking to me. Now, as a guy who can ride a SS fully rigid MTB through this area I am no sissy. But, I know guys who are fast, and I am not one of them.

Kindaslow

It did make me grin, even if they were being lazy....

SCK

I find that I can be as lazy as I want with regard to riding on both geared bikes and fixed gear bikes. I find that I am less inclined to be lazy on my fixed gear bikes by virtue of the inability to coast. I will fight to the top of a hill because I want to, not because of some HTFU mantra.

SCK

Full squish.

Kindaslow

WRONG!

Fully Squished!!!!

SCK

Touche'

Dave Cutter

I find that some days this old man will fly by a youth or youths.... and other days... one will blow past me.

On the days when I seem fastest... I like to attribute it to my conditioning and fitness. On the days when some kid rides past me... I prefer to think I spotted the next new cycling champion before he became famous. Whatever makes me feel good about myself is what works best for me.

hueyhoolihan

blatant old troller thread...

seau grateau

I think singlespeed and fixed gear riding does tend to attract a certain kind of crazy person who like doing things the hard way.

Kindaslow

Huey.... You would rather have another freewheel discussion? Or, maybe another what is the best bike under $200 thread? This is an attempt at a real discussion.

Cyril 

@Kindaslow, You didn't get the response you were looking for in the 50+ forum
when you first posted this question, so now you are bringing it here?
Exactly what are you looking for?
This story is not as fascinating or mysterious as you make it out to be.

Kindaslow

Mostly curious. Just does not make sense to me.

please do start a thread that you find more interesting. Amazing how folks love to criticize, yet do not have anything of their own to attempt to discuss.

Bandera

Try going to the Mountain Bike sub-forum to tell the youngsters, especially the Downhillers, how sad you are about their unwillingness to put out a properly manly effort climbing hills.
You will be promptly enlightened.

-Bandera

Kindaslow

I seriously doubt enlightenment. Disagreements, yes. But, I have specifically stated I understand pushing a DH bike. So, not sure what your point is.

hueyhoolihan

are those my only two options?

Kindaslow

No, there are many other wonderful threads, best tires, does this bike fit me, and many more classics!

thanks for the fun response! I come here to unwind.