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Do old people just ...
 

Do old people just go on shorter holidays?

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When I was younger I'd be sure to get as high a Wheeler Ratio* as possible when I went away on adventures. A weekend extended by two days holiday could easily be expected to provide 4 days activity, even going as far afield as Europe or Oman.

( Let's leave aside the shocking climate impact of these ventures for now. It was execrable,  I was bad,  I shouldn't have flown so much and I don't fly so much now)

Back to the point, a week holiday would usually involve 6 days of target activity, be that climbing, skiing, kayaking or whatever.

In my thirties I realised this wasn't sustainable so I'd generally split the week up with a different activity. Ie a day cycling on a rock climbing holiday or a day skiing on a boating holiday.

But now in my fifties this is just a distant memory. I find more than a couple of days activity wrecks me, and I'm struggling to see the point of going away for a full week.

I've got no interest in taking unpaid leave to sit on my arse, so am inclined to go away for shorter trips, but that's just stoopid. But is it worth going away for a week if you only do shit for two pairs of days.

How do old y' all plan your trips away? Do you happily do lots of arse sitting or sightseeing, go for shorter duration or what?

* Wheeler Ratio= Days kayaking/ days leave taken. Formalised by Magic Knees himself.

PS, I'm referring to activity holiday here obviously, not family ones

 
Posted : 04/02/2025 10:11 pm
jacobff, jonba, tall_martin and 2 people reacted
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I only have one holiday a year now and do need to insert a reasonable number of "non-active" days. Having said that, those days will still include walking, swimming, yoga.

Last years holiday looked like this...

download (10)

Seriously though - if I'm going somewhere then I want to see it. That usually means some "non-active" time, though going somewhere new just to sit around seems like a bit of a waste to me.

 
Posted : 04/02/2025 10:20 pm
paladin, fasthaggis, hightensionline and 3 people reacted
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I’m an incredibly slow learner so I’m about to walk the Pennine Way in two weeks with no rest days for my 50th bday. I’ll let you know how that works out

 
Posted : 04/02/2025 10:31 pm
cinnamon_girl, montymeister, fasthaggis and 4 people reacted
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Last years holiday looked like this…’

so…the whole year is a holiday? That’s some impressive stats btw

 
Posted : 04/02/2025 10:33 pm
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You are clearly much more driven than me so my advice is probably useless.

However you asked

My base holiday model is if I’m away with my wife I’ll try and ride every other day then walk the dog with her on no ride days. She walks the dog every day

Of course in reality it’s way more complicated than that

I live in Bedforshire. I just like being away in the lakes, Yorkshire or wherever. The activities are a bonus

 
Posted : 04/02/2025 10:33 pm
_tom_ reacted
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IMG_2020Less than Colin. But not bad given i have a job. Although not that many days work per year compared to others.

 
Posted : 04/02/2025 10:39 pm
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I'd say this is all about how you live the rest of your life. If in your 50's you have declined to (at best) a weekend warrior at your chosen thing....which in reality means one morning over the weekend doing the thing and the rest on life admin, expecting your ageing body to ramp that up to 5,6 or 7 full days of back to back activity from a (nearly) standing start has inevitable consequences.  You've got to arrive conditioned to be awsums.

Which I reckon is very easy to positive spin in your head - it's a motivator to do stuff the rest of your life. Like training for an event, only the event is your holiday.

 
Posted : 04/02/2025 10:41 pm
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I spent my 20s and 30s on holidays that spent as much time on the water/on the bike as I could. The nearest thing to a rest day was driving to somewhere else to continue the sport. Usually this would involve several weeks to a month in a car or van bumming around Europe.

Now I’m 45 with 2 small kids I only get a week or so off with the wife without children so it’s usually Morzine for a week’s riding. Again, no rest days, maybe an afternoon off to do another sport if we fancy it or the weather is bad. The rest of the annual leave is spent on holidays with the kids. 

Getting older doesn’t mean you have to have less time riding while on holiday, you just have to train smarter and be fitter to keep up. This year will suck as I’m about to be off the bike for almost 2 months following cancer surgery and recovery. But hopefully I’ll be back for the summer.

 
Posted : 04/02/2025 10:56 pm
peteza reacted

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no we go for much longer so we can have light days but still get plenty of fun in!

 
Posted : 04/02/2025 11:22 pm
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I’m as daft as I was 30 years ago. Riding holidays lasting 2 weeks tend to have one day of non riding, usually travelling to a different place for the second week. The only real concession is that we aren’t on the first lift anymore and we stop for lunch

 
Posted : 04/02/2025 11:23 pm
zerocool and Marko reacted
 irc
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In 2023 I was in the USA bike touring for a month. Aside from 1 rest day in Santa Monica and 1 rest day when I was in the last week and a touch ahead of schedule every day was an activity day. I was 62 at the time.

Of course touring isn't high intensity. Average 50-55 miles a day. Different from doing high intensity stufff day after day.  I don't actually ride that much when I'm not touring. Three times a week. 15 - 20 miles usually.  I try to be slightly active 5 or 6 days a week. Non cycling days are a jog or swim. Maybe a hillwalk. Enough that I can go touring and get tour fit as I go.

Older people less active? Only if you choose to be  though of course all else equal a 60 year old body can't do what a 30 year old body could.

We have an elderly dog so for the next X number of years it wouldn't be fair to leave Mrs IRC to cope with both dogs for a long time but I fully expect to do another USA tour for around 2 months in 3 years time or so. In 2023 work wouldn't left me take unpaid leave so 1 month was the max. In 3 years time I won't be working.

 
Posted : 04/02/2025 11:52 pm
tall_martin and J-R reacted
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Nope

In my 50s i was taking 2 weeks hols for walking and cycling which would be  12 days of activity.  I paced myself walking 12 to 14 miles a day with a full pack or cycling 40 to 60 miles with camping kit.

Since retiring at 60 i cycled to Spain taking 4 months to do over 3000 miles.   50 ish miles a day 6 days a week with a day off ech week and a few days off together each month.

Currently at the end of my 4th week cycling round NZ.   Milage is barely 40 a day because of all the bloody hills.   Had 4 rest days.

The secret is to pace yourself.  Mind you i am currently buckled but sitting outside a pub that has a campsite drinking beer

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 4:07 am
cinnamon_girl, fasthaggis, peteza and 1 people reacted
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I’ve never not taken a day off riding to do something else on a holiday (of a week or more). I think because I’ve had it drilled into me from training that adaptation happens when you rest. Getting older hasn’t changed that.

More important (to me) is trying to do work that lets me spend more time riding in general. I try to stick to a 4 day week working pattern which I have got better at with age.

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 6:48 am
zerocool reacted
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I did a riding holiday last year in Spain, 9 days. I really needed a day off by about Day 7. Day 2 or 3 of the holiday had been a Gran Fondo event so I was carrying the fatigue of that. Problem was that the weather was so good, the roads and scenery so nice that I could never actually have a full day off, so I did a couple of shorter / lower intensity rides which helped.

I think, unless you really are properly trained and used to regular rides, it's very difficult for the average punter to do a solid week / 10 days of riding unless, as TJ says, you're doing it at touring speed in which case yes, you can sort of go forever and you'll ride yourself into it.

When I've done ride leading on LEJOG events, the day that gets everyone is Day 3 - it's much flatter than Days 1 & 2 crossing Cornwall, Devon, Somerset but most people are only used to doing 2 days back to back on the bike so Day 3 is a shock to the system.

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 6:58 am
bfw reacted
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I cycle for fun, not the maniacal need to be "doing something". As the famous philosopher F Buellur said, "Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop once in a while, you could miss it"

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 7:09 am
funkmasterp, chambord, hightensionline and 2 people reacted
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My holidays are just like the rest of my time.

They're mainly spent riding but if I do have a day off I don't let it bother me.

Got a three week trip in France/Italy in the summer.

We'll be having a day of not riding on the drive home as Mrsstu want's to stay a night in a chateau where there is no riding.

Not really planned for any other days off but may have a couple of easy days where we just ride/walk to a bar/restaurant.

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 7:18 am
chakaping reacted

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I

refer

you

to

the

narrowboat

thread!

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 7:28 am
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One week in to an eight week holiday travelling around a small part of India.

It's hot, you definitely need down time.

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 8:06 am
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No routine any more really, but maybe:

A couple of long weekend trips with 3 or 4 big rides.

A full week of proper riding (e.g. Scotland).

Occasional two week trip to Alps.

Week away with GF, including hiking, swimming and maybe a bit of biking.

Note: I'm early 50s and I try to plan a long weekend before the full week away, to condition myself (along with some longer and consecutive rides at home).

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 9:04 am
Tracey reacted
 nbt
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How do old y’ all plan your trips away? Do you happily do lots of arse sitting or sightseeing, go for shorter duration or what?

Just back from three weeks skiing in the Grand Massif. Skiied every day

Planning to go back for a fortnight in a few weeks. Will be skiing every day

Planning one, maybe two, cycle touring trips later in the year. Will cycle every day - get the miles in to the new destination, then a gentle stroll out to find sustenance

So, we do stuff every day. Some of those days might be light days - e.g. when skiing we had most days around 50km total distance, getting as high as 64km, but a couple of days were in the mid 20s - but we do stuff every day

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 9:09 am
 mert
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No, just plan better. Long day, medium day, bimble day, Long day... rinse and repeat.

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 9:20 am
fasthaggis reacted
 irc
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Posted : 05/02/2025 9:37 am
jamesoz reacted
 irc
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I thought of this moment when touring being less intensive was mentioned. Having a mid afternoon break in the California desert  below the only stand of trees for miles. Lying on my mat with a podcast going. It took me ages to notice there was a huge owl sitting up in the trees watching me. Great Horned Owl. 60cm long Up to 2.5kg weight. Up to 145cm wingspan.

https://ibb.co/b58yZ48Q

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 9:44 am
anorak, Clover, cinnamon_girl and 1 people reacted
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Just back from a two month trip. However pretty lazy due to a medical issue which cropped up on day 2 and progressed.  Now building back up to touring again (63).

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 9:45 am

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50. Just back from 7 days of 1st lift ->last lift skiing. Knees were getting tired but the head was still raring to go.

Did a tough 6 days straight MTBing in October (Stone King Rally); a week's solid mountaineering in July (first time for that).

Train hard, fight easy is the name of the game for me, plus fuel well and sleep well. Also I generally find I'm hanging by the end of the 2nd day, but by the 3rd my body has gone "oh, we're doing this are we??" and after that its all much easier.

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 9:48 am
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Nothing wrong with sitting on yer arse taking in the view IMO. You don't have to be rad all the time, no one else really cares.

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 10:10 am
ahote, zerocool, funkmasterp and 5 people reacted
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No, just plan better. Long day, medium day, bimble day, Long day… rinse and repeat.

(for me)  this ^^

There is no such thing as over planning, especially when the planning is part of the fun. !!:-)

I love this time of the year,checking out maps,routes ,ferry times and places to add to the ever growing list.

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 10:39 am
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I never knew Chris but he was a friend of friends. Brought a smile to my face to hear the Wheeler Ratio.

No advice on holidays sorry.

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 10:53 am
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56 and usually take a 7 or 8 week break to the Alps every summer.  No noticeable signs of tiring yet, but the lifts probably help!  We probably ride 5 days a week on average.  Allows a day to drive to the next location and another day to do something off the bike.  Occasionally I find myself praying for rain so I can have a day of reading or listening to the cricket in the van, but that hasnt happened much the last couple of summers.

But when we're riding we take plenty of breaks for photos, coffees etc - it's not like a 30-something lads' week in PdS.  4k to 5k descending per day in the parks is pretty normal though.  I think the improvements in bikes has helped to be honest.

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 12:52 pm
Tracey reacted
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57 last week and spent the weekend in the Peak riding. I've no intention of slowing down either on the Levo or the Enduro. After Kevin's accident in the Alps we have decided to step back from work and spend even more time on the bikes

Sat planning our first of 3 trips, 1st for the end of April, 24 days taking in the Aosta Valley, Massa, Punta Alna, Massa Marittima and Finale. The only time we wont be hitting the trails are when we drive between the locations.

Its only the 90 days in 180 days that's stopping us do more in Europe so will fill the gaps in the UK and further afield.

I'm doing more gym sessions than I ever did. I don't feel any difference in my head between what I do now and what I did 40 years ago. May have put on a bit more weight, and gained a few grey hairs but who hasn't.

I certainly don't consider my self old

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 1:23 pm
Skippy, cinnamon_girl, bfw and 1 people reacted
 FOG
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I am quite amused that most posters here think 59-60 is old. Wait til you get properly old!  I am 76 in a week and still get out twice a week but not as far and not as ambitious. But I am lucky, I have no major health issues apart from high blood pressure. Plenty of people my age have all on to walk to the doctor's. Unfortunately a lot of it's down to the genetic lottery.

So the answer to your question is, yes but just keep going as long as you can

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 1:29 pm
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I'm actively working on being okay with not doing as much. I get restless really easily and feel the need to be doing things all of the time on holidays (riding, walking, exploring etc), the result is I am pretty insufferable on holidays. My wife is fine with sitting around reading a book. There must be a balance point somewhere.

Do old people just go on shorter holidays

My parents are in their mid 70's and are 3 weeks in to a 6 week holiday in the Canaries.

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 2:16 pm
chakaping reacted

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I turn 58 this year. Throughout my life ive managed to keep a decent level of fitness up despite full time/full on work and family pressures. I'm capable of doing pretty much the same now as I did 10 years ago. What's changed is that it takes more time and focus now to keep in the same shape. So more time needed on the bike (easy pace), time in gym, keeping flexible etc.

As I've still got a bucket list of trips/races/bikepacking/walking trips to do I'm retiring in April to do this stuff while I can - I can go back to work another time if needed. Last year I managed the Transpyr stage race (very hard) and the Routes de Grandes Alpes (hard). I managed both with a few more days riding left in the legs so reckon Ive still got a few more good years left in me.

This year already got a weeks riding in Adulucia planned then  in June off for a month doing an MTB stage race,  Gravel Worlds qualifier in France, then some mountains in the Dolomites on the way back to the UK. July will probably be Alps and Southern Germany. Late Autumn possibly Atlas Mountains ... did that two years ago and best trip Ive done for ages.

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 2:30 pm
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I get restless really easily and feel the need to be doing things all of the time on holidays

I used to be exactly like this.

Didn't get much time off work and thought I had to wring every last minute out of riding when I wasn't working.

I'm totally different now I'm not working and even enjoy the odd day of not riding my bike.

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 4:58 pm
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800 km/week on my last holiday. I can't stand sitting around.57 and train hard when well.

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 5:22 pm
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I'm 70 and ride about as much as I ever have for the last 35+ years, about 5000k per year, 3 or 4 times per week. We don't holiday like we used to because every day we wake up and do what we want anyway. When we go away with my son for example I can keep up with him and his partner whether biking, hiking, water sports or whatever. Just keep going and you don't lose it!(But be careful of injuries)

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 5:27 pm
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The last time I went on a 2 week holiday was 2 years ago. Club Vass, so mountain biking and windsurfing every day. Last year I had 3 6-day trips windsurfing, a couple of week-long ones with bikes and windsurfing and a 10 day Spanish trip that included 4 days windsurfing in Tarifa.
Nothing much planned this year although in typing this from the Gambia where we've hired some clunkers for the week.
Blimey, those coaster brakes take some getting used to. I always stop with the right pedal down and nearly come a cropper starting off with the left foot.
And yes, I fit the description of old people.

 
Posted : 05/02/2025 5:57 pm

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