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Rage rage against the dying of the light.
I like the fact that TJ posted on either side of that quote on his epic journey, and when he passed through this area I took him to the pub where the author of those words drank. (Among many other pubs!)
I regularly have to recalibrate my expectations of what I can do, driven by I'll health rather than age (although I am older than you). The 'sort your head out' approach is certainly the best for me. I was never better than a mediocre rider but I rode a lot and did a lot of big epic rides. That's all beyond me now and my riding is e-bike assisted and generally involves taking a book and a flask of tea to somewhere with a nice view to take in. I also started new things, weight training and climbing are new to me and all done around my physical limitations (and less looking back at the old me). But enjoying them is about recalibration of expectations and realising I can still enjoy stuff, just not pushing myself at the same level as I could before.
51 here and still managing meaningful activity. It's probably been mentioned that a lot of older gentlemen fail to do any resistance training. I'm lucky as I'm in the military and our on site gym does has circuit training at lunchtime. My amateur assessment is that this sort of HIT produces benefits way beyond the time invested but is avoided by a lot of people because it's frankly often bloody hard. Why not see of a local gym offers something similar.
I've also adopted a little and often approach to cycling and I feel a lot better for it (happier and faster).
Approaching 57 here. I do miss competition - and training - however you can still get this as many have said over shorter distances - I did a PB at Park run on Saturday - however I am well behind Older Vets who smash out 20-21 minute hilly park runs. Me - I just enjoy the competitive run. Aiming for some longer off road runs in the lakes next year and the great north Swim (both low impact). Good points about resistance training - need to think about that.
Oh, fwiw, you don't strictly seem to be taking about 'exercise addiction', more a need to experience new and exciting stuff and feel you've achieved something, which is somewhat different, I think, though I guess there are obvious parallels in the space they fill in you.
I suspect that I'm loosely exercise / activity dependent, so when I couldn't really do anything for 18 months thanks to long covid, I had to find other ways of staying approximately sane. Turns out that mediation and mindfulness generally works pretty well to help you reframe things and be more accepting of life generally.
Also, you do seem to have a slightly grandiose penchant for the epic, which I get because a part of me used to lean that way too, but just because something's not hugely difficult or technically hard doesn't mean that it has no value. I've come to appreciate my local trails just as much as further flung stuff, maybe more. I like the way lines and textures change along with the seasons and the weather, even the sound you tyres make on different surfaces. Anyway... be there more would be my advice 🙂
I'm 54, and only really got into outdoor stuff in my mid-late 30s. Dabbled in a few things and for the last 10 years, riding has been my #1 choice of activity. Having had 2 marriages and 2 families, I never really had years of solo adventures or pushing the limits of fitness and/or adrenaline stuff.
So, most of my cycling has been on an upward curve, in terms of skill, fitness, places to ride, explore and appreciate. And in lots of ways, it still is.
I don't have your longer history, or variety of stuff you've been into. But I do, absolutely, 'need' and crave exercise. I need to do 'something' most days, or I just end up restless and a little bit grumpy, sometimes resentful.
Most of my motivation, though, is about head space, me-time, being in the outdoors (mostly) whatever the weather. I'm no longer that motivated by being fitter or faster than I was, say, 5 years ago (albeit I don't want to decline/age too quickly, so I do take some care over lifestyle, diet etc). I do set some goals or challenges that push me out of my comfort zone (a road 400km in a day, and my first Enduro this year) ... and things like a recent weekend riding in the Lakes always challenge me from both a fitness and technical/skills point of view, but I also get great satisfaction with a 2 hour SS local XC blast, a 1 hour gravel bimble, or an overnight bike-packer either solo or with a mate. So, from that point of view, I'm fairly 'easy-to-please'.
I have started to think about ageing and what exercise may look like for the next 10/20/30 years. Partly, reading this thread has prompted me to consider taking training and nutrition a bit more seriously; I'll likely buy the 'faster at 50' book, not to try and make me better/fitter than 10 years ago, but to try and make the next, hopefully, 30 years of exercise as close to a plateau as possible rather than just a decline.
But I also think it's partly (mainly) about mindset. Its about appreciating and valuing what you can do and what you are capable of, rather than constantly putting yourself under pressure to be better (be fitter / have 'better' adventures/experiences) than your younger self. It's about finding peace and satisfaction in the here and now, giving more credence to being in the moment rather than fearing the moment doesn't live up to all your previous moments.
So, yeah. Some of the advice on here will help resist/slow the decline associated with age, and help you perform 'respectably' compared to your younger self. Some it will be adapting, playing to your strengths as an older athlete ... and the stuff about rest/sleep/nutrition will help with that, as well as choosing goals and challenges more thoughtfully. But mostly, I reckon for you to continue to enjoy exercise for the next 30 years, it's all about what you do with your head, your attitude and approach to it, and finding a way of being at peace with whatever stage you are at in your life.
Answer 1: if you're getting a lot slower/weaker at 50, see a doctor, that's not normal. I set my marathon PB aged 50. Past that, sure, you'll probably go gently downhill. but it shouldn't be a nosedive. Which brings me to answer 2: if you think getting older sucks, consider the alternative. My sister only made it to 52 and her last few years weren't great (cancer).
I'm 55 and got a dog. Weekend trail runs are at her pace - squirrel! - and focusing on the pleasure of trotting along somewhere nice. My brother is a very competitive runner (Vets international level) but doesn't seem to enjoy his running more than me.
E7 at 72:
We’ve spoken before about this, but here are the things you are leaving on the table:
Managing your medical condition optimally
Getting a solid 8 a night
Sleep hygeine and routine (read why we sleep)
Macro periodization
Micro periodization
Progressive overload
Formalised rest
SMART (T especially) goals
Healthy habits to get to the goals
(Ps get a coach for the last 6)
Performance minded approach to diet feat. Sufficient water, protein and quality micros
Putting some grease in your goodamn rear hub (part of the reason I always disappear on descents ;-)).
Recovery activities
Yoga
Strength training (you’re over 50, this is more important than it was before)
Blood tests to establish a baseline
Recovery tracking
Aero
Waxing your chain
Putting less pressure in your tyres
Not carrying a 35l backpack on every 3hr ride
Trying new sports and diversifying
I'm exhausted just thinking about that lot! How do you find time to ride?
I'm a bit intimidated by your intensity.
I don't have kids yet!
The point I was making was less 'your life is valueless unless you adhere to this cult of wellness', but more 'unless you give yourself a fair and objective chance at things, there is a good chance the only thing that is actually deteriorating is your sense of self worth'. It could be when you did all these things you were proud of you were getting 8hrs sleep a night, but now are getting 5 but you're blaming age. No, get more sleep!
Right, sorry. So many good points to respond to that I wanted a keyboard. But I don't got one so phone it is...OK
1) to be clear, when I say 'good at...' I don't really mean good, I mean OK. Let's be honest, I'm just a middle aged IT Man... you get the drift
2) I've got a wee cold/ manflu this week. Clearly I had it at the weekend too, which exasperated my low (PS, don't you love that malapropism? Someone I worked with used it all the time without even realising)
3) lack of sleep/ tiredness is indeed the main issue here. I'm actually fairly at ease with getting old. It's the terminal lack of sleep that I currently have which is killing me. When I was 40 I could quite happily have a shit night sleep and then do the Fred. Nowadays I can't.
I’ve had a few moments where I’ve had a massive drop off in fitness, and every time I’ve thought ‘this is it, I’m old and done for’, and every time so far the real reason has been lack of sleep. Get that sorted first and see how things pan out
God I wish I could 🙁
4) speed versus distance... not sure where I gave the wrong impression, but to be clear I have no interest in speed or power at all. I have two aims when cycling without my kids: 1) to clean as much as I can and 2)to go as far as I can.
I have never been fast or powerful on a bike I think I have only ever done 20mph on a bike once properly solo ( ie 20 miles in an hour). When me and conti did Cut Gate last weekend he sets off to get a PB and I settle down into a slow plod to see if I can do the ascent in 1 go ( I can't, yet).
So yes totally on board with the distance thing, almost all my cycle goals are distance related.
Poor sleep = poor health = poor fitness
Word! 😛
You might need to think how you’re training a bit more. Going out and random thrashing isn’t very effective
Yep, I've only just realised this really. I plan to be more structured in future.
Oh, fwiw, you don’t strictly seem to be taking about ‘exercise addiction’, more a need to experience new and exciting stuff and feel you’ve achieved something,
Agreed. Didn't want to talk about adrenaline junkie or any of that cringe stuff, and I thought that I had successfully replaced the extreme ( ish) with the exercise, but clearly not.
Also, you do seem to have a slightly grandiose penchant for the epic, which I get because a part of me used to lean that way too, but just because something’s not hugely difficult or technically hard doesn’t mean that it has no value. I’ve come to appreciate my local trails just as much as further flung stuff, maybe more.
I have a real problem going out for a short ride. I think whether it'll involve a decent distance 60km or 1,500m minimum or some especially interesting/ techie sections.... if it doesn't then I just CBA. I have this stupid idea that if a ride isn't utterly amazeballs then there's no point. And if i do plan something then I just don't sleep the night before and am a mess.
Like in July, when it first got really hot I drove out to Hayfield on Saturday and parked. I sat in the car fir 15 minutes trying to work out in my mind how to get a " good" ride in. I was knackered and demotivated, and ended up driving back home. The next day I realised that there was no point in repeating the process so I would start the ride from home. 4 hours later on Roych Clough I finally hit the wall and then limped home in the heat completely exhausted. No idea why I did it.
And tbh no idea why I'm telling you this. I'm just rambling.
PS. Big thanks to whassname for the PM. I need to look at that.
Leaving aside the fitness side of it, would it not be worth your while investing some time with a counsellor? Given you've referenced low self-esteem quite a bit, that's a hard 'demon' to battle with feats of athleticism as you get older. If you can shake off that burden, then you can get on with enjoying your life through your fifties.
For what it's worth, I've never reached the level of fitness that you seem to have, but during my fifties, I shifted focus in my career, notched up several outdoor qualifications, including my Winter ML, and gained a great sense of achievement and satisfaction along the way. I've just turned 60 this year, and in a similar fashion to Scotroutes, I've started spending a bit of time working on my photography skills as a way of adding a bit of value and interest to my time outside, although I'm not entirely convinced lugging a rucksack full of camera equipment to the top of a hill for sunrise counts as a particularly easy option.
Whatever route you take, I hope you get that self-esteem monkey off your back, and find the space to enjoy life a bit.
Cheers for an interesting thread!
I'm in a very similar position (in terms of historical adventures and current feelings on (lack of) fitness) but probably slightly less worried about it.
Not sure about the structured training thing, I think it would remove the enjoyment for me. I ride (canoe, scramble, climb etc) to have fun and to burn calories to allow me to eat more! However need to balance this with the desire to be fit enough to enjoy big adventures without ending up exhausted.
I also need to learn to temper my own expectations of my body as I can't just go do some of the things I used to.
The Strava debate is another interesting one. When out solo I tend to push myself and I make myself aware that Strava is watching which makes me work harder. Maybe I should try going out without it to see if I enjoy it more just going at mellow pace and appreciating my surroundings.
Definitely want to keep having adventures as I think I would really struggle mentally without them. I just need to figure out what my body can still do and how to keep enjoying the great outdoors without breaking myself.
almost all my cycle goals are distance related.
All my cycling goals are "having fun" related. I have a rough goal in mind when I mountain bike in terms of what a"ride" is. It's about 30km and about 1000m of ascent. But other than that I ride to put a smile on my face. On the weekend I did just shy of both of those, but - and this is the crucial bit. I had a heap of fun, I cleared a couple of sections that I've puzzled over, and a change in diet has meant some more leg power which has made me happy.
It sounds very much like you use sport (if you don't mind it being said) as a crutch. I think you probably are coming round to the fact that it's not that aspect (the sport) that needs your attention. I hope you get it sorted.
The Strava debate is another interesting one. When out solo I tend to push myself and I make myself aware that Strava is watching which makes me work harder.
I removed Strava this year, only installing it last week to time myself on a race-course, but removed again... It's helped massively... Sometimes i go hard, sometimes i go easy... but it does remove the 'need' to go hard that Strava brings often.
Oh yes, getting shot of Strava was - for me at least, a weight off my shoulders that I didn't realise was there. I was starting to look at some segments in a way that wasn't helpful for what I want to do. Removing the time element from my riding has helped massively
Have you seen the Dr about your lack of sleep for the skin condition? By which I mean have you tried some sort of sleeping tablets that will be strong enough to actually put you to sleep? I'm with you on the lack of sleep is crippling but which a lot of people dont appreciate. My IBD means I suffer with exhaustion/fatigue and it's vital I get the 8 hours even with my ten years less than you. I'm also with you on the fact we use exercise as a crux to cope with low self esteem, if I found myself unable to ride for whatever reason I wouldn't cope at all and I know I get obsessive over stuff. Even with my ten years less I'm trying to come to terms with riding less gnar stuff after the wrist break just because I feel like with my back issue I'm on the cusp of injuring myself and not being able to ride vs being able to ride. I TOTALLY agree with the weight you carry on your back for every ride comment though but I know why you do but I'm not sure it helps as is putting your body under more than necessary load.
Not sure I can advise on how to cope but you can always send me a message if you're struggling and just need a sounding board.
would it not be worth your while investing some time with a counsellor?
Yep, did this. The second one did produce some useful stuff, but not to the degree that I need. Not sure where to take it...
I think I would really struggle mentally without them. I just need to figure out what my body can still do and how to keep enjoying the great outdoors without breaking myself.
Agreed
All my cycling goals are “having fun” related.
Very positive. Mine rarely are/were. Even some of the excellent fun rides I've had ( eg 4 passes with GolfChick) had an element of challenge/ potential suffering which appealed to me as much.
I can just imagine GC sat at her desk going " so that's why you dragged me up that screeslope hike a bike from hell on Fairfield you twisted ****"
😝
I have a rough goal in mind when I mountain bike in terms of what a”ride” is. It’s about 30km and about 1000m of ascent. But other than that I ride to put a smile on my face. On the weekend I did just shy of both of those, but – and this is the crucial bit. I had a heap of fun
Yep, and I've been trying to do that much more. I was discussing with continuity last month how much fun our recent rides were because we binned the torturefest aspirations at the start and just rode around having fun. And I made no effort whatsoever to try to keep up with him on the hills, which was sooooo much more relaxing.
I TOTALLY agree with the weight you carry on your back for every ride comment ... body under more than necessary load.
TBF I'm getting much better at this. You and Conti are right that I did have the kitchen sink with me on our first few rides, as you say for a specific reason. I do still carry a lot on some solo rides, probably to try to offset the additional risk that I am placing myself under by being there, alone. Like this one, on the Carneddau
https://flic.kr/p/2n83pWN
But nowadays if I'm cycling with someone I know then the rucksack is largely empty.
I have a real problem going out for a short ride. I think whether it’ll involve a decent distance 60km or 1,500m minimum or some especially interesting/ techie sections…. if it doesn’t then I just CBA. I have this stupid idea that if a ride isn’t utterly amazeballs then there’s no point. And if i do plan something then I just don’t sleep the night before and am a mess.
At the risk of stating the obvious, it doesn't seem to be making you very happy and maybe you need to ask yourself some questions about what you're trying to prove and to who. I don't mean that negatively, just that you seem to be so invested in 'challenges' that it's actually stopping them being enjoyable, though I guess it's a question of whether it's apprehension or excitement that's hitting your sleep.
Maybe you could reframe what you're doing in a way that makes it less of a black and white, binary, succeed or fail proposition?
That's easy to say, of course, but less maybe straightforward to do, depends what's at the root of it I guess, which is where counselling of some sort might help. Sometimes this stuff's really obvious, I went through a phase of being stupidly and needlessly competitive on a bike and in the end it came down to me just realising that I didn't have to prove I was fast to anyone - unless I was racing of course, when I was mostly proving that I wasn't particularly fast at all.
Come for a ride and a chat some time. We can look at lichen and appreciate the joys of mindful cycling 😉
I have a real problem going out for a short ride. I think whether it’ll involve a decent distance 60km or 1,500m minimum or some especially interesting/ techie sections…. if it doesn’t then I just CBA. I have this stupid idea that if a ride isn’t utterly amazeballs then there’s no point. And if i do plan something then I just don’t sleep the night before and am a mess.
I'm almost the exact opposite. most rides are an hour, maybe 90 mins, sometimes less. Its rare I ride for more than two hours. I often don't decide where I'm going until I'm rolling down the road from my house.
go average, go often
Sounds like you need to try and redescover the joys of just pissing about on a bike.
It's all a bit pointless anyway so you may as well just go and have fun.
I'll often go out for an hour and just mess about on one or two trails.
No structure, totally pointless but good fun.
I used to race Moto Enduro at Euro and World levels and now have much more fun just pissing about on a pushbike because I don't have to train or plan anything.
Just jump on the bike and head out for a quick rip or longer if the mood takes me.
It shouldn't be causing you stress just planning a ride.
The last time I didn't get on a bike all day was 1st Nov '21, but a lot of days have been approx 45-60mins. I've still got a number of local-ish hills I want to climb for the first time this year before mid November, I did one of them on Monday, but I'm so out of practice of 40+ mile / 3+ hour rides this year that I'm filled with doubt about even attempting them. I used to do a 100Km+ ride most months, I've done three since '21.
I found switching to XC & away from endurance (racing) helpful. It means my sessions on the whole are shorter & more intense. Yes, I still need to do some 3-4hr z2 rides but I just tend to hit the local towpath & zone out. But my MTB rides are more around creating a race like vibe i.e. a 90min hard blat. Seems to be working well..
I have a real problem going out for a short ride. I think whether it’ll involve a decent distance 60km or 1,500m minimum or some especially interesting/ techie sections…. if it doesn’t then I just CBA
I recognise some of this in myself. When Covid "lockdown" was in place though I was happy to get out for a ride of any length/duration, and then the 100 day challenge thing have been quite good at getting me out for shorter rides too - often when the weather hasn't really been that great but I needed to get in my 30 minutes. In both cases I took to exploring little bits of trail I'd otherwise have bypassed when I was in a rush to get that longer ride done. I found new stuff and some of that is now incorporated in my longer rides. Just another thing to think about/divert your attention maybe?
59 (nearly 60) and had to stop all the "fun" riding epic mtb, audxing, long solo bike packing due to heart condition now that's fixed it's all down to real fun and putting a smile back. I still can't climb for toffee and the longest ride currently is 50km (on an e-bike) but it's a start.
I keep thinking of Eddy Merckx's quote .... "Ride as much or as little, or as long or as short as you feel. But ride."
Gets me past all the meds I have to take and the total lack of any form of legs that I don't have anymore but I get out and I hear the birds and smile ... 🙂
Yes, I’m a complete mess. Have quite a lot of self loathing and a history of using exercide/ ticks/ challenges as a crutch for my low self esteem.
So back in the 80's sometime I met Mr. Fisher of Fisher-Price toys... he had an old lurcher he had to lift over stiles and we walked together from somewhere outside Thirlmere to Old Dungeon Gill, possibly Honister it's a long time ago.
He was in his 70-80's ?? (looked like pics of God in kids bibles) but he'd obviously been much fitter yet he was out enjoying life still and walking a distance 90% of the population wouldn't do.
That's when I decided to be like him when I was older...
I’m just not able to cycle at anything the level I used to, or for the length of time, or as often.
and I'm sure Mr Fisher wasn't either ... (translate to climb, run, walk) yet I tell myself "be like Mr Fisher"
and ....
Scotroutes
These are not all the same thing. You just need to weigh up intensity vs duration and decide which is more important to you.
or mix and match .... it's the old pick and 2...
I can't not exercise or both my body and mind fall apart quite quickly... (auto immune issues get worse)
I can't do full on every day so I do a bit most days and a bit of higher intensity stuff or do 2 group rides in a day hopefully once a week.
I’m not as bad now but I recall going to Gisburn and doing a lap in semi winter, it was shit, so I did another one, and another one, and I think a fourth. Which was just as shit as the third one, just slower.
Sounds like you were riding alone and not for fun?
Why not start to try and reframe fitness as a means to and end or better still something that just happens as a consequence of going out and having fun?
I'm the oldest of my current riding buddies (with the exception of one who's out with his back), most are in their 40's and I'm first up and down (or thereabouts). Sometimes I'll do 2 group rides in a day... or Wednesday a young riding buddy had a shit couple of days at work so I loaned them the eBike and totally hammered it round and got a proper workout and enjoyed it at the same time. Couldn't even tell you how far or climbing as I'm not interested enough to ask her... (she was recording but I'm not really fussed I got a good workout and a nice ride with a friend)
So, quick look at strava suggests I've done the equivalent of one decent day ride in the last 7 weeks.
The sun is shining, a mate has asked if I'm riding today...
..and I've just gone back to bed to sleep, at 14:38 in the afternoon.
After two pretty good nights' sleep.
**** me.
Laying in bed on a glorious Saturday afternoon, ...5 weeks ago something went on my back deadlifting and I've been suffering with back pain and leg numbness. I can hardly put on my socks, and I'm extremely concerned after 5 physio appointment Ive not been able to sort it.
Im seeing a chiropractor on Wednesday and somewhat concerned as to what he might say...:(
If you're looking for some focus it's the Calderdale mtb marathon tomorrow @thegeneralist, entries close at 8pm - £20.
I've not ridden there much so have entered, should be a good ride. 27mile 4 thou feet.
So frustrating to still be completely bogged down with Covid a week on and not be able to take part in the Zwift Insider Tiny Races today. Not to mention it looks glorious outdoors, but I'm absolutely knackered and bunged up.
I did the Tiny today but due to having ridden a fair bit at Rogate yesterday I only did race 2&4. Once upon a time I'd have done all 4.
How do you cope with not being as good as what you were?
Because: realism, and the aging process. It’s going to happen whether you like it or not, I’m afraid.
Most honest answer so far, although maybe not the most palatable!
5 weeks ago something went on my back deadlifting
I've had to give up deadlifting as for some reason it just seems to trigger my back more and more. Did used to have 2x BW deadlift a few years ago, now going over BW can set it off. Was my favourite exercise as well.
and I’ve just gone back to bed to sleep, at 14:38 in the afternoon.
After two pretty good nights’ sleep
Lots of stuff on this thread about getting some "help for where your head's at" ... and your experience this afternoon may all be tied up with that ...
But, have you got yourself checked out physically too? Any other symptoms? If that's something that has changed over recent weeks/months, that might be worth checking out too.
Just going with the flow. Keep walking, keep riding, but you cant avoid the unavoidable.
You get old
You die
The extended family whom you'd never invite over for Christmas dinner, ransack your house, and sell off your prized possessions for whatever they can get.
Wee update...
Woke up Monday morning 3 weeks ago feeling much chiperer for no apparent reason, and have felt a bit better since then.
Did two fantastic rides with the kids, one at Hamsters and one at Whinlatter.
OMG Hamsterley is soooooo good. ( so long as you don't fo the far SW bit.) The wean was buzzing and we even went back up to do the stuff from the mast past Accelerator twice.
Whinlatter was a bit messy as I got a call from a mate who had lost his 7 year old son and got a ripped tube at the same time. I sent my boys off on their own and had to track the kid down and then tried to catch up my kids. Warp speed. 🙂
I eventually met them as they were coming down from the north loop. Never seen them so wired and buzzing. They were so hyper. It was lovely. Anyway, they repeated the south side with me and it was such a lovely day.
Really made me realise the good side of biking.
Also realised I am getting too stressed with work. Danger signs all over the place.
Took half a day off yesterday and am currently packing the car to go to the Lakes. So excited 🙂
Great - missed this thread first time but I know what you mean. I suspect a lot has already been said, so apologies for scan reading only but key for me at 53 is to stop comparing myself to others, particularly younger others, and also younger me. And just celebrate what I can do. I can do a century road ride, I can still clean most of the climbs I considered hard when I was younger, it just takes me longer than it used to.
In fact - that makes me better than I used to be. Climbing a tough hill requires me to be at close to full effort, to counter the 10kg and 10 years extra. It used to be full effort just because that's how you climb hills isn't it? No sense going half arsed. So the difference now is that I'm same effort level on the engine, but for, 15% longer. Surely that makes me proper nails! And compared to the skinny youngsters that only put that effort in for half the time we do.....
The thing that does get me down is injury and just wear and tear. I have bad knees, ankles and hips, family history of arthritis and currently knee is ****ed badly enough that I can't consider any kind of proper ride. All caused by a run to catch a bus followed by a bit too much beer fuelled walking which discomfort would have stopped. If I had to compromise I'd happily live with 53 year me capability if I could have 23 or 33 year old me robustness.
Read Joe Freil - Faster after 50. Good insights into what happens to the body ( and mind) as you get older. I’ve started doing more gravel type riding as the more consistent effort is suiting me a lot more. I also lift weights but heavy and only a few reps to try to slow down the inevitable muscle atrophy. ( I’m 57).
Why must it be heavy and only a few reps?Genuinely interested because I do the opposite.(I'm 59).
PS should get that Joe Freil book.
From GCN just the other day, an interview with The Nicest Man in Mountain Biking about being old and still being on the podium!
Currently sat at home looking at the sunshine outside. It's 11am and gorgeous.
I bled my brakes yesterday, packed my bag and charged my lights. All ready to go for a bit of Cut Gate today.
And here I am, surfing the Internet like a ****. Derailed somewhere between coffee and departure. I've given up on Cut Gate as it'll be shite. It's not rained for a week so it's probably dry, and TBH the top bit might even be frozen. Views will probably be limited to 20 or 30 miles of glorious crisp air.
But in my current state I can't think of any way it'll make a good day out.
So I was thinking of riding from home, like I do when my mind goes medium dark. A good 60km of road riding required to get to the trails. Shall I take the Anthem to make the tarmac bearable or shall I really make the day unpleasant and take the Occam with 2.6DHFs and inserts...
I could change tyres on the Occam instead, then the 25km to Hayfield would be bearable and Jacobs would be actually fun.
Maybe I'll do that...
Or not. Been at least 8 minutes since I checked UKC and the STW homepage. I think I'll just have another surf and see if I can read about someone whose less of a sad **** than I am and actually has a life.
Maybe I'll go out this evening, lights are charged after all.
I don't think it matters what you do as long as you get out, tho' CutGate sounds a lot better. But get out in sunlight.
This is a day you train for, not a training day. Says the man eating fast as poss so he can get out ....