A bit down after looking at old diaries

[Accy cyclist]

I've kept a diary of my cycling,swimming,running,walking weight training etc for the last 26 years. Yesterday i dug them out and compared my distances and times with today's cycling and walking times(they're the only exercises i tend to do these days)Disappointed i was to say the least! My average speed for cycling has dropped from around 18mph to a current 15mph and my rides have become shorter to around 25-30 miles to the then 40-50 miles,although i reckon my daily average is now around 11 miles compared to the then 6-7 miles. I'm nearly 54 but over 2 stone lighter than i was in the old diaries so should i be upset that i'm slower,pleased that i'm still cycling and walking or a bit of both?

 

[Markymark]

I have a house full of photos of me with hair.

Life goes on.

 

[uphillstruggler]

its a fact that the muscles associated with speed diminish with age, whilst the stamina ones take over so slowing down is a natural process, just enjoy riding your bike and don't worry about numbers. you'll probably tend to see more on your rides nowadays anyway.

have you not heard the one about the father and son bull strolling down the hill?

 

[welsh dragon]

You should be pleased that you are still fit enough to be able to cycle and go walking and that you are lighter than you were back then. Your fitter than a lot of people. Be thankful for that and enjoy your good health.

 

[raleighnut]

its a fact that the muscles associated with speed diminish with age, whilst the stamina ones take over so slowing down is a natural process, just enjoy riding your bike and don't worry about numbers. you'll probably tend to see more on your rides nowadays anyway.

have you not heard the one about the father and son bull strolling down the hill?

 

[IDMark2]

All I know is that when I wrote a diary 26 years ago I didn't then need glasses to be able to read it back...
My Dad just turned 70, he's not as fast on the bike as I remember either. As he says though, getting slower is preferable to being made to stop.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Live for today.

 

[IDMark2]

Live for today.

That's what you said yesterday, haven't you learned anything else since then?

 

[ScotiaLass]

Don't be upset.
I watch as cyclists zoom past me and I'm plodding away between 10-14 mph. On hills I slow up completely (walking pace mostly) due to my arthritic knees/spine. Some days/weeks I can't even get out of the house due to my FM.
But I get out there and I LOVE it!
I've lost 4 stone in weight (still got loads to go!), I've met new friends, and got involved in voluntary work.
For me, that's an accomplishment.

Be proud that you're still going, no matter if it's slower or shorter distances. Most of all, enjoy every single minute!
Edited to add that I'm 50

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

If you ride slowly, you become slower; if you force yourself to ride faster, then you become faster - even at our advanced ages (I'm also 54).

Becomes harder as you get older, but not impossible. My average speed has increased on solo rides from about 14-15 mph when I started just over a year and a half ago, to between 17-21mph now depending on conditions, terrain etc.

Every 1/10th mile increase has been achieved through gritted teeth and a whole world of pain!!

I also appreciate that it's now too late to achieve anywhere near the speed I might have been capable of in my twenties. But that doesn't stop me trying!

Depends what you want from your cycling!

 

[Saluki]

I burned all my fitness diaries as they depressed me so much. In the past I did a couple of half iron man events, I ran marathons in 3:17 and a few seconds and had a body that would stop a clock. Now I'm 2 stone overweight but have a way cooler bike. Weight doesn't shift like it used to and I like cake more than I used to. I wonder if there is a correlation between the weight and the cake.

Just keep on riding as you are probably fitter than most people of the same age. I'm 50 now but in my head I'm 25. I ride slower than I did at 25 though and I can't run any more. Life goes on though. On the up side, although a good bit fatter, my climbing is better than it used to be 25 years ago. I mean rock climbing, not cycling up hill. That's always been pants and probably always will be.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Yep - tempus fugit. I'm slower by quite a bit but I don't care. I'm still enjoying my riding. Since I retired I'm getting more miles in than ever. It's all good

 

[snorri]

Throw away your timing devices and enjoy your cycling.

 

[Lullabelle]

I've kept a diary of my cycling,swimming,running,walking weight training etc for the last 26 years. Yesterday i dug them out and compared my distances and times with today's cycling and walking times(they're the only exercises i tend to do these days)Disappointed i was to say the least! My average speed for cycling has dropped from around 18mph to a current 15mph and my rides have become shorter to around 25-30 miles to the then 40-50 miles,although i reckon my daily average is now around 11 miles compared to the then 6-7 miles. I'm nearly 54 but over 2 stone lighter than i was in the old diaries so should i be upset that i'm slower,pleased that i'm still cycling and walking or a bit of both?

There are people half your age and probably twice your size due to laziness and bad diet. You are still active and as long as you enjoy life what is the problem?

 

[stephec]

its a fact that the muscles associated with speed diminish with age, whilst the stamina ones take over so slowing down is a natural process, just enjoy riding your bike and don't worry about numbers. you'll probably tend to see more on your rides nowadays anyway.

have you not heard the one about the father and son bull strolling down the hill?

Because they've seen a field full of cows?