Does it really matter how old you are?

[gavroche]

I sometimes ask myself that question. I took up cycling properly when I was 61 and I am now 65. Many a time, when I see younger cyclists passing me at a speed I can't do, going up a hill at a speed I can't do and doing many more miles that I can't do, I sigh and wish I was much younger. My head is willing to do it but my legs just don't have the stamina. So I settle down and just keep going, and wonder why I waited so long to take up cycling again, wishing I was young again. Then I start to think: how long have I got left, how long before my body refuses to ride a bike? In the last 4 years, I have covered 7500miles and I am proud of that.
This is not a rant, this is reminiscing, this is just showing how much I love my cycling.
This is just saying that age doesn't matter, that how fast you can ride doesn't matter, that how good you are at going up hills doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if you can't ride as often as you would like to. What really matters is being able to ride, being able to enjoy the fresh air under your own power, being able to still feel young enough to postpone ageing years.
This is a also being able to spend your money on something useful and beautiful rather than cigarettes, excess alcohol , drugs etc....
Cycling is a way of life and may it last for many more years.

 

[screenman]

There are plenty in their eighties still racing.

 

[Fnaar]

I'm in my 50s,and thanks to cycling, I feel fitter now than I did in my 30s, so keep going, @gavroche

 

[HertzvanRental]

I think part of the appeal is that cycling is one of the very few activities that allows you to test yourself physically even though you're getting on in years. Golf, bowls, walking- doesn't hit the spot!

 

[Levo-Lon]

Same as fnar..i feel fitter than i did 10 yr ago and the recent mot says im in excelent shape..
keep turning a wheel as long as you can, age is in the mind apparently..

 

[Oldbloke]

Good post @gavroche and same thoughts as me at 63.
I'm always encouraged when I see groups of seniors out riding, plenty of them in their 70s and 80s.

 

[ayceejay]

I came across a whole bunch recently who were all ancient they stopped for a break with tea and cake and then sped off again.
They were all on electric bikes but looking fit and happy so keep on trucking.

 

[Saluki]

I'm 51 and fitter than I was 10 years ago, thanks to getting back to cycling. I am fitter than all my friends - not you online lot, but the one's that I visit and see regularly.
Last night I got scalped, twice, on a slight rise. Both the roadie riders were a good 15 years older than I am. Age is definitely no barrier to cycling

 

[midliferider]

It does matter,
With increasing age, I quite enjoy overtaking a younger one and say to him "You alight young man?"

 

[arch684]

I'm still climbing the same hills i climbed 40 odd years ago,i'm just a bit slower

 

[Tin Pot]

Blimey, everyone is so old here!

 

[young Ed]

i'm about 16 but i damn well feel like i'm 70 or more most days! having said that i find the bike does a world of good for me, from working my body is half knackered most of the time but i do find the cycling relaxes me and feels good at least
Cheers Ed

 

[snorri]

I'm still climbing the same hills i climbed 40 odd years ago,i'm just a bit slower

At 60 I was climbing hills I had to walk up at 20, but that was more to do with the limited range from Sturmey Archer compared with Shimano.

 

[young Ed]

i'm about 16 but i damn well feel like i'm 70 or more most days! having said that i find the bike does a world of good for me, from working my body is half knackered most of the time but i do find the cycling relaxes me and feels good at least
Cheers Ed

 

[biggs682]

as long as you enjoy it thats all that matters