Fastest, oldest cyclists?

[AndyRM]

I bet you he suffers mentally. How can a once great sportsman who's life revolved around being fast, being the best, not suffer when that goes? This is the predicament I am in, maybe I am worrying to early but I always like to plan ahead.

I bet he doesn't, and looks back on a glittering career with immense fondness and satisfaction.

Ageing is a fact of life. Stay as fit and healthy as you can and be thankful, not fretting about whether you can ride a bicycle quickly or not...

 

[Gravity Aided]

In the States,we had 2 cyclists from the 1932 Olympics, John Sinibaldi and Russell Allen, who lived and cycled into their 90's.

 

[screenman]

I will say one thing for Blazed he has come a long way in a very short time, it was not that long ago that he did not know what shoes went with which cleats. So all credit to the guys improvements and the desire to keep getting quicker.

 

[gavroche]

Over 60 the speed may reduce but the sex gets better. There may be a subliminal message there ... relax and enjoy!

What am I doing wrong then?

 

[blazed]

I will say one thing for Blazed he has come a long way in a very short time, it was not that long ago that he did not know what shoes went with which cleats. So all credit to the guys improvements and the desire to keep getting quicker.

That thread was many years ago. But you're right I am extremely motivated and have made huge gains.

 

[Justinslow]

For racers without the speed there is nothing. Once the speed is gone, you don't continue driving an f1 car, just 'to be out there', it's the same cycling.

Not in TT racing, we have loads of "older generation" riders all there for the love of it, putting a number on their back, the craic and trying to beat their own times!
One of my mates has been doing the club stuff for 6 years and he posted pb's on every one of our 4 courses last year, he's now in his 50's.
If you're good and you train, you can definitely beat riders many many years junior, however if they're good and they train you probably can't!

 

[screenman]

Has anyone ever been in the same race as Blazed? Maybe he will enlighten us.

 

[vickster]

Has anyone ever been in the same race as Blazed? Maybe he will enlighten us.

sportive you mean or perhaps strava segment

 

[screenman]

sportive you mean

They do not count, I mean a race surely he races and does not just pretend too be in one like a lot of sportive riders.

 

[blazed]

They do not count, I mean a race surely he races and does not just pretend too be in one like a lot of sportive riders.

compete with another or others to see who is fastest at covering a set course or achieving an objective.

Now we have established the meaning of racing we can conclude that a sportive can be a race. Not to all entrants, but to a large percentage. Why are there timing chips? Organisers claim them not to be races to avoid the paperwork and planning involved in official races.

 

[Justinslow]

compete with another or others to see who is fastest at covering a set course or achieving an objective.

Now we have established the meaning of racing we can conclude that a sportive can be a race. Not to all entrants, but to a large percentage. Why are there timing chips? Organisers claim them not to be races to avoid the paperwork and planning involved in official races.

You need to try TT's mate, just you you're bike and the clock......

 

[hondated]

Interesting that I'm reading this thread today my 65th birthday.As for speed i no longer care, i only care about how often i can get out on the bike and how far i can cycle

Happy birthday arch in March I too will be 65 and I expect like me your wondering where all that time went.
Good day to justify buying another bike you know !

 

[blazed]

You need to try TT's mate, just you you're bike and the clock......

I am starting in the spring. The only problem seems you need to be a member of a club. I am not interested in riding with a club as they hinder progress. My plan is to pay a clubs membership, officially be a member so I can enter TT's but never actually ride with the club.

 

[Citius]

How can a once great sportsman who's life revolved around being fast, being the best, not suffer when that goes? This is the predicament I am in, maybe I am worrying to early but I always like to plan ahead.

It won't be an issue, because you are not a 'once great sportsman' - and your only experience of 'racing' is sprinting to the finish line of a sportive and beating a management consultant out for a nice ride on his Cervelo, who wasn't even aware that you were racing him anyway.

Most of the ex-pros I know are quite happy to have knocked their racing on the head. Most are also happy to just ride around at a 'slower' pace. But with you never having raced and trained for any length of time, you won't understand that. Which is why you clearly don't understand it.

 

[Mugshot]

I am starting in the spring. The only problem seems you need to be a member of a club. I am not interested in riding with a club as they hinder progress. My plan is to pay a clubs membership, officially be a member so I can enter TT's but never actually ride with the club.

Have you not thought of how you could help the club by riding with them, for example if such a high profile rider as yourself was to go on at least the occasional club ride the membership numbers would likely grow enormously they may even pay you then! Even so it may be worth it so you can pass on some of your skills to the other members.