My perception of life has changed.

[gavroche]

I was doing 40mph going down a hill yesterday and all that time, I couldn't help thinking what could happen if I came off. Many years ago, I would have thought nothing of it and enjoyed it. It is strange how you become more aware of your vulnerability as you get older and how life is very fragile really.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I was doing 40mph going down a hill yesterday and all that time, I couldn't help thinking what could happen if I came off. Many years ago, I would have thought nothing of it and enjoyed it. It is strange how you become more aware of your vulnerability as you get older and how life is very fragile really.

It happens to most of us, its the experience gained as the years pass that makes us aware.

 

[DCLane]

Since coming off badly 2 years ago I've slowed down when descending, particularly on steep descents. No way will I do 50+ mph downhill any more, rather 30-35 is fine.

 

[nickyboy]

As I get older I just want to go faster

Life's for living

 

[DaveReading]

As you get older, you realise that you have fewer and fewer of your nine lives left ...

 

[Drago]

Im indestructible like Captain Scarlett, and when nature finally shows me otherwise I won't know about it anyway.

 

[betty swollocks]

run 35's tubeless and with disc brakes.
I'm 62 and descending faster than ever!

 

[Accy cyclist]

I'm like the OP. I've reached 50 mph a few times,but the last time was oh about 10 years ago. I rarely even reach 30 mph these days,due to the poor state of our roads,sight loss in one eye and two serious off(although both offs were at very slow speed). When i get back from a ride my computer usually says Max 27.5 or thereabouts. My average speed hasn't dropped over the years,so i'm happy with that. Maximum speed isn't an indication of how your ride went,it's just something that made up a short period of your overall ride.

 

[Pale Rider]

My descending willy has always been small so I cannot afford to get any slower as I get older.

 

[Lavender Rose]

I would prefer to reach my top speed on the flat...I have to say, I suffer with anxiety and I overthink EVERYTHING....bit grim for a 30 year old....however, I have these stupid thoughts when going fast generally, like what if a rabbit ran out, or a bird flew up in my face. But then, I think....sh*t happens - it will be a funny hospital story for sure....

I think its fun to go fast, only if you know you have control etc - same as for driving

 

[Mo1959]

I was doing 40mph going down a hill yesterday and all that time, I couldn't help thinking what could happen if I came off. Many years ago, I would have thought nothing of it and enjoyed it. It is strange how you become more aware of your vulnerability as you get older and how life is very fragile really.

I did that a few years ago belting downhill when a couple of loose grazing sheep decided at the last minute to cross over in front of me. Smashed my collar bone into 3 bits and have been ultra careful ever since. Still get flashbacks of that road coming up to meet me and the intense pain. Was never a confident decender before but I'm a lot worse now.

 

[fossyant]

I've used my nine lives up. That said, 20 mph off road down a descent is a whole new world of arrrggggghhhhhh. Big 'what if' as rocks aren't soft.

 

[Rooster1]

I know what you mean - I scare myself like that too occasionally.

 

[ianrauk]

I'm not a great descender on a bike normally. But there are times when you just have to go for it.

 

[Welsh wheels]

I was doing 40mph going down a hill yesterday and all that time, I couldn't help thinking what could happen if I came off. Many years ago, I would have thought nothing of it and enjoyed it. It is strange how you become more aware of your vulnerability as you get older and how life is very fragile really.

Not necessarily when you're older. I classify as young, and I always descend carefully as I often think about the consequences of coming off at speed.