The Retirement Thread

[Mo1959]

I could well have been Spokey. I have been struggling mentally for weeks much of it connected with disappointment in myself for being really crap on the bike. I knew I had to get away, how long was simply a question of how long would it be before I WANTED to ride a bike, it could have been weeks. Daft to beat myself up but I do.

You can borrow my back and legs and really feel crap if you like, then you’ll appreciate what you’ve got!

 

[PaulSB]

Re the comments on here problems with getting through to there suppliers Doesn’t having a smart meter mean your readings are Up to date

We had smart meters installed last August. They have never worked. It's a problem whereby the local geography seems to hinder the communications network, several local villages have the same issue. The scandal is the energy companies continue to pay for these to be installed when it's known they won't work.

 

[classic33]

That was when my paternal grandmother was born. She lived to be 93, dying in 1977.
I sometimes wonder at the vast changes she saw in her lifetime.

Mine saw the formation of a new country, twice. Civil wars and father fighting son.

 

[pawl]

We had smart meters installed last August. They have never worked. It's a problem whereby the local geography seems to hinder the communications network, several local villages have the same issue. The scandal is the energy companies continue to pay for these to be installed when it's known they won't work.

In this neck of the woods there doesn’t appear to be any problems

 

[ColinJ]

I could well have been Spokey. I have been struggling mentally for weeks much of it connected with disappointment in myself for being really crap on the bike. I knew I had to get away, how long was simply a question of how long would it be before I WANTED to ride a bike, it could have been weeks. Daft to beat myself up but I do.

It's good that you are back and raring to go, but your original post was a bit worrying...

The fact is that 'crap' cyclist that you think you are, you could probably outride most of us in this thread, and probably 4/5 of the people on the forum! That tells me that your real crapness factor is low but your thinking about cycling may not be quite right.

Coincidentally, Katie Kookaburra posted this video yesterday which addresses the subject...

 

[PaulSB]

It's good that you are back and raring to go, but your original post was a bit worrying...

The fact is that 'crap' cyclist that you think you are, you could probably outride most of us in this thread, and probably 4/5 of the people on the forum! That tells me that your real crapness factor is low but your thinking about cycling may not be quite right.

Coincidentally, Katie Kookaburra posted this video yesterday which addresses the subject...

Ah, the lovely Katie. I mean that, she comes over as a genuinely nice young woman who I hope to meet one day. We follow her a lot and I did watch this earlier in the week agreeing with much of what she says.

I understand what you're suggesting about my thinking. I have thought quite seriously about changing my style altogether and just pootling around the Ribble Valley but I'm not ready for that yet.

I ride regularly with 3-4 other pensioners every week and we do all genuinely appreciate cycling for what it is. We're happiest when we gravel ride, all day, picnic, cafe etc. but three of us have an undeniable competitive streak, not with each other but against ourselves. It's very difficult to explain, I can't really.

I'm at my happiest solo bike touring but sadly those days are gone.

 

[welsh dragon]

Hoorah. I managed to get my meter readings done.

 

[Mo1959]

It's good that you are back and raring to go, but your original post was a bit worrying...

The fact is that 'crap' cyclist that you think you are, you could probably outride most of us in this thread, and probably 4/5 of the people on the forum! That tells me that your real crapness factor is low but your thinking about cycling may not be quite right.

Coincidentally, Katie Kookaburra posted this video yesterday which addresses the subject...

I enjoyed that and it kind of sums up the way I am starting to feel these days. Acceptance of my limitations and trying to take it as easy as the body needs and enjoy it.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Hoorah. I managed to get my meter readings done.

And me, straight through to OVO and done in a minute or two.

 

[classic33]

Hoorah. I managed to get my meter readings done.

You can go to sleep with that feeling of a job well done tonight!

 

[ColinJ]

I enjoyed that and it kind of sums up the way I am starting to feel these days. Acceptance of my limitations and trying to take it as easy as the body needs and enjoy it.

She makes loads of videos. I have watched quite a few but only discovered her a month or two back so there are many that I haven't watched yet.

I had assumed that she was one of those naturally slim, sporty, always active people (like yourself? ) but watched one of her videos which amazed me. I'll see if I can find it...

Here it is:

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I enjoyed that and it kind of sums up the way I am starting to feel these days. Acceptance of my limitations and trying to take it as easy as the body needs and enjoy it.

If you're pushing yourself hard every ride eventually you're likely to end up feeling fed up with it, it happened to me, I was doing club rides every other Sunday, spending my Sunday mornings sat in the pack flat out following a wheel, fun at first, but after a few years I started to think "why am I doing this, surly theres more than this" I dropped down to a slower more relaxed group and after a while I stopped doing the group rides altogether and started riding solo, I was doing the spring reliability rides and I stopped those as well but did the occasional Audax and some charity rides, now I just pootle round when I get time and just try and maintain some fitness. Interesting comment from a friend of mine who was a very good time trialist, after he stopped he said to me at a cafe stop "I've got nothing to prove anymore theres no point in continuing".

 

[rustybolts]

She makes loads of videos. I have watched quite a few but only discovered her a month or two back so there are many that I haven't watched yet.

I had assumed that she was one of those naturally slim, sporty, always active people (like yourself? ) but watched one of her videos which amazed me. I'll see if I can find it...

Here it is:

Have been watching her videos for years , very genuine and nice person , she had a rough crash a while ago , badly blacked eye etc but it could have been much worse.

 

[ColinJ]

Have been watching her videos for years , very genuine and nice person , she had a rough crash a while ago , badly blacked eye etc but it could have been much worse.

Yes - IIRC, the rider in front of her came off after hitting a pothole and she crashed into him.

 

[Paulus]

Good morning all fellow retirees.
It looks like being a sunny but cool day.
All the usual stuff to do, so another busy day in paradise