Turning Back the Tide of Time

[BrumJim]

Yesterday I turned 40.

Despite now being old, the two years of persistent commuting finally paid off. I'm now fitter than I was 20 years ago, and yesterday morning it became clearly evident how fit I was. I sprinted into work with the legs of a man half my age, flying through the city like a TdF peleton, breaking 20 mile/h with consummate ease. Wow! I thought, as I reached the office. I really have broken the chains of old age. Time has no fear for me, and retirement looks like a time for running marathons, building castles, entering strong-man competitions, and swimming the channel, instead of armchairs, slippers and afternoon tea.

Set off for home in the evening, realising that 40 is not the start of the long slope downwards, that it is just the beginning of ever more exciting adventures.

And then 40 metres down the road realised something, that made me realise that I was getting old.









A headwind.


I'd forgotten that "good rides" are purely due to tailwinds that you haven't accounted for. First signs of senility. Clearly.

 

[subaqua]

40 is not bloody old. I will be 40 next year, and i ain't old.

 

[Davidc]

40 was so long ago I've forgotten what it was like ....

Or is that just the after effect of the booze I drank at the party that was laid on for me?

 

[SportMonkey]

Lets just say you were on one on the way in.

Headwinds are a PITA.

 

[Riding in Circles]

I sprinted into work with the legs of a man half my age,

The police need to talk to you, the blood was seeping from your panniers.

 

[clarion]

I'm much younger than I was when I turned 40.

 

[gavroche]

age is just a number! Ignore it and accept it. Some people are old at 20. Live your life how you want it so long as the body and mind are still there, you have nothing to worry about.
I am 60 and dont feel anything like it.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Yesterday I turned 40.

Despite now being old, the two years of persistent commuting finally paid off. I'm now fitter than I was 20 years ago, and yesterday morning it became clearly evident how fit I was. I sprinted into work with the legs of a man half my age, flying through the city like a TdF peleton, breaking 20 mile/h with consummate ease. Wow! I thought, as I reached the office. I really have broken the chains of old age. Time has no fear for me, and retirement looks like a time for running marathons, building castles, entering strong-man competitions, and swimming the channel, instead of armchairs, slippers and afternoon tea.

Set off for home in the evening, realising that 40 is not the start of the long slope downwards, that it is just the beginning of ever more exciting adventures.

And then 40 metres down the road realised something, that made me realise that I was getting old.

A headwind.

I'd forgotten that "good rides" are purely due to tailwinds that you haven't accounted for. First signs of senility. Clearly.

40 aint old, I turn 60 later this year and I'm not old, I'll consider myself old when I'm into three figures and can only sit in the nursing home all day. Your age is just a number its how you feel that's important.

 

[Arfcollins]

40 aint old, I turn 60 later this year and I'm not old, I'll consider myself old when I'm into three figures and can only sit in the nursing home all day. Your age is just a number its how you feel that's important.

I'm with you there Dave (but much younger as just about to turn 59)! I started commuting by bike 3 years ago this month and I am now fitter than I have ever been, and also fitter than all but a couple of the youngsters I work with.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I'm with you there Dave (but much younger as just about to turn 59)! I started commuting by bike 3 years ago this month and I am now fitter than I have ever been, and also fitter than all but a couple of the youngsters I work with.

I've Been at the commuting lark a touch longer than you, went back to it, after a break of about ten years, about nineteen seventy nine and have been commuting ever since, also been club cycling since about nineteen eighty five, the fitness it gave me helped me over major illness three years ago and I'm back to about ninety five percent of where I was before I was ill.

 

[Tynan]

45 here and riding has stopped me getting into a middle aged slob, that and the kids

I love tearing into the city like a tyro, head wind or not

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Just convince yourself that there was no wind in the morning, the wind only got up at 5pm

 

[BrumJim]

Just convince yourself that there was no wind in the morning, the wind only got up at 5pm

Like this approach. Will do.

 

[cyberknight]

40 was the turning point for me, i look at a home movie and i think "fat ", i have lost over a stone since then am i am looking forward to next year as i will be 44 and hopefully getting as fit as i was in my twenties.

 

[markharry66]

I tend not to focus on speed (some do) its enjoyment. I am fitter now at 35 than I have ever been in my life. I enjoy the freedom of my bike.
i can go anywhere within reason safe in the knowledge its not going to cost me the earth to get there. Train and bus fairs are reaching the point of un affordable. I dont want to break the bank everytime i head out somewhere. For me the bike is the best and only means of transport and enjoyment.