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Always been fairly resilient I think , was a postie for 26 years , a lot of that time riding to work for a 430 am start out in all winds and weather in rubbish waterproof clothing 🙄 Lucky enough to ride in some truly epic locations around the world as well.
Yesterday we were riding on the Quantocks in a surprising covering of snow and thoroughly enjoyed it 😎Today though a week and more of these sub zero temperatures, roads round here were icy , temperature at 1130 was still minus 5 so I opted for a 5mile walk instead again really enjoyable . What grinded my gears though was after dinner I thought I'll make a start pruning our apple tree after about 20 minutes stood on frozen ground pruning what I could reach the cold leaked up through my feet , my hands were starting to ache even with gloves on so I thought sod this and scurried off in house and sat by the fire 😔😔😔😔😔
Just watched a video of a bloke in his 60s riding coast to coast in Scotland thinking that doesn't look enjoyable.
So been retired a year just turned 67 am thinking natural to slow down a bit and want more comfort know that I'm doing a lot more than a lot of people my age just pick your fights wisely, sometimes when I think right have a word with yourself it works other times I think nah can't be assed 🙄🙄🙄🙄
I work with people in their thirties who make claims along the lines of wanting comfort in their old age so think you're doing alright.
I've definitely gone soft over the last 2 years.
Used to ride to work and back in all weathers, worked outdoors in all weathers and would regularly relish hitting the trails in rain, snow and the cold as they'd be quiet. 2 years of no cycle commuting and using the car instead plus a few months of no work so easy to put off a ride until a better day comes along means my resilience to the cold is woeful and is a big reason I've hardly used any of the bikes the last few weeks. The last two days have been horrible, was genuinely cold to the core on Thursday for a good few hours as I just couldn't get any heat into me! I'm putting it down to the summer heatwave conditioning me to 30 plus, a temperature that would have melted me a few years ago.
The question is how do I get back to my old ways? Used to love autumn/winter/spring for the constant changes in conditions!
no surrender type of bloke here, not bragging but that is just how i am.
had loads of health set backs over the last 10 years, most brought on by playing rugby to late into my 40's.
but i consider myself very lucky that i have the will and determination to keep going and keep riding my bike.
love the winter, love the cold, ride everyday, and always have since my early teens.
the reason being is, because one day i will have ailments or illness that dont allow me to ride. and so for now, keep on going.
I'm normally like that ton , I ride most days for around 15/20 miles apart from when it's raining, had enough of that as a postie 🙄and icy not a chance . . I think yesterday when the cold really got into my old bones I'd had enough of these temperatures.Still that's about to change this weekend apparently
I've got a similar attitude regarding future what ifs and on the whole I'm definitely all about toughen up princess and get those big boys pants on!
Shortest day next week so onward and upward 👍
I'd not worry about it TBH.
I normal ride around four times a week.
I've not ridden once since it snowed then froze last Saturday.
I'm over a decade younger than you too.
I just don't enjoy riding when it's sub zero any more.
Maybe having the time to ride whenever I want has turned me soft or maybe I have the luxury of choice now.
@ton
I admire your attitude. I don't think I've ever mentioned before, but I have been inspired by the way you have always made adjustments and fought back. Never letting your health challenges stop you doing the things you love.
Great stuff 👍🙂
That's OK. Let your body and mind decide. Don't worry about it. I have stopped riding in the winter entirely 2 years ago as while still enjoying it, the hassle of the extra clothing, prep and cleaning the bike wasn't worth it anymore. I play tennis instead, including today. And very good fun too it is, in a different way.
This is exactly what is on my mind this morning. Last night I slipped on ice and went down like a ton of bricks and this morning I am still lying in bed feeling sorry for myself. Last year I would have moaned about it but wouldn't have let it stop me doing anything.
Apart from not working there is no upside to getting old
I'm just debating whether to load up and head out this morning.... Odds are.. i probably will.
Sometimes you do have to force yourself out - but going with a bunch of slightly younger friends helps!!! I’ve just got my bus pass!
@oldfart - depending on where you live the weather in the last week has been 5-10C below normal average temperatures for this time of year. It's been very cold for most of us!
It could have just been a bad day. If you notice that you're often a lot colder than usual then it might be worth getting your thyroid checked. A simple blood test will tell you if it is underactive.
@oldfart, I've been commuting all week in sub zero temps and actually enjoyed it, it was great. Roll on this morning went out at 7am, within 10 minutes of setting off it started to piss it down at 1C, I felt every bump, pothole etc in the road, it just wasn't enjoyable. Cut it short because I thought there's no poin if I'm not enjoying it and don't want to set myself up grumpy for the rest of the day through having a shit ride. Some days are good, others, well you can't win em all!
Apart from not working there is no upside to getting old
I'm not sure where to start...
If it's not better than the obvious alternative, then it's time to talk.
Not everyone has the chance to get old. We’d better appreciate what we have.
Have a look at Wim Hof. Works wonders for some folk (I’m bracing for “that idiot” comments)
I'll be 65 in January and will admit to having little thoughts coming into my head occasionally about the consequences of a fall etc. Fortunately in good health but I think losing all four parents over the last five years makes you think about your mortality?
Still went out in the snow on the mtb and had a great time but was pretty cautious on the icy bits.
Guess you just have to accept age creeps up on you and make the most of life while you can while not doing things that may be over the limit...
I'm a 75yo mtb rider and admit I now pick my days to ride. Raining no chance but often take a punt on showery days. Working on the 'once out, I'm out now' so carry on. This last weeks below freezing riding temperatures have been great ranging from freezing fog to bright sunshine & snow (rock hard no mud too). I've taken more care riding solo particularly with icy conditions. Photo a day apart from the foggy ride
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Sub-Zero doesn't bother me, ice bothers me.
Was out last weekend in a solid -8°c, but a cold hard and dry -8°. Got to the carpark this morning and sacked it off due ice everywhere...don't like driving in it and certainly don't like riding in it.
Went climbing instead, I just accept I ride less in the winter...do other things.
Just got back from a 23 mile ride , nice not to be freezing my tits off for a change 👍
pennine you fill me with hope ! 👍
I had a mild crash recently, just as I hit the ground I heard a slight cry. Got up expecting to see someone else nearby... there wasn't.......
I had a mild crash recently, just as I hit the ground I heard a slight cry. Got up expecting to see someone else nearby… there wasn’t…….
I mentioned on another thread about riding in cold weather regarding the time I came off on black ice. Basically hit the tarmac on my side at 15mph*. I don’t mind the cold as long as it’s not icy, icy. I’m like the OP nowadays, I like to enjoy my rides, not think ‘I better go out in this shit weather in case I pop my clogs tomorrow’. Fair weather rider? Oh yes, got the tee shirt for shite weather riding!
* & I lost a £1 coin out of my ripped shorts pocket as I hit the deck. 😢😢
Pruning an apple tree in freezing weather not the best for the apple tree iirc
ctk yeah my mate pointed that out , fortunately I only nibbled off some whispy bits before I gave up .
Christ,that must have really hurt essel,the pound coin bit 😆 🤣
I hit retirement this year, like the OP (and Ton) I used to be a full time/all weathers commuter.
6-7000 miles a year was the norm for me.
This gave me a great base level of fitness,and meant that if I went out on group rides with the youngsters,I could always hold my own.At times now,it is harder to drag myself out the door,but as the old saying goes "use it or lose it" 😃. So apart from really silly weather conditions ,I plan to keep on keeping on.
It helps that I have signed up for a few big days next year 👍
It's definitely harder to get out there when it's dark, cold, wet/snowy/icy as you age.
But I'd bet they you're still in the top few percent of people your age who can and do ride this time of the year.
I'm 45, not exactly old but definitely not young either. I was out night riding this week when it was something like -6C. According to Strava, I was the only one out that day (I know not everyone records their rides and makes them public). I had a great time once my fingers and toes warmed up.
As David Goggins says "stay hard!"
Similar here.
I think retirement is part of the problem, when you’ve only got 2 free days per 7 you try and use them to the full, now with 7 free days going manyana is much easier. So done a bit less xc biking than I should recently but at least have kept walking with the mrs. I just need to knuckle down, struggle getting all the Gear on And get out, once I’m out I’m ok 99% of the time,I’m now old enough (or wise enough, or less bloody minded) so that if after about an hour I’m not enjoying it or I’m freezing I’ll go home. Roll on spring.
towzer sounds true to a point , I'm out every day I'm able to , some days harder than others . Today is easy in the opposite sense , it's absolutely hosing it down here so decision made 👍With you on roll on Spring 🙄It's such a ballache just to get ready to ride ATM though , by the time you've put every available piece of clothing you've got on you then need a wee 🙄( or is that just me 🤔) Remember those Summer rides just a jersey and shorts and dust 😎