Almost quit cycling, but I'm back on the saddle again

[slo town]

Fellow cyclists:

I've ridden road bikes for decades, my specialty being long distance events like the California Triple Crown and PAC Tour. Also too, I've ridden over 50 centuries.

I've always had a "binary" personality. Either I do something with maximum effort and focus, or I don't do it at all. There is no in-between with me. I stopped riding in March of 2024, and when I say "stopped", I mean STOPPED!

Even at age 72 I still have a big, athletic, powerful body. The only problem with having a big "motor" is that when I don't exercise I gain a lot of weight. Compounding the issue is my diet. When I'm riding I eat healthy, when I'm not I eat like crap.

I ended up crushing the scale at 262 pounds this past April (I'm 6'5"). It looked like I was 6 months pregnant.

So starting mid-May I got my oversized, overweight, out of shape body on my titanium Litespeed Owl Hollow mountain bike. I didn't want to overload the lightweight Campy Shamal Ultra wheels on my pair of full custom road bikes.

Since mid-May I've been making four or five 11 mile sorties a week. At least they're far from flat, so it's making me work. I'm getting back into it at an easy pace - a good thing for a 72 year old. Even more importantly, I started eating well, both food content and calories. I've been pleased with my weight loss, even with it being a short period of time.

Yesterday I took out my Seven Axiom and rode a route that I've ridden hundreds of times. I have three milestones I time myself on and, surprisingly, I achieved some better than expected times.

I rode the slowest times I've ever recorded on two of my three checkpoints, but rather than beat up myself and call my mind weak and my body a pig, I instead complimented myself with a "Dang! Not bad for a 72 year old who hasn't been on a bike for a year!"

I have a lifetime of being my own worst critic and for those who know me well this is a radical change in my mindset. It's only taken me 72 years to cut myself a break and gain this pearl of wisdom, but at least I'm learning - or getting soft!

Back to that binary thing - I just can't help myself... I decided to sign up for the Marin Century on August 2nd. Over the years I've ridden their full century 5 or 6 times, one time with Sue on our tandem. I love the riding in Marin County and Marin County riders are a racy group, which is a good match for my competitive nature.

Rather than sign up for the full century I'm going to "compromise" and sign up for the 100K instead. I don't think I've ever ridden a "short" 100K before so this will be a first for me. For those of you who ride longer distances, riding with "grim determination" to finish is not the best way to enjoy yourself! Grim determination aside, riding the full 100 miler is probably a bad idea for a 72 year old who will be going into the event with a bare minimum of training.

Hopefully I will remain injury free between now and then. I seriously injured my right achilles back in the '70s and sometimes it flares up. When it does it takes a week or two to settle down - which would put the brakes on Marin.

I'm excited about my plans. Wish me luck!

Scott

Sue and I back in "the day", riding Marin and rocketing down Marshall Grade at 50+ mph.

 

[doitmyself]

Deleted - my armchair quarterback-ness took over this morning.

Best wishes on your endeavors.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Go for it Scott!

 

[demarpaint]

Nice!!

 

[supton]

I usually take a break Nov to Jan, then for a couple months I will try to use the bike in a trainer to get for when the weather breaks. This year I didn’t and was off until March. Had a nice day so I went for it. Didn’t make it a mile before I was asking myself, do I even like biking anymore? everything on my body was complaining!

Just back from a 31 mile ride. Felt good—think it will be a good season.

 

[slo town]

Congratulations are in order, I think? Your binary personality description comes across as being uncomfortable, second guessing, and with guilt feelings entering the last phase of your life. My dad went to his grave not coming to terms with his inner self and became a curmudgeon, missing happy opportunities with family and friends. Approaching age 70, I am fortunate to have tackled my demons decades ago by going to a counselor (manly way to say psychologist), getting diagnosed with my imperfections, and most important learning the tools to manage myself (a lifelong effort). I'm blessed for this and recommend it to everyone. It is life altering to become comfortable in your own shoes.

Maybe I am armchair quarterbacking incorrectly and your competitiveness is what drives your passion for life? If so, forgive me. My honesty, openness, and transparency is not meant to be disrespectful nor condescending. Just passing on my hard earned wisdom with the hopes to help others.

I was a serious biker in my teens and young adult times. A few years ago I refurbished a road bike ala "Rivendale Bicycle Co." style with a leather saddle and relaxed geometry, but still a road bike 100%. I enjoy biking for relaxation, fresh air, and a bit of muscle, aerobic, and mental toning.

You hit the nail on the head @doitmyself. I don't have the guilt you mentioned, but my mindset is one that I'm never good enough. This thinking permeates almost all aspects of my life. It even diminishes the satisfaction I enjoy when I accomplish something big.

Long story short, for eight years I was a manager of a high profile group of highly technical and specialized engineers during my career in the computer business. For those with experience in the business, these types of people can be difficult to manage.

I was always being asked by others in the company that they wanted to join my group - and on the flip side no one ever wanted to leave my group. Even so, I fired a highly talented yet insubordinate team member, and another I suggested he seek other opportunities in the company or I'd have to let him go. So it wasn't always roses and sunshine. I always felt a dollar short and a day late when managing them and/or a situation. I felt their shortcomings and failures were on ME.

This did not go unnoticed. The company hired a freaking psychologist (!!!) to interview all the members of my team, my peer managers, and technical team members in other groups we worked with. I was NOT happy and considered it a warning that I was doing something wrong - even though I was assured it was being done to help understand why my team performed at such a high level and was able to so consistently meet our goals and deadlines.

After a month's worth of this guy poking around and interviewing people, it was finally time for me to meet him and discuss the findings. When I walked into his office, we hadn't even sat down yet when he said, "Scott, I do this for a living and I have NEVER met a team so loyal and committed to their manager. Your team would GO TO WAR for you!" This is within a word of his exact quote, and the things in caps are the actual words he verbally emphasized. And to think I thought I was being set up to be terminated!

Later, the company had this company do a personality profile on me. 300 or 400 questions and situations. Took all day. My number one personality trait was "perfectionist". I was super stoked and proud of that, until the guy warned me that perfectionism can steal the enjoyment from a person's life.

At any rate, I'm a good natured guy. I have lots of friends, my neighbors like me, and my children love me. Sue and I have been married 48 years, so that counts as "being good". The problem I have has always been with myself, not others. It's just that I hide it well.

Scott

 

[edyvw]

Tell me about it. I was a tennis player and a skier. When I was at my peak in my tennis years, I played several European Championships in the 90s, which meant 7- 8 hours of tennis and general physical exercise a day. I ran 16 miles three times a week, plus shorter jogging routes every day in between.
After first kid was born (I got the first one when I was 36), I really struggled to stay fit. In winter, I manage to do OK as I try to ski 1-2 times a week, with some gym time. But my body is used to that athletic routine, so is my metabolism. So, like you, if I do something, I do to the fullest. If not, I just fall back and gain weight.
Now, since we had the third one at a young age of 45, I am back at this barely any exercise bcs. I am with the kid while wife works, and then we switch when I work, then two other critters etc. Bike? We biked a lot with the first two kids once they grew to the point where they could sit in that trailer, and then once they learned to bike. But now, the third one is 3 months old, so pretty much stuck home and "exercise" comes to walking. Decided I will get a home bike, although to me that is "fake" biking. We have a treadmill, but I have a bad knee from a skiing accident and I am postponing surgery for no good reason. But, home biking looks like a solution while the baby sleeps. Once he is able to sit in the trailer, definitely back to biking.

 

[JeffKeryk]

@slo town I had a manager similar to you in a few ways, most importantly the "go to war for you" feeling of John's team. He gave me confidence to push ahead; he told me he would probably work for me one day. Right...

Another manager was an uber hard nosed, Uber scary Silicon Valley manager. I told her I wanted to meet with her to make sure I was doing what she wanted/needed. She yelled at me at told me, "I don't have time for this. I have plenty of problem people to deal with. You just keep doing what you are doing and don't come back to my office unless you are in trouble!" She also gave me stock options worth, well you know... Ha! I'm sure you know the type.

 

[wavinwayne]

Proud of you for getting back on the bike. I'm also slowly trying to get back to riding after a while off the bike. You mentioned going 50+ mph on the tandem, that must have been thrilling. The fastest I've ever gone on my road bike is 57 mph and I'll never do it again. It was terrifying on the road I was riding and I'm not sure I would have survived a crash on that road at that speed. Fastest I'll do nowadays is 40-45 mph down a glass smooth paved mountain road.

 

[AZjeff]

Good that you came back to the bikes. I still ride a Litespeed Pisgah of similar vintage as your Owl Hollow.

At least you didn't give in and buy an ebike. (You don't need one.)

 

[slo town]

@slo town I had a manager similar to you in a few ways, most importantly the "go to war for you" feeling of John's team. He gave me confidence to push ahead; he told me he would probably work for me one day. Right...

Another manager was an uber hard nosed, Uber scary Silicon Valley manager. I told her I wanted to meet with her to make sure I was doing what she wanted/needed. She yelled at me at told me, "I don't have time for this. I have plenty of problem people to deal with. You just keep doing what you are doing and don't come back to my office unless you are in trouble!" She also gave me stock options worth, well you know... Ha! I'm sure you know the type.

Some people think Silicon Valley work is easy street. It's not. In ways, it's like sports. You are only as good as your last "game". Silicon Valley has no mercy. Fall into a slump and you're going to be toast. "At will" employment...

Funny too you mention your woman manager. I had one of those, and she was awesome. But you better not play games with her. She had no problem beheading people of their careers.

Scott

 

[slo town]

Good that you came back to the bikes. I still ride a Litespeed Pisgah of similar vintage as your Owl Hollow.

At least you didn't give in and buy an ebike. (You don't need one.)

You and I are riding rare bikes. Ours are the original Lynskey family built frames. FTW!

With respect to E-bikes, I used to HATE the very sight of them. That said, I've changed my mind over the years. If and E-bike allows a person to keep riding because of age or health issues, I'm all for them. The more cyclists, the better.

My only issue I have with E-bikes is when someone passes me on a climb and reaches the summit first, thinking they scored some kind of victory.

Scott

 

[AZjeff]

Beautiful. That's doesn't look like it's seen much dirt.


It was built with Magura brakes but they got moved to another bike. Shorter/higher stem and swept bars and soft grips for the vintage rider with arthritis.

 

[slo town]

Proud of you for getting back on the bike. I'm also slowly trying to get back to riding after a while off the bike. You mentioned going 50+ mph on the tandem, that must have been thrilling. The fastest I've ever gone on my road bike is 57 mph and I'll never do it again. It was terrifying on the road I was riding and I'm not sure I would have survived a crash on that road at that speed. Fastest I'll do nowadays is 40-45 mph down a glass smooth paved mountain road.

@wavinwayne, you are crazier than I am!

The fastest I've ever been on a bike was 53.8 mph. I lived for high speed descents! Up until 3 or 4 years ago I used to fly down my favorite downhills at 40 to 45 mph - and these are narrow, twisty roads. I was up there yesterday on the Seven.

Given my lack of riding I'm rusty, and as you well know bike handling skills atrophy quickly when you're not riding regularly - much like how a pilot's skills atrophy if they're not flying regularly.

That said, I kept it under 35 mph yesterday and that felt plenty fast. I'm not certain I'll ever break 40 mph again. I don't worry about rider error, it's a high speed puncture or a deer darting out in front of me that scares me most. About 10 years back a deer darted out of nowhere during a high speed descent. I came within 6 feet of broadsiding it at 40 mph. It was so close and sudden I didn't even had time to react, except to go "OMG" after the fact. The deer literally flashed out of nowhere right before my eyes.

Scott

Here's a GoPro of me descending a section of Peachy Canyon Road several years back (same road as the deer mentioned ^^^). A fantastic road, made even better because you have to climb it to descend it! The real high speed stuff is in the beginning, at 5:40, then at at 8:40.

 

[slo town]

Beautiful. That's doesn't look like it's seen much dirt.
View attachment 284996

That is GORGEOUS! We are soooo fortunate to have these things!

And you are right, my Owl Hollow has seen very little dirt because.......I seldom ride it. I'm a roadie to the core. I built the Owl Hollow in 2001 and I am 100% confident it has less than 500 miles on it. Literally. Not only that, I have an OCD habit of licking my bikes clean after riding them.

Scott

 

[MRC01]

First of all, congrats on getting it going again. I retired recently and have a similar history with cycling. Thanks for sharing your motivational experience.

... Back to that binary thing - I just can't help myself... I decided to sign up for the Marin Century on August 2nd. Over the years I've ridden their full century 5 or 6 times, one time with Sue on our tandem. I love the riding in Marin County and Marin County riders are a racy group, which is a good match for my competitive nature.

I agree. Many years ago I lived down there and rode the Marin Century and the Holstein Hundred, both fun routes. On my road bike, and with my wife on our tandem. We've had the same tandem since the 90s (Santana) and after thousands of miles it still runs and looks like new. As you know, tandems are super fun and fast!

... Sue and I back in "the day", riding Marin and rocketing down Marshall Grade at 50+ mph.

If that's the hill I'm thinking of, it's the only time I've seen "60+" on the tandem speedometer. Or on any bicycle for that matter. Did I say tandems are fast? Our tandem is so confidence inspiring with its long wheelbase and solid as a brick house at all speeds. Feels like a motorcycle.

 

[slo town]

As you know, tandems are super fun and fast! If that's the hill I'm thinking of, it's the only time I've seen "60+" on the tandem speedometer. Or on any bicycle for that matter. Did I say tandems are fast? Our tandem is so confidence inspiring with its long wheelbase and solid as a brick house at all speeds. Feels like a motorcycle.

@MRC01. Awesome our shared experiences. I think Marin County has the finest riding in the entire country.

And the tandem....60+??????!!!!!! You've got Sue and me beat. The thing with tandems; they're like a runaway train. The don't stop fast and although very stable, they don't change directions very quickly either.

During the Davis Double when Sue was still riding, we followed a fellow tandem on a long section of big rollers, so we were putting the power down. I was perfectly aligned behind them, riding their wheel. I was dumbstruck by the amount of visible frame flex on their bike. I'll never forget how much that frame was twisting laterally, front versus rear.

Scott

 

[Oillover]

Congrats on getting back in the saddle.
As we age, being able to maintain any sort of physical activity becomes a challenge.
Good to see you are keeping it up.


Also, how's that BMW running? I haven't seen any pics lately

 

[slo town]

Congrats on getting back in the saddle.
As we age, being able to maintain any sort of physical activity becomes a challenge.

Also, how's that BMW running? I haven't seen any pics lately

I'm an active guy, but cycling is the only workout that floats my boat.

As far as the BMW goes, my Steel Gray Metallic E46, I seldom drive it anymore. The only time I take it out is to keep it "wet". The only time I wash it is to clean the dust off of it. Sometimes I think I should sell it, but Sue threatens to cut me off if I do.

If you're talking the E90, the Alpine White one that got hit in the parking lot, I drive it a few times a week, not much. I just put a set of Michelin Cup 2 tires on it.

Scott

 

[MRC01]

@MRC01. Awesome our shared experiences. I think Marin County has the finest riding in the entire country.

I agree.

And the tandem....60+??????!!!!!! You've got Sue and me beat. The thing with tandems; they're like a runaway train. The don't stop fast and although very stable, they don't change directions very quickly either.

We rode motorcycles together, so weren't afraid to go fast or to lean the bike. That tandem handles nicely, responsive and fast through the turns.

During the Davis Double when Sue was still riding, we followed a fellow tandem on a long section of big rollers, so we were putting the power down. I was perfectly aligned behind them, riding their wheel. I was dumbstruck by the amount of visible frame flex on their bike. I'll never forget how much that frame was twisting laterally, front versus rear.

Do all tandems flex that much? I doubt it. I went to Davis and rode the Davis Double back in the 80s. Back then the first tandems finished at least an hour before the first single bike.