Making defiant gestures at the clock can work for a while - if you are reasonable, have a sound plan, and have the tenacity to stick to it.
I would never have tried to ride a bicycle 100 miles when I was 25, but I did it at 32. Finished with energy to spare, too, though Critter was wiped out. He hadn't been training like I had, and natural stamina only gets you so far. Of course, Critter's real goal, the Blue Ridge Bridge to Bridge eluded both of us, but that one might not have been reasonable to start with.
Would I try to do a century now? I dunno - people older than I ride them, though Critter's knees and hips aren't up to it anymore, so it's kind of a moot point. There's a "peanut ride' in Virginia that I've long thought would be appropriate - 'cause I think we're all nuts!
I would never have tried to ride a bicycle 100 miles when I was 25, but I did it at 32. Finished with energy to spare, too, though Critter was wiped out. He hadn't been training like I had, and natural stamina only gets you so far. Of course, Critter's real goal, the Blue Ridge Bridge to Bridge eluded both of us, but that one might not have been reasonable to start with.
Would I try to do a century now? I dunno - people older than I ride them, though Critter's knees and hips aren't up to it anymore, so it's kind of a moot point. There's a "peanut ride' in Virginia that I've long thought would be appropriate - 'cause I think we're all nuts!
