Applied Masochism

[Mike Rudkin]

Just returned from my pre-breakfast (I do have cereal b4 I go lol) Sunday morn.ride.
It's 5.6 very hilly miles-the first hill I have been trying to conquer for 3 mths it's my 'Everest' I always have to stop about 50 yds from the top,
get my breath back,then make the summit assault.The 2nd is a long drag through winding country lanes-that seems to make it easier with all the wildlife to observe.Today I completed that section without stopping (a first) Then there's a frightening descent down a twisty, potholey section b4 the final climb. 1 mile of varying gradients,absolutely str8 so I can see my house at the top.
Last week my average was 8.6mph. Today it was 10.2 How's that for a 71 yr old lol.
My wife asked me why I did it,as I sat on a garden chair gasping for breath-the last 200yds are through the village so I have to put a spurt on to look cool lol. I heard myself replying "Because I enjoy it"
It takes all sorts eh !!

 

[Mortiroloboy]

Well done you, keep it up, there are plenty of old boys in my club, who can ride all day long, do short 25 minute 10 mile TT's too.

Just keep turning those pedals, and enjoy.

 

[accountantpete]

You have 18 years on me and I'm fit for nothing until the sun is well up! I too make an extra effort past the locals and then collapse in a wobbly legged heap away from their gaze - keep it up.

 

[Randochap]

Bravo! The whole object is to make friends with pain, in order to maximize the masochism quotient.

It never gets easier, we just ride faster. And ... as we age, we have the compensatory advantage of familiarity with suffering!

See here for proof there's hope for the aged.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Mike that is just fantastic. The only problem is now you will have to find another "Everest" to conquer

 

[Banjo]

Nice one Mike .Im sure that there is a great deal of mind over matter involved in hill climbing.As Mike said ,the same hill winding through a pretty woods is far easier than a straight one where you can see all of it.

I had to stop on a steep bit yesterday morning on an unfamiliar road,after getting my breath back about 50 ft further around the bend it levelled off .I thought if I had known that I would have easilly carried on which proves I wasnt really exhausted at all.