Conference noted::bicycle

    Give AARP a call. :-)
    
         My experience so far is similar to yours, I have gotten stronger
    as I have gotten older.  All of my muscles are bigger now and can
    tolerate more effort.  Since I am younger than you are I can't help
    much with what will happen during the future.  I do remember myself
    and several other guys pacelining to catch what turned out to be 
    apparently a very old man several years ago, all of us looked at him
    in wonderment when we finally caught him ( of course none of us had
    a gun, but it would not have mattered anyway since our tongues were
    dragging on the ground ).  

    The worst thing, IMO, is that off periods, such as for flu or other
    illnesses will have a more debilitating effect and it will be harder
    to regain form after the time off.  You will have to find some way
    to not lose everything while recovering.
    
    ed

    
    Are you getting the zimmer made out of Ti, Chip?  :-)
    
    Graham.

    "zimmer"?  
    
     Chip

    
    Walking frame that old codgers use...
    
    Graham.

re -.1

There is no truth in the rumour..........

     Ahhh, thanks Graham. That's 1 - 0 in your favor... Today.
    
    

    I'm mostly solo, and I always get a kick out of catching and passing
    roadies on ultralights with my MTB + panniers and laptop strapped on. 
    I admit to the vanity of saying "Nice day, eh?" in a way that sounds
    like I'm not breathing hard, even tho' it's killing me.
    
    When I first read your note, I thought you were approaching your
    seventies, then found out you were the same age as me.  What's this BS
    about losing strength?  Undoubtedly a report prepared by a 13 year old,
    who probably thinks your brain cells have all died off by 40 as well.
    
    But seriously, if you research well, there are a number of supplements
    you can use to stay some of the effects of aging.  I'm referring to
    antioxidant vitamins, certain minerals, and other more avant garde but
    quite legal compounds, including herbs and such.  Most of the research
    is on animals (due to the longevity of people), but researchers can
    pretty well keep any mammal healthy and strong until it keels over.
    
    Done properly, you can expect to drop dead as you're crossing the
    finish line in second or third place when you're 115 or thereabouts.
    
    Later,
    	   Mike

    tell me that in 10 years, kid  :-)
    
    ed

    re.7
    
    And time's running out before I put my goodbye note in here, so you'd
    better hurry up and put in the return volley...  :-)
    
    Graham.

    Chip,

    What you have to have in mind here is that all things are relative. 
    You mention a study done on average people that showed that after forty
    things go downhill.  And it is probably right.

    But what you must consider is a) you are not average, and b) where you
    are at right now.  If you are starting out at 75% of peak capacity and
    you loose 1% a year (wild guesses) when you are sixty you will be at or
    around 55%.  But I think that at some point the body levels off and
    does not decline as fast if cared for.  Now what you need to consider
    is that most people (the average person) is at about 15 % of capacity
    and so for them a 20% decrease is not good.

    I'm over forty (45) and after dying last year and having a lung collapse
    while I'm still not in the condition I would like to be or was before,
    I find that I am improving (slower than I would like) and can still
    pass most people on the road.  I figure the 5% I can't pass are doing
    much better than me right now, but I will catch them eventually if I
    can keep going.

    So the point is that while one does decline and it is harder to make
    any improvement, it can be done.  And only if you are now at or near
    100% should you think that you will not be able to do the same things
    or improve.

    However there are things that cannot be controlled.  Like (more) need 
    for rest and need for glasses. :)

    rich

Well I'll admit to 52 summers and I think the best advice is -

"it's no good getting old, unless you get crafty as well".  You should know 
yourself better than any of the young whipper-snappers and that is no mean 
advantage.  I'm not in the same league in speed terms as when I was 25 but 
I'm not afraid of anything in France anyway and can do most of the things I 
want to (and working for my living allows).

Oh yes, having to get out the reading glasses for the map is a right pain and 
I have the compteur on the front forks instead of on the bars so it's at my 
(fast-disappearing) near point.  Mind you I got dropped by a 73 year old last 
week.......

    Another factor is the time you have been consistently working
    out.  I read somewhere (so it must be true) that it takes 10
    years of consistent training to reach your potential.  The
    gains you make in this 10 years will be greater than any 
    decline due to aging, so it is a true statement no matter what
    age you start.  Beyond that, I certainly agree with the earlier
    point that maintianing your fitness will slow the inevitable.
    This theory is particularly appealing to me since I only
    converted from slugdom 5 years ago...
    
    Bob

    Hi Chip,
    
    I read an article a couple of years ago on strength and aging.
    Surprisingly, there seemed to be some proof that the human body's
    ability to develop muscle strength peaks in the late 30's, early 40's.
    Now, I'm sure there's some opposing information but I found that
    interesting. Also stated in that article was that, if you stayed in
    shape and continued to exercise as you get older, you'll only lose
    something like 15% per DECADE of your ability. 
    At any rate, I'll lend you the T-shirt I bought when I hit 40 (almost 5
    years ago now) and they started putting me WAY back from the starting
    line at those races where they start you by age bracket (such as the
    Tour de Lowell does). It says:
    
    	    Age and Treachery will always overcome Youth and Skill
    
    
    						:^)
    
    						your bro-in-law...
    		

    Thanks! I could use another reminder of my mortality! :-)
    
     See ya bro'

    AND don't forget the bit about guile and cunning winning out over
    youth and vigor.
    
    ed