Have you slowed down over the years?
Poll: Have you slowed down over the years?
Total Members Polled: 85
Discussion
I was out for a long ride yesterday on roads I know well and used to ride when we previously lived in the area (before a stint overseas). I’ve noticed my speed has dropped considerably, particularly corner speed. I think I am much more aware about what could be on the road or coming the other way than when I was younger. Even on the straights I am holding back. I think dash cams are also playing a role. I still overtake but keeping my speed down and trying to keep a low profile.
Anyone else the same.
Anyone else the same.
The older I get, the Faster I was?
I remember some fast rides from years ago, equally there were miles and hours of drudgery to get places.
Before I could afford a 'big bike' I was thrashing small bikes to make progress.
I'd say I've slowed down, but also the roads are slower. I used to get overtaken more!
I've never believed I'm a particularly skilled or fast rider.
I've got other (proper) sports where I can push my luck and occasionally lose control without hurting anyone.
I remember some fast rides from years ago, equally there were miles and hours of drudgery to get places.
Before I could afford a 'big bike' I was thrashing small bikes to make progress.
I'd say I've slowed down, but also the roads are slower. I used to get overtaken more!
I've never believed I'm a particularly skilled or fast rider.
I've got other (proper) sports where I can push my luck and occasionally lose control without hurting anyone.
Yes, I found it hard to slow down for a long time, bought slower bikes, bought different bikes etc but nothing really worked, I did begin to ride a lot more defensively and I was more risk averse and picked my moments better and stopped riding with people who weren't able to do the same, I've not had a bike for a couple of years but I'd like to think I'd still be as quick as I was but would also think it would be very rare that I actually went as quick...
.......until someone came past me!
I still love bikes but I've completely lost interest in riding them.
.......until someone came past me!
I still love bikes but I've completely lost interest in riding them.
I put slowed down a lot, but that’s more peak speed than average.
I’m 48 now, my days of doing massive speeds are past but my average speed is probably similar due to being smoother and a generally better rider.
What I have found is that adopting our son a couple of years ago has made me more risk averse.
I’m 48 now, my days of doing massive speeds are past but my average speed is probably similar due to being smoother and a generally better rider.
What I have found is that adopting our son a couple of years ago has made me more risk averse.
There is another thread on here along similar lines.
I have ridden for over 40 years , I am older with slower reactions than I used to have and I am much more mortal.
That aside you just can't go fast anymore.
Speed cameras, dash cams, poor road surfaces, cyclists, cyclists, horses, traffic , cyclists, road works, average speed cameras, neighbourhood speed watch folk, noise measuring devices , nuns the list goes on .
I have ridden for over 40 years , I am older with slower reactions than I used to have and I am much more mortal.
That aside you just can't go fast anymore.
Speed cameras, dash cams, poor road surfaces, cyclists, cyclists, horses, traffic , cyclists, road works, average speed cameras, neighbourhood speed watch folk, noise measuring devices , nuns the list goes on .
Jazoli said:
Yes, I found it hard to slow down for a long time, bought slower bikes, bought different bikes etc but nothing really worked, I did begin to ride a lot more defensively and I was more risk averse and picked my moments better and stopped riding with people who weren't able to do the same, I've not had a bike for a couple of years but I'd like to think I'd still be as quick as I was but would also think it would be very rare that I actually went as quick...
.......until someone came past me!
I still love bikes but I've completely lost interest in riding them.
We've had some good runs out over the years Dave. You were always as safe as houses........until someone came past me!
I still love bikes but I've completely lost interest in riding them.
I'm 60 next year and starting to feel old..... I'm still fkn awsome though.
I’ve slowed down loads, mainly through not riding enough. I used to ride every day and last year I managed maybe 3 days. I’d say for the last few years every time I go out I’m fairly critical of my riding. I know how to ride better but actually doing it seems more of a challenge these days.
Bob_Defly said:
Oh dear, how did that happen?
A combination of things really, a lack of local riding mates, friends giving up/moving away/dying (not bike related), a couple of near misses (not my fault), the state of the roads, traffic, dash cams, the weather, getting up on a Saturday morning, getting kitted up and then having nowhere to go that I have been a million times before (been riding 36 years), not being able to physically ride a bike, the increasing costs, blah blah blah!There’s not a week goes by when I’m not browsing bike classifieds and eBay and adding stuff to watchlists, then I remember all the above!
Edited by Jazoli on Sunday 11th May 07:00
cliffords said:
you just can't go fast anymore.
Speed cameras, dash cams, poor road surfaces, cyclists, cyclists, horses, traffic , cyclists, road works, average speed cameras, neighbourhood speed watch folk, noise measuring devices , nuns the list goes on .
^ I found this, too.Speed cameras, dash cams, poor road surfaces, cyclists, cyclists, horses, traffic , cyclists, road works, average speed cameras, neighbourhood speed watch folk, noise measuring devices , nuns the list goes on .
However, I also found a solution: taking up cycling
I have certainly changed my riding style, I've slowed my speeds a lot, but due to riding more smoothly, probably don't take much longer to get anywhere...
When I was in my late teens, I was indestructible - it inevitably led to the world trying to teach me that I was wrong in that belief... died a couple of times before I hit my twenties. Looking back, it really didn't have that great an effect on me, I still loved drinking, speeding, wheelies, burnouts, taking off over humpback bridges etc... What really changed my outlook was settling down with someone. Around twenty years back, that same someone nearly lost her leg in a bike accident whilst I was following her on my bike - a woman who just couldn't be bothered, pulled out from the exit of a car boot sale and drove into the side of my other half. I watched it all unfold from a few car lengths back. Since then, I've had little trust in my fellow road users and have slowed massively, I still like riding fast and doing silly stuff, but I'm far more careful about where and when...
So, watching my other half have a nasty accident, at walking pace, had much more effect on my riding style than actually killing myself hitting a wall at seventy five.
I'd imagine, having kids and feeling responsible could have a similar effect - I guess it could be called "growing up"..
I'm sixty, been riding forty five years.
When I was in my late teens, I was indestructible - it inevitably led to the world trying to teach me that I was wrong in that belief... died a couple of times before I hit my twenties. Looking back, it really didn't have that great an effect on me, I still loved drinking, speeding, wheelies, burnouts, taking off over humpback bridges etc... What really changed my outlook was settling down with someone. Around twenty years back, that same someone nearly lost her leg in a bike accident whilst I was following her on my bike - a woman who just couldn't be bothered, pulled out from the exit of a car boot sale and drove into the side of my other half. I watched it all unfold from a few car lengths back. Since then, I've had little trust in my fellow road users and have slowed massively, I still like riding fast and doing silly stuff, but I'm far more careful about where and when...
So, watching my other half have a nasty accident, at walking pace, had much more effect on my riding style than actually killing myself hitting a wall at seventy five.
I'd imagine, having kids and feeling responsible could have a similar effect - I guess it could be called "growing up"..
I'm sixty, been riding forty five years.
I'm only 8 years in after in after passing my test in my late 30's so I'm one of the minority in the still getting faster camp. The commuting has helped with bike control ,cornering, and filtering: I'm definitely much smoother but with the odd wonky decision every now and again including speeds that would see me enjoying some time in captivity if caught..
50 here… brake later and corner harder than ever. My riding has improved over the decades… through training and practice. I also trust modern tyres more.
I’m still slow relative to the fast ones, on the flip side I also have a motorcycling history steeped in non drama, when it comes to close misses/A&E.
I’m still slow relative to the fast ones, on the flip side I also have a motorcycling history steeped in non drama, when it comes to close misses/A&E.
Kawasicki said:
50 here… brake later and corner harder than ever. My riding has improved over the decades… through training and practice. I also trust modern tyres more.
I’m still slow relative to the fast ones, on the flip side I also have a motorcycling history steeped in non drama, when it comes to close misses/A&E.
Very similar situation to myself when I’m riding alone.I’m still slow relative to the fast ones, on the flip side I also have a motorcycling history steeped in non drama, when it comes to close misses/A&E.
But ….
The past couple of weeks have made me process a few things and should slow me down.
Mostly a fair bit slower, a bit of it is down to me but also taking into account speed cameras etc, really can't afford to lose my license. That said off to Spain shortly and the pace will be respectable, although I've noticed I tend to ramp it up for 10-15 mins and then need to back off and regroup. Years ago this never happened, late 50's catching up I suppose?
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