Would the Person You Were When You First Started Cycling Be Proud of the Cyclist You’ve Become?
He didn’t know what a cadence sensor was.
He didn’t track calories.
He didn’t understand recovery.
He didn’t look like a cyclist.
He weighed over 275 pounds.
He was just trying not to quit.
Now I’m 70 years old. Over 155,000 lifetime miles. 187 pounds. Still riding into West Texas wind. Still stacking miles. Still learning.
If that man could see me now… Would he be proud?
If you stayed consistent, kept learning, embraced safety, and adapted instead of aging out — yes. The person you were when you started cycling would likely be proud.
Back Then, I Thought Cycling Was About Fitness
I thought it was about getting lean. About keeping up. About looking like I belonged.
I didn’t realize it was about becoming someone different.
Every ride was quietly rewiring something. I didn’t even know the word neuroplasticity until recently — but that’s exactly what was happening. The brain adapts to repeated effort.
I wrote about that here: I Had Never Heard the Word “Neuroplasticity” — Until Yesterday .
What Actually Changed
It wasn’t talent. It wasn’t genetics.
It was repetition.
- Riding when it was windy.
- Riding when it was hot.
- Riding when progress felt invisible.
The younger me wanted dramatic results. The older me understands that slow change wins.
I Didn’t Get Stuck in the Past
Here’s something I’m honestly proud of: I stayed open-minded.
A lot of riders hit a certain age and decide technology is unnecessary. Or that “old school” is better.
At 70, I care more about awareness and safety than I ever did at 40.
I ride with a rear radar now — not because it’s flashy, but because it works. The Garmin Varia alerts me when vehicles are approaching from behind long before I hear them. On open West Texas roads, with wind in your ears, that matters.
If you’ve never looked into it, here’s the one I use:
Garmin Varia radar tail light .
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That younger version of me wouldn’t be impressed by the gadget. He’d be impressed that I stayed adaptable. I didn’t become rigid. I evolved.
155,000 Miles Later
That number isn’t about ego. It represents:
- Early mornings when quitting was easier.
- Solo rides where I worked through real life.
- Lessons learned in heat and crosswinds.
- Seasons where I became stronger in my 60s.
Consistency compounds. That’s not motivational fluff. That’s math.
Aging in the Saddle
Cycling at 70 isn’t about proving anything. It’s about protecting your ability to keep going.
I cover my skin now because I understand sun damage. I respect recovery more. I train smarter.
The younger me rode on grit alone. The older me rides on grit plus wisdom. That’s growth.
So… Would He Be Proud?
- I didn’t quit when it was slow.
- I didn’t use age as an excuse.
- I didn’t stop learning.
- I embraced better tools instead of clinging to old habits.
I became steady. And steady beats flashy.
A Question for You
If you’re early in your journey… If you don’t feel like you belong yet… If you’re just trying to make it through 10 miles without stopping…
Keep riding.
One day you may realize:
You became someone your former self needed.
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