Maybe because I’m 55 and still a little over (cycling) weight, or maybe it’s because I can’t do the splits anymore and my back hurts sometimes, but I’ve been thinking a lot about age, performance and ‘staying young’ lately.

The latest trigger was a podcast of a wide-ranging interview with Peter Attila, one of the Mr. Zone Twos you find on YouTube these days. He also appears to be invested in staying young. He has all sorts of great ideas on how to do this (go to the gym, eat lots of protein – preferably killed by your own hands, pay extra attention when approaching a 4-way stop, etc.), but there’s only one problem with Peter Attila…he’s not old. A youngish man lacks a certain authority when he’s talking about ageing, even if his science is sound. He just doesn’t know yet. I should say, though, that I thoroughly enjoy Atilla’s podcasts, so this is NOT a diss on him in any way.

I think this is why I like reading Joe Friel’s books on training (Fast After 50 has many examples of athletes who are actually old) because Joe really is old!

And in my line of work I have access to elders on two wheels, so it’s natural for me to see what kind of future I have waiting for me in a few years if I behave. Take Jack for example. Jack has been riding with 44|5 since 2014 and has done some major week-long tours with us. He’s 72 and just recently stopped doing Double Centuries (old money, not metric!). He still does an incredible amount of riding every year and will be back with us in Provence again in 2024.

Or how about Mark? A guy who came over for a few rides earlier in the year. Also in his 70s, he climbed Ventoux in under 2:30 and Alpe d’Huez in 1:30, I think.

I haven’t started asking any of these guys and girls what their secrets are, but taking it easy on the bike does not seem to be one of them. That gives me hope.