I’m a member of a Facebook group for cyclists over 50. There’s a great group ethos of supporting one another however far and fast we’re riding. We even seem to have, knock on wood, laid the e-bike controversy to rest. It’s also the most geographically and racially diverse cycling group I’ve ever been a member of. 10/10 if you’re a cyclist over 50, who uses Facebook, recommend.
One of the common things that members post are photos of birthday rides. I love them. But what I don’t love are all the people who seem very insecure about what counts. Like, someone says “I’m 68 and I want to do a birthday ride. Is it okay if I do in kilometers or does it have to be in miles?”
Just today someone asked if it still counted if they did their birthday ride on a trainer because it’s cold and snowy in their part of the world on their birthday.
Can we scream together?
In response someone recently posted this lovely list of ‘birthday bike ride rules.’
Rules for birthday ride
- You must do your age or not.
- You must do it on your birthday or not.
- You must do it in one continuous ride or not.
- You can’t substitute kilometers for miles or not.
These rules must be strictly adhered to or not.
Next month I’m turning 57 and likely I’ll gather up a group of friends and ride 57 km but I also hope that if I make it to 80 while still riding bikes I won’t feel pressured to ride 80 km. Any distance, at any age, is a celebration of life and movement.
Happy Birthday and have a great ride!
My birthday is this week and I haven’t been on my bike in a year. In fact, the tires are flat. But this post has inspired me to do a birthday ride, and more. Thank you! (Love the pictures as well as the message.)
Maybe a birthday ride “count” should be number of smiles on the ride, not km or miles!