There is something to be said for longevity.
What do I mean? Time on the bike. Not time today or a single ride, but the cumulative years of riding. Consistency is key. I agree. Longevity has its benefits.
Look at those that ride. Those that have been riding bikes for years – meaning decades – seem to have something ‘extra’. Those that have been riding shorter time periods can be as fit and strong – or more so. But there is something that comes with longevity. Some of it is practical and visible. Bike handling skills and understanding about how to repair the bike ‘on the fly’. Skills that you gain from ‘time doing it’. Sure, some people come by things naturally, but even natural talent benefits from training and skill development. ALWAYS.
Tactics. Understanding your body and how you can/should push it. Reminds me of a quote often attributed to cyclist Fausto Coppi, “age and treachery will beat youth and skill every time.” There is also a quote attributed to playwright David Mamet,” old age and treachery will always overcome youth and exuberance.”. Hmmm, probably not always. An ‘old’ guy might not have the absolute fitness of a young guy, but the understanding of his body and ability to manage that fitness can go a long way. Some of that is a mental understanding. Some of it is physical.
I have been on big rides – up to 200 miles – with a variety of people. Who finishes the long ones? Not always the most fit. Spending years on the bike often is a more accurate predictor. Yes, lots of mental learning over those years. Science also says that years of riding creates physiological changes. Short term – yes. Long term – more so. Some of those changes take time – a long time to change. Those years of riding are paying off.
That is why sometimes that old guy appears out of shape but rides better than you expected. Time on the bike produces long-term physiological changes.
Let us dip our feet into the edge end of the doping topic. Steroids will be our example. There is scientific research that suggests the effect of steroids can be long term. You take them and there are changes in your body. Good and bad – relatively speaking. For now, let’s agree that taking steroids for sport performance is not a good idea. Even so, there are physiological changes that science tells us remain after the steroids have stopped … long after the steroids have stopped. The athletic benefit gained might be longer term than the taking of them. Meaning a short-term ban might not eliminate the benefit gained from the time taking the steroids. Meaning future performance might be attributed to the dark past. The same with negative health consequence. To be clear, I am all for a clean sport. Doping is looking for an unfair advantage and I am against it. Period. I know, it is not about anything but winning; not about ethics, health or integrity – only winning. That is why people do it. I only bring this up to say that sometimes something we do has long term effects. Another example might be smoking. Damage to your lungs is permanent. Yes, there can be some restoration by your body, but at some point, the damage is done. We know that is also true in the relationship world. What I say to you today can alter our relationship forever – for better or worse. It is the same in the physiological world. Sure, we get out of shape. Is Arnold Schwarzenegger in the same condition he was in when he was Mr. Universe? No. Is he stronger the me? His past is still affecting his future.
Again, a long way to say that longevity on the bike has benefits. Often not as visible as other things … the bike, the parts, the current FTP etc … but just as important, many times more important. The benefits are in the person – lurking in there. Benefiting the person. A friend calls it roots. He says you have to put down deep roots and roots take time to get deep. Deep roots are the things that keep you strong, motivated and keep you progressing when the tough times come. Shallow roots will not support you in those times. I think my friend has shared some wise words. Longevity in any sport is beneficial. That is not to discourage those starting, but to encourage them to continue. To help everyone to understand that time produces benefits. Keep on riding.
