Why older women shouldn't cycle

[GLC1968]

I don't know, I think "forgetfulness" is more of a personality trait that some of us have and some don't, not related at all to gender, childbirth, or age in many cases. That "CRS" trait that Syndirelah talked about runs deep in my DH's family. Both my kids have serious short term memory issues, yet they are fully functioning adults because, mostly, they have developed strategies so this doesn't interfere with really important stuff at work or home. DH has it, too. He was reduced to tears from being angry at himself for losing the sunglasses he bought on our trip in Spain, about 30 minutes before we left for our son's wedding. This was the third pair of glasses he had lost in 4 weeks. He hates that he passed on this trait to our kids.

I think this is true. My husband has it as well. That, and an inability to see that the things he is looking for are actually right in front of his face. It's highly amusing most of the time!

[JennK13]

When we were in SD over Memorial Day, we pulled off the road in the car and rode the bikes up to Mt. Rushmore. Came back down, loaded the bikes on the back of the car and we were off. SEVERAL MILES down the road, we were getting on the highway when I heard something and looked in my rearview mirror to see my helmet bouncing off the asphalt! I had left it on the roof of the car when we loaded the bikes! I have no idea how it lasted so long on the roof before falling off! We had to find an LBS that was open late so I could get another one before biking the Mickelson Trail the next morning.

Another time, rode to Coors field for a Rockies Game. When the game was over, we were putting on our gear to head out. I always put my gloves on last. I had set them on my rear rack while I got everything else on and rode off with them still there....lost them both! I'd only had them a week

[Norse]

Ah, the failing attention capabilities of the middle-age brain. I am well acquainted with this problem, and it has nothing to do with childbirth or gender. I only wish the What-Am-I-Doing-Here? Paranoi did not strike me so frequently when I go down to the basement or garage with firm purpose, and arrive completely clueless as to why I am standing down there and the only way I can remember is to march back up the stairs and stand where I was when the bright idea to go downstairs occurred to me. Or there was the day I showed up for a ride with very different colored gloves (at least they were for different hands); or the 50-mile ride I showed up for with nary a single water bottle, or .... This is a fascinating article that goes into detail on our "affliction": http://www.oprah.com/health/Midlife-...-Remember-More

[badger]

once I came to work and realized a while later I wasn't wearing a bra!

[badgercat]

I've done something comparably silly to almost everything in this thread, and I'm 24. I guess there's no hope for my future?

[Norse]

once I came to work and realized a while later I wasn't wearing a bra!

OMG Badger that is too darned funny! I am surprised I have not done that seeing how one of the first things I do when I get home at night is to whip off the bra and I never wear one around the house on weekends. Of course though, hopefully I would take one last look in the mirror and notice the horribly drooping headlights under my work clothes.

[PamNY]

I think this is true. My husband has it as well. That, and an inability to see that the things he is looking for are actually right in front of his face. It's highly amusing most of the time!

I've heard the latter called "male pattern blindness."

Probably not really fair; I'm sure women do the same thing. But if you live with a male sufferer, it can be amusing to label the affliction.

[malkin]

I've done something comparably silly to almost everything in this thread, and I'm 24. I guess there's no hope for my future?

You'll be well prepared for it!

[cmafit]

So thankful I found this group! You are all wonderful and I thank you for the smiles you have put on my face today....and for reminding me I'm not the only one that does "that"

[chicagogal]

My dad traveled from one country to another for a business meeting and didn't notice until he got there that he was wearing 2 different shoes!!! Given that this type of thing is genetic, there really is no hope for me :-)

[Crankin]

No, it's not male pattern blindness; it's ADD, in one of it's various forms. And more men have this than women. But, I spent most of my former professional career teaching students how to organize themselves and strategize to remember things. Then, some of the teachers I worked with came to me for help. Generally, though, people remember stuff that is important to them.
Of course, then I ended up with 2 kids and and a husband who have this very problem. When I read some of my DH's report cards, I couldn't believe the cruel things that were said about him (granted in the sixties no one knew about learning styles).
We joke about being forgetful, but it really isn't funny. It can derail careers and interfere with social relationships.

[Jiffer]

After a friend of mine crashed on her bike, went unconscious and took a trip to the hospital in an ambulance (she was alright) ... her mother tells her, "Jenny! A woman your age shouldn't be riding her bicycle!"

That famous line has come up many times throughout our cycling adventures. We quite enjoy saying it.

[ClockworkOrange]

At least reading all your funny stories it has made me realise I am quite normal but perhaps the thread should be changed from Why older women shouldn't cycle to Why older women shouldn't get out of bed!

Clock

[Trekhawk]

After a friend of mine crashed on her bike, went unconscious and took a trip to the hospital in an ambulance (she was alright) ... her mother tells her, "Jenny! A woman your age shouldn't be riding her bicycle!"

That famous line has come up many times throughout our cycling adventures. We quite enjoy saying it.

Snort!

[Melalvai]

But, I spent most of my former professional career teaching students how to organize themselves and strategize to remember things. Then, some of the teachers I worked with came to me for help. Generally, though, people remember stuff that is important to them...We joke about being forgetful, but it really isn't funny. It can derail careers and interfere with social relationships.

Developing coping strategies! I remember one day when my daughter was a baby, I found myself in the kitchen for the THIRD time that afternoon unable to remember why I was there. I made myself stand there until I remembered-- bring the diapers in off the porch (we had a diaper service). But if I did that every time I couldn't remember, I'd spend years of my life standing there.

My mother in law has lots of tricks she uses, to help her remember where she put things, and to turn off things. Like checking several times before she leaves the house. It takes her a LONG time to get going, because of all these routines she has to go through.