I Consider Myself To Be Very Young-Looking
Cycling has a very troubling side-effect: it makes us feel younger than we actually are. This, of course, stems from the fact that if you ride enough, you’ll find that you can go faster and longer than people much, much younger than you.
This is, by the way, my pet theory on why Lance really came out of retirement: he was crushing the Mellow Johnny’s group rides and started thinking, “Hey, I’ve still got it. I haven’t gotten any slower with age.”
And then he discovered, of course, that he has gotten slower with age.
But it’s easy to think you’re not aging when, at age 44, you are completely confident that should you somehow (and I have not worked out how, exactly) meet your 25-year-old self, you could kick said 25-year-old’s butt, and then lecture him on why he needs to start eating healthier and stop watching so much television. Oh, and to treasure his hair while he’s got it.
I’m getting off track again, aren’t I? I’ll get back to the point now. Because I’m really pretty sure I had one.
Oh, there it is.
A few weeks ago, I was feeling very youthful indeed. And so, as my family and I strolled through a local amusement park and saw a stand where a teenage girl would guess your age, weight or birth month (your choice) for $2.00, I stepped right up. An easy way to earn a stuffed animal for one of the twins, I thought.
She looked at me and immediately said, “You’re 45.”
In reality, I am 44, so she was wrong. But the rules of the game state that she has to guess within two years, so I got no prize.
What is much (MUCH) more troubling than that, however, is that she guessed I am a year OLDER than I am, and that was her median guess. Which means that when she looked at me, she figured I was somewhere between 43 and 47.
47. FORTY FREAKING SEVEN.
Of course, this gave The Runner no end of amusement. Also, my kids found it hilarious. Or at least they did until I locked them out of the car and made them walk home.
I’m just kidding about the “made them walk home” part, of course. Really, I made them run.
I considered this a fluke, naturally. I don’t think I REALLY look 45ish. Do I? That teenager was an anomaly. She probably guessed “45″ for every single person that day, and I was the only guess she got right, just because I happened to be the age she had drawn out of a hat.
And then it occurred to me: I can find out. I can ask you, my readers, to help me with a little experiment: Have people you know guess my age, based on looking at a couple of photographs, where I’m intentionally keeping a neutral, natural face, so as to not appear younger or older than I am. Here’s one from the front:
And here’s one from the side:
These are both self-portraits, by the way, taken in my hotel room in lovely San Diego. I would like to point out that it is not easy AT ALL to take a side-view picture of oneself with a phone.
So here’s what I want you to do: show those photos to people who don’t know who I am, and ask them to tell you what my age is. Then report it in the comments, along with the age of the person who is making the guess.
It’ll be like a scientific experiment. But much vainer, somehow, and probably quite a lot more humbling than I would like it to be.
But I’ve just got to know.
Comment by Adventure Nell | 07.27.2010 | 11:03 am
My work colleague guessed you were 42 :)
Comment by Ken | 07.27.2010 | 11:05 am
In these pictures you look a bit like Imhotep. (Who was a few thousand years old… back in the 1932’s.)
Comment by paula | 07.27.2010 | 11:06 am
Doll. You look 34. And I bet you feel 26.
Comment by Adventure Monkey | 07.27.2010 | 11:06 am
They have me, the corporate artist sharing a building with engineers. They have no social skills but are very logical so I asked one of them. He said after looking at your pictures and then his shoes for a few minutes, “156.”
“What?” I asked
He said, “156 in Jedi years. I sense the force is strong with that one.”
I try a normal person later…
Comment by Adventure Monkey | 07.27.2010 | 11:07 am
I’ll that is (damn it)
Comment by m burdge | 07.27.2010 | 11:10 am
I must say that you are looking a little chesty in the second photo.
Comment by Dobovedo | 07.27.2010 | 11:13 am
When I turned 40 I didn’t say it was the new 30. I didn’t say it was the new 21.
40 is the new 18.
So is 41.
And 42.
And 43.
And…
Comment by Karen | 07.27.2010 | 11:15 am
I’m more excited you are in San Diego. Welcome to the worse summer we have had since 1933. While our summer sun has been hiding (and no one is happy about that) it has made for some great biking weather. A big benefit of our cooler days. I also would like to meet my 25 year old self. I firmly believe (delusional or not) that I would show my younger self how it’s done. And PS: you came too late, you just missed Comic Con which has some of the best people watching out there.
Comment by JAT in Seattle | 07.27.2010 | 11:23 am
I polled the two coworkers who put up with my nonsense; the female one who’s our age said:
38-40
and the male one who’s younger said:
45
Comment by Jack | 07.27.2010 | 11:24 am
I would probably guess a little less like 38. One of the best things about turning 50 (2 years ago) was not looking it. I like to tell people my age and get the comments about them not thinking I was that told at all.
As far as the guess your age, weight, birthday thing. Once you choose age that tells the guesser not to go with your actual look. Since she could tell you were in shape, it seems unlikely you think you look older than you really are, so she adds a few years to your visual age and you loose. Still $2 for a blog post topic is not bad.
Comment by Erin | 07.27.2010 | 11:32 am
Dude, my husband said 50. I apologize. he’s probably just jealous.
Comment by Hrsgrl | 07.27.2010 | 11:34 am
My 14 year old says you look 35. And since he’s an avid cyclist and thinks anyone over 2o is old, I’d say that means you look pretty good.
Comment by born4felt | 07.27.2010 | 11:37 am
My wife says 35! Studly, you are!
Comment by kyle. | 07.27.2010 | 11:40 am
if i could meet my 25 year old self, i’d tell him not to crash that mountain bike. of course, i turned 26 two weeks ago and that crash was the week before that, but still, i’d rather not have that broken rib right now.
Comment by 3d brian | 07.27.2010 | 11:40 am
It wasn’t a reflection of how old you looked – it was a reflection of how old The Runner & your kids looked. I’m sure the teenager was thinking man this guy looks 30, but he’s obviously her husband and their dad so he’s gotta be 45 ;)
Seriously, when I met Lisa I was surprised at how young she looks – she could probably pass for early thirties – I think the wrong person played the game…
Comment by lorianne | 07.27.2010 | 11:43 am
You look much younger from the side! At least 10 years younger!
Comment by Pia | 07.27.2010 | 11:45 am
My 13-year old daugter guessed 41. That’s good, isn’t it?
Comment by Hank | 07.27.2010 | 11:49 am
My cubicle neighbor guessed 30, +/-5 years.
No worries.
Comment by Jason | 07.27.2010 | 11:49 am
I don’t know you except for the blog. I’m 34 and since we appear to share the same barber, I would have guessed 38.
I also think your kids may have given it away to the ‘age guesser’. If she was say 17, she probably looked at your kids, guessed their age pretty accurately in her head and then went a few years younger/older than her parents.
Comment by Erin | 07.27.2010 | 11:49 am
Ok, Elden, after my husband said 50 I asked a FEMALE friend and she said 40. So there. He WAS jealous!
Comment by Marion | 07.27.2010 | 11:49 am
Dude! You look like you haven’t eaten well since 2009! The non-shaved look ages you too!
Comment by sdcadbiker | 07.27.2010 | 11:52 am
You’re in San Diego? If you have a bike and a couple hours, I have some trails…
Oh, BTW, you look your age (as do most of us), get over it! :-)
Comment by Laura in AL | 07.27.2010 | 11:53 am
My coworker says from the front you look 42 and from the side you look mid to late 30s. So if you could just interact with people from just your profile, it might work out for ya. Or you might just come off as a jerk. So better stick to full-frontal. :)
Comment by mike | 07.27.2010 | 12:04 pm
you look 38. you are in SD? you are in luck, Tuesday night racing at the velodrome is happening tonight. I just happen to be racing in some Fat Cyclist socks tonight, coincidence? I think not.
That would be SO COOL to see. I’m headed home this afternoon though. – FC
Comment by Lisa | 07.27.2010 | 12:07 pm
I asked 5 people. 2 who are in there 50’s guessed 42 and 47. One in her 30’s guessed early 40s. And two in there 20s guessed 35-40 and 38.
Maybe you should post a photo of you on your bike, THEN you’d look younger. I know I do.
Comment by bork | 07.27.2010 | 12:10 pm
Wait, that’s your “neutral” face? It looks a lot like my “about to murder you” face.
You should see my “about to murder you” face. -FC
Comment by KitC | 07.27.2010 | 12:13 pm
My wife (at 32) said you looked 35. When I told her the real age, she said, “No way he looks 44.”
Comment by Jen | 07.27.2010 | 12:13 pm
My 11 year old daughter said “in his 40s” then when pressed said 47. Well you DID ask!
Comment by Bill | 07.27.2010 | 12:14 pm
I asked a 31 y/o female co-worker who said you looked not nearly as good as I do but your age is 43
Just remember whatever age you are is better than the alternative – 6′ underground!
Comment by Janet B | 07.27.2010 | 12:18 pm
DS (17) said 39 and DD (14)said 50. If averaged they got it right.
Comment by evil3 | 07.27.2010 | 12:18 pm
Well I have no one to ask right now, so instead I will just ask myself (that’s not to be confused with talking to myself as I don’t do that (or rather I try not to) lol).
So my guess would of been that you look like you are in late 30’s around 38 to early 40’s no older then maybe 42. As for my age I am 22.
Comment by Roger Whitney | 07.27.2010 | 12:19 pm
Really Fatty?!? are you that vain?????
This celeb status is really going to your head. I suggest a good plastic surgeon. Mickey Rourke may be able to give you a referral. ;-)
I’m not THAT vain. In fact, I’m even vainer than that. – FC
Comment by James Cash | 07.27.2010 | 12:27 pm
My (20 y.o.) girlfriend first said 45-50, then looked closer and said 40.
Comment by Fully Coiffed | 07.27.2010 | 12:29 pm
I think it’s the conspicuous lack of hair on the top of your noggin that gives it away.
Comment by mateo | 07.27.2010 | 12:31 pm
So, i show this to a coworker…she wants to know when Stanley Tucci lost so much weight, so there you go…you don’t look old, you look famous.
Comment by Tom | 07.27.2010 | 12:32 pm
Remember its a profit game-
Navin R. Johnson: [bleakly] I’ve already given away eight pencils, two hoola dolls, and an ashtray, and I’ve only taken in fifteen dollars.
Frosty: Navin, you have taken in fifteen dollars and given away fifty cents worth of crap, which gives us a net profit of fourteen dollars and fifty cents.
Navin R. Johnson: Ah… It’s a profit deal. Takes the pressure off. Get your weight guessed right here! Only a buck! Actual live weight guessing! Take a chance and win some crap!
Comment by Bethany | 07.27.2010 | 12:38 pm
My 5 year old daughter said that you look “Oh let’s just say 21….he does look a little older than a teenager”. Sweet girl, huh?
Comment by Tom | 07.27.2010 | 12:38 pm
Wife guessed 45-50. Sorry. She works with kids so everyone over 10 is ancient!
Comment by MattC | 07.27.2010 | 12:46 pm
Navin R. Johnson: ” “Stay away from cans! He HATES cans!” (sorry…it’s Tom’s fault, bringing ‘The Jerk’ into this discussion).
Fatty, I think you should try a ‘with hair look’…just a thought here, but photoshop yourself with a nice blond mullet. The years would just POUR off you like water off a ducks back (not that I’ve ever been able to get a duck to hold still long enough to prove this)…and as a side benefit would provide us with some serious chuckle-fodder (above and beyond the usual).
Comment by Sara | 07.27.2010 | 12:48 pm
My dad is a cyclist. He’s 68. I always tell him that he looks like he’s 25…. from the neck down.
Maybe you should add a headless photo to your poll. That might make provide better results.
Comment by T Foster | 07.27.2010 | 1:07 pm
My 22 yr old daughter said 47, and then 27 for the profile.
Her dad, me, is 47 so she probably swagged it.
Not that it matters unless we stand side by side, but you look at least 10 years younger than me.
Comment by Clydesdale | 07.27.2010 | 1:10 pm
Everyone I showed said the same thing!!
“Stanley Tucci was born Nov 11, 1960 so he’s 49″
Comment by Alon | 07.27.2010 | 1:21 pm
From the mugshots you probably look a biiiiit younger than you are, but that girl guessed by looking at your entire self, which tells lots more. Like posture, gait, clothes, additional family members around, etc.
Comment by GenghisKhan | 07.27.2010 | 1:21 pm
45, +/- 2 years…
Comment by RET143 | 07.27.2010 | 1:23 pm
Girl at work says 32
Comment by bikemike | 07.27.2010 | 1:30 pm
Guess my age? That’s it? Couldn’t you get one the twins to guest blog?
They wanted too much money. – FC
Comment by Franky | 07.27.2010 | 2:01 pm
Hi Elden,
I’d rather not tell you what my coworker guessed…
Just handle it as my girlfriend does: When she turned 29 she declared that from now on she won’t age anymore. Naturally I joined her and have been 25 ever since.
Comment by KK | 07.27.2010 | 2:12 pm
162, give or take 7, in metric.
Comment by centurion | 07.27.2010 | 2:23 pm
Dude, your 44 years old, aka “Middle Aged”, deal with it. Your life is probably half over. Deal with it.
BTW I’m older.
Comment by Philly Jen | 07.27.2010 | 2:25 pm
Dude,
(A) You’re already younger than me, so quit being a baby.
(B) Nowadays, you look like this guy’s hunkier younger brother, which is really all that matters, mais oui?
Comment by Kayla | 07.27.2010 | 2:35 pm
My 28 year old co-worker said 29 from the profile shot and mid-30’s on the frontal.
Comment by aspiring cyclist | 07.27.2010 | 2:35 pm
I agree with Phily Jen.. quit with the belly aching. I did find the game fun, though. Asked a 32-year-old (gay – not sure why that matters, but it does) female co-worker and she guessed 43. giddyonup and yeehoodleehaw.
Comment by aspiring cyclist | 07.27.2010 | 2:35 pm
I agree with Phily Jen.. quit with the belly aching. I did find the game fun, though. Asked a 32-year-old (gay – not sure why that matters, but it does) female co-worker and she guessed 43. giddyonup and yeehoodleehaw.
Comment by Nancy | 07.27.2010 | 2:36 pm
Okay, so I emailed your pictures to a friend and she said…
“guessing from the crow’s feet around his eyes and receding hair line, I’d think mid-forties… though from the side he looks like a completely different guy… very fit!”
However, I just polled a co-worker and he is guessing 40.
My work here is done.
Comment by NYCCarlos | 07.27.2010 | 2:37 pm
I AM my 25 year old self… and I kick my own butt regularly. Every time I get in the saddle I find myself suffering and it’s my own darn fault.
Comment by Elizabeth | 07.27.2010 | 2:43 pm
My coworker said 32. I say you’re just glorious. Put your legs up there so we can guess the age on those babies.
Comment by Caspar | 07.27.2010 | 2:58 pm
I asked Lance, Levi and Horner and they all said 28 !
Comment by Jen | 07.27.2010 | 2:58 pm
My 16 year old said, “you probably want me to say he is 42 when he is really 56.” He thought you looked young for your mid 50’s.
Comment by Megan | 07.27.2010 | 3:15 pm
My boyfriend said you look 37. Not bad Fatty
Comment by chemoboy | 07.27.2010 | 3:15 pm
My wife said 47. Yes, Forty freakin sevem
Comment by K.S. | 07.27.2010 | 3:22 pm
I polled two co-workers, both are in their mid 40s.
They answered:
42
47
Comment by Brian | 07.27.2010 | 3:25 pm
My wife looked at it (somewhat annoyed that I was bothering her) and says, “25″.
Me: Really?
Wife:I don’t know
Me: Well, take a look and guess.
Wife: 34
Me: Really?
Wife: Yeah.
So, there ya go…somewhere between 25 and 34.
I’m not gonna say I should win a prize, but….
Comment by Heather D | 07.27.2010 | 3:33 pm
I don’t usually comment, but this post is HILARIOUS and I had to participate. I polled my IM buddies:
A good friend of mine, who is 31, said you look 36. Then I explained to her what it was about and she said, “I thought maybe you were tricking me. I was gonna say 42, but thought, ‘Oh, he must be younger.’” Then she added that 36-42 was the range she thought originally and, “He does look young, though.”
Good work with that one!
My mom, who is 61, said, “It’s hard to tell without the hair. That can make him look older or younger than he is. I’d guess about mid 40’s to 50.”
Sorry to report that one.
Comment by h.c | 07.27.2010 | 3:37 pm
i guess it really depends on how you look in general.
I mean… there are some ppl who naturally look older/younger than their ages.
I have a number of friends who are actually 2 years younger than i am, but they look several years older.
anyhow, if you looked +5 years older than your actual age before you started to ride a bike, then looking 2 years older than your actual age isnt bad.
Comment by Dan O | 07.27.2010 | 3:40 pm
You are younger than I am, but not by much as I turned 45 last week. I’m glad to be alive, and don’t really care how old I am, as I count every day as a good one.
On another note, is anyone going to the Moab Century Tour in August? I’ll be there with a few friends. A great way to support cancer survivorship. The last time I rode it, I hadbn’t been diagnosed yet, this time I am riding as a survivor.
Life is good
DanO
Comment by roan | 07.27.2010 | 3:40 pm
Fatty, you should have gone with “guess the weight”. I’m sure you weigh MORE than you look, what with those heavy legs that drag along while swimming. In the St George Ironman you came in with a time that would have put you in the top 60 competitors IN THE 25 to 29 YEAR OLD AGE GROUP !
By the way I sink to the bottom of the pool,very little body fat, BMI is 30.6 (go figure ?). Have cycled 6000 to 8400 miles for the last 12 years. And YOU LOOK MY AGE (I was born in the first half of the last century).
Comment by Dan O | 07.27.2010 | 3:47 pm
Sorry Moab Century is in September. D’oh!
Comment by Mikeonhisbike | 07.27.2010 | 3:54 pm
When I turned 29 I decided to stay that age until I turned 70 because at that point lift tickets are free. In my book you are 29 buddy!! or 70.
Comment by ZJ | 07.27.2010 | 3:58 pm
My coworker (40, F) said mid-to-late 30s. She also said you look “menacing” in those pics.
Comment by Heber Chad | 07.27.2010 | 4:05 pm
I asked 3 people
Wife – 32
Co-Worker (Female Late 20’s) – 38
Co-Worker (Male Mid 20’s) – 42
Not bad FC, between 2 and 12 years younger than reality.
Comment by Fiona | 07.27.2010 | 4:05 pm
Now I’m 42 and I reckon you look older than me …. not sure that helps!
Comment by ShimSim | 07.27.2010 | 4:06 pm
Age of respondent: 37
His guess: 41
He added (unsolicited comment) that you would look younger with facial hair.
Whatever.
Comment by Demonic1 | 07.27.2010 | 4:06 pm
results- bald head makes you look older 47 was the average from 3 guesses They were all over 43 btw.
Comment by Anonymous | 07.27.2010 | 4:37 pm
“mmm 38? I’m really bad at this probably”
guessed by 29 year old girl
Comment by Alyson | 07.27.2010 | 4:54 pm
My husband looked and asked,”Nice mugshot of Stanley Tucci…what did he get arrested for?”
Sorry Elden.:-)
Comment by Philip | 07.27.2010 | 4:56 pm
My wife, who is married to a kick ass bald guy (36) claims you look 38. So slightly less kick ass than me.
Comment by Michael Clark | 07.27.2010 | 5:11 pm
My wife who is younger than you, said “30.” I said guess again and she said 45.
Comment by Mars | 07.27.2010 | 5:16 pm
mid 30s, why because you do, I am in the same situation and was just discussing this yesterday with my wife and I too look mid 30s but am 44. I reckon I am probably faster though ;-)
Love your blog, brilliantly witty and articulate, don’t stop!
Comment by Miles Archer | 07.27.2010 | 5:16 pm
My wife said 43. No way I’m telling you how old she is other than to say she’s older than you.
Comment by HeidiR | 07.27.2010 | 5:20 pm
My older son, who is 16, said late 30s or early 40s, but my younger son, who is 13, said 30. Either way you’re good. But age doesn’t matter when you have magnificent quads, does it?
Comment by Bacongal | 07.27.2010 | 5:30 pm
my co-workers say “a rough 39″ and that you might have a prosthetic chest in the second pic..sort of like Ricardo Montablan in StarTrek 2, Wrath of Kahn
I think you look 40, not rought, just 40
Comment by Haven (KT) | 07.27.2010 | 5:33 pm
PhillyJen, thanks for burning my retinas with Fatty’s “before” picture.
But isn’t it inspiring to know what you can do with a blog, some free time, a bike, and access to some great places to ride??? You can even cut the blog out of the picture (which frees up more time) if you want.
Looking good, Fats. I don’t have anyone to ask right now here at the office, so I’ll ask myself (I’m a Gemini, so it counts as an outside opinion). I said you looked upper 30s. And that you look a lot like Stanley Tucci, but more fit than him.
Comment by Annette L | 07.27.2010 | 5:38 pm
15-year-old son: “Somewhere in the 40s?”
When I pressed for something more specific: 47
:)
Comment by Annette L | 07.27.2010 | 5:38 pm
(Oh, and you totally look like Stanley Tucci–I didn’t catch that before. He’s awesome. But you’re awesome-er.)
Comment by Chad | 07.27.2010 | 5:59 pm
My wife (40) said you look 40 from the front and 32 from the side so just walk sideways everywhere dude.
Comment by Meg | 07.27.2010 | 6:00 pm
My husband said “Front on 43, but from the side view he looks 32. Hard to say.”
I would have guessed 37.
Comment by Chris Danaceau | 07.27.2010 | 6:06 pm
Based on those photo’s I’d say 7 – 10 with time off for good behavior.
Comment by Bob | 07.27.2010 | 6:06 pm
My wife (31) guessed late 30’s. There you go bud, enjoy.
Comment by Mrs Brooks | 07.27.2010 | 6:30 pm
My son said you look 40. But he is mentally challenged so does his vote count?
Comment by JoeDell | 07.27.2010 | 6:34 pm
At first, wife said you look 50. and I told her, no seriously, take a look and tell me.
so she says 40.
I tell her to look at both photos.
and she says, is that the same guy?
and then I said, if you get it right you get $100.
her final answer was 38 (the same age as me).
and I ask her, do I look like that???
LOL
Comment by gomez | 07.27.2010 | 6:42 pm
You don’t look a day over 43 (keeping in mind that ‘43′ is your age up to 43 years and 364 days after you were born).
I’m not being mean or jealous, just because I recently turned 48 and sometimes want to call 911 when I see the elderly stalker in my bathroom mirror in the morning. Really.
Comment by Steve the BigRide | 07.27.2010 | 7:06 pm
I’m 50 with a 25 year old’s butt, as long as I keep the compression shorts on. After that all hell breaks loose.
Comment by Eric P | 07.27.2010 | 7:25 pm
I think you look like you are about to do 15-20 for grand theft auto or something.
Comment by NYCCarlos | 07.27.2010 | 7:32 pm
25yro girlfriend says 40.
Comment by Nic Grillo | 07.27.2010 | 8:03 pm
I showed the first picture to my wife and she said “43″.
I showed her the second one and she said “no, wait. younger. 42!”
So I guess that means just look to one side or the other when you are talking to people.
Comment by Whitney | 07.27.2010 | 8:08 pm
My husband(who also reads the blog, but didn’t read it today) is 27 and upon seeing the first picture, said you looked 37, looked at the second shot and said 28-30. I then asked him for his final answer and he said 38. What?! I’m 29 and I would have guessed 39. Losing weight certainly helped a ton…looking at the “before” photo I would have said you were about 48-50.
Comment by NWcycle | 07.27.2010 | 8:14 pm
Oh Dude, I’m so sorry. My 10-year old daughter guessed 45 (she’s pretty good – if a little too honest). My 13-year old son (the jacka$$) guessed 50’s. And commented that you looked angry. Ouch. When he saw the look of shock on my face he rethought his original guess and said “ok…maybe 40’s…?” I am 44 too and give you major props for subjecting yourself to this test. I wouldn’t/couldn’t do it. I just don’t want to know what people think.
Comment by Erin | 07.27.2010 | 8:16 pm
My 44-year-old husband said 43. I think he’s jealous that you look younger than he does. Just sayin’….
Comment by Kim | 07.27.2010 | 8:22 pm
My 8 year old daughter said, “At least 32″
My 16 year old son said. “in his 30’s”
Pretty funny. I am 44 too and no one’s guessing that I’m in my 30’s! I’m jealous!
Comment by Jennifer | 07.27.2010 | 8:36 pm
My mom (48) guessed 57! You said you wanted this to be scientific…
She’s a cyclist too, and to be fair, she was comparing you to her boyfriend who is 55 but looks like he’s in his early 40’s.
The first time I saw you, I thought you were in your late 30’s to early 40’s. Let’s say 38-42. I’m 27.
Also, those are not the best pics for this experiment. You need to be poolside, or at the very least in some natural lighting!
\m/ keep rockin’ \m/
Comment by Jennie | 07.27.2010 | 8:41 pm
my 50 year old boyfriend guessed yo uat 46
Comment by leroy | 07.27.2010 | 8:41 pm
100!
I mean 100th comment, not your age.
Can’t figure out your age, but I think I saw that picture in a post office. There were numbers across the bottom and something about being wanted for disturbing rocks in a federal park.
Comment by Chris | 07.27.2010 | 8:46 pm
Will the new Team Fatty jerseys make us look younger or just cooler?
Comment by Marci | 07.27.2010 | 8:55 pm
Well, my 12 year old daughter thought you were my age which is 43. I laughed and she went down to the “thirties.” My 14 year old daughter thought you looked 50. Ouch.
Comment by BamaJim | 07.27.2010 | 9:13 pm
My wife says you look 35-40, so that’s not bad. Of course she says I look 29 instead of my actual 55.
Comment by classyhick | 07.27.2010 | 9:19 pm
I always assumed you were around 38. But I’ve also flirted with men on bikes that I thought were my age (27) and when they put two feet on the ground and the helmet came off were closer to 55. This realization always comes after checking out their spandex-clad backsides at the front of the paceline. (Oh you guys do it too!)
So I propose that you compare today’s picture of noggin-sans-helmet to one in full riding gear and see if cycling really does make you look younger
Comment by Fully Coiffed | 07.27.2010 | 9:25 pm
When I asked my wife she said, “Why, is there something wrong with him that makes him look 45? Is he actually 20?”
Comment by Jessi | 07.27.2010 | 9:35 pm
my husband guessed 33 ;)
Comment by DROCK | 07.27.2010 | 9:38 pm
Wife said 42, my daughter said 58 but she is young and anything older than 35 is the same – old.
Comment by wayner61 | 07.27.2010 | 9:43 pm
My 23 year old daughter guessed 42. She says the profile pic looks younger if that’s any consolation.
Comment by Mark | 07.27.2010 | 9:53 pm
AS if you don’t have enough data by now, my wife said 40. Has nothing to do with lack of hair: I’m almost 60 (and everyone really does guess younger :) and I’ve been that way since my mid-20s. Preaching to the choir here – cycling really does keep you young!
Comment by Aaron | 07.27.2010 | 10:11 pm
I love ya fatty, but biking doesn’t make you look young, it makes you feel young. Unless your version of “kitting up” involves judicious application of moisturizers and ointments … to your face. Mind out of the gutter!
Comment by carmen | 07.27.2010 | 10:19 pm
My husband said mid 30’s..probably those age guesser’s are trained to notice things the average person doesn’t.
Comment by pdv | 07.27.2010 | 11:00 pm
Is it required to guess celebrity_blogger’s age? The answer would be same if she were blindfolded and asked ‘what is fatty’s age?’ :)
Comment by AK_Chick | 07.28.2010 | 12:12 am
Awesome! I didn’t read this until I was home and no one is around except dogs. The chocolate lab guessed 5 (in dog years). The yellow lab guessed 7 (he’s 7 so what do you expect?). The black lab mix guessed 4 (she thinks your kinda cute for a hairless dog).
I have to say that I completely agree with a previous post that the 40’s are the new teens. I am 43, but have the maturity level of a 16-yr-old. Most people think I’m in my mid-30’s, but our receptionist thought I was in my late 20’s. :) I LOVE it. It’s always fun to say your real age and see the looks of complete and utter shock on people’s faces as well as their comments, “You’re HOW old?” “No way, I don’t believe it!”
Personally, I think you look like you’re in your mid to late 30’s.
Comment by pdv | 07.28.2010 | 12:35 am
Okay. To make you a little happy first. I asked colleague. I should her your photo from side and you looked around 25. Then I showed here first photo, you are not less than 45. Time for hair transplant! :)
Comment by Jenn | 07.28.2010 | 12:40 am
@AK-Chick – Dammit! I just read through ALL of these comments, to make sure nobody used their dogs, because mine are the only ones around to show the pic to. I get to the very last comment, and there you are. Damn! Oh well – great minds think alike, right?
Oh, hey…I just read the rest of that, about 43/16, which is me, except 41/12. Huh. I have a kindred spirit in Alaska. Cool.
Fatty – please stand by. I have emailed the photos to Mom & Dad and to a 25-yr-old friend. Also, Barkley said 5, Jordan just wanted to know when I’m going to be done screwing around on your blog and take him for his damned walk (That’s a quote. He said ‘damned walk’)
Comment by Jenn | 07.28.2010 | 12:42 am
OMG! I just realized that photo IS a Fatty ‘before’!!! Holy CRAP! WOW! Good on ya, Fatty!! Wow. Just wow.
Comment by Carl | 07.28.2010 | 3:04 am
My wife who is 39 said you look 45.
I often wonder if my 41 year old self could beat my 25 year old self too.
Comment by Mel | 07.28.2010 | 3:34 am
My colleague says you look 43. She is 32.
Comment by Anonymous | 07.28.2010 | 4:36 am
from a girl friend of mine: “I guess late thirties? Like 37-39? But I’m horrible at guesiing ages. For statistical purposes I’m 32 (and a half). :)”
Comment by Cardiac Kid | 07.28.2010 | 5:23 am
More importantly…..is that the way your head is really shaped or is that just the angle the phone?
Seriously…..How did you find a helmet that fits?
Comment by bikeNRGY | 07.28.2010 | 5:42 am
OK, enough of this silliness!! Start acting your age, suck it up Pops.
Comment by Niall | 07.28.2010 | 5:54 am
Dude…did you photoshop out the name board that they make you hold when you get booked?
Comment by Pedalpink | 07.28.2010 | 5:55 am
I tell people I’m older than I really am just so they say, “You look so much younger than 59.” (I’m 55) I also lie about my height. I’ve found I can add 2 inches 90% of the time, 3 inches about 50% of the time. Those extra inches help me better distribute my weight!
Comment by Jenni | 07.28.2010 | 6:38 am
42
And the neutral face doesn’t work, it skews your results. You see, only a man of advanced years would attempt to control the (I haven’t decided if it’s dependent or independent) variable of facial expression.
A much younger man would’ve posted a smiling picture and said to hell with experimental controls! He would also have most likely been wearing a puka shell necklace.
Comment by Mike E | 07.28.2010 | 6:47 am
40 from the front, 30 from the side according to the bloke next to me in work… turn your head everytime you see a camara and your immortality is preserved!
Comment by BrianP | 07.28.2010 | 7:47 am
You’re such a famous blogger, I couldn’t find anybody who didn’t know you!
Comment by Tracy | 07.28.2010 | 8:03 am
I showed this to my mother, who said “40s.” I demanded she be more specific, and she said “44.” I told her she should get a job guessing people’s ages at amusement parks. Then I asked her to imagine she didn’t know me and guess my age. She said “31,” which is 10 years younger than I actually am, which she knows very well, which makes me think she’s about to ask me for a huge favor…. Darn you and your ego, Fatty!
Comment by Erik | 07.28.2010 | 9:18 am
Informal colleague poll:
First question: “Who is this guy, and why should we care?”
Once I explained the awesomeness of your quads, they bowed down in reverence.
The guesses:
35
40 from the front (revised down from 45), 29 from the side
38
Comment by Marcia | 07.28.2010 | 9:21 am
my staff said 45 and decided maybe they should pursue a career in age guessing.
Comment by Lloyd | 07.28.2010 | 9:56 am
My son said “50″, sorry. I’m 58, and he thinks I look young compared to other folks my age, so consider it a compliment.
Comment by jonw9 | 07.28.2010 | 9:59 am
Comment by Elizabeth | 07.28.2010 | 11:00 am
26 y/o female coworker: 40. There ya go!
Comment by Erik | 07.28.2010 | 11:21 am
More updatess from my co-workers:
32
31
25
and the OUCH moment from Robin: “He looks kinda like that old scraggly guy that hangs around the Hobbits.”
Me: “Gollum?”
Robin: “Yea, that guy.”
I tried to change her viewpoint with tales of your awesome quads, but she was not impressed.
Comment by Adam | 07.28.2010 | 11:47 am
Female coworker age 26 said you look 36. I am 33 and she said you look younger than me, so nice work. I try to make you feel better about yourself and end up feeling worse about myself as a result….Not my day!
Comment by DBerger | 07.28.2010 | 11:56 am
My 10 year old son said you were in your 20’s or 30’s. Then I told him your real age and he said “I thought he looked older, but he is bald and I thought to myself, I know that trick so I guessed younger.”
Comment by Mary | 07.28.2010 | 12:01 pm
My kids said 40, and they usually guess that people are much older–so congrats!
Comment by Heber Chad | 07.28.2010 | 12:06 pm
@jonw9
That was awesome…if fatty tweets that he is pissed off about the picture, it would complete the circle.
Comment by Spleen | 07.28.2010 | 2:48 pm
Is “Stanley Tucci” an age? My wife tells me I look “John Cusak” years old.
Comment by Sansauto | 07.28.2010 | 6:03 pm
I asked my 7 y/o son and he said that you looked my age (33). I told him that you were not my age and then asked if he thought you were older or younger. He said you were younger.
1) you suck
2)my son’s grounded
Comment by Rideforlife | 07.28.2010 | 8:44 pm
I let my dad (50) watch your youtube videos where you got to meet team radioshack and johan and get the bike and….you’re a lucky guy! Anyways, my dad’s guess was 43, and he was very pleased to find out that he had more hair than someone 6 years younger than him…..Sorry!
P.S. The amount of money that you raised for Livestrong and Worldbyciclerelief put you way up on my list of lifetime heroes (next to Lance!)
Comment by Joe | 07.28.2010 | 9:13 pm
My daughter (9) thought you were in your 30’s. My wife (53) thought you were early 40’s. I would have guessed 40. My daughter says 44 isn’t old anyway, and my wife says, “hasn’t this guy got a life, that he cares so much how old people think he is?” and I reply “Of course he has a life: he has a successful blog, so he has more of a life than we do, who don’t even have blogs, let alone successful blogs!”
Comment by Michael | 07.29.2010 | 9:55 am
I couldn’t take the unscientific nature of the responses, so I set up a Mechanical Turk question that showed the two photos and simply asked the question of how old is the person in the picture. Each random person that did it was paid 5¢. Overnight I got 90 responses.
The raw data is here: http://www.cruftbox.com/cruft/images/fatty-age-rawdata.xls
The average age of Fatty according to the interwebs is 38.4
The youngest response was 25 and the oldest was 55.
Here is a histogram of the distribution of responses:
Fatty looks 38 1/2 to the world. – Case Closed.
Comment by Anonymous | 07.29.2010 | 3:48 pm
According to your IMBD bio you will be 50 this year! Congratulations!
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001804/
Comment by JB | 07.29.2010 | 6:42 pm
My husband (age 33) guessed 37. And, surprisingly, did not mention Stanley Tucci even though he usually is the first person to call it when someone looks or sounds just like someone else.
Comment by Craig | 07.29.2010 | 10:53 pm
I said to my wife:
“This guy looks like a bloke that was born on your birthday, how old do you think he looks?”
“My God, Look at the size of his skull! Here’s a man with a brain clearly the size of a planet and he’s worried about how old he looks? What does that say about the human race?”
sigh
It happens a lot at my place.
Comment by Dan O | 07.30.2010 | 12:07 am
My 11 year old son said you looked 30 years old. First he said 60 as a joke, then 30 – so hey, not too bad.
I just turned 49, hard to believe 50 is around the corner. Crazy.
In any case, all cyclists are “younger” – even if they don’t look it. We’re all overgrown kids at heart.
Comment by Lindsay | 07.30.2010 | 1:29 am
Okay! Loved this, haha the comments topped it off! I know the exact game your talking about and they guessed mine right too! They must pay those teenagers really well to make us question our aging!
Comment by mike | 07.30.2010 | 2:54 pm
You know, you and I actually look similar. Well, particularly the hair part. I’m sorry to say that people usually think I’m a few years older than I am–which is, ironically, 44.
Comment by Becky | 07.30.2010 | 5:15 pm
My 21 year old daughter says late 30’s early 40’s
Comment by d | 07.30.2010 | 6:29 pm
You should see a chiropractor. Your cervical spine is crazy looking.
Comment by Chip | 07.30.2010 | 7:31 pm
My wife guessed 45. Sorry…..
Comment by Janie_k | 07.31.2010 | 2:11 am
Clearly this is an experiment in how well people can guess ages rather than how old you appear. If you consider it this was then you can happily disregard those that are grossly inaccurate/not to your taste as being rubbish at this particular accuracy task. :-)
Comment by kate C; | 07.31.2010 | 4:21 pm
My mom is around 60 and she thought you looked 40.
Comment by Jenn | 08.1.2010 | 10:14 am
Mom & Dad are in their mid and late 60s. Dad said 23 (woo hoo!). Mom said 43, which is all fine and accurate and boring, except that she said she “studied” the photo for a long time and finally narrowed it down to…wait for it…your eyebrows. You have the eyebrows of a 43 year old, but other than that look much longer. Can’t make that stuff up, Fatty.
Comment by kentucky joe | 08.1.2010 | 8:53 pm
My dog says you look 7 1/2….
Comment by Doug | 08.3.2010 | 8:34 am
The girl that guessed your age very likely based it on some other things, like your family. Looking at your kids and guessing their ages she then exprapolated your age from that. It probably had very little to do with how you look.
Having said that, my Dad has a friend that is a dermatologist. He said he could guess anyone’s age to within a year. They doubted him, but stopped after he was never wrong. He looks asubtle things including elbows (elbows?) Apparently skina accumulates on the elbow as you age and no one gets elbow-lifts (thank god!)
Comment by Uncle Hannah | 08.8.2010 | 11:59 pm
Don’t feel badly about the age guessing thing. That’s been happening to me all my life, and I’m only 31. When I was 17 and transferring to a new high school, they thought I was the substitute teacher. When I was 19 and in art school a group of women in their 40’s and 50’s said they assumed I was ‘their age.’ Then when I was about 20/21, I went to Elitch’s in Denver and they guessed I was in my late 30’s. I don’t even want to know how old they think I am now. Especially after the stressful past year has left me fatter and with giant rings under my eyes and new gray hairs.
Personally…in short…I think you look great. If I were a guy and I was your age, I’d be very proud of how I looked, and also of the kind of person I was. And for the record my thought was late 30’s…maybe my husband’s age (37/38.)
Sincerely,
Your Uncle Hannah
Comment by honoluludon | 08.13.2010 | 11:21 am
everyone thinks they look 10 years younger than they are. liked the wicked witch in Snow White, when we look in the mirror we see what we want to see.
at 64, the sight’s gettin’ grimmer!
Comment by Jon | 08.15.2010 | 12:13 am
The wife guessed 39. That’s good