June 10, 2009
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When one has been engaging in a risky sport for a long period of time, one tends to either not think about the danger at all (like when you're riding an old familiar trail) or dismiss it as acceptable risk (as when you're riding a particularly treacherous trail). Of course, you know people who have been injured and maybe even know of someone who has been killed, but secretly you believe that you are immune to serious injury because you're either more careful or more skilled than the unfortunate ones. Intellectually, you know it's not true, but it's the only way you can continue to enjoy the sport.Then suddenly, your fragile bubble of naivete is burst when news reaches you of a friend's terrible accident. You are forced to reevaluate what is an acceptable risk. How much is that thrill worth?
I didn't know him well, had only ridden with him maybe a couple of times, but he was a close friend of a long time cycling buddy of mine. Riding a familiar and easy trail, this experienced rider broke his neck and now lies in a hospital bed. Perhaps he will survive, maybe not.
It brings new meaning to my favorite saying, "What's the worst that can happen?" which is meant to imply that at worst you will get a little dirty and bruised, Dog forbid, break a bone. I never visualize living the rest of my life without the use of my limbs when I employ that phrase, just before plunging over the edge of some steep-ass descent.
When another acquaintance was killed by a mountain lion, it seemed like such an isolated, rare occurrence that I never considered that particular danger as one that warranted concern. I still feel safe enough riding alone though I try to be alert. Tales of inexperienced cyclists suffering injury and even death, don't trouble me much. But when an accomplished, sensible rider, near my own age, meets with such an unthinkable fate, it shakes my confidence.
So, the question is: Do I quit the sport that has quite literally been the greatest joy of my life? I think not. What kind of life do we have if we live it constrained by fear?
It makes sense to manage risk sensibly. I don't text message while driving because there's no payoff that is tempting enough to risk killing someone else. Similarly, I don't drink and drive because that would put other people's lives in danger. Mountain biking affords so many benefits and endangers mostly myself.
So, I make my choice with eyes wide shut. If I bite the big one, know that it was totally worth it. I hope Roland feels the same.
Comments (16)
I am sorry to hear about your friend. Here is the over 50s living their speed fix on motor bikes are the most likely to be killed on our roads
@englishjuls - I guess we need to experience the thrills to convince ourselves that we're not quite over the hill...or maybe to put us over the hill if we're unlucky.
I am so sorry about your friend .......
Danger lurks in every corner, some of which we just disregard with a quick glance. My cousin passed away last week due to a sudden heart failure. Very tragic and sudden. She was only 48. Sigh. I recently came across a quote that expresses the sentiments of ur post. Will post it later.
@leblue7 - That's my point exactly. One could give up all risky behavior and still drop dead of heart failure. Then one would have missed out on the very things that make life so precious.
How tragic for you and your family to lose your cousin in the prime of life. It's hard to be philosophical about the death of someone who hasn't even reached fifty.
@babs430 - Thanks, even though I didn't really know him, his situation certainly hits home. If I go like that, you know you're stuck with Mom
Really sorry for your riding buddy ' s friend , Judith .
All of the sports have risk and even simple gardening or trimming the trees .
What is needed is preparation and vigilance , I think .
Love
Michel
Of course, there comes a time when your desire for thrills outweighs you body-eye coordination due to the advancing of your years. Knowing when you have reached that point where you may have to consider a little easier trail as opposed to the ones you used to traverse. If you chose not to, then I would say it is more a case of brusing your ego rather than satisfying you competitive desire. It's like the days I realized that I don't hit the golfball as far as I used to and had to join my buddies who already had moved up to the intermediate tees as opposed to the back tees. Do I enjoy the game any less now? No I enjoy it just as much or more because I realize that really only a minority of people could actually play from the the back tees, the rest were just pretenders who would have enjoyed the game more from the intermediates. I have satisfied my ego by knowing that I did play from the back tees quite well but those days are gone. Although, sometimes I do play from back there because I happened to join a group of younger guys. By the end of the round, I had played better than they did even though they hit it 40 yards passed me. But it only reinforced my theory that they had no business playing from the back tees in the first place. My point is, we do begrudgingly lose some ability as we age, and must consider alternatives that still provide the competitve skill we enjoy but are not a detriment to our well being. Your were injured earlier this year and hated being laid up because you could not get out and exercise your body. Think how you would hate it if it were permanent. You are a bit older, though still sexy, so choose wisely.
@zarnicki - I just hate it when you're right!
@fauquet - You're a wise man, Michel.
Found it. Though not spot-on but not a hit and miss either.
"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live
so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which
case, you fail by default." -J.K. Rowling
I live constrained by laziness. There is nothing worse than that. Very sorry for your pal, I suspect he has no regrets. I had a severe bike accident years ago, I was life flighted out from the trail. I suffered from a severe concussion and injuries but fortunately did not break any bones. It took me forever to recover. I was back on my bike in two weeks. Slow but back and a better rider for it. Honestly. I ran into people for years after that who had to help carry me up to the helicopter from the removed trail area where I had crashed. Serious endo and thrown several feet from my bike landing on my haid. Broke my helmet into three pieces but it probably saved my life.
@leblue7 - Brilliant.
@queenie - Oh, you hit a nerve with the "lazinness". I've been looking back on my life lately, realizing how little I've accomplished. Being unemployed gives one time for all kinds of agonizing reappraisals, especially when one is contacted by old chums from high school on Facebook. They list their achievements without concern for how it makes their loser friends feel
. You know I'm kidding (sort of). I'm one of the unapologetic "funemployed".
I don't know if I would ever get back on my bike if I wrecked so seriously that I had to be medivacked out. You've got guts. Did the helicopter ride cost you a fortune?
@judyrutrider - That is another story. I think it was like six grand, I do not think I am exaggerating. (I am a Leo and prone to exaggeration, but only because I am enthusiastic, I swear, and it has been some years ago). I was a single mom (as I always have been) without insurance. I did some medi-cal paper work. I did speak to the hospital billing place, I told her that I promised to pay it myself if I could do it again, as I did not remember the original helicopter ride. We landed on the roof of the hospital and everything. So James Bond, and I missed it all...She thought that was pretty funny.
@queenie - You are such a great virtual friend; you never fail to make me smile
Wow! You really live life to its fullest! Y'know, if it's your time to go, it's your time to go. It seems that you take all the precautions and are careful without being overly paranoid. I think you'll be okay. Besides, it seems that you have tons of experience, more than younger, stronger riders, and that counts for more than youthful vigor.
I'm sorry to hear about your friends. I'm sure that they would get back on their bikes if given the chance, damn the "dangers"!!
@kenwats - It seems to be the general consensus that you only live once so you might as well enjoy the ride.
How's the florist shop job going?
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