March 6, 2012
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I've been feeling my age a bit lately. Some persistent lower back pain took the spring out of my step and a couple of stoopid crashes had me reevaluating my immortality.
Since my favorite trail, Yikes!, has been closed, Sally and I have been riding some less technical trails, like the Motorcycle Trails. While they offer the occasional lock-em-up-slider descents, they generally don't require much skill. Anyone with an over abundance of confidence can get down them without much danger. Occasionally, we have ridden Rollercoaster, which is pretty much the ultimate thrill for both its technical aspects and pitch, but each time it seems less thrilling and yet more risky.
So last Sunday, we sat on our bikes looking up at the trail, debating whether to ride it today or not. We had agreed last week, that if it rained (and it did), we would ride it this week. I've always been ambivalent about riding this monster, and it usually takes some coaxing to persuade me. I had to admit to Sally that I was wondering if I was getting beyond the age where it was wise for me to take such risks.
When faced with the fact that if I didn't ride it today, I probably would never ride it again, I decided that I had to do it, if only to keep the option open in the future.
We thought we would first climb to the top of Yikes! and ride down it to see if it had been reopened by scofflaws, like ourselves. Then, if riding Yikes! was a confidence builder, we would climb back to top and descend Rollercoaster. To our delight, we found that Yikes! is again totally rideable and the traction was not bad.
My legs complained bitterly on the second ascent; and when we started down Rollercoaster, one of the inner thigh muscles, that had been overused riding Gemela yesterday, tried to knot into a cramp every time I stopped pedaling.
Sally has been my protege for a number of years, and has followed me down many a trail that has tested her courage and skill. But now, the student has surpassed the master. She led me down the hill with perfect grace and confidence. Following her line, I felt the rhythm return.
The last section of terrifyingly steep, loose, bumpy, ride-or-die, trail was over before we even had time to consider the potential for disaster. And once again, I was ten years old instead of pushing sixty.
Comments (25)
don't you just hate that when you start to feel your age? Every morning I feel it more and more
OMG, a mountain biker? That is seriously hard core. Looks like you are in CO, are you around Boulder? There are some awesome trails here. I keep my feet on the ground because I have no skill.
@godfatherofgreenbay - I keep telling you, ride a bike! The high lasts for days.
@BoulderChristina - I'm in Southern CA but I would love to ride Boulder... Perhaps not this time of year but when it's 110 in the shade here, Boulder would look mighty good.
Must have been perfect riding weather -- sunny and warm following a cold, wet week! How nice that Yikes! is open again -- glad you made it down the hills for one more good ride to preserve your willingness to do it again!
@judyrutrider - You have no idea how impressed I am. I combed through your profile and you are a pretty cool chic, Let me know when you want to come, I will buy you a smoothie or a beer, your choice!
@slmret - It was spectacular this weekend. How was it at the beach?
Yes, we must continue to do what we can because I believe the old adage, "Use it or lose it".
@BoulderChristina - I couldn't peruse your site because you have friends lock on.
A tequila shooter with a beer chaser sounds great after a good ride. Next time in Denver, visiting my niece, I'll have to check out Boulder.
@judyrutrider - I do? That wasn't intentional, I will take it off.
@BoulderChristina - Thats the foorprints thing. Let me add you
@judyrutrider - I didn't get down to the beach over the weekend, but it was beautiful weather where I am. Too much going on, though, with the kitchen and getting over this wretched cold I've had.
Don' t be sad ,Judy . It is simple wisdom to adjust the efforts to the possible. I understand what you feel
The pain in your lower back is due to the arthrose caused by your crashes in the mountains . I fell from a ladder in picking cherries in June 2011 and now i always have a sore on my left knee and on a finger of my left hand. This is sometimes painful and always bothering . The doctor says ; " Arthrosis, Mr Fausuet! Nothing to do "
Take care .
"The one who wants to travel long , take care of his horse " !!
Please adjust.
Love
Michel
never ever never grow up!
I feel your pain however; our maximum kayak run gets shorter every year in deference to our lower backs
@ElevenStones - I like your response better than Michel's. I'm willing to do shorter rides but I hate to give up on the trails that test my skill.
Ohmigosh, Judy, not you too! But nothing beats the wind in your face when you are steaming down a long hill, yes? Physical therapy has worked really well on my shoulder and I have had no problems with it lately. My mid-back got a bit "loosened up" during the same accident and it doesn't bother me too much but I need to build some muscle there - maybe trying pilates. But sixty is nothing - I'm almost six years past that and still basically crazy. My wife Joanie turns sixty in May and it can be a time to contemplate one's mortality. At least for a few days anyway. I hate to say it but sixty-five is worse - especially when you can't afford to retire yet, ha-ha!
You're my hero!
@babs430 - Yeah, and MY will is up to date
@RakkaRay - I don't know about "steaming" down a hill; we're usually hanging on for dear life and yet not going fast enough to notice wind in our face.
I'm totally on board with the physical therapy thing. I resumed my exercises for my lower back and the pain miraculously went away within days. It makes me feel stupid for letting it get to that point before I exerted the discipline to do the exercises. I shed ten years in ten days.
@judyrutrider - 10 years in 10 days is terrific! But I know what you mean - when you get out of the habit of doing certain exercises it typically takes a crisis to get back into them. Our house is well equipped exercise-wise and Joanie has even set up a spare bedroom as the "yoga room" with TV, DVD player, and about 10 different yoga and pilates videos. But am I using any of this stuff? Also I'm a member of the gym at work so that I can shower after biking in and there is a whole world of machines there pluses all sorts of classes. But am I doing any of it? Hmm, if I keep going here maybe I can talk myself into it! Glad to hear that you are doing so much better.
I pushed sixty last year. It pushed back but my persistence prevailed and now, I am fairly certain that I am going to live forever.
@Slag_Runner - True dat! I can't actually visualize my own demise either. Although, I must admit, before I plunge over the lip of a particularly steep descent (on my mountain bike) I can imagine the life of a paraplegic. I usually assuage the fear with the idea that it would afford me unlimited time to read.
@RakkaRay - What a bonus to have a shower at work! I just have to hope my coworkers don't get too close on the days I ride to work.
Pushing 60 and still pushing gears! I hope it's worth the thrill of the descent for all the hard work going UP hill! Good to see you still enjoying "the slopes".
@StephanieWall - Yes, and I enjoyed your post about the slopes too. I can't say that I really miss skiing but I do have many great memories. You must be in pretty good shape to be able to ski safely. Be careful with your knees!
You know its not just the years its the mileage
didn't get to spend much time in the room, usualy was on the job site twice a day for 5-6 hours at a time.
@ElevenStones - Miles on the bike or in the kayak seem to turn back the odometer, doncha think? It's probably just a state of mind but I like to think you're only as young or old as you feel. Looks be damned.
Thank you Judy for your kind birthday greetings.
I have just read your reply to ElevenStone and I am really sorry to have written my comment above not encouraging at all , for the least . . I am glad to learn your pain at your lower back has disappeared . I like also your sister's comment.. This last is positive . I want to be it also.
Love
Michel
@fauquet - No apology necessary. You were simply stating the truth. We have to make adjustments as the body shows signs of wear and tear.
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