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Every year we get older and we don't realize it. We obviously do, but the brain doesn't tell the body. There are no warning signals saying whoooo tiger slow down.
A few years ago I was dared into one of those cycle races. The race was a good 100 km and I had no problem saying yes. I used to cycle to school every day and was super fit. The key words here are "used to" and "was" all past tense lol. I am 50 now and in my head I am young at heart but maybe the body isn't so young.
The day of the race came , by the way much too quickly for my liking. I had done absolutely no training and had worked this one out. I would be fine with the time cut off limit all I had to do was pedal for a few strokes and free wheel. I would make up time on the down hill sections with a few risks. The uphill would be a struggle and would carry the bike and jog if needed. This plan is fine if you are fit I suppose and a spring chicken. I am obviously neither, and a little oblivious to what was to come. My brain had done a number on me this time.
I was in the last section at the start to leave with a worrying site following us. There was an ambulance and a truck picking up stragglers. This was not part of the plan, I had no idea the road was opening up behind this last group. There were cars queuing on the freeway behind me adding to the pressure. The temperature was a scorching 36 degrees, and my first thought was to get to the first water point and then all would be fine.
I was on a mountain bike, an entry level at best. It had thick tires and they gripped the road a little better than I had planned. This bike managed to slow down going down hill so just coasting was out the window. This was going to take triple the effort I had planned for. I was now wishing I had my old bike I rode to school on, at least that was a racer and wasn't like this crappy thing I was on.
I hit the first hill with enthusiasm and maybe a little too much force ,as I jumped up on the pedals I stripped the gears and was literally left with the handful of high gears. It wasn't planned but I was a little disappointed but more relieved as my race was over. I was so near the first water point at 20 km and feel if I could have made that, then my chances were high of either finishing or ending up in the ambulance.
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I still don't know what the outcome would have been, but do realize now that I must listen to my body and not my brain. I am still a spring chicken at heart and I won't be as foolish next time. Next time I will have a racing bike.
Mountain bikes or hybrids are horrible for road racing. They are heavy to ride and your wrists are at a very unergonomic position.
Couldn't agree more. One has to find out the hard way.
I wrote something yesterday about how I'm getting older and i just don't realize it!!!
We don't lol.
A good piece man. We do all get older and yes we do lose some mobility, but you can keep things going with the emphasis on can keep things going, but it takes effort which takes time which as you get older and gain more responsibilities, becomes harder to fit into the day.
Good on you for trying at least and had the gears not gone I think you may have been okay.
Next time LMAO........ a gentle reminder from above and I quote " I must listen to my body and not my brain"
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