Got a call this afternoon from my riding buddy, Ken. He and I are both in our mid 50's--yes, I am now old enough that I have started lying about my kids' ages. He said that he was on his way, with another teacher from his school, to pick me up for a little ride. I headed out, pretty 75 degree day with light north wind, and we headed up the west side of the valley. The other guy is a 32 year old who looked in great shape-has been riding for several years. We chatted and rode--always seem to push a bit more riding with others (does this prove that I still produce a bit of testosterone?...)--kidding the youngster about being out with a couple of silverbacks. He commented-several times-that he hoped he would be able to "do what you guys are doing at your age". Well, about 6-7 miles into the ride, which had been all uphill and into the wind, Ken started pushing a bit, I jumped up and rode side-by-side (no wimping drafting for this old guy), and we heard some dying noises from somewhere behind us as the youngster struggled (a little) to keep up, but was dropped by the two of us "at our age". We were on the last up-hill mile and a half of our out portion, so we slowed at the top to let Junior catch us, made our turn and headed home. Now, I don't know that we are in any better shape than the youngster, but I do know we have a bit of "old-man toughness". A couple of observations:
*I have been easily dropped by a couple of 60-somethings on a tough ride.
*I know some other 30 somethings who would never let this happen to them--think I am related to at least one of them--maybe they are "old-tough" before their time. Naw--just in great shape. maybe a bit of both.
*My buddy, Ken, made a bit of a jump to try to push me. Didn't happen, won't happen as long as I can draw breath.
Well-pretty day, nice ride, good to drop a youngster on occasion. Life is good.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Awesome. Way to show the kid a thing or two about what guys "at your age" can do.
ha ha ha! hmm...reminds me of a long horrible day in Pullman.
Your poor daughter had officially bonked, but wouldn't fess up to it. You had to wait forever for her!
at what age?
I had to admit to the priests in our ward that, even though I feel like one of them, I am almost twice their age.
woohoo..new posts! Yeah well, you all seem to drop me when we ride. I have just come to accept it.
Besides you are great to draft off.
Post a Comment