Friend Steve from Bellevue, ID is here visiting, arrived Thurs. I visit him up in the Wood River valley where he is my guide on his home trails. Here, he is a visitor and I am his guide. I get to give back. He is a few years younger than me, neither of us are spring chickens but we are still on the same side of the road. He travels in his van along with a Revel and an Evil bikes. No kitchen however. We have known each other for many years, me visiting him and him finding me somewhere in NW. Over the years one of us adds something to our bike and the other maybe updates, he has electronic shifting on one of his bikes but that is one upgrade too far for me. He earned credit for me riding a Revel and I modeled Catalyst pedals, RUNT, and I9 wheels. He left snowy and cold home for warmth and red dirt for a week. He has to go back and I get to stay in hog heaven conditions. So I have been paling around and not making time to share. Catching up and capturing life.
Steve has ridden here over the years even before I rolled into the creek. He has ridden many of the trails here. We are scheduling his time to ride what we agree on. He likes riding Scorpion over basalt babyheads that doesn’t put a smile on my face as big as his. I have learned a few tricks here that I share with him both on trails and how to connect them. He is a little slower than me which slows me down to keep him caught up. Yesterday we rode Llama trail connected to others. On Llama there are several armored climbs that we we sometimes make, we sessioned them with various success. We gained accomplishment but perhaps more enjoyable was the amount of time we spent outside while not having to hump ourselves.
I read about owners of ebikes celebrating they can ride as far and or as fast as they used to pedal. None of them have mentioned how long they stay outside riding. To me being outside and riding what my 72 year old body will give me counts. I measure my satisfaction in time not distance or speed. I savor my food, not bolting it down. I pedal the same way.
I lead him on social trails that he had never ridden. We poked around searching for the faint tread. Slow speed and short distance but lots of minutes outside.
The number of us older riders is shrinking as increasing numbers of younger riders dilutes our formerly larger numbers. Bikes and components have improved making bike handling ever easier and more expensive. If you can pay the entry fee you are a more proficient rider right out of the bike shipping box. My first bike I bought back in 1985 has long since been recycled. Us older long time riders reminisce about how we used to ride on bikes back in the day, whatever equipment was current at that time. Full suspension with modern geometry, disc brakes, and dropper posts. Good gosh how much easier it has become. Perhaps these improvements have allowed more difficult feats such as bike parks.
I recently read an article about happiness, its premise was find satisfaction in what you already have. My lifestyle currently is about what I have because of my income and small space. Of course I do buy replacement things, acquisition yes but no net gain. My bought stuff lasts a long time that is replaced but same long wearing items. OK, I wear out bike parts. I have what I need, little of what I want. Happiness comes from $ in the bank and owning all of my time. My van is 15 years old, it’s what I need.
January month health expenses lessened that $ in the bank but not my freedom which was prolly increased as I have new stronger glasses, cared for teeth, and alternative health care. Feb started with a van repair.
I watch televised Zags games at PJs. Stunning to watch how good they are and improvement. I fix my focus on the screen playing their game and ignore other people.
Making today a rest day after riding 4 days straight with Steve. My right knee has been protesting and wanting PT to figure out how I should be treating it. Long lead time for treatment. I’m holed up at the outlet mall parking lot consuming time while resting. Learning how to more comfortably settle.