What variables push you to "ride around."

Posted by: JBV

an aside....

i read an article a couple years ago about Coloradans. something along the lines of how many are not even 60 and having knee and hip replacements because it has a massive high competition culture of racers in endurance sports. 

my wife and i sometimes talk about the friends and people we know here in coastal BC and how different they are from where we originated. she laments that she doesn't know any ladies who want to get together for coffee or tea to socialize. everyone is 'training' or getting in a work out. if going for a run or a ride isn't involved, the gals simply don't have time to get together which is very different from the culture she came from 'back east. 

at least half the people i know are hyper competitive and into racing of some sort. not that this is unique to BC but it's next level here for sure. results in a lot of pushing limits.

Martial sports come to mind, I know quite a few people who are really banged up from years or decades of TKD or Karate or MMA. Takes a serious toll on the body. Guess going big on a bike falls into that category as well.

The movie The King on Netflix about Ronnie Coleman, bodybuilding legend. He's so messed up from going so hard for so long. Clearly this is a very extreme example but a good reminder of the end game of not chilling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqV1nhrtEOw

The copious levels of vitamins S and GH probably helped things along a little bit too.

Some of the regimes of body builders are insane. Breast cancer drugs to prevent estrogen side effects. Parkinsons drugs to prevent low mood. Their cholesterol levels are several times worse than the sickest cardiac patient. They are the least healthy fitness models on earth!

Being a total obsessive can turn something healthy and beneficial into something that just wrecks you. Recognize if you're starting down that path and check yourself; take a couple of rest days or something.

Posted by: craw

Being a total obsessive can turn something healthy and beneficial into something that just wrecks you. Recognize if you're starting down that path and check yourself; take a couple of rest days or something.

Jesus, tell me about it.  Basically the reason I stopped riding for like 3 years.

Posted by: thaaad

Posted by: craw

Being a total obsessive can turn something healthy and beneficial into something that just wrecks you. Recognize if you're starting down that path and check yourself; take a couple of rest days or something.

Jesus, tell me about it.  Basically the reason I stopped riding for like 3 years.

Or, as in my case....surgery on one of my left menisci. Not to mention my ruptured disc S5 L1. I have learned quite a bit about myself and how I see my own athletic path in the last few years.

Posted by: DanL

The horror ravine on Dale's and the one on Grannies are currently a hard pass for me as well. I'm not sure how to build that skillset to be honest....

Do it or don’t.  There is no try.