I Ride My Age - Iohan Dies

 Today was a  designated long ride day. That's when I set out to do as many k's as i can reasonably comfortably do. I can estimate the distance based on recent long rides,  how I'm  feeling and the weather. Seeing as though I am always feeling great on these days and being lucky to be home before a stiff wind stirred up the afternoon,  I was aiming for 50 plus, k's.   

 Each week of the September Challenge 500k, I also do two shorter "recovery" rides.  At the start of the month  I would do  20km  something kilometres on the long rides and nearly the same on the shorter days.  But  just a couple of weeks on my distances have increased and continue to do so as my fitness skyrockets. I see posts on  social media of people boasting massive weight losses and feelings of pride,  wonderment and joy.  It'sthron by days end I'd had very sad news that this is not always true.   

The route for each day is something  I like to invent as I go.  It usually depends on  traffic, leg strength and other random notions, but mostly I just enjoy the spontaneity. Today I rode to Wallalong, Bolwarra and Pitnacree before cruising into Morpeth for a Snickers Bar and Gatorade.

 Today's mount is my Jamis Sport.  With 42mm tyres its virtually a racer compared to Cliffy the Fatbike at 4.8 inches (120mm), however its low gearing holds me back. Now that I am riding stronger,  I actually find myself in top gear for long stretches.  As I rode I mused about a larger front cog to solve the problem.  

Morpeth was the furthest extent of today's loop (due to Covid lockdowns). After my break  I headed north east in a stiffening westerly  to Hinton and then Wallalong, at around the 30k point. Here a long haul up a low hill slowed my average speed for the ride.  Having to hold the gear shifter was frustrating.  

A few rolling hills through Butterwick and Duns Creek before nearing the home stretch.  During a water stop I checked Strava, I was close to 50k but a fair bit short of 60 which is my age.  I detoured through pretty Paterson village, with its heavier vehicle traffic,  d to push the mileage up. But closer to home I needed aanother 4k so I kept going to Merchants Road (see photo), before turning back. 

Riding your age seems to be a social media challenge.  Supposed to be in miles,  but metric is good enough for me. In actual fact I felt chuffed to achieve a distance that only weeks ago I was beyond my grasp.  

In review i felt exhausted, bouts of hand numbness and my butt was singing or for a break even after some bum jiggling. Nothing a lunch break couldn't fix. 

.SAD NEWS later in the day to learn that Iohan Gueorgiev had died. I fell in love with his videos that featured long remote tours from the Arctic to Ushaia, Argentina and noticing his affinity with animals.  Itwas common for Iohan to gather the of stray dog as a companion for long periods.  The guy was epic,  passionate and inspiring,  the fact that he took his own life is puzzling and extremely sad. Bye Iohan the Dog Man.