No one likes to dwell on it, but we all know that somewhere out there in the future is our last ride.
I’ve thought a lot about how it will happen for me. I’m guessing I will either experience a severe injury that I can’t come back from; I’ll decide that riding hurts too much; or the frustration of not being able to do what I could once do will make me say Enough.
You may have heard that Steve Luther broke several ribs in a wreck on Deja Vu at the Enchilada. I got word from him that he has decided to give up mountain biking. He’s backed off that to some degree, but there’s no way to be sure if he will ever come all the back and that alone is reason enough to be saddened.
I’ve wrecked dozens of times, but I’ve been in two bad ones that resulted in stays in the Critical Care Unit. It’s easy to be flippant about it. But when you’re on the table in the ER, you hear them call a code on you, and you see the chaplain talking with your family members, it can be hard to get it out of your head when you’re lining up for a big descent on Re-Entry, A-Bomb, or Elmer Fudd.
I’ll keep going as long as I can because I can’t imagine doing anything else. Sher is already worried about what’s going to happen when that last ride comes. In a few short weeks, I’ll look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. and I’ll be even bitchier than usual. But, even worse, I will lose both a link to people I care about and to a huge part of what defines me. It’s going to take anti-depressants or serious drinking to get me past it.
If you’re in your 20s or 30s, the Great Equalizer probably doesn’t even know your name yet. If you’re in your 40s, it’s possible he may have heard about you but hasn’t paid much attention. When you get to be my age, he not only knows your name but also your address, cell number, and everything else about you. That way, you will be easy to locate when the time comes.
I’m down about Steve’s decision because it’s one more friend - and there have been many - I won’t be riding, building, laughing, or partying with any more. But I understand it.
From Al Cabrera: “So sorry to hear about Steve. I hung out with him in your driveway after the ride and he seemed fine. Definitely didn’t look like a man who just broke several ribs. I hope he heals quickly and changes his mind about hanging it up. He is an inspiration to us all.”
From Bob Keeney: “I was in that place before I got the new bike. I was down to suffering through 5 to 6 mile rides with every ride close to being the last. Ready to stop due to combined back and shoulder pain. The assist from the new bike has removed the back pain from the equation. Since 02-28 I have put in 150 miles riding and exploring.”
From Andy Crump: “This really saddens me about Steve and I wish him well. I really admire all you “old guys” and how fit you are. As I get older, this idea of a last ride scares the shit out of me, but I need to stay active so my last ride is to my funeral. Fortunately, I have some decent genes on my side as my father is 88 and still rides 40-50 miles every week - although he rides an electric assist bike, but for Christs sake he’s 88!”