I guess we’re going to find out.
About this time next year, Bob Horness and I will celebrate our 70th birthdays by attempting to ride 70+ miles of epic single-track in a single day.
When I did my 60th birthday ride in 2010, I discovered that it was virtually impossible to explain the difficulty level to people who are non-mountain bikers. Many of them thought I would be riding on gravel road or paved trail. Others wondered why I just didn’t do a century road ride as the equivalent. When they saw the video, they were blown away. You guys understand.
As I’ve told Bob, unless it’s hard enough to mean there’s a significant chance of failure, I’m not interested. I am in the process of determining the route and assembling the ride team. Right now, I am leaning toward riding from Marble to Ape Canyon on the new line; hitting Ape as an out-and-back to the lunch log; returning from Ape to Marble; doing an out-and-back to the Lower Falls at Lewis River (this is the deal-breaker); and finishing with Falls Creek. I expect it to be an all-day endeavor, totaling about 72 miles and 8,000 feet of vertical.
I stopped reading articles about what happens to the human body between age 60 and age 70 because they were too discouraging. Instead, I am pretending that I am still 50 and thinking this might actually be possible.
Last time, we raised more than $11,000 for a variety of charitable organizations. I hope to equal or surpass that in 2020 and will keep you in the loop as we get closer. For now, I need to focus on training.
How hard could it be?
Here’s the story I wrote about my 60th birthday ride. It includes all the details about leg times, etc. View at http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/5285/elderly-man-nails-60-sixty
The video from that ride is the best I’ve ever put together. You will especially love the stuff from the north and east sides of the mountain that I shot with a chest-mounted GoPro. On top of that, the music is pretty damn good, too. More than 60 photos and about 25 vid clips.
Let me know the date try to be on that ride team and would love to tag along. I will be needing a 50 mile ride for my 50th. This should be the perfect opportunity.
Let me know the date and I will try t join the support the support team.
As a 61-year-old male I admire and truly appreciate your dedication to difficult physical endeavors.
I’d be honored to be a part of your team for this 70 mile expedition. Please do let me know if I can help.
Cheers, Daveed