I Used To Climb Rocks......


Now only roads/dirt on a bicycle. It's been quite a few years since these hands/arms and legs have sprawled and embraced the granite, limestone and occasional sandstone. It's a wonderfully ecclectic tactile sport filled with many characters (not to different from bike racers) all who share the passion for seeing, plotting and summiting mother nature's sculptures. Half the battle is the plan: what route(s), how much gear do we need, who will lead/follow, is there a bail out plan? etc. etc....The ultimate in TEAM WORK and TRUST.
Finding the right climbing partner(s) is like finding the right mate. You got to be on the same page with philosophy, smarts, physical and mental capabilities and most of all dedication to look after one another...Cause you NEVER know what can occur. I was taught by some "old schoolers" who imbedded the word REDUNDANCY in my climbing brain. Double/Triple maybe Quadruple check your ropes, knots etc......It didn't take more than one fall to see the importance of that word....Whew...thank your belayer for not snoozing...

Well this past Saturday I got my a** spanked cycling the Grizzley Century in Northfork, Ca- 100 miles and 10,000 ft of climbing which was the toughest ride I've done post surgery. It's amazing how the fitness changes. I'll get it back, but in the meantime, I got punished. However the area is beautiful and the Granite a plenty. It brought on this reminiscence of my climbing days.

The folowing day My friend Janet and I drove back via Yosemite and did a recovery ride up to Glacier Point. A moderate 30 miler which seemed so easy compared to the previous day's quadfest. At the top, the view of the valley is breathtaking. As we sat at the overlook munching on a snack, quite a few tourists remarked on our bikes and abilities to climb up there. Kind of put in in perspective. After all, I'd been mentally beating myself up the day before with my sub par performance at the 100 miler and these folks were commending us on this fairly easy climb up to Glacier Point....Put it all in perspective, and for those of us who always try to be better, stronger and smarter, I suppose there is is much to learn by embracing the journey, rolling with the ups and downs as eventually it will be all gone....

So I'm thankful for what I've got and will continue to do what I can and in the meantime, put in all in perspective :)