Since this summer I have been enjoying the benefits of pipe smoking, which is that I've been able to quit cigarettes, breath better, and I've lost a whole other person in weight. I can run up stairs without being winded, I buy clothes at normal stores, and I am getting back into riding bicycles. 12 years ago, I broke my hip. So I am limited in what I can do to excessive, and bicycles is the least impact on my hip. This summer I got out and refurbished my 18 year old Specialized Hardrock Mountain Bike with an all new drivetrain and tubeless wheels. I've also bought a touring bike and several vintage bikes to refurbish.
So, yesterday, I took the Hardrock out and went looking for new trails in the hills and mountains around the farm. I came down a gravel maintenance road, caught some massive air on a rock, and landed on the downhill back tire first and skidded sideways down the hill, tearing my derailer up massively. So, I lit up a pipe and made a trail side repair to get me home in high gear, pedaling in a fixed gear all the way home.
This morning, I woke up to the feeling an elephant was setting on my chest, chest pains running all the way down my arm. I soaked in a tub of epson salt for about an hour before it occurred to me that I probably should take this seriously and go to the ER.
After an initial EKG, they ran a stress test because of my age, the doctor asked me if I had done anything strenuous. I couldn't think of anything, ha ha. And, when he told me that I had pulled muscles in my chest and arm, It dawned on me... oh, my Mountain bike.
So, I am bed ridden with steroids and a brace for my arm for at least four days. Trying to be healthy is rather dangerous business. He suggested that I might be too old to get back into mountain biking, and that I should just stick to touring on my new bike. Hmmm... I am not sure I agree. There's just something thrilling about jumps, grinds, and technical fast thinking riding that sets off my endorphins. I've never been a drinker or drug user, and I've always gotten my highs from bikes, or climbing, water skiing, or parachuting a few times. I'm not so sure, I want to hang up the fat fires just yet. I'd rather deal with sprains and breaks than give up the thrills. But, we'll see... anyways, This old man will be in bed if anyone needs me. :
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So, yesterday, I took the Hardrock out and went looking for new trails in the hills and mountains around the farm. I came down a gravel maintenance road, caught some massive air on a rock, and landed on the downhill back tire first and skidded sideways down the hill, tearing my derailer up massively. So, I lit up a pipe and made a trail side repair to get me home in high gear, pedaling in a fixed gear all the way home.
This morning, I woke up to the feeling an elephant was setting on my chest, chest pains running all the way down my arm. I soaked in a tub of epson salt for about an hour before it occurred to me that I probably should take this seriously and go to the ER.
After an initial EKG, they ran a stress test because of my age, the doctor asked me if I had done anything strenuous. I couldn't think of anything, ha ha. And, when he told me that I had pulled muscles in my chest and arm, It dawned on me... oh, my Mountain bike.
So, I am bed ridden with steroids and a brace for my arm for at least four days. Trying to be healthy is rather dangerous business. He suggested that I might be too old to get back into mountain biking, and that I should just stick to touring on my new bike. Hmmm... I am not sure I agree. There's just something thrilling about jumps, grinds, and technical fast thinking riding that sets off my endorphins. I've never been a drinker or drug user, and I've always gotten my highs from bikes, or climbing, water skiing, or parachuting a few times. I'm not so sure, I want to hang up the fat fires just yet. I'd rather deal with sprains and breaks than give up the thrills. But, we'll see... anyways, This old man will be in bed if anyone needs me. :
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