The Navigator here. Jumping in on the Stravaiging to share some thoughts.
Which started with this little story from our good friend Karen:
“So, Michael and I went to a great robot/AI demonstration. Lots of young things. All very modern. As the tour was about to start, a cute young thing directed the group to a sweeping modern staircase. She asked me if I would like to take the elevator. I chose to take it as a consideration and a courtesy instead of taking umbrage. I’m embracing my dotterage. What would you have done?”
“Good on you, Karen!” was my first reaction.
But what would I have done? Whatever it was, I’d need to have been very quick, as the DB would have immediately voiced a reflex refusal on our behalf. But somewhere along the line, sooner or later, we’re all going to have to have that conversation with ourselves.
We are no longer 30 – or even 50. Though our brains are ignoring the fact, our bodies are far more honest. They will make it perfectly clear that they aren’t so happy with epic days hard on the heels of arduous ones. They protest. And, if you don’t listen, they dig in their heels.
Our bike journey last winter was curtailed by just such an event. The body, in this case, Chris’s, dug in its heels and refused. So, we backed down, as graciously as we could, sent the bikes home, and continued on our journey using Plan B. Until the body called a halt to that, too.
Fast-forward 9 months. A previously undiagnosed heart condition, genetic in origin, is being successfully managed with clever drugs. Everything feels good, and the brain is quite ready to return to our usual cycling schedule, one that hasn’t changed much in the last 20-odd years.
However. Basic things like getting travel insurance suddenly look different. And when you have to buy said travel insurance from Saga, you’re officially old, right? But the brain is still in denial.
It’s taking considerable effort to give ourselves permission to slow down a bit. To accept daily distances of less than 80km – and in flat terrain. To have proper rest days, where we rest – and don’t go charging around places visiting things or doing chores. To enjoy not camping in winter. To use cycling as a means of transport between longer stays in interesting towns. Not to ride in the rain if we don’t have to. To hop on trains and buses from time to time – after all, that’s why we bought our cool folding bikes.
It’s taking practice to manage this new reality. Not to feel guilty about not ‘doing it right’. To embrace our ‘dotterage’., to quote Karen. To be gracious in accepting courtesies.
The conversations are ongoing, and we would love to hear your thoughts.
