Filling a Void
A little piece I wrote on my birthday a few weeks ago... Just thought I'd post it here for anyone who's interested.
Before I start, I just want to say right up front that this is written by a bloke, about blokes. There are many women out there who are way better mountain bikers than I'll ever be, and no doubt have great stories to tell. But this is about blokes.
I turned 46 today. As I sit here, the day having passed with very little fanfare, I find myself reflecting on my life so far and thinking about what's next. I have a wonderful wife, two beautiful boys, a house in a nice leafy suburb of Sydney and I own a small business. And I am totally obsessed with mountain biking. But before I get into mountain biking, let's go back ten years to how it all started for me.
At age 36 I can honestly say my fitness was at an all-time low. With two very young children, a mortgage and a start-up business, exercise simply didn't fit in to the schedule. I think a lot of men at that stage of life find themselves searching for an outlet. Something that is just their thing, that doesn't involve the rest of the family. And whether they realise it or not, I think that all blokes crave some sort of physical challenge in their lives. It's in our blood - we need to prove ourselves. Most will never fulfil that need because, like me, they have allowed themselves to become so unfit that getting in shape just seems like an insurmountable task. Next time you're out shopping, have a look at what has become the average body shape for a 35 to 45-year-old male. The vast majority have given up on being the strong, healthy man that they are fully capable of being.
In my case I went out and bought a mountain bike. It was a complete impulse driven unresearched purchase, but there I found myself with a shiny new $500 bike and a $40 helmet. As soon as I got home from the shop I waved goodbye to my wife and children and took off down the street like a 12-year-old on Christmas Day. Within minutes of our house I was onto a bush track, grinning from ear to ear and peddling like a sprinter going for his first Tour stage win. After about 10 minutes of this adrenaline-fuelled frenzy, I headed home. Now my house is at the top of a very steep hill and it soon became apparent that I couldn't ride up the hill, so I got off and pushed my bike the last 200 metres to my house. My wife and children greeted me at the front door, keen to know if I enjoyed my 20-minute ride, but I went straight past them like a post apocalyptic zombie and crashed face first on the sofa. I remained there for a full 30 minutes, my heart pounding, gasping for oxygen.
That was the day that changed my life. It scared the hell out of me that something I did with ease as a teenager had almost killed me. And I wasn't even 40. My head was buzzing with the implications - was I destined to be that tired old dad sitting in the lounge chair instead of playing with his kids? Surely not me? So I set about going for regular rides. At first just 1 or 2 km, but slowly building in distance over time.
Back to my 46th birthday self reflection. These days I train four or five times a week, compete regularly in MTB marathons, and have become a STRAVA junkie. One of the highlights of my week is sitting down with a cup of coffee after smashing myself for three hours on a Saturday morning training ride. You know that buzz you get from a really solid ride, that stays with you for the rest of the day? No matter what else happens that day you've got that ride. Like money in the bank. Now I'm not exactly breaking any records out there in the races, but I have managed a couple of top 5% finishes. I would say I'm semi serious about training- always looking to improve on my times, but not exactly a podium contender.
Of course I'm anything but alone. In my last MTB marathon, 1 in 3 riders were men over 40. All their stories will be very different- some will have enjoyed a lifetime of fitness, competing in many different sports, and some will have failed to finish the race through lack of fitness. But I'm sure there are many who, like me, discovered mountain biking late in life, and have found it to be a life-changing experience. Through mountain biking we make new friends, visit new places, develop a love for the outdoors, and physically push ourselves to the limit. I think we set a pretty good example for our children too.
For me personally, I feel like a void has been filled in my life. A void that I didn't even know existed until I discovered mountain biking. It's not just about feeling fit and strong, it's about having that outlet that I believe is essential for all men. A physical outlet where we can challenge ourselves, and importantly just have a great time competing with other blokes.
So as I sit here on my 46th birthday pondering what's next, I think about my family, friends and travel plans. And I think about an article I just read on multi-day stage races in Canada, Switzerland, Africa, Mongolia… and I wonder if I have what it takes?
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.. and a nice story, JP.
I used to play basketball and do a bit of running to keep fit for basketball until my knees started to complain too much about the running. Then I tore my ACL at age 49 while still (perhaps foolishly) playing basketball and needed a knee reconstruction and then something else to fill the void for exercise and fitness.
I'd dabbled a bit with mtb riding, having bought an early model mtb when living in Canberra in the 80's (before single track). Didn't ride it much in Sydney, but had organised teams of mates and family for a few of the old 12 hr races at Yellowmundie before the knee went kaput, but used the fact that I needed to get fit again and lose weight after the op and 12 weeks on crutches to justify a new bike and more riding, then started doing more racing once I hit 50 and the lower end of an age category.
The focus on races gives me more incentive to keep getting out there and training (though not really in a systematic way). Haven't looked back since and now get twitchy if I don't get out for a ride at least a few times a week.
It's a bit more expensive than basketball, but it's a lot easier on the knees! I can't compete at the same level as I was able to do at basketball when I was younger (the two sports reward different body types), but I can see myself doing it for quite a few years yet, perhaps with a break to get my still dodgy knee joint replaced.
I now look at holiday venues with an eye to the mtb possibilities (and how to negotiate them with my non-riding wife), though after a great road trip to Alice Springs for the Red Centre Enduro this year, I'm not too sure I've got too many more week-long multi-stage events......
your story seems all to familiar,I reckon it fits a fair few profiles on this site.
Mine was motorcycle racing which I did constantly from age 17,and when it was over I felt lost, MTB filed the void indeed!
I had herniated disc and back op when I was 30. Got married, had easy life, put on around 20kg's. I couldnt exercise because of the back, except walk. Then one day someone drove past and called out "hey fatso" or something like that. I was around 95kg at 35 years old.
Later, I was walking the dog and met a guy from South Africa who used to ride MTB competitively. He convinced me to buy a MTB and explore the local fire trails at Cascades. I got a $500 Apollo 80mm Hardtail from Belrose Bikes. I have never looked back from that point.
I am now 45, lost the weight, usually ride around 50km a week. I am looking at getting my 5th bike and just couldnt imagine not getting out to Cascades, Terry Hills, Manly Dam, Ourimbah, Oaks, OMV etc at least 1-2 times per week.
Having two small boys and a non MTB wife is making it hard to get out, so now I am doing more night rides at 9pm, 3am. Non MTB people think I am nuts. I can only stay on the bike for 2-3 hours as the back is still no good, but bike riding has been the best for me to get out and about to get exercise.
It has been interesting to watch MTB explode in numbers in the last 8 years. Some of the local trails are now like freeways. Full of 35-55+ year olds. I have so many good memories and MTB has been so positive for me. This website has been exceptional for information and meeting people.
Exactly! Its an affliction.
A lot of members here have similar stories.. and they just keep getting fitter and faster.. wearing lycra? who would of thunk it??
Thanks for the positive comments, and great to hear others' stories too.
Wow, could have been me word for word, except the competition stuff. I just cruise the mountains 2-3 times a week. I started a bit later, but was hooked. Turned 50, 2 years ago, and dragged a bunch of guys from Thredbo to Tathra (Bega). A great sport and a great story.
Cheers