BikerBabe: Celebrating Three-Quarters of a Century
by Nancy King
Recently, researchers wanted to test the effects of aging. So what did they do? They put young people in body suits that restricted their eyesight, hobbled their movement, and diminished their hearing. The measurements for the suit were based on the supposed physicality of a 74 year old. When I read this I was 74 and it made me so mad I decided I would celebrate my upcoming 75th birthday in an age-affirming way.I wanted to raise my proverbial finger at the media and people who worship wrinkleless faces and taut bodies. I arranged to take a five-day bicycle tour with a friend to the Sonoma wine country in California, north of San Francisco. Since I wasn t sure I could ride 45 miles in a day, or five days in a row, we trained, riding up and down hills in Santa Fe. Every time I huffed and puffed up a hill I thought of that suit and found energy I didn t know I had. Besides, I figured if I could ride 35 miles at 7,000 in New Mexico, maybe riding at sea level would be easier.
Our first day was cold and wet. I put on my rain suit but the pants kept slipping. It is not possible to ride a bike with one s crotch hugging one s knees. I decided I would rather be wet than fight to keep my pants around my waist as I struggled to ride in traffic up a long, steep hill. I felt like the little engine in the children s story: I think I can I think I can. When I got to the top I lifted my face to the rain. It felt like a benediction. After riding 32 miles, we parked our bikes, high-fived each other, and celebrated by tasting four different wines.
Wednesday s ride was going to be the longest 45 miles. I was anxious, but every time I thought about that suit I got mad all over again. So, Tuesday night, I drowned my doubts in the marvelous Jacuzzi at The Tides Inn in Bodega Bay where The Birds was filmed.
The next morning was cool and foggy as we began our ride, a ten-mile hilly stretch along the California coast on Route 1. By this time I had figured out how best to shift uphill, allowing me to focus on stunning views of the bay and the ocean. Even the trucks that passed too close for comfort couldn t diminish my sense of well-being. When we turned off the coast road, the sun came out, and I rode on the beautiful, undulating road along the Russian River, smelling newly mown grass, delighting in the profusion of wild flowers, I started to sing. I was ecstatic. I kept thinking; life doesn t get any better than this. Feeling strong and confident, I followed my friend into the Redwoods Reserve. The morning s ride was 25 miles and I could hardly contain my joy as we ate lunch amidst towering redwoods that somehow felt like approving ancestors. When we rode out of the park and onto a busy four-lane highway with cars and trucks speeding by, looking into my mirror to see on-coming traffic made me nervous, as did shoulders on the road that disappeared or were so filled with gravel I had to lurch onto the driving lane. I was relieved when we turned off the highway onto two-lane roads, filled with wineries. Potholes, rather than traffic was my main concern. Despite the hills, by the time we rode into Healdsburg, our final destination, elation was fueling every turn of my pedals.
No one in our group boasted about mileage. No one but me, that is. When I got off my bike and learned that we had actually ridden 47 miles, I started to dance and sing. My feet barely touched the ground. Even the bystanders were laughing. Then, I said to one of the guides, You should have told me. I would have ridden three more miles to make it 50. He rolled his eyes and grinned. I felt terrific. So there, I told that damn suit. Take that!
By the end of the trip I had ridden 145 miles in five days, with increasing happiness and ease. This bike trip was the best possible 75th birthday celebration. A month later, I m still beaming.
Nancy King s most recent books are three novels: A Woman Walking, Morning Light, The Stones Speak, and a nonfiction book, Dancing With Wonder: Self-Discovery Through Stories. You can read excerpts of her books, as well as order them, on her website: www.nancykingstories.com, at local bookstores, or on Amazon. For information about her upcoming readings and workshops, please contact Nancy at nanking1224@earthlink.net.
Photography by Linda Dickson.
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Reader Comments (19)
That's fabulous! Congratulations! What a tremendous feeling it is to accomplish something we think we are incapable of.
What a great way to celebrate 3/4 of a century. You once told me, "age is just a number" and apparently it's true.
I'm celebrating turning 62 today and collecting SS and am thrilled to be doing that let alone go on a biking trip. Congradulations.
Jane
Sounds like an amazing trip Nancy, I am in awe of you! And your writing is, as always, fabulous.
You have a very readable writing style, Nancy. I very much enjoyed your bike ride vicariously. Although it isn't something I would do, I feel your joy of accomplishment in achieving a difficult goal.
Hi Nancy,
You are my hero! Truly an inspiration. I love your spirit and enthusiasm for life. I will be 74 in October and feel like I have lots of energy except when I actually get out there and attempt to hike, bike, walk, swim, et al. I can only go 10 minutes. Would you consider being my trainer????? Another outlet for your creativity and talent.
Thanks for sharing your fantastic journey! Keep going!
Love,
Barbara B,
It was, indeed, my pleasure to share this adventure with you, Nancy, and to relive it in this journal entry.
Thanks for inviting me to join you in this VERY significant celebration of "living the full life."
And, hey, what do you say, let's do it again!
As Nancy demonstrates, our later years present opportunities. We can continue to learn, and enjoy ourselves. Thanks for the ride!
Those oldies suits are for the kids. We grownups don't need them because we get constricted all on our own, or not, as Nancy continues to demonstrate.
Good on ya, kid!
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for all your comments.I want to give credit to Linda Dickson who took the photos. She is amazing, a bike buddy who leads with energy and enthusiasm. I'd take another trip with her any time.
Thank you for this energizing story, Nancy! I can feel the sweat drying on my skin and my heart gradually settling down as I savor fine wines along the Russian River. And I see your victory dance and wild grin.
In the more than 40 years that I've known Nancy, I've never seen her choose to coast downhill.
Dave Pody is right on -- this story sounds just like the Nancy King I remember. I would love to be able to do that at 75 (or even now).
Good for you, Nancy; great story. And, belated "Happy Birthday!"
Nancy,
what an inspirational story! Aspirational as well given my recent recovery from the old 'broken leg' adventure. You definitely have the right idea about how to live life according to your own standards. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!
One of my favorite Shakespeare quotes comes to mind. 'To thine own self be true, and as the night follows the day, thou canst not be false to any (wo)man.' You go grrrl!
Peace and love, Gary
I love this area and am enchanted with the way nancy king tells us her tale. thanks for the adventure. and great job. it's not an easy ride!
OMG Nancy!! I echo the others. This is incredible. I could/would not be brave enough to do it. I do other things though, with the same attempt...to smash generalizations about age. You are still my hero. Let me know when you come back to DE to visit. And, thank you for writing this. And....Happy B'day!!!
HI, Nancy --
I am totally blown away, but knowing you, why should I be surprised? Congratulations on a stunning achievement -- I only wonder how you will celebrate 100 -- and I can't wait to find out! HOORAH FOR OUR TEAM! Way to go, girl!!! And Happy Birthday, a little late -- hope to see you sometime soon -- I am sending this link to a bunch of other friends and family and I know they will fall madly in love with you -- Love, love, love -- Carol