I really like that slogan that is printed on the back of my favorite jersey.
The most important factor if you are getting along in years (65 for me ) is to be absolutely sure
that you didn't smoke when you were young. An intact cardio-vascular system is key to "smoking
roadies", dusting off teens and overtaking trash tossing red necks.
I got started seriously racing NORBA Master Class in 1988 (I was 50). I got to know some very fast
guys and girls. I noticed, over a period of 12 years that the masters that had smoked or chewed when
they were young (20's, 30's) generally quit racing by the time they were 55.
Nicotene does irrepairable damage to the capillaries and you are only as young as your capillaries.
The year (1992) that I broke my collar bone and my helmet in a race, the ER doctor that was
attending me asked me how old I was. I told him that I was 54. He got up close to my face and peered
at me and said, "You have never smoked. Not enough wrinkles". I had to run the last .5 mile (I
didn't dare ride for fear that another crash might puncture a lung) to finish 3rd.
Microtrauma to the old right "bothersome" drove me to recumbents (I still love my NORBA race bike
and it still wears the last coat of Lajitas dust on it) because of the problems associated with the
positions one must assume on the DF.
This month I get my problem fixed. Maybe Dr. Quack can shove everything up the inguinal canal
and I can get back to crashing (literally) down rocky downhills. Hmmmmm.....I
wonder........silicone implants?
Jerry (show 'em his shirt on the hills) Rhodes