Navigating the murky waters of change has never been my forte, especially when it involves saying a reluctant goodbye to the thrilling world of mountain biking (MTB) racing. The recent shutdown of GCN+ felt like the universe itself was conspiring to keep me from my passion. Coupled with the high barriers to access UCI World Cup MTB events—turns out, I didn’t accidentally leave a fortune in my other pants—the journey’s taken a rather gloomy turn.
Mountain biking wasn’t just a hobby for me; it was my escape, my slice of freedom. So, you can imagine the cloud of gloom that settled over me, thick and oppressive, as if saying, “Hey, maybe it’s time to stop watching biking hero’s like Nino Shurter.” It’s a bit melodramatic, I know, but we’re all the heroes in our own stories, right?
Facing this conundrum, I find myself at a crossroads, looking for signposts that point to “What next?” With outdoor sports feeling like a distant dream, I’m turning my gaze elsewhere, indoors. F1 racing, which is still within the reach of my decidedly non-millionaire budget via the F1 app, and the virtual worlds of video games have become my new contenders for attention. Sure, it’s not the same as watching Rob Warner shout “LOOK AT THE TIME”, but there’s a certain charm in them that I’m starting to appreciate.
At 58, I’m learning that life is all about transitions. The interests that once defined us can evolve, leading us down paths we never expected to tread. I should open the door to different hobbies that might just fill the void left behind. Whether it’s the thrill of an F1 race or the immersive worlds of video games, I’m ready to embrace this new “stuff”.
Stepping into these unknown lands, I can’t help but think that, sure, change is scary, but isn’t it also the door to opportunities we never saw coming? Maybe this is the adventure I’ve been unknowingly craving. And, who knows, in this story of shifting sands, maybe there’s a sliver of hope—a little nudge reminding us that sometimes, waving goodbye to one dream might just be the ticket to finding another, equally heartwarming. Plus, as a quirky perk, being a couch potato might just cut down on my lifespan, effectively trimming down the years of drama. Talk about a win-win situation! Oh, LOOK AT THE TIME!
On This Day In History
2004: Comanche For Hire – Ah, the Sikorsky Comanche, envisioned as the James Bond of helicopters, decked out in stealth technology and promising a new era in aerial missions. Yet, like a Bond movie taking an unexpected turn, its fate hangs in the balance.
2006: lodge rEBUILD – Attention, Web Lodge dwellers! Gather around the virtual campfire, for news abounds! As you know, our beloved chat haven took a tumble recently, leaving us lost in the wilderness of silence.
2007: 1st Place Expert Overall – Hello everyone from sunny and warm Missoula Montana. Last weekend I traveled to Lewiston Idaho and competed in the Devils Slide Mountain Bike Race. Here is my story.
2008: Difference a day makes – Just two days ago, I was battling hypothermia in a snowstorm. Contrastingly, last night’s ride was in sunny, warm weather, albeit brief.
2010: Thrust – This is part 12 in a series of blog posts that I am dedication to my favorite photos of 2009. Today’s inductee and now a resident in my “Mountains” photo album is “Thrust”.
2011: Devils Slide weekend – Ross and I just stood there dumbfounded at our surroundings. The sun hit our faces and we squinted to look around at all the things we once knew but have somehow forgotten.
2012: Path narrows – Ah, the morning ritual, my friends! You know, the one where you’re not waiting for that pesky alarm clock but rather the sweet beep of your trusty heart rate monitor.
2014: JayP Backyard Fat Pursuit Part 2 – [Part 1] To West Yellowstone Between the adrenalin from the send-off at the first checkpoint and riding pretty hard the warmth was finally coming back to my body.
2023: Pedaling my Farenheight – Pedaling my FarenheightOn the damp and cold shoreDark clouds gather in the skyAs I ride on more … and …. more.
Boneshakerbike 
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