It’s no century – but for me, it’s a big deal.

I hadn’t paid much attention to the relatively common practice of riding one’s birthday. For whatever reason, it never appealed to me. I was always in the camp of doing whatever distance felt right on any given birthday.

Plus, since mine lands in late October, the weather is not always cooperative.

But then a couple of things happened. In 2019 I spent most of the year struggling with side effects from drugs to treat sarcoidosis. As I wrote a year ago — it was a huge accomplishment when I completed the shortest option in the Blue Ridge Gran Fondo.

Thankfully, in the year or so since then, my fitness has improved significantly.

The other thing is that I turned 60.

That’s right 60.

That’s old.

There is nothing like wanting to prove you are not actually old and no better way to do it than with feats of physical acumen.

While I have run marathons and completed 100-mile bike rides when I was NOT old, 60 miles seemed as if it qualified as a feat.

So I set out to show the world that I was younger than my birth certificate indicated.

Riding my birthday

My wife, Mary sent a text to our riding friends and invited them to join us in the attempt. Though there was initial interest from the group, one came down with COVID, another was suffering from other health issues, two more had plans for camping, and a few said they weren’t up for that distance.

But on October 31st Mary and I and friends Liz and Alan started out from Parkway Brewing in Salem with plans to meet up with long-time riding friends Barbara and Gary Butcher somewhere around 45 miles, so they could lend moral support over the final push.

The first thing to be overcome was the cold.

The early-morning temperature was hovering around 40 degrees and it wasn’t expected to get above the mid-’50s all day.

So we layered up, swung our legs over the bar and pedaled off toward the mountains.

More climbing than I figured on this birthday ride.

https://www.strava.com/activities/4268236885/segments/2757702266854374160

The good news is that the last 10 miles of this ride is mostly downhill.

Translation: When you get to 50 miles, you are essentially done with your 60 mile ride.

But there’s that old adage about what what comes down must first go up. Something like that.

And up we went.

The major climb of the day is Old Catawba Road. Local riders know the climb well, as it switches back and forth for about one and a half miles and climbs just over 500 feet at about 8 percent, which isn’t awful.

Unless you’re 60.

The climb crests near the parking lot for the Appalachian Trail Access to McAfee Knob, which was already spilling over on this beautiful fall morning.

Once over the top, a fantastic downhill rewarded us as we dropped into Catawba and began riding Blacksburg Road, which may be my favorite stretch of hard top in the region.

We rode along – taking in the scenery, the farms, and the farmettes. You know those little tracts of land with a beautiful home, maybe a horse or two, and a small tractor that’s more of a toy for the lucky guy who lives there. Several times during my six decades, I thought that’s where I would land.

But on my 60th birthday, I was happy that my toy was an orange Pinarello and that I was traveling under my own power with a great group of friends.

At about 30 miles, Blacksburg Road dumped us out at a convenience store near Ironto.

It was a good spot to rest, re-load our water bottles, and re-fuel with a snack.

The second half of the birthday Ride

Under normal times we would have ridden a beautiful and mostly rolling stretch of highway back toward Ironto where we would pick up Bradshaw Road.

But this is 2020.

VDOT is replacing a bridge, and graciously offered a detour.

Over a climb that ticked up to 17 percent.

Thanks for that.

No matter. I put it in my granny gear and spun my way up the hill.

Take that, 60.

We eventually came to the west end of Bradshaw Road, and began the trek back toward the car, the brewery and a cold one.

Birthday Ride Inspiration

From this direction Bradshaw road is gradually uphill for about ten miles or so.

But the closer we got to the finish the stronger I felt. And I knew that sometime soon, we would meet Barbara and Gary, riding toward us so they could turn around and finish with the group.

And, with 15 miles to go, there they were.

Alan, Gary, and I topped off the climb together and waited a few minutes for the ladies to join us at a red mailbox which is a well-known landmark for those of us who ride in the Roanoke area.

In fact I think it deserves it’s own t-shirt.

You know, McAfee Knob, Roanoke Star, red mailbox. Very famous.

All Downhill From Here.

From the red mailbox back to Parkway brewing was about 12 miles. And it really is all downhill.

OK, some parts are flat. But there is no climbing.

We traded pulls on the descent, going fast enough that I really had to pedal to do my part. So even though it was “easy” my heart rate was still up there.

But, I knew I was going to make it.

Easily.

We exited Bradshaw, suffered the traffic on Route 311 and cruised back into the parking lot at Parkway.

Birthday Ride Satisfaction

Once in the parking lot, we loaded up the bikes and walked the path over to the brewery where Gary bought me a Raven’s Roost.

We sat around and talked about the ride. The climbs. The scenery. Who was strong (Alan). All the usual things that come after a hard effort.

It was my birthday. Just another day. Just Another ride.

But one that was very satisfying.

One quick note: I have made no secret of the fact that I suffer from a disease called sarcoidosis. In fact, I have done all I can to make people aware of the disease – here on the blog, with my podcast called the Sarc Fighter, and by volunteering for the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research. I’m pleased to say that although sarc cannot be cured, it can be controlled — sometimes. Last year was a bad one for me, with lots of medicines and a situation that was not controlled. Now in 2020, I’ve been able to return to a mostly normal routine — including bike riding. If you are reading this you may want to check out my series of blogs on Riding with Sarcoidosis.

Thanks. — jc