Fit For the Ride.

Blog #8

Physical Fitness.
As warm weather is here and our first long ride is really close, I’m thinking about my fitness level.
I didn’t do much during the winter season other than continue at-home physical therapy for my shoulders and take a few walks. I have damage in both rotator cuffs, like most men my age, but nothing severe enough for surgery.
Physical therapy, copper compression t-shirts, and nightly stretching seem to keep my shoulders in check. But for me, maintaining a decent level of comfort during the long days on the open road requires a little more. Being well into my 60’s doesn’t make it easier.

I’m very fortunate to have worked out with a real bodybuilder, Tom Basso, for a few years, almost 20 years ago. Just tagging along with the guy helped me develop good leg strength that still lingers in me today. He taught me how to do heavy squats, leg presses, leg curls, and a host of other weight room exercises correctly and safely.

After our careers took us separate directions, I continued to spend time in the gym, though not at the tempo of the time spent with my friend. That and becoming an avid bicyclist has helped me maintain the leg strength required to maneuver a 1000lb motorcycle with some degree of confidence. (Pete would tell you that he has had to help me pick a bike up more that once.)

But in spite of my best effort, winter in Ohio always wins out and at some point the bicycle gets parked in the garage….until now. An upcoming ride is motivation enough to get me back on the trail. My entire attitude and outlook improves when I’m getting in several good bicycle rides a week.

I know guys who gave up riding two wheel motorcycles because they lacked the confidence of strong lower body strength. If you saw them in a pair of shorts you would understand. I don’t want to be that guy.

Pete hits the gym pretty hard year round. He’s a big guy and works hard to stay in shape, though recently he suffered a severe non-riding injury that would have taken a lesser man off the motorcycle for a year or more. But, thanks to his high level of fitness, he’s recovering extremely well and plans to ride very soon. I also attribute his strong recovery to a good, pure lifestyle. (I only put that in to see if he reads this far.)

Spiritual fitness.

Just as important if not more so is one’s spiritual fitness. Year round I read my Bible and devotionals every morning. We attend a great church with a scripture based pastor as well as our weekly Full Armor small group. And we pray. No matter how poor my daily attitude might be I stick to this daily and weekly ritual.
Establishing these habits in your life is just a matter of persistence. If you miss a day, pick it up tomorrow. Find a Bible translation you like, highlight the scripture that speaks to you (that will evolve over time) and stick with it. God speaks to us through our conscience, our intuition, and through his written word, but you have to develop your listening and hearing skills. That requires an everyday, lifelong effort. I’m still a work in progress.
As critical as these habits are, I’ve never been closer to the Lord than when I’m out on the open road. I’ve had great connection with God from inside that motorcycle helmet. By the time I’ve been on the road for a couple days, I’ve usually prayed for everyone I know. Some more than once. I’m not unique in that. Every Christian biker I know says the same thing. The open road is a time to commune with the Lord. It’s just you and him.

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