Riding On The Other Side

I dug out the old @fiveten_official’s and went #boldering with @ohhannarose. It’s been at least 6 years since I last climbed. We loved it and will be going again #climbing #rockclimbing #cbus #adventures (at Kinetic Climbing & Fitness)

Today is going to be a productive day, tea and hob nobs! Time to get work on my next @singletrackmag column. #cycling #journalism #tea #teaandbiscuits #stickers

Check out my latest article, an in-depth interview with the most successful downhiller in the world, Greg Minnaar.

The Interview – Greg Minnaar | Issue 38

When the city bites back! #skateboarding #skatelife #sk8 #oldskool #columbus (at Downtown Columbus, Ohio)

Thanks to the @ladygnarshredders for letting me join them as part of the official sweep and lead team for the metric century. #bikethecbus2015 #cycling #cbus #columbus (at Columbus, Ohio)

What a great day for #bikethecbus2015. I’m glad to have been a part of this event and do my little bit for local cycling. #cbus #cycling #summer (at Columbus, Ohio)

Kayaks and canoes on the #sciotoriver at night. #kayak #canoe #cbus #columbus #adventures (at The Scioto Mile)

Spotted some more classic American signage wondering around the Short North, you’ve got to love a good sign! #unclesam #USA #signage

A free climbing wall on the edge of the city! Time to dust off my old Five Tens. #columbus #cbus #climbing #rockclimbing #outdoorliving. (at Scioto Audubon Metro Park)

Taking my recovery seriously with @easbrand and the @tp_therapy roller I picked up from @roguefitness. #Nike #triathleteintraining #recovery #iworkforeas #running #sneakers #neon (at Downtown Columnus Oh.)

Sitting here supping on a craft beer, its dawned on me that I am appearing closer and closer to a stereotype! I’m now the wrong side of 30, I have put my extreme exploits of downhill and BMX into the annals of my past and am now spending an increasing amount of time in Lycra, on the road bike and i’ve discovered craft beer!

Society has coined the phrases mamil (middle aged man in Lycra) and hipster, although thankfully that time frame is still in the future and apart from a few key points, age, skinny jeans and beard (stubble doesn’t count right?) I find myself getting closer and closer to these stereotypes and so do many of my friends!

There is a good reason though and it’s not for social conformity and acceptance, the truth is a lot sader! I’m getting older! I’m not growing up, but my age is increasing and the punishment of my younger days, broken bones, torn ligaments, separated shoulders … you get the idea, are coming back to haunt me! I have the mind of a 12 year old, the joints of a 60 year old, all at the age of 32! I still need my fix, I need those endorphins, the adventure and the freedom only a bike can give, but the gnar has had to be tuned down from 11!

Conforming to stereotypes… Nope, let’s just say I am stereotype adjacent! I will always be a rider, there will always be moments with air beneath my wheels, mud on my tires and ricocheting over rocks, but with a groan and a creak, there will also be a lot more Lycra and Tarmac. As for the craft beer, that’s just a bonus, that is further encouraged by my new home in America, with Columbus acting as a hot bed of brewing!