Category Archives: Aging

by

Don’t Let the Old Man In

Two friends still at it- 45 years later.

This is my buddy Eric who lives in Lake Tahoe. He and I have been skiing together for 45 years, and I always learn something new from him every year. He is retired, and coaches kids at his local mountain in Tahoe. We usually ski together in Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain every spring. So last week, 10 months after my previous trip, we were locked and loaded for another round. After our warmup (LOL), which was a high speed cruiser off Chair 2 trying to stay with Eric and his razor sharp carved turns, I found myself at the top of the mountain right off the gondola and staring down Climax . It is one of the double blacks right off the summit and for a brief moment, I thought,” I have this, right?” I mean you have to be on your A game as you make your way through steep moguls to the chalky smooth steeps of the Climax face. As soon as I started turning, it was all auto- pilot and we went non-stop to the McCoy mid station to reload the gondola.

Another Climax Run- photo by Eric Durfee

After a 30K vertical foot day of steeps and cruisers, we came back to the hotel to say hello to Ryan Hurley, the manager of the Quality Inn and a friend of Eric’s. Ryan is a nice guy and probably one of the best skiers in Mammoth. What he showed us next solidified his legend.

Some things never change in 45 years. First in line. Photo by Eric Durfee
Ryan’s broken Faction skis behind the bindings.

Apparently, Ryan that day, rocketed out of Phillipe’s ( one of the steep double black runs at the top of Mammoth), and cranked a hard right hand turn and heard both of his skis snap behind the bindings. He managed to put one of the skis together and carried the other one, and skied on the one broken ski all the way down to the lodge. He said he wanted to ski with us the next day. Really?

Ryan Hurley ready to ski with the old guys ( on a new pair of Faction Skis)

Being the gracious guy that he is, Ryan followed us for a couple of runs and remarked to Eric in the chairlift that we were an inspiration to him. At 44 years old, he saw his future in us as older dudes who can still ski. He also asked how I can ski like I do coming from Pittsburgh. I said, ” Long story Ryan.” But we were happy that he was kind enough to spend a few runs with us before straight lining down Climax and jumping off a rock cropping into the distance. Like I always say……..youth is wasted on the young.

Flipping the coin a little bit, we see Freddy here who is a friend of Eric’s, and skis at one of the local areas in Tahoe. He drives 40 miles to and from the area, four days a week, skis for 4 hours, has lunch and drives back. Freddy is 87. I asked him, how do you do it? The driving, the skiing, the hiking in the off season. He says the secret is eating right ( he has not eaten meat in 20 years). He exercises and says basically he is like a shark……..always moving and looking for food. Freddy is our future barring any injuries or catastrophic illness. We also met two other senior citizens in Tahoe who were 86 and 82. Both of these guys can still ski very well and the one guy Jim, had his kids with him. Kids being in their 50’s. LOL!

Freddy ready to bedeck the bead tree on the way up the chairlift. What an inspiration. 87 years young and can ski really well!!!
The view of perfectly groomed corduroy looking into Lake Tahoe. Photo by Eric Durfee

So as Eric and I face 70 this year, we look back and think about all the great times skiing that we have had and look forward to many, many more. We will try to keep ourselves in good shape by exercising, riding our mountain bikes and hiking, and in short, try to stay ahead of the game. John, one of Eric’s friends who is 82 and a former masters racer, said his secret is to ” keep the old man out.” Not his line really because that belongs to Clint Eastwood when asked how at 93, he has the energy to still direct and produce movies. Clint always responds that he just keeps the old man out. I kind of like that line, and although comparatively speaking with John, Jim and Freddy, and Clint for that matter, we are not old. But we are not 44 either. However, the amazing thing is that we can still ski at a pretty high level, especially Eric. How long we can do that is dependent on a lot of things, but sitting in the lot after another 30 K day at Mammoth, we had some beers with a guy who we call First Chair Kurt. Kurt makes razor sharp carved turns too and as we followed him down all week on the first run, we found out that he is basically our age. He and his pals love to ski and intend to do so for a long time. Kurt skis four days a week at Mammoth and is retired. Like the other guys in his posse. They love to ski and love to talk skiing afterwards in the lot with a few beers sporting their sunglasses. They don’t let the old man in either. A good way to roll. Remember, you don’t quit skiing because you get old, you get old because you quit skiing. Thanks for reading and be like Freddy- the shark who keeps moving, looking for food.

Please follow the blog on Word Press. http://www.chroniclesofmccloskey.com Thank you.

by

Have a Bernie Bar and Relax

So, I opened up a box that came in the mail the other day and to my surprise, it was a box of Bernie Bars from my skiing friend Mark Hutchinson up in Vermont. Hutch is a retired postal service employee and ex-ski coach at Stowe, and knows Bernie from his routes around Randolph Center. I joked with Hutch about where my Bernie Bars were, and lo and behold- they showed up. LOL!! Hutch and his lovely wife Nancy are fun people to ski with, they are avid hikers, and enjoy everything about the Green Mountains of Vermont. In typical Vermont fashion, their political persuasions are more towards the left of center, and I have always admired their zeal to persuade folks towards their way of thinking.(Ethan Allen would be proud ) I personally am becoming more and more a-political, but Hutch keeps me informed on the happenings in the government world and relays his experiences to me. Rich Roll said the other day on his podcast that the most effective way of communication is to not give advice, but rather relay experiences. The Hutchinsons have lots of experience with Nancy and her avid hiking and writing, and Hutch with his ski racing and coaching background. And they are well read on the political scene in Vermont.

Mark and Nancy skiing with us in Bend last winter.

The cool thing about skiing and hiking is that both sports attract those of us who love the outdoors, no matter what we do for a living, what our political persuasions are, whether we have faith or no faith, and have different educational backgrounds. Rarely will you hear a heated political debate on the slopes or the trails. Rather the conversation tends to be about ski technique, ski areas, the conditions of the day, and in hiking, remarking on the beauty of the trails and the great day together. You make really good friends on the ski slopes and hiking trails, many of those friendships last a lifetime – like mine with Hutch and Nancy.

Hutch and I in Mammoth several years ago.

Nancy is a school teacher and a gifted writer and we have shared experiences with our passion for writing. Hutch is a real student of ski technique, and we have many conversations about that topic. He sends me videos all summer which I love to get, seeing that I can talk about skiing all summer too. But rarely do we get into a political discussion. My view is what do we really know? What is spin and what is not? On either side of the spectrum. I don’t get too excited because there is not much I can do about the world today other than perhaps cast my vote to get someone in or out of office. Also being kind to people helps, because you never know what they are going through. Kindness is definitely a way to make a difference- one person at a time, one neighborhood at a time. Politics is not really that important to me (maybe it should be?) – but Hutch keeps me in the game. I have learned things that I did not know before. And he sent me Bernie Bars!

Lifetime friends Eric and Hutch at June Mountain, California.

I have spent a lot of time skiing with Hutch, especially when our friend Eric was laid up and could not ski at times. Hutch and I would go out and ski and never look at a map. We just went wherever we felt like going. LOL! Hutch has a wonderful sense of humor and he makes me laugh when we ski and maneuver our way around a ski area. He finds the funny things about skiing and has me in stiches, as many times he was my room- mate on our guys ski trips – organized by Eric Durfee. I tend to think that Hutch missed his calling. I have videos of him commenting on camera up at Whiteface and at June Mountain out in California. He is so articulate on those videos and also humorous. I have posted them to the amusement of my ski friends.

So, the upcoming election cycle has a lot of people with their shorts in a wad. There is going to be a lot of political division even more so than what is taking place right now. It is good to educate yourself, but like Rich Roll says, just relay your experiences in conversation and don’t ruin a good friendship with a political discussion that will really not make much of a difference anyhow. Enjoy your friends. Eat a Bernie Bar and enjoy it as people all around you lose their heads. Ski with a friend, hike with a friend, and enjoy the outdoors because the older you get, those quality days left are really what is important anyhow. Thanks for reading.

If you follow the blog on Facebook, please consider following on Word Press- my platform. http://www.chroniclesofmccloskey.com I don’t get any compensation for this blog. It is just a hobby, but Word Press keeps great statistics that are fun to study. The more people that follow on Word Press the better the information. Part of the hobby. Just enter your email in the white box on the left of my page, or scroll down on your handheld device and look for the white box there. Again- enter your email and you will be a follower and you will get a notice only when I have posted something new. Thank You.

by

Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

There were big dumps of snow last week in Utah. The atmospheric river that drenched California, pounded the Wasatch and the Rockies with heavy snow. As a result, there were lots of signs warning of potential hazards and the fact that Deer Valley wanted you to pay attention. There were signs of where to park, which runs were open and closed on the trail signs, avalanche potential signs, closed signs due to avalanche mitigation, and it just seemed like there were signs everywhere- just like the song. 

One thing that I have taken to heart over the years is to pay attention to signs. Take this one for instance.

Now you might think that this is funny, but in reality, the sign is correct. When you ski the trees, you have to be aware that you are skiing amongst immovable objects. Also, if you ski by yourself, and end up in a tree well( hole around the trunk of the tree with snow all around), you could have a problem. So, this sign is fair warning. 

The Daly Chutes at Deer Valley

During our time there last week, we heard the familiar blasts of dynamite charges mitigating avalanche potential in the Daly Chutes. Our friends, Judy and Mike Smith, and I wanted to ski there but knew that we had to read the signs to see when they would be open and if it was safe to ski. Ultimately, the mitigation was completed by the ski patrol ,and we were able to make a few runs in a safe environment after the ski patrol had done their thing. My friend Greg Ellis reminded me that there are in bounds avalanches that do occur and to be careful. I took his warning to heart. But we were safe because we read the signs, talked to the ski patrol, and waited until there was no issue. Read the signs. 

There is a reason to wait for the ski patrol. 

Another sign above that not only reminds us that the lift is not open yet, but there is a reason not to jump on the chair and not pay attention to the sign. The ski patrol goes first for a reason and all of us must realize that we go when the sign is removed. 

Trail signs indicating difficulty. 

There are trail signs at ski areas that tell you the difficulty and it is important to pay attention to them. It is also important to pay attention to the signs that tell you when the chair will be closed for the day. Not a good idea to be stuck somewhere when the lift closes. Again, pay attention to the signs. 

I guess all the heavy snow brought about the need for signage that indicated certain things that we all must know as skiers when visiting an area. I have always made a practice of reading them and understanding what they say. But thinking a little bit about them, I realized that this practice is not limited to ski areas. Stop signs, yield signs, directional signs, mileage signs, etc. are all important for when we are driving – right? How about the signs that your body gives you as you age. It is important not to ignore those signs as well. People like me tend to think that we are invincible and regardless of the chronological age, we can do what we like because we are in good shape. We don’t think about it. But sometimes there are signs that your body gives you that may indicate that something needs to be checked. Kind of like a check engine light in your car. Pay attention to those signs as well and make it a practice to see your doctor to be able to remedy anything wrong and continue to live the life that you want to live. 

The Smiths and Janet – reading the signs. 

So as the Five Man Electrical Band once said- ” So I got me a pen and paper,and made up my own little sign. I said “Thank you Lord for thinking about me- I’m alive and doin fine.” ” Sign sign, everywhere a sign.” Read the signs, understand the signs, pay attention to your own signs and live a healthy, hearty, live. Thanks for reading. 

Follow the blog on Word Press- http://www.chroniclesofmccloskey.com 

by

The Older We Get- The Better We Were.

Howard Johnson’s at Tuckerman Ravine- 1984

So, I was surprised this week when my friend Eric, from Tahoe( formerly of Vermont), mailed me some pictures from way back when we skied Tuckerman Ravine together. Looking at these 40 year old photos, I thought back to a time when we laid down the only tracks one day in Dodge’s Drop ( and Eric had a cast on his wrist). We had some good times up there as we skied it many times together. But the thing that is amazing about this picture is the equipment we used. I mean, look at the skis. Probably 203 or 205 cm GS skis. Look how narrow compared to today’s equipment. 

External frame pack made for interesting attachments. 

The other interesting thing about these pictures was the external frame packs we used. We added cross bars with latches and wingnuts to secure the skis to the frame. He was from Vermont and naturally used wood. I was from the steel city and with the help of my dad, we used aluminum cross bars. All in all, with the boots secured in the bindings, our clothing and food for the week, sleeping bag and mat, the pack weighed in at around 85 pounds which was a pretty good load to haul to the shelters where we stayed. One year, I thought I would save some time and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches ahead of time. By the time the week ended, that package of sandwiches had been slept on, eaten from, and generally the once nice, neat stack of sandwiches had turned into a peanut butter dough ball. Lots of memories came flooding back to me as I opened the envelope this week from my friend. 

In today’s world, people who climb and ski as we did, use internal frame packs. There are slots in the side of the packs that allow easy placement of the skis and the internal frames are much better suited to securing a lot of cargo. Lots of guys today use skins on their skis for climbing, and AT equipment to hike and ski to their destinations. Eric and I basically hauled our alpine equipment up to the shelter, and from there basically climbed up in our ski boots with our skis over our shoulders. Equipment surely changes and evolves over the years and skiing is no exception. 

Pro Skier Cody Townsend climbing with his internal pack and AT gear. 

The other things that evolve over time are the stories that we tell about the old days. Sure, there are embellishments, the runs are bigger and badder than perhaps they were, and the stories that we tell each other evolve with the passage of time. But like my friend Paul Vey still says many years later, our trip down Corbet’s Couloir at Jackson Hole, was the highlight of his athletic career. He played Div 1 basketball at UVM and that is still saying something. Somehow the beers taste better when the stories start cranking up. Eric’s wife Helen usually disappears when she starts hearing the old stories. She has heard them way too many times. But when pictures like these start showing up again, they remind me of a time gone by and the good times that we had. I mean, we are still at it – 40 years later. Maybe not camping and hiking Tuckerman Ravine anymore, but still skiing in some pretty good places and having a pretty good time. And still skiing relatively well. 

Eric and our other skiing pal Hutch at June Mt., California. Yes, the beer tastes better when the stories start flowing. 

So, if you get a chance, go look in your old photo boxes and take some time to review your old times with great friends. They will remind you that friendships are important and like equipment and stories, they evolve over time. Having friends that you can still do things with after many years is a true blessing. Encourage each other to stay in shape, stay at it, and make the effort to get together whenever you can. And always remember- the older we get……………the better we were. Thanks for reading. 

40 years later at Mammoth Mountain, California. 

Please follow the blog on Word Press. www.chroniclesofmccloskey.com Thanks. 

The Headwall at Tuckerman Ravine

by

Age Fluid

I was headed to the mountains this weekend and was listening to the Rich Roll Podcast as per my usual custom. It keeps me entertained on my way up and I heard an interesting comment from Rich’s guest- Chip Conley. Chip is a noted author, speaker, hotelier, and founder of the Modern Elder Academy. His purpose is to create awareness of the benefits of aging and how to best utilize the tools that we have acquired as we age. He spoke about being age fluid which basically means that if you have a meaningful purpose in life- career, hobbies, faith, outdoor activities, you can have a lot of friends that are from all different ages. He says most people really don’t care how old you are chronologically if you are able to be a vibrant member of that particular community. Rich Roll even stated that most of his friends are 10 years younger than him because he is involved in fitness, and he is age fluid. His chronological age of 57 doesn’t matter. He just does his thing ,and he is involved in a younger community of fitness enthusiasts. 

My MTB group in West Virginia 

Chip also said another interesting thing when he referred to the three stages of life being like the life of a butterfly. In the caterpillar stage, which typically is in our 20s and 30s, we are consuming. Attaining knowledge and skills, like a caterpillar is consuming to grow. In our 40s and 50s, we are in the chrysallis stage where we are transforming to what will become the final outcome- a butterfly. Finally, when we are in our 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond, we are in our butterfly stage, having transformed from the caterpillar and flying freely and pollinating as we spread our experience and knowledge and enthusiasm to others in an age fluid atmosphere. 

I reflected on my drive as I heard this and thought about my life stages and where I am, and where I want to be. Interesting that on my Garmin Fenix fitness watch, which takes in lots of data from my exercising, it says that my biological age is 57. When I look at that I think that yes, I am aging chronologically, but as far as how I feel, I am not anywhere near my chronological age. My neighbor, who recently retired said to me not to attach a number to my stage in life. He says that it is all in how you feel. I am in agreement with that because as I assess my fitness and overall well- being at the beginning of a new year, I think- “can I still do the things I like to do?” Then of course I get out there and just have at it and don’t think much more about it as I ride my mountain bike and ski. I don’t feel any different and am thankful to the good Lord that I am still able to participate in these things and not show off……… but show up. And like the butterfly, I can share some knowledge and experience when asked. 

Keep it going!!! 

So being age fluid, is a positive way to live life. It not only exists for outdoor activities, but also for other walks of life that include career, and worthy causes, sharing some of the knowledge and experience like the pollinating butterfly. I do realize that chronologically I am moving down the road, but I do think that as we all age, we can continue to be a vibrant contributor to the world around us by volunteering, and helping people in many ways through our experience and our enthusiasm. Some of my best conversations are on mountain bike rides, on chairlifts, and sharing a meal with friends who generally are younger than me. I learn from them for sure, and they, in turn, enjoy some of the stories and experiences I have had. I rarely am asked how old I am. That is because maybe I am…………age fluid. Thanks for reading and keep on keeping on. 

Jan and I enjoying a laugh and being ………….fluid. 

Be a follower on my Word Press site. www.chroniclesofmccloskey.com 

by

Shine Your Light

You know this time of year, you notice a lot of pine trees which turn into Christmas trees. Take the beautiful one that made its way from the Monongahela National Forest to the White House. An amazing journey and a fitting tribute to the season once it was erected in Washington, D.C. I think a lot about our Christmas tree. We have it adorned with ornaments that my mother and dad collected over all the years. They had the foresight to collect two each year from the Danbury Mint and Lennox China. One each for me and my sister Molly. We have them still today and the gold and the china ornaments look absolutely radiant on our tree each year- again, thanks to the thoughtful actions of my parents over all the years. 

I think a lot about those gold and china ornaments and how they shine when we turn on the lights for the tree. I think about how we are like those trees that we erect in our homes. The ornaments that signify memories from the past, the good years, the not so good years, the tough years, the absolutely joyful years, and times that have molded our personalities and character. We are building a display of that each year we get older. Life as a kid, school, sports, marriage, family, all contribute to the fabric of our lives and in many ways- those experiences are like the ornaments on our tree. 

But what highlights those ornaments? Light!! When we turn on the lights to the trees, the gold ornaments shine and reflect the light from all of the little white bulbs. Kind of like the Christmas story and how it lights up our lives. Imagine the darkness of the night in Bethlehem for the shepherds and all of a sudden- brilliant light when the angel Gabriel brought the good news. The bible refers to the heavenly light as Shekinah glory. A light that we cannot imagine here on earth. Part of that light was shown that night in Bethlehem and we are called to shine a light of our own when we interact with friends, strangers, and family this Christmas season. Jesus came to show us all how to shine our light and be the best version of ourselves – not only at Christmas but at all times of the year. We stop and pause to think about the significance of the Christmas story. The love and light that was shown to us so that we in kind might show that love and light to others. When we turn on our light, we illuminate our lives, experiences, and our hopes, dreams and faith for others to enjoy.

So this Christmas season, when we remember the birth of Christ and the significance of his life, death and resurrection for us ,we can be grateful. We can think about how we can make a difference for others throughout the New Year coming our way. Whatever you celebrate this season, the message is still the same. Be the light for others. Thanks for reading. 

” Therefore the Lord Himself will show you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and he shall be called Emmanuel- God with us.”  Isaiah 7-14. 

by

When the Autumn Weather- Turns the Leaves to Flame

Skipper Lake at the Lodge at Glendorn

The title line here is from the iconic “September Song” – arranged by Kurt Weil and lyrics by Maxwell Anderson. But when I play this song on my piano, ( from my mother’s sheet music), it reminds me that fall is here and the leaves are changing, the nights are cooler, and probably my favorite time of the year has arrived. As much as I try to rush into ski season, more and more I am relishing the cool, crisp days of fall with the spectacular foliage we have here in Western Pa. I am in no hurry for winter. It will come soon enough, and I will surely enjoy it. But as I get older, I really enjoy the changing of the seasons – especially summer to fall.

The other night, our posse was out mountain bike riding on one of our regular weekly scheduled rides, and we noticed that after the sun went down, it got real cool ,real fast. The sweatshirts came out and we sat around with our post ride beers and snacks ( courtesy of Bob K), and really enjoyed riding and relaxing in cooler weather without the swelter of summer. I seem to ride better when the humidity is lower and the temperatures start to moderate. But aside from that, to sit and take in the cool weather, a nice IPA, and listen to the cricket symphony of early fall is a true blessing.

Bear Cub sighting last fall.

Sometimes when you hike or ride in the fall, you come across some interesting things- like two bear cubs scampering up a tree in the Allegheny National Forest. I was looking for mom when I snapped this photo but got it and then quickly took off so as not to irritate the mother bear. The Laurel Mountains, close to here, also paint a picture a little earlier than in the suburbs. It is great to venture east and see the changing of the leaves happen a little earlier with the slight rise in elevation. Sunshine, cooler weather, and colder nights, seem to bring out the colors faster than in the city and suburbs. I tend to visit the Laurels a lot in the fall because of the wonderful fall portraits that display themselves in Ligonier, Somerset, and Rector, Pa. The fireplaces are cranking up and that smoky smell just excites me to no end. The smells of fall are intoxicating. There is something about a crackling fire that enhances the fall experience, and the smell of leaves is not really accurately describable – but we all know that smell.

I am also a fan of the tastes of fall. Nothing like a good Octoberfest to get you going. And even though I don’t enjoy the great wursts, sauerbraten, and pork loins anymore because I am not a meat eater, nobody can slam potato pancakes and apple sauce like me along with some nice braised red cabbage washed down with a great German beer or a local Penn Brewery Octoberfest lager. Maybe a warm pretzel as well! I like to listen to the ooom pahh German bands too. They seem to go along with the great beers and food.

Great time to hike or ride a mountain bike and take in scenes like this. Seven Springs, Pa.
My old outdoor fireplace was always blazing in the fall.

You know, I am not really sure I could ever live in a place that does not have the change of seasons. Especially a place that really does not have a fall season. I love wearing sweaters, sweatshirts, and even those times where you have a puffy jacket on and a pair of shorts. That kind of describes the weather here in the Mid -Atlantic and the Northeast. Cool mornings, warmer days, and then cool again at night. Great sleeping weather. I don’t miss the summer AC at all.

Bondieu Lake- The Lodge at Glendorn- Bradford, Pa.

As time marches on, I find myself taking time to really enjoy what God’s creation has to offer. I notice the flame red leaves on the trails as I ride, I take in the smells, I look for little things that might have gone un-noticed as a younger person. Watching a particular maple tree in my neighborhood change colors so slowly but yet somehow- so quickly. Holding my wife’s hand on a hike instead of rushing up a hill to be the first guy there. Fall is like that. It gives you perspective, but rewards you with scenery that you only see for a short time- once per year. My advice to all of you is get out there and enjoy it and take the time to enjoy it all. We have a good deal here in Western Pa. Thanks for reading.

The Transition Spur in transition time in the Laurels.
by

Time

Ocean City, NJ

So we visited Janet’s cousin and aunt last week at the “shore” as it is called. Looking out at the ocean and listening to my soundtrack on my new Shokz Open Fit earphones, I had some contemplative moments. The Open Fits are a great item that allow you to listen to music or podcasts but fit outside your ear canal so you can hear what is going on around you. Check them out. But anyhow, I was thinking about the end of summer and the beginning of fall coming and getting close to another lap around the sun for me which will be the end of a decade. Next year is the beginning of a new decade for me and sometimes I feel like I am running out of time. I feel like I am in a Ferrari at full speed, standing and holding the steering wheel, both feet slammed on the brakes to no avail. Thoughts like that are on one side of the mental checklist, but more positive thoughts are on the other side of that checklist. Things like good health with which I have been blessed. The plant based diet seems to be working as I have lowered cholesterol significantly and lost 13 pounds which was not really intended. I don’t need to lose weight, but I did and feel so much better. I have been riding my mountain bike better and feel lighter and stronger even though I am getting older.

I use a Garmin Fenix 6 X fitness watch which allows me to track a whole host of data, some which I use and others that are not used. But two of the interesting metrics are that is says my fitness age is 57 and my Vo2 Max is 43 which is in the top ten percent for my age group. Not sure how much stock I put into those metrics, but it makes you feel a little better. I am not afraid of getting older, but sometimes when you have time to think, like at the shore, thoughts creep into your head. I lost some friends this year and that is sobering. But as Dr. Peter Attia says, it is not that we are trying to live longer, but to enjoy the years we have with good health. He also says in his book “Outlive”, that if you want to roll around on the floor with your grandkids, and get up with no issues, you have to “backcast” to where you are now and start exercising with that in mind. A lot of that is genetics and good blessings, but exercise is definitely a contributor and something to which I have always subscribed.

The mountain bike has been a wonderful tool for me.
End of summer floral greetings on the trails.

As I move to this new decade in 2024, I do still have some fitness goals. I also want to continue to learn. My friend Eric is helping me to work on a more modern ski technique which I will practice this winter. I need to get lower, wider, and use both skis in a turn like the modern race turn which is facilitated by the new equipment available to us. You can always learn new things. Sure, I can stay with my A frame classic technique but why not continue to learn new things and make more dynamic turns on the slopes?

I can’t do it like Mikaela but it sure is a good mental image.

But other than exercise, there are more considerations about the topic of time. I am moving towards retirement, and I am beginning to think about the use of time for Janet and me in a world where I will not be employed anymore. Janet’s cousin Jeff had an interesting comment during our stay at the shore. He is retiring next year, and he is a surgeon. He told me he thought that the most important thing is not what you are retiring from, but what you are retiring to. He says the new chapter in your life should be filled with a purpose. In his case, he is going to be actively involved in the ministry of the Eastern Orthodox Church. He not only has a medical degree from Yale, but a Divinity degree as well. He is going to make good use of that in retirement. I also think that is a good mission statement for Janet and me. There are so many worthy causes to which we can give our time and we will make an effort to pray about it and see where this path will take us.

Time spent together is priceless.

But getting back to that mental checklist, the fear of running out of time is offset by being active and enjoying all that life has to offer. Time together, traveling, active lifestyles, continuing education. To be honest, I feel better now and more fit than I did ten years ago. How that is possible is beyond me, but I will continue with the exercise and the diet and see how things go. God has been good to us. I appreciate all the blessings we have, and the contemplative thoughts are usually overshadowed by an active and productive lifestyle. And as most older people have said – keep moving.

Bill McCollom was a former masters ski racer ,all American ski racer at Middlebury College and editor of Ski Racing. His famous line was, ” I want to go skidding across the finish line of life, missing parts, leaking oil, and screaming……..GERONIMO!!!” An interesting mantra from a very active guy. Thanks for reading and keep moving.

Now the time has come

There are things to realize

Time has come today

-The Chambers Brothers.

by

The B Team Bringing Their A Game

You know, Pittsburgh is a beautiful city. And to see it from the seat of a bicycle along with riding to and through all the beautiful city parks is something very special. Cyclo X is the brainchild of Aaron Shafer who started this ride a number of years ago and it has increased in popularity. Aaron’s route changes each year for variety but for the most part, it encompasses all the parks with some mixed surfaces like road, gravel, and of course singletrack trails.

The founder of Cyclo X- Aaron Shafer. A Team Leader
The start at the Grist House Brewery – Millvale, Pa.

The ride can be done on a gravel bike, but the preferred bike would be a mountain bike. No chance on a road bike. There are some fairly technical trails in the city parks especially the Emerald Trails up on Mount Washington where having a mountain bike is an advantage. Sure, gravel bikes can be used, but unless you have some pretty superb technical skills, you really are better off riding a mountain bike which is fine on all surfaces.

The Emerald Trails- Mt. Washington.

This year the route began on the North Shore trail and made its way through the Northside up to the first park on the menu- Riverview. After an insanely steep climb from Woods Run to the top of Riverview, the groups were tested early. There are two groups- the A group consisting of mostly younger guys and gals who are still racing and riding at a high level.( I have socks older than them). And the rest of us, the B group, with less mileage and climbing. Everything is up from the rivers and thus the vertical challenge. The A group ride is usually 70-80 miles and over 5000 feet of climbing, the B group is around 50+ miles and over 4000 feet of climbing. Nonetheless, a challenge for either group.

From Riverview, the groups make their way to Point State Park and out to Oakland near the Pitt and CMU campuses. Riding your bike along the roads of Oakland and the Southside is interesting because you tend to see things and neighborhoods where you might not ordinarily go. But the real challenge was ahead on the climb to Mt. Washington.

The Shark making his way over the water.

Many people don’t realize that you can take singletrack trails all the way from the Southside up to the top of Mt. Washington. These lead to the Emerald Trails which yielded some really nice views of the city, but things get tight and technical real fast. And they are off camber making you pay close attention so as not to plummet over the hillside. All of this is rewarded with a lunch at Redbeard’s which is an annual affair. Sitting outside, both groups gather together for a quick lunch before hammering the Emerald Trails back down to the Southside and once again out to Oakland to complete the route through Frick, Schenley, and Highland parks. Frick Park has some technical riding and again, a mountain bike is preferred.

The view from the Emerald Trails
CMU Campus with University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning in the background.

It is always amazing to me to see the kindness and friendliness of Pittsburghers. I needed some water and we saw these guys in Hazelwood sitting on their porch. Mike Connors, our attentive leader on the ride, asked them if we could get some water and they brought out bottles of cold water from their fridge. They were interested in where we started and would end up and were so engaging with our group. Pittsburghers are like that and even though most of us don’t spend much time in Hazelwood, we were grateful to the guys on the porch.

The annual lunch stop- Redbeard’s Mount Washington.
Our MVP Wesley on a vintage Rob Vandermark Merlin titanium frame – single speed. Tough climbing on a single speed. Not the burliest tires either.
The B group bringing their A game to Mt. Washington.

After about 6 and half hours of riding, our group made it back to the Grist House for a well deserved beer. The A group was still out but we all were satisfied with the effort that we made, and it was time to relax savoring another Cyclo X. These events tend to bring people together maybe that have never met or perhaps not seen each other in a long time. I was encouraged that it seemed to go well this year even though I was starting to wonder if I was a little “long in the tooth” for this event. But with the fellowship of friends, the beautiful weather, and the really scenic route, I am committed to do this ride until I can’t pedal. After all, I was the oldest rider at Cyclo X. Plus, Pete Hilton would never let me quit attending.

Steve Gurtner of B group bringing their A game fame.
Steve Gurtner, Mark” the Shark” Sauers, and Robb Alarcon- friends in winter and summer.

The nice thing about these kinds of events is that they are memorable for a number of reasons. One of them being a comeback for a guy who had some setbacks last year. The Shark had A fib issues and wondered if he would ever ride at a high level again. But with a lot of prayer, good medical attention, and some serious fortitude, Mark ” the Shark” Sauers, came back to ride strong this year and strong in this year’s version of Cyclo X. In fact ,he rode some extra miles, well, because he could. Stories of the ride, the mishaps, the fun and the climbs, all abounded at the Grist House after the ride and Cyclo X 2023 is now in the books. Hoping that Aaron puts together another interesting route next year. If you have any interest in a really fun but challenging ride, check Facebook for next year’s event. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to be a follower on the page. http://www.chroniclesofmccloskey.com It helps me a lot.

by

Housekeeping

The one who started this whole thing. My wife Janet.

I am writing a little bit of a different post this week to kind of set straight my ideas about my blog. This is a hobby for me. I like to write but also, I like to share stories which my wife thinks should be written down and kept for our son and hopefully his family someday. In fact, I have used a company from Rochester, New York called Blog 2 Print that has published four volumes in a coffee table book format for me. Not that my stories are anything special. I have done nothing outstanding, but I do have some stories that have a purpose, are sometimes amusing and put forth a positive message for all of us seniors. Life is good and we can all be Younger Next Year.

Fall is coming

Most of my posts tend to focus on outdoor subjects like alpine skiing, hiking and mountain biking. These are my “go to ” activities and they all have something in common. They are enjoyed by all kinds of people from all walks of life. The cool thing about enjoying the great outdoors is that all the politics, personal biases, and differences are all left behind and everyone tends to enjoy each other’s company through these activities in the wild. People need to get away from the pressures of life and if they can enjoy it with an outdoor activity, especially with friends. That is something special.

Activities spawn lifetime friendships. The Flying Smittys.

So, as a bit of housekeeping, I have a favor to ask. Many of you follow the blog on Facebook and that is fine. But it would be good if you would go to http://www.chroniclesofmccloskey.com and look for the little white box in the column to the left, enter your email, and be a follower on the page. Or you can scroll down on your smart phone and the signup box is right below the post. You will get an email once per week or once every two weeks with no ads, and no subscription or bother. Be sure to click on the title to get all the pictures too. You can decline at anytime . I am trying to grow the blog a little bit only to perhaps spread my message a little more to an expanded audience. Again, I am nobody special. But I want to somehow reach some people to inspire them to get out of their comfort zone as a senior and perhaps try new things. I also like to verbalize my thoughts and would like to reach more people with some humor, perhaps some little inspiration, and maybe give them something to think about in a positive way- once a week or once every two weeks depending on my own inspiration.

Handling the shark took me a little bit out of my comfort zone too.

The blog will also get some potential sponsor advertising from some outdoor companies if I reach several thousand hits per month. Word Press will help me do that. I am close to that volume of hits and perhaps I can get to the goal line with expanding the follower base of the blog. I want to thank all of you who support this thing with your kind comments and friendships. Get outside, enjoy nature, and follow the blog. http://www.chroniclesofmccloskey.com Also spread the word to your friends and families. They can be followers too and help get this thing off the ground a little more. Thanks for reading.

Mammoth Mountain, Ca. One of my favorite places.