Never let the trail end
Riding off-piste for freedom filled adventures
Robert Thorpe
I’m a sucker for exploration – on 2 wheels or on 2 feet. One constant that has to be present however, is for there to be mountains and hills – lots of them and the steeper, the better. I was brought up by parents who took us frequently into the hills, and we simply hiked into the unknown on seemingly endless trails. I recall one particular trip where it was getting close to 8pm at night, and the light had given way to darkness. We found our way off the hills and lanes, locating a telephone box near to the trails and called for a taxi to take us home, we’d hiked so far. Add to this upbringing that I firmly believe – but wouldn’t officially advocate – that any trail that’s wide enough and interesting enough for a bike, ought to be explored at some stage, and you begin to see why I love to simply head where my bike takes me. After all, society puts so many restrictions on life; why shouldn’t we just see where the wheels turn and take us to!
In October last year, I was unwell – very unwell indeed. There was a particular night in hospital, where I truly thought that my days of adventure were over for me. In the weeks and months that followed, my two adult sons would take me into the hills, to those special places that we had formed together, and we’d hike – this time with the tables turned and them now looking afer me. They’d wait for me, encourage me, shield me from the weather and ask constantly if I was okay. These were actually some of the most special moments in my adult life.
And, whilst I now have adaptions to my way of life, I am generally okay once again, if I accept the lifelong changes and adaptations. I’m back out cycling… and I’m once again seeking new adventures.
Those 86400 seconds in each day…
Each and every day, we are given 86400 seconds. If we don’t use them, we don’t get to bank them and use them later – they’re gone forever. Life simply is not a dress rehearsal and we ought to remember that. My dad would tell me that every day you are able to get out of bed under your own effort, then that’s a good start. He was right and I still do my best to live this way. When I’m cycling – on the road or the mountain bike – I tend not to take a map that often. I know the roads in the National Parks nearby, and I probably know the trails better than anyone else locally.
When we started this website, Norman Hadley and I would joke that ‘we get lost so that you don’t have to!’ The routes that we put together were different and more exciting, and had more points of interest along the way. I love history, and I’m blessed in living so close to so many amazing places: Fountains Abbey, the Yorkshire Dales and it’s numerous abbeys and castles, and the lead mining heritage that fills the upper Dales and Moors. For me, getting out and about on a bike or 2 feet is a way of replenishing my soul and a way of finding myself once more. Having been so very unwell, I now won’t allow anything to hold me back.
Good friends such as James at Tailfin have helped me out, with a selection of frame bags and carriers for my bikes, ensuring that I can take everything with me; and, thanks to friends such as Dom and Lee at Orbea, I still have my ambassador Orbea Oiz Team M bike to seek out new adventures on. And I have Jim, my trusted local friend, who I’ve known for over 30 years as a colleague and now close friend. He and I regulularly try to get out and about on the trails and roads of the Yorkshire Dales and North Yorks Moors National Parks – and a tea stop is always planned.
Age is a badge of honour to be proud of
The great thing about being 59 – 60 in September – is that I know what I’ll look like and what I’m capable of at 60. Too many people don’t get the privilege of age. Not the fathers and mothers and siblings we’ve all lost too early; not the friends we’ve lost to cancer or other tragedies; and not the innocent children that are currently being killed each day in Gaza. No, age is a privilege that we should honour and be proud of, and that we take for granted. We can still hike, we can still bike, and the only thing stopping us from exploring this absolutely amazing world, is ourselves and our drive and positivity.
I’m no longer as fast as I once was; and yes, I was an athlete – albeit a middle distance runner, not a cyclist. My recent time off the bike and with limited walking, has meant that I have to find my fitness once more. I still have that unshakeable athletes desire to do better and to win; and yes, this helps me. However, it’s now tempered with wisdom and that feeling of gratitude that I’m still alive and able to enjoy adventure! And so, I’ll take my time and I’ll enjoy each moment. I’ll stop and take in the scenery and spend time chatting with Jim as we sit, sipping tea and talking nonsense at Thornton Steward before setting off again, heading at our steady pace along the rolling and winding lanes of the Dales. Yes, before you make fun of that older person, remember that you’ve to get to their age, to experience the life they’ve had and to overcome the tragedies and events that form the tapestry of their unique life.
Finding the way is simply about pedalling forward
I’ve never been one to accept that I can’t do anything. I won’t quit as long as I believe that there’s one small chance that I’ll find a solution. Being out and about again is a wonderful feeling and for me, in truth it was never in doubt. I do however look at life – and people – quite differently. I can recognise those people who are more interested in gain or image than actual friendship – I always could. I was just patient and polite in putting up with them before my health issues. In truth, these I’m harder and less accepting of fools and selfish people; and I will no longer accept those who I don’t in all honesty believe are worthy of my time – all of us have a limited time on this earth; I want to spend it with those who deserve it. After all, time is the most precious gift we have to give anyone. Personally, I’d ratherbe with that small group of people who have shown me real compassion, kindness and love, and on seeking out new trails and new adventures on my Orbea mountain bike; or best of all, finding new trails in the Lake District or locally with my sons. Yes, hiking with either or both of them is the most magical of times. Nothing else can compare.
Back to the bike though and exploring new horizons and new places. If I see a trail that’s worth exploring, then I’ll turn the wheel towards towards it and I’ll ride into the unknown. After all, it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission!
I love feeling the wind on my face again and the handlebars in my grip. That movement of the body and the pain in the legs as the slope gets steeper and my mind tells me to keep going and to tell my brain to ‘go fuck itself!’ It takes a lot to stop me at any point – especially these days, after so much having happened in my life.
None of us knows the lives that others lead on a daily basis. What we do know is that staying fit and exercise is good for us – mentally and physically. We also know that exploring our surroundings and finding adventure feels good, as the blood flows faster through our body and our eyes widen and seem brighter, and our heart begins to beat in sync with our soul. Never let the world, life or any one person beat you; nor let signs or people tell you that you can or can’t do … no, never listen to the doom sayers and negative people, and do ignore social media, where clicks seem to be more important than morals, or thics or kindness and appreciation. When you look at social media, it’s like imagining that culture is dead.
Don’t take direction from those who don’t have a right to determine it. Instead, take your timeand pause to reflect, and then choose your own path in life and stick 2 fingers up to those who try to block your way. Remember, this life isn’t a dress rehearsal, and age is one heck of a privilege. Too many people that all know didn’t get the chance to age; and so, use each and every one of those 86400 seconds that you’re given every single day and live life to the full and continue to explore those hidden paths that offer so much.
There’s a Budhist quoate which says: ‘It’s better to live one day as a Tiger than a thousand years as a sheep.’ I’m simply doing my best to keep up with the Tiger!
Tomorrow isn’t just another day; it’s the first day of the rest of your life – so spend it wisely, seeking adventures off-piste and finding your own pathway through this chaotic, crazy, often unkind and selfish world. Cycle because you can and take that bike wherever you goddamn like – so long as it creates a feeling of freedom, happiness and many, many smiles!
