Perhaps you have come to the sudden end of a trail or street and had to make a U-turn. Or you had to dodge some obstacle you couldn’t have seen—or a driver made a turn they didn’t signal and you couldn’t have anticipated.
Most times, you’ll make the stop or turn without incident, if with a few “choice words.” But there comes a time for most cyclists when such a split-second reaction leaves them off-balance, or even causes a tumble, no matter the cyclist’s skill level or age.
The last word of the previous sentence might have prompted the reaction of Sue Scheibel’s doctor after falling from a U-turn she admits she took “too fast” on her bike.
Said doctor suggested that if she wanted to continue cycling, she should do it indoors. “I’ve seen some really terrible injuries from bike accidents,” he admonished her.
She concedes that her doctor might’ve been trying to “protect” her but couldn’t help but wonder whether his advice was motivated by age-ism. (She is 80.) Although she doesn’t say as much, I couldn’t help but think that a dollop of sexism was ladled onto his prognosis: Another doctor, female, said it would be healthier to continue riding as long as she understood her limitations.
For some people, her question would beg—or answer—the question of whether someone is “too old” to ride a bike or engage in other physical activity. She posed that question online, and most respondents, who included medical professionals, said that she could continue as long as she’s capable and takes necessary safety precautions.
Were I part of that conversation thread, I’d’ve seconded that opinion and added that as long as she’s in the middle of her life, she should enjoy cycling and any other activity she likes.
Oh, and I’d remind her of the premise behind this blog’s title: As long as you don’t know when your life will end, you’re in the middle of it.
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