When "X" no longer defines you.

[16v]

Yea, life changes you and I definitely see myself getting on bikes less in recent years as life in general has taken over, but at the end of the day, there's still the love of bikes that permeates my life, and i think you can still define yourself as a cyclist, or just more broadly a bike nerd regardless of how much actual saddle time you have.

[bigbill]

You are who you are. Political views, choice of exercise, religion or lack thereof, who you love, your family, all these things are part of who you are, but they're not unchangeable.

My entire life has be a progression. I spent 27 years in the military, starting as a submarine nuclear electrician for 15 years, then as a surface warfare officer Limited Duty Officer for the last 12 years. I stayed in the job so long because I thought no one else could do it as well as me. That was misguided, the military is different from the civilian world in that we train our replacements, no job is at risk, the next guy* is supposed to replace you. When I retired, ships still went to sea.

In retirement, my new identity was project engineer then an engineering manager. I was good at both jobs, but while working, I completed a master's degree in American History. Last summer I retired again and now I identify as a historian. I write papers, give lectures, and do research for the county museum. I was burned out on engineering and only did it for the money. I love history and there's so much of it to explore.




*guy is a generic term for a sailor regardless of gender.

[B4_Ford]

To quote John Lennon,

Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.

Decades ago I was in an accident on a fishing boat in Alaska. A 1/2” cable with 3 tons of weight snapped across my face. That moment erased everything that I knew myself to be and put me on a completely different trajectory than I had planned. There was a period of time that, in hindsight, I’d say was pretty depressing as i learned to navigate life again. Once I figured out where my happiness comes from, I was able to let go of the past and enjoy the ride. I don’t know what the particulars of your situation is, but the only advice I can offer is to embrace what you love, immerse yourself in what you’re capable of, appreciate the moment you’re in, and don’t sweat the stupid ****. We’re all running on borrowed time, some of us may have just borrowed more than others. Here’s to your healing, health, and happiness.


I have bad ideas…

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by pdonk

As per the weight loss thread I am going through a drawn out illness that is likely going to have long term impact on how I define myself as a person.

Specifically, due to the muscle loss and a few other things I probably won't be able to ride this year. Riding my bike has been a constant defining part of me for nearly 35 years. From mountain biking to sitting on boards of directors and city committee to road riding people have always thought of me and know me as someone who rides and likes bikes.

That is going to change, not sure how I'll define myself and how others will see me.

Has this happened to you, and what did you do to help (re)define yourself?

For 20 years I was a Naval Aviator..It was who I was..every day, all day. Whether I was deployed or not. Then I retired. I thought it would be tough to 'transition' to civilian life(according to all the stuff I read) but it really wasn't.
Couldn't fly(rich man's sport), but realized the 'charm' of being a Naval Aviator was the 'tribe' I was in plus the flying...(like no other). Making noise outta AVGAS in a bug smasher just didn't do it for me.
Actually pretty easy to stop being a 'Naval Aviator' and become a 'bike guy'.
It helped to move away from the place where being a 'Naval Aviator' was so prevalent(SanDiego). New place, new tribe.

Plus family played a HUGE part..not only their support but the daily 'issues' that are always a part of having 2 teenagers in HS..

So, in other words, you'll find your center, you 'tribe', your comfort..just don't stop looking and don't be disappointed if it isn't riding a bike. A bike is just a tool, a means to an end, not an 'end' in itself.

"Everything will be OK in the end...if it's not OK, it's not the end"...

[bigbill]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

For 20 years I was a Naval Aviator..It was who I was..every day, all day. Whether I was deployed or not. Then I retired. I thought it would be tough to 'transition' to civilian life(according to all the stuff I read) but it really wasn't.
Couldn't fly(rich man's sport), but realized the 'charm' of being a Naval Aviator was the 'tribe' I was in plus the flying...(like no other). Making noise outta AVGAS in a bug smasher just didn't do it for me.
Actually pretty easy to stop being a 'Naval Aviator' and become a 'bike guy'.
It helped to move away from the place where being a 'Naval Aviator' was so prevalent(SanDiego). New place, new tribe.

Plus family played a HUGE part..not only their support but the daily 'issues' that are always a part of having 2 teenagers in HS..

My son was driving factor for my military retirement. He turned 13 about a month after my retirement ceremony in 2012. I had punched all the tickets to make O-5, but parenting took priority. I had planned on making O-6 and retiring this year. This morning I'm exchanging texts with my Marine Second Lieutenant son who is attending flight school in Pensacola. I had judged success by career progression instead of the larger picture of the success of those around me. I like to joke that my son will make Captain and I never did. A Marine Captain. With his USNA payback, eight years after getting his wings, he'll be a Major before he can get out.

I used to take aviators on tours through the nuclear propulsion plants to get a basic understanding of how it works. As you know, carrier commanding officers are aviators, and since all carriers are nuclear, they'll have to attend nuclear power school and prototype. When I was an nuke instructor in the 90s, I was assigned to O-5 aviators as their personal instructor so they could beat the typical 6 month timeline and get to their XO billet. Talk about a fish out of water, an aviator studying nuclear power can be a sad panda. When I arrived at my first carrier after commissioning, the Captain was one of my prior students.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by bigbill

My son was driving factor for my military retirement. He turned 13 about a month after my retirement ceremony in 2012. I had punched all the tickets to make O-5, but parenting took priority. I had planned on making O-6 and retiring this year. This morning I'm exchanging texts with my Marine Second Lieutenant son who is attending flight school in Pensacola. I had judged success by career progression instead of the larger picture of the success of those around me. I like to joke that my son will make Captain and I never did. A Marine Captain. With his USNA payback, eight years after getting his wings, he'll be a Major before he can get out.

I used to take aviators on tours through the nuclear propulsion plants to get a basic understanding of how it works. As you know, carrier commanding officers are aviators, and since all carriers are nuclear, they'll have to attend nuclear power school and prototype. When I was an nuke instructor in the 90s, I was assigned to O-5 aviators as their personal instructor so they could beat the typical 6 month timeline and get to their XO billet. Talk about a fish out of water, an aviator studying nuclear power can be a sad panda. When I arrived at my first carrier after commissioning, the Captain was one of my prior students.

Nuke CV XO isn't a 'fleet up' billet, is it? In other words, the XO doesn't fleet up to CO, do they? They didn't when I was flying, on old creaky, dino-fueled CVs. The CV XO was a 'twilight' tour. Some were O-6, most were O-5 and just getting their last sea duty tour done before they went to the Pentagon and probably making O-6..same for some of the other department heads on a CV, like AirBoss, Ops 'O' and Navigator...None were going to get a deep draft then be competitive for a CV..
Do prospective CV COs still do the deep draft gig first?And if successful, then to Nuke Power? Are CV XOs on a path to CV CO? Now?

Are all the aviators that go to Nuke Power school already selected for CV CO?
Any flunk out?

Sorry for the thread drift...

I was on the path to CV-64 Airboss(USS Constellation) but while it was being decommissioned..the USN was essentially telling me to retire, which I did.

[Onno]

I developed rheumatoid arthritis 2 years ago, which has given me really chronic pain--not just in some major joints, but all over. I took several months off cycling--just hurt too much, and when I went for my first ride after the diagnosis, I cried at the end of it--I just felt so diminished from what I had been just a year earlier. Since then, I've also developed anemia from all the pain killers I was taking. The pretty sudden loss of athletic ability, and loss of the ability to escape into my recreational activities (also xc skiing, hiking), hit me really hard, because it seemed like the end of a crucial part of who I thought I was.

But, after going through the insurance prescribed process of starting with old, cheap, and ineffective drugs, and now finally being on newer biologics, I'm finally beginning to feel like my old self. I'm not really back to where I was, but I feel so much better than a year ago that I can hold onto some hope that I can actually keep doing many of the things I love for some of the years ahead, including when I retire in a couple of years. But this whole experience has certainly made me realize that I can't stave off aging and all that comes with it, as I had dimly thought while I was in my 50s, and seemingly getting stronger on the bike (or at least holding on), rather than rapidly diminishing.

[bigbill]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Nuke CV XO isn't a 'fleet up' billet, is it? In other words, the XO doesn't fleet up to CO, do they? They didn't when I was flying, on old creaky, dino-fueled CVs. The CV XO was a 'twilight' tour. Some were O-6, most were O-5 and just getting their last sea duty tour done before they went to the Pentagon and probably making O-6..same for some of the other department heads on a CV, like AirBoss, Ops 'O' and Navigator...None were going to get a deep draft then be competitive for a CV..
Do prospective CV COs still do the deep draft gig first?And if successful, then to Nuke Power? Are CV XOs on a path to CV CO? Now?

Are all the aviators that go to Nuke Power school already selected for CV CO?
Any flunk out?

Sorry for the thread drift...

I was on the path to CV-64 Airboss(USS Constellation) but while it was being decommissioned..the USN was essentially telling me to retire, which I did.

Senior O-5s are selected for PXO and have an interview with the four star at Naval Reactors (NR) in DC to determine suitability. It is extremely competitive. After the blessing from NR, the Commander will attend the officer side of nuke school in Charleston, SC. After nuke school, they attend Nuclear Power Training Units (South Carolina, Upstate NY) to learn how to qualify on an operational reactor plant. An officer class at NPTU is six months, culminating with final evaluated watch with NR. PXO candidates are pushed to complete their final watch as soon as possible and leave. I got a guy out in four months once. There were a few that decided it was not for them and quit the program.

The now-nuke aviator will do some PXO underways on carriers observing how the reactor department functions before reporting to their XO billet on a CVN. Typically they make O-6 prior to arriving or shortly after. During that billet, they do typical XO stuff including observing drills, training, and sitting qualification boards for nuke officers. A lot depends on the CO. After the XO tour, typically two years or less, the XO gets a deep draft command like a large amphib. As long as the deep draft tour is successful, the now-PCO goes back to NR for advanced study equivalent to a nuclear engineer. After passing oral boards and written exams, the PCO gets a carrier. He or she will probably ride another carrier as PCO before reporting to their new carrier. If the CO has a good tour, they'll select for Rear Admiral at the end of their tour. It's all about timing. Of the seven carrier COs I served under, five made admiral.

More drift, I was on the Theodore Roosevelt on 9/11 and we deployed a week later. We had a constant stream of media and visiting dignitaries. On the way home, we had Matt Lauer and Ann Curry on board to broadcast our return voyage to Norfolk. They flew on as we were leaving the Med. Ann Curry is a delightful person and really connected with the crew. Matt Lauer was a jackass to just about everyone. For a Today Show broadcast, Matt was supposed to catapult off in the back seat of a Tomcat, fly around, do an arrested landing, and begin his broadcast from the cockpit on the flight deck. The pilot was given a "break him" communication before launching. They went off on afterburners and were supersonic about ten miles out before going vertical and doing an overhead pass supersonic, and inverted. The broadcast was delayed after landing to give Matt time to change to a clean flightsuit because he puked all over the other one. That pilot ended up as a carrier CO.

[deluz]

Originally Posted by Onno

I developed rheumatoid arthritis 2 years ago, which has given me really chronic pain--not just in some major joints, but all over. I took several months off cycling--just hurt too much, and when I went for my first ride after the diagnosis, I cried at the end of it--I just felt so diminished from what I had been just a year earlier. Since then, I've also developed anemia from all the pain killers I was taking. The pretty sudden loss of athletic ability, and loss of the ability to escape into my recreational activities (also xc skiing, hiking), hit me really hard, because it seemed like the end of a crucial part of who I thought I was.

But, after going through the insurance prescribed process of starting with old, cheap, and ineffective drugs, and now finally being on newer biologics, I'm finally beginning to feel like my old self. I'm not really back to where I was, but I feel so much better than a year ago that I can hold onto some hope that I can actually keep doing many of the things I love for some of the years ahead, including when I retire in a couple of years. But this whole experience has certainly made me realize that I can't stave off aging and all that comes with it, as I had dimly thought while I was in my 50s, and seemingly getting stronger on the bike (or at least holding on), rather than rapidly diminishing.

I am glad you are doing better. Those new drugs can be miraculous although carry some risks but sounds like it is the right solution for you. I always thought in my retirement I would be riding more and have the freedom to go on group rides or maybe even some touring. I have friends in their 70's still riding strong doing long hilly rides. It seems sadly that I probably will not be able to be doing that. It seems that they are lucky and I somehow got cheated. My only hope is that if I ride slower I can ride more.

[Spdntrxi]

I would probably sell most of my self-powered bike and get an e-bike.

wish you the best for the future

[teleguy57]

Originally Posted by deluz

I always thought in my retirement I would be riding more and have the freedom to go on group rides or maybe even some touring. I have friends in their 70's still riding strong doing long hilly rides. It seems sadly that I probably will not be able to be doing that. It seems that they are lucky and I somehow got cheated. My only hope is that if I ride slower I can ride more.

Originally Posted by Spdntrxi

I would probably sell most of my self-powered bike and get an e-bike.

Late to the conversation. We recently uncovered some asymptomatic significant cardiac issues at age 68 and I'm now in the a permanent "limited exertion" category from here forward, with some potential surgical likely interventions some time in the future which will reduce risk but not modify those restrictions.

As of last week I have a new Domane+ which is a game changer in terms of managing my exertion levels within those allowed by my cardiologist while still really riding a bike both solo and with fast friends. But I am coming to grips with defining myself differently than being an endurance/outdoor athlete (for example, there aren't an nordic e-skis....). Still noodling on implications for my other bikes, such as my 2019 custom ti Alliance.

I highly recommend the recent book "From Strength to Strength" by Arthur Brooks about all this stuff of transitions -- physical, career, etc. Heard of it on Peter Attia's podcast and very insightful read (and includes counsel on action planning).

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by teleguy57

Late to the conversation. We recently uncovered some asymptomatic significant cardiac issues at age 68 and I'm now in the a permanent "limited exertion" category from here forward, with some potential surgical likely interventions some time in the future which will reduce risk but not modify those restrictions.

As of last week I have a new Domane+ which is a game changer in terms of managing my exertion levels within those allowed by my cardiologist while still really riding a bike both solo and with fast friends. But I am coming to grips with defining myself differently than being an endurance/outdoor athlete (for example, there aren't an nordic e-skis....). Still noodling on implications for my other bikes, such as my 2019 custom ti Alliance.

I highly recommend the recent book "From Strength to Strength" by Arthur Brooks about all this stuff of transitions -- physical, career, etc. Heard of it on Peter Attia's podcast and very insightful read (and includes counsel on action planning).

Best wishes for working out the cardiac stuff.
This is a great thread, especially when combined with the When To Retire thread. It's the first time that I have envisioned an ebike in my future. I just came in from 40 miles on the Bingham. I can't do that every day. I want to maintain the capability to take a longer ride (which is three hours and longer in my mind). I can see having both an ebike and pedal bikes in a scenario where I reach for the ebike for a 70 mile ride, but do my more common 20 milers on a conventional bike. I haven't looked recently at road ebikes, but it seems that a product with quite limited assist, say 100-200W, that one could turn on for hills, headwinds, etc. could have a modest battery and therefore not weigh a ton more than a regular, non-ww bike.

Years ago I rode my recumbent with John Tetz, a brilliant former Bell Labs engineer who built his own faired recumbent vehicles. He had a 200W motor and enough battery for 20 minutes of boost, and as we hit a hill I would hear the faint whir of the e drive. He told me it added four pounds to the bike.

[jimcav]

Originally Posted by pdonk

As per the weught loss thread I am going through a drawn out illness that is likely going to have long term impact on how I define myself as a person.

Specifically, due to the muscle loss and a few other things I probably won't be able to ride this year. Riding my bike has been a constant defining part of me for nearly 35 years. From mountain biking to sitting on boards of directors and city committee to road riding people have always thought of me and know me as someone who rides and likes bikes.

That is going to change, not sure how I'll define myself and how others will see me.

Has this happened to you, and what did you do to help (re)define yourself?

When I saw your post in the weight loss thread it made me think of what my son went through before he got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (the tiredness and weight loss we thought was do to growth spurt, 1st job, starting greatly increased training for black belt and AP class load homework).
I can only partly imagine what you are going for--I thought when i retired from active duty I'd be doing more road cycling and even get back into triathlon, but the same year as retiring I developed a cervical radiculopathy--no more freestyle swimming and no road position let alone tri position. I switched to MTB. Next long COVID took away running which was my most spiritual activity (for me). Recently it has flared even worse, no solution yet.

It is not only hard to not be able to be the person I always was, not be able to enjoy what I've always enjoyed, but also to not really be sure what the solution is.

If I lost all cycling, I think I'd get back into woodworking. I really enjoy having an activity I can do for hours at a time.

I try to take solace in doing what I can (walking and hiking), and keep trying to jog, see doctors, maintain hope. I truly hope they get a handle on whatever is affecting you.

[pdonk]

Originally Posted by Spdntrxi

I would probably sell most of my self-powered bike and get an e-bike.

wish you the best for the future

I am actually thinking of trying to rent one for a few weeks, once I'm permitted to excercise.

This thread comes during a 6 day stay in the hospital, being really down and feeling a bit sorry for my self.

Good news is being discharged today and in a bit better of a head space

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by bigbill

Senior O-5s are selected for PXO and have an interview with the four star at Naval Reactors (NR) in DC to determine suitability. It is extremely competitive. After the blessing from NR, the Commander will attend the officer side of nuke school in Charleston, SC. After nuke school, they attend Nuclear Power Training Units (South Carolina, Upstate NY) to learn how to qualify on an operational reactor plant. An officer class at NPTU is six months, culminating with final evaluated watch with NR. PXO candidates are pushed to complete their final watch as soon as possible and leave. I got a guy out in four months once. There were a few that decided it was not for them and quit the program.

The now-nuke aviator will do some PXO underways on carriers observing how the reactor department functions before reporting to their XO billet on a CVN. Typically they make O-6 prior to arriving or shortly after. During that billet, they do typical XO stuff including observing drills, training, and sitting qualification boards for nuke officers. A lot depends on the CO. After the XO tour, typically two years or less, the XO gets a deep draft command like a large amphib. As long as the deep draft tour is successful, the now-PCO goes back to NR for advanced study equivalent to a nuclear engineer. After passing oral boards and written exams, the PCO gets a carrier. He or she will probably ride another carrier as PCO before reporting to their new carrier. If the CO has a good tour, they'll select for Rear Admiral at the end of their tour. It's all about timing. Of the seven carrier COs I served under, five made admiral.

More drift, I was on the Theodore Roosevelt on 9/11 and we deployed a week later. We had a constant stream of media and visiting dignitaries. On the way home, we had Matt Lauer and Ann Curry on board to broadcast our return voyage to Norfolk. They flew on as we were leaving the Med. Ann Curry is a delightful person and really connected with the crew. Matt Lauer was a jackass to just about everyone. For a Today Show broadcast, Matt was supposed to catapult off in the back seat of a Tomcat, fly around, do an arrested landing, and begin his broadcast from the cockpit on the flight deck. The pilot was given a "break him" communication before launching. They went off on afterburners and were supersonic about ten miles out before going vertical and doing an overhead pass supersonic, and inverted. The broadcast was delayed after landing to give Matt time to change to a clean flightsuit because he puked all over the other one. That pilot ended up as a carrier CO.

Thanks...I guess things have changed in the 30 years since I retired. The CV XOs I saw were only 'heads and beds', and were on their twilight tour.
The one on my last CV, USS Forrestal, we called him 'the little round mound of sound'..He couldn't do anything w/o yelling.

Interesting that of 7 CV COs, 2 DIDN'T make flag...surprising that flag rank wasn't a gift at the end of their CO tour along with a rec. that they retire...

I heard that story about Lauer..who was his pilot? I may know him...