I went for a ride on Friday morning. Ok, not a deliberate effort for a ride ride, but rather to recce part of the race route that I am planning (ace adventure challenge). Oh my, I am so rusty with my biking skills. I find getting over narrow paths a big challenge, I just cannot keep my handle bar still. Worst, I kept focusing so near to the front wheel that I was not able to fully scan what’s really ahead. I was not able to anticipate the obstacles so I kept falling or having to stop. So myopic!  Metaphorically speaking, it is the like of the ability to see a bigger picture in life than to focus on small gain and to cry over spilled milk.

Mud filled legs are common, but somehow, I am dirtier than others (clumsy!)

And because I am clumsy, I tend to return with bruises and cuts. I guess I am better with carrying the bike than to ride on it. Anyway, I do enjoy riding, just that I am so out of touch with it now, it will take a while before I get back my confidence (which was already lacking).

The bruise I inflict on my own, actually, there are more on the inner thigh. Ouch!

I depended on riding to stay fit when I was preparing for the Cho Oyu climb back in 2007. Then, I was also busying preparing a race, and had not much time to hit the stairs for training. Lots of trail recce on bike and that helped me to maintain my cardiovascular fitness.

If you enjoy mountain climbing, and have no motivation to do stair climbing, you can try picking up mountain biking. It is not a full replacement of stair climbing, but mountain biking can compensate the lack of it.