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Today October 2020!

yeah, at the peak of my cycling form in 2016-2017 I was only 62-63 kg, at 175 cm height. in the last 2-3 years I've kept it at 65-66 kg, and reasonable aerobic fitness, but nothing special compared to other cyclists. this is the first comparable data using the same scales, so you can see the change from march to Oct. of course, for all the strength, muscle mass and mobility gained, a lot has been lost in aerobic fitness and endurance.
I'd also add that you are probably a fitter overall human being if you have more upper body strength, more mobility and so forth, even if it comes at the expense of a few "extra" kilos. To be honest, allowing myself to gain a kilo or two was a conscious decision in an attempt to become more resilient against diseases.
but it's always like that, a give and take. did not think I'd be able to add all this mass and strength without also adding a lot of fat, especially at my age (38), but apparently it's possible if you really fine tune it all (training, resting, nutrition etc)
That's the other thing: how much are you willing to give up? And since most of us aren't earning their living with cycling, I don't think it makes sense to forgo all of life's pleasures.
 
I'd also add that you are probably a fitter overall human being if you have more upper body strength, more mobility and so forth, even if it comes at the expense of a few "extra" kilos. To be honest, allowing myself to gain a kilo or two was a conscious decision in an attempt to become more resilient against diseases.

indeed, if we exclude endurance, I'm probably fitter in all other physical aspects then I've ever been, and I feel great. agreed on a bit of extra weight for hormonal balance and immunity aspect too. I was looking a bit into mobility work from late 2019, but in Jan/Feb this year I had a knee injury which kept me off the bike for more than a month. that's when I really started going into mobility work. after several months, I saw the limitations of what mobility alone can deliver, as it becomes necessary to stabilize and control the joint to be able to move it through higher ranges of motion, and that requires strength. so kinda evolving project haha

but I don't regret moving away from focusing solely on endurance, and allowing everything else to suffer and deteriorate, as this is what I've basically been doing for the past 5-6 years. developed all sorts of imbalances, weaknesses etc. I figure going into the later half of life, it's much better to be an all-rounder than a specialist in any one single aspect of your body
 
Yesterday, with this beautiful automnal weather, I had the pleasure to meet a deer , exactly her butt as she was running away from me. It was in Chiba, Boso, about 5-8km south from Yoro-Keikoku.
Last year, near the same road, I saw a dead deer, mostly the remaining bones along the road, and though living in Southern Chiba for a long time, I did not know until them this beautiful animal was living there. A few thousands actually. The road itself was not so good for road cycling, narrow, basically maintained with only locals on their small white trucks taking it at time.
It was an enjoyable moment
 
yeah a full wheel size might be overstating it a bit. I only do 2-3 drops near me, which I got pretty used to doing. of course this is on 47mm tires, not on the narrow road ones for sure. I guesstimate them at 40-50cm high or less
First time doing a 30-cm drop, feels like this in the mind.

 
First time doing a 30-cm drop, feels like this in the mind.


If it makes you feel any better - I have been at this for decades now.
Anything over 2m and I hold my breath unless there is a loooooong landing zone.
I have over shot my landings just a few too many times to not get nervous now.

The drop I did in the rain on Friday was not much more than a meter (at most 1.5m), but I was holding my breath. It was not the initial landing that had me worried, it was that the trail turned shortly after the drop, so I would not only have to land it, but be in control to slow my speed and still make the corner.
The first run, I psyched myself out - Once doubt crept into my mind, it was time to just go around it.
After riding the landing zone, I was convinced the conditions were good enough to have a greater than 60% chance of making the corner. So next run - while still some doubt, it was not the overwhelming emotion.

In my favor - the Japanese parks are a bit cautious and usually have 'warning signs' posted for features I would not even think twice about, so if there is no sign, it should be fine.
 
yeah I'm not talking about drops made for dropping, like features at a trail park or an MTB racing course etc. I'd never do that personally. I'm talking about random objects and street furniture etc around my place, familiar and with immaculate landing, flat and clear of any debris etc. otherwise, if the landing is a descent, and/or loose, turning or something, that's not what I'd be comfortable with at all. but the first couple of times it is indeed very frightening, no matter the size
 
Drops/Steps/etc... don't bother me much at all around town. I just wheelie of most or bunny hop.
I broke a light mounts on my road bike bunny hopping off a tall curb while doing a Miura loop. I didn't quite land as soft as normal and the little plastic mount died. :( But I suppose a 25cm drop or so is a bit more than the engineers that designed the mount for the light were expecting.
I would bet it would have been fine with the extra cushion from the gravel bike.

Even though I have NEVER crashed hopping up a curb, I am still a bit nervous on a drop bar bike.
I sometimes second guess myself with a mountain bike. I have noticed I don't have the pop I used to have when launching. So maybe it is just some self preservation sneaking into my head.
 
Yesterday, with this beautiful automnal weather, I had the pleasure to meet a deer , exactly her butt as she was running away from me. It was in Chiba, Boso, about 5-8km south from Yoro-Keikoku.
Last year, near the same road, I saw a dead deer, mostly the remaining bones along the road, and though living in Southern Chiba for a long time, I did not know until them this beautiful animal was living there. A few thousands actually. The road itself was not so good for road cycling, narrow, basically maintained with only locals on their small white trucks taking it at time.
It was an enjoyable moment
Saw two deer in that area on Saturday! I knew you are from around that area and had been wondering if we would bump into you, but no such luck.
 
Saw two deer in that area on Saturday! I knew you are from around that area and had been wondering if we would bump into you, but no such luck.

Two deer. Lucky you !
Weekend menu is generally a short ride around Mobara on Saturday and as time allows, a long one on Sunday, toward the south or west of the Peninsula.
Also always checking if I see some buddies.
Unfortunately, I could not see either the Kawasaki Enduro Winner !
 
BTW that was a year ago, Oct 2019, but feels a lifetime away. what a year has it been since.....
 
yeah MTB is a bit like playing video games, but with your actual body. my risk assessment has since been more in line with yours @Kangaeroo
 
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