During my last bike tour through Italy, I saw them again: elderly ladies and gentlemen in their campers (the more shrivelled the driver, the bigger the vehicle…)
The heroes of the highway are between 70 and 80 years old, some even older. Wearing their captain’s caps, they roar over passes and chug up and down the countryside. They bravely do the most dangerous of manoeuvres, turn round on small roads and park in small spaces with millimetre precision. I always relax when I see they have finished.
Here is how I feel about it: If someone can still drive a truck at this age, I will also still be able to go by bike when the time comes. That is an idea I delight in.
I also meet many motor bikers. There is a surprisingly high number of campers, motor bikers and lately also Quads on “lonely” passes.
Among the motor bikers and Quad drivers, there are also some granddads. However, they somehow seem to belong to a totally different species. Most of them look like “baby boomers” come into the years. They appear in packs and celebrate noise and courage.
Here is how I feel about it: Isn’t it amazing how many people think the entire world is just a leisure park for the privileged? Mind you, I do not only mean campers and motor bikers.
And, unfortunately, far too many of us not only think this world is a leisure park, but also a self-service shop you can plunder to your heart’s content.
However, this is not how the cyclist feels.
RMD
(Translated by EG)
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