Hmmm... So then, I can forego alcohol and live a long life, or enjoy alcohol and die younger. Once I would have chosen option #2, I do enjoy an occasional beer or glass of red wine. But for the last 18 months, due to some irritating medical reasons, I have had to abstain from all alcohol. It wasn't as big a sacrifice as I thought it might be - really only so in social settings such as weddings when I had to decline the liquid festivity. The medical nonsense is back under control now and I can imbibe as I wish, but so far I have only enjoyed 1 margarita and 1 beer.
But it really is a tough choice! Long life without any alcohol, or not-so-long life but with a bit more zing in it. I think I'll opt for the zing, but only a wee bit and only on days that end with a Y. Hey, really now, who wants to live forever? Not me, sometimes I can barely tolerate the nonsense as it is... Best wishes for a long life to all you CycleBlazers,
Thanks George. I started abstaining from grog before and during the long distance fundraising tours I’ve been doing annually over the past few years.
Those lengthy pauses in drinking alcohol morphed into a total cessation of drinking alcohol a couple of years ago, because I felt better, lost weight and didn’t miss it. Also the growing evidence that alcohol causes numerous different types of cancer concerns me more as I age.
I doubt I’ll make it anywhere near 106 years old like the amazing Joan has, but I do hope to maintain a fairly high quality of life, with plenty of choice and activity. I’m seeing far too many rels and friends succumbing to conditions which make them highly dependent on the medical system and carers. Not always, but often their prematurely poor health is directly related to poor choices in their younger years.
Slight irony about Bletchley Park, the WWII code breaking centre, where our 106 year old heroine worked. I visited it a few years ago. I couldn’t even decipher their online booking system. So I just turned up. They took pity on me, and let me in despite my ineptitude.
What a woman. There is no doubt that cycling does exercise the heart and lungs which tends to keep the body younger.
I don't drink at home and two weeks ago when we were on holiday for a week and eating out a lot I had a single glass of wine. I didn't dislike it but was in no hurry to order another. However after storming an European mountain pass in the current heat waves being experienced there I can see the attraction of a beer or two!
Never been a drinker, don't like the taste. Still cycling obviously, but 106 is way too old. We'll settle for 5 or 10 more years of reasonably good health and then be happy enough to call it quits.
I can relate, because for my own medical reasons I had to give up alcohol about six months ago. There’s a similar trade-off we discuss and have a strong opinion, since I’m a victim of GCA, have lost one eye already and am relying on prednisone to preserve the other one. Better to live a short, sighted life or a longer, darker one? It didn’t actually take us long to get agreement on that one, but for the first I’m still hoping for a day with a real Real Ale in it down the road.
Oh, and this is Scott, not Rocky. We’re still working through the tech issues with my recently broken iPad. I’m using hers in the meantime and too lazy to sign in under my own account.
Yes, I managed to work out that Scott was posting,not Rocky!
Scott that’s sad news about your eye. I can relate to your situation to some degree, because I almost lost an eye to an incident while cycle-touring in NZ about 14 years ago. Just almost losing an eye was a huge shock. I can imagine the part loss of vision has had to be a big adjustment for you. Especially if the other eye is at risk.
Good on you for getting on with life regardless.
Thank you, Graham. You're right about the fear for the other one, the loss of which would put us in a whole different ball game. Other than that dread though, I've been surprised at how easily I've adapted and what a minor characteristic it is - much less troublesome than these damn knees. Everyone has something, especially by my age, and this feels more like just a non-disabling characteristic. Rocky and I still feel very blessed about the outcome so far, most of the time. She'll be happier though when I come down from this long, strange acid trip and she can relax again.
Purely anecdotal, but enjoy your zing. https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/secrets-to-living-to-100-centenarians-endorse-booze-smoking-chocolate
Inspiration to keep cycle touring?
Joan Mace, who worked at the Bletchley Park codebreaking centre in England during World War II, is celebrating her 106th birthday.
“When asked what her secret to a long and healthy life was, Mrs Mace said, "No alcohol, and cycling as I never learnt how to drive a car."
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgd8r7pwexo
1 week ago