As I was saying you could've switched out his helmet for a cowboy hat and his bike for a horse and he would've looked just like one of the grizzled, seasoned cowboys of the Old West.
He had that craggy, chiseled look that only comes with age, a good diet and lots of gut wrenching exercise.
So I take the lead and he takes my rear wheel and we're motoring up HRR at 7.5 mph which is a lot faster than I was going before because that's what happens when you ride with someone else - you go faster.
And we get to talking between gasps of air and this guy's name is....
Bob Buck!
Yep - didn't make that up. Sure fits him.
And he's from Idaho and he's on an Adventure Cycling Group Tour of Washington but he's also training for a 130 mile 1 day ride in the Sierra Nevadas that goes over 5 peaks in that one day...
And I'm thinking this guy must be like Lance Armstrong plus 10 - 15 years thinking he was about my age....maybe a little older.
So I ask him...
He says "I'm 66."
Wow - I say!
So we start talking age and exercise and Bob says he started riding a bike about 15 years ago and he's in better shape now than he was 20 years ago ....
And I believe it....
And I am inspired...
Bob and I continued to ride together for another 8 miles up the steep inclines of Hurricane Ridge Road with Bob calling out grades of 5,6,7 and even an occasional 8% off his GPS.
I was red-lining the whole way just to keep up with him and finally shut it down at Mile 14 of 17 telling Bob I would meet him at the top.
I will never forget Bob Buck because in my short ride with him, he gave me hope and inspiration to continue to challenge myself to be better and to discover that my limits are simply....
A blurry line on a mist covered mountain road.
Ride Hard and Live Long Bob Buck.
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