There are a few milestones in your life. Marked by birthdays, especially the rounds.

Before I turned 40, I wanted to run a marathon. I had successfully ticked it off. Then I cycled over the Alps, from Basel to Venice. Successfully ticked off the list.

By the way, anyone who says that after 30, it’s all downhill is absolutely wrong as far as I’m concerned. I’ve never been as fit as I was at 40.

At 30, my job is still the main focus. Your own body, health and fitness don’t play a big role yet. You take your health for granted. You should take care of your fitness, but there’s still time for that later.

So, and now a new, round birthday was coming up. Another 20 years more. What was next? After I had actually done everything I wanted to do. Sometimes I wonder what comes after John Strelecky’s “Big five for Live”. I’m still looking for it.

30

On my 30th birthday, I was on the Statue of Liberty in New York. It was an omen for the rest of my life. Probably no one has ever had and enjoyed as much freedom as I did.

40

After running the marathon at the age of 39, cycling across the Alps, I hit a car. After that, I was in hospital for two weeks. Sport was out of the question all summer and into the fall. That’s why I treated myself to a sports trip to Sicily for my 40th birthday.

50

On my 50th birthday I was on my second round-the-world trip in Australia.

I actually wanted to do something I’d never done before: kitesurfing! As I have a paragliding license and used to skateboard a lot, I was very interested in it.

Of course, I didn’t have any equipment. I thought I could treat myself to an hour with a private instructor and hire the equipment. What I hadn’t expected was the price. For 400 Australian dollars, I could have done a few exercises on land in the morning. For another 400 Australian dollars, I could have gone into the water in the afternoon.

50th birthday or not – that was definitely too much for me

And Now?

Another milestone birthday was coming up. I rode over the Splügen Pass 20 years ago.

That gave me the idea that I wanted to have ridden over the Gotthard before I turned 60. I’ve already rode through the Andes and the Pamir Mountains. The Alps, which have been practically on my doorstep for three years now, not so much.

I don’t agree that it’s all downhill from the age of 30. However, the last 20 years are more obvious. Especially the after-effects of my knee fracture 20 years ago. My legs already have more than 200,000 kilometers on them. That’s why I’m far from complaining. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to do all this and will continue for as long as I can.

Before I went to Switzerland, I only did a short weekend tour. On the first day, I cycled just over 100 km. No problem at first. On the second day it was only 80 km with a headwind. I’ve never felt so bad after cycling. I had a headache and nausea. That gave me a lot to think about. Was that it now? Should I rather not ride over the passes? Oh dear, oh dear.

As a test, I went on a wonderful, easy cycle tour in the Black Forest.

After that, my confidence was restored and I was looking forward to Switzerland.

However, something has changed and I wouldn’t say for the worse. I no longer need to ride hundreds of kilometers. I’m happy about what I’ve achieved. I can now also enjoy breaks. Just sitting in the sun and being happy that my feet are warm. And as it turns out, I can still manage the passes.

I don’t want to blame my abrupt end to the Norway trip (only) on my age. Maybe I’m not as sensible as I thought I was. As I didn’t take a break or a rest day, my body said stop!

This year in Norway I’m picking up where I left off. Before that, there are still a few Swiss passes waiting for me.

For me, the motto now is: just keep at it. If you don’t use it you lose it.

Let’s see what the next ten years bring.