This short film from Patagonia fills me with joy and admiration. It’s the story of Betty Birrell, a pioneering mountain biker and all-around bad ass still getting after it at 73.
We should all hope to be Betty Birrell. I sure do.
Robot fell in love with cycling watching the older neighborhood kids ride wheelies down the street. It was the early '70s, and Evel Knievel was jumping motorcycles over buses. Everything seemed possible. From that moment, the die was cast (iacta alia est).
He studied philosophy in college, of course he did. That's what idealists do, romantics, kids who think there must be a better way. At the same time, bikes were carrying him everywhere, delivering all of life's gifts and surprises. Occasionally he crashed and didn't mind.
Ohhh Betty! Bam a lam!!!
I guess they weren’t ever going to play some Ram Jam. But it would have been fun and age appropriate!!
Hoping I’m still cranking into my 70s!