It may sound silly to some, but I think a birthday is a time to reward yourself, or “Treat Yo Self” as Rhetta and Tom from Parks and Rec say in the above video. Spend the day indulging in what you enjoy. You get to eat where you want, sleep when you want, and control the remote control. Most importantly, you should engage in your passion, your hobby.
In case you haven’t heard, I like to ride a bike. Treat Yo Self!
The last two years, I’ve enjoyed the tradition of solo riding my age mileage on my birthday. I’ve tried to make the routes relatively interesting. Two years ago I experienced Paris Mountain for the first time. Last year I rode up Hoosier Pass, CO, and rode from Breckenridge to Frisco and back.
This year was not so easy to be interesting. Given that my birthday falls on a Tuesday, and I’m saving my days off for larger adventures, I decided to keep my ride local. I skipped the local group ride for the safe and quiet confines of Fort Jackson.
I started with the back of the fort, which has most of the toughest hills, figuring I could finish up easily with flatter roads. I rode up Hartsville Guard, Wildcat, Dixie extension, and up both Walls before the first refuel. I texted my wife: “Hi. I’m 17.6 years old now.” She laughed.
After finishing up the big loop, I had 29 non-descript miles under my belt. I headed to the front of the fort for the last few. As each mile ticked by, I enjoyed the quiet reflection of what I was doing at that point of my life. At mile 33, I had finally moved to South Carolina, got married at mile 34, got fit at mile 35, started riding at mile 37, first Mitchell at mile 38, second Mitchell at 39, injury and third Mitchell at 40. At mile 41, I stopped at Hilton Field for a Happy Birthday photo op.
41 miles/years conquered!
Another year done. Who knows where I’ll be next year? Hopefully somewhere exotic with a lot of miles under my belt.
SteepClimbs.com 
July 31st, 2013 at 7:26 pm
Happy Birthday! I can think of no better way to celebrate it than riding your bike and looking at Sherman Tanks.
July 31st, 2013 at 9:37 pm
Thanks, Steve. There was only one Sherman, but there’s always plenty of other scenery on post.
July 31st, 2013 at 7:38 pm
Happy Birthday, Mr. 41!
July 31st, 2013 at 9:34 pm
Why thank you, young lady!
August 1st, 2013 at 1:23 am
Happy Birthday Aaron, you are still a pup at 41! Glad you had a great ride mate! 🙂
August 3rd, 2013 at 7:42 pm
I’ve been told I’m a dog, but not yet a pup. 😉
August 4th, 2013 at 3:42 am
Lol, I meant it in the nicest possible way buddy, as in 41 is still young! Lol! 🙂
August 1st, 2013 at 9:48 am
Great post. Happy 41st Aaron, & here’s to many more “miles” 🙂
August 3rd, 2013 at 7:41 pm
Thanks, Nat. It seems like I enjoy these miles more and more.
August 1st, 2013 at 10:29 pm
Happy birthday!
August 3rd, 2013 at 7:42 pm
Thanks, Jen!
August 3rd, 2013 at 3:53 pm
Belated many happy returns. I have some Fort Jackson routes set up on my Tacx Genius and they are fun to ride, albeit “virtually”. If I crank up the central heating (that’s the thing we have instead of air conditioning like you guys) I can kid on I’m in SC and not a damp corner of Scotland. Hope the rest of your birthday was good as well as the ride.
August 3rd, 2013 at 7:43 pm
Wow, you have virtual Fort Jackson routes? It is a nice place to ride, but of all the places in the world, I would expect something a little more exotic. 🙂
August 4th, 2013 at 7:51 pm
I like the idea buddy! I think I will try (again) to do a ‘double my age’ ride…which will be 96. Last year did 92, fell short by 2 miles….
Geo