Thanks to all of you who were so nice to wish me a happy birthday
on Wednesday. I try to ignore my advancing age, so thanks a lot.

I thought I might say a few things about my condition with respect to hang
gliding, so that you might reflect on your condition. Three years back at the
Santa Cruz Flats Race I tore my Supraspinatus tendon (rotator cuff) on my right
shoulder when I tripped on landing. A landing that was very mild with no damage
what-so-ever to the glider. (I now fly with small Dynamic Flight plastic wheels
so that if I trip again the glider will roll - more often than not - and I'll
save myself some surgery).

When I had surgery to repair my tendon the orthopedist also cleared out bursitis
and shaved the bone. The shoulder has felt great ever since.

On January 4th, 2015 I had surgery on my left shoulder to clear out the bursitis
and shave the bone. It was fantastic. I also do exercises to balance the muscles
fore and aft on the shoulders to keep the tendons in the right groove and keep
them from getting inflamed. Push and pull my shoulder blades together.

Because hang glider pilots are so dependent on their shoulders it is important
that you exercise your shoulders to strengthen the muscles that keep shoulders
healthy and pecs and traps balanced so that you are not rounding your shoulder
like you do when you type on your computer.

I ride one or two of my bicycles every day. One to two hours of exercise. I like
the hard work of mountain climbing on my Rocky Mountain Element 50 with 27.5"
wheels. The best part is how great I feel after getting to the top.

https://www.strava.com/activities/367453581

Eight week ago I spent almost four hours (three and a half riding) in the Boise
foothills riding with my cousin. The next day I had too much pain in my neck.
After getting a whole series of massages to relax the muscles at the base of my
neck on the left side I went to Primary Care (my favorite medical facility) near
the Boise Riverside RV Park, got an X-ray, a preliminary diagnosis, and an
appointment with Dr. Ringo, who I love.

https://www.strava.com/activities/330882010

Two discs narrowed. Arthritis. Bone spurs. No triggering of any nerves.

For years I have flown with a helmet pulley that takes the stress off my head.
The massages helped greatly so that I could have a much broader range of motion
at the Big Spring Nationals. I am set for Physical Therapy next week to get
further instruction on neck exercises that should help deal with these issues.
(I assume strengthening neck muscles to make up a bit for the weakness in the
bones and cartilage.)

There is little to no pain at the moment. Cycling and hang gliding are probably
the worse activities for neck problems given how you hold your neck.

I have checked my fitness age. It is 44. Blood pressure was measured two days
ago at 106/60.

I have bone spurs in my feet. Didn't feel them at all last week in Big Spring.
They appear to be a very minor problem. No pain at all on the left foot. Some
pain now and then on the right. First diagnosed at Primary Care last year. Seen
by two podiatrists. Recommendation is to not have surgery unless the pain
interferes with favored activities. I'll wait and see.

I've really had great responses to all my surgeries so far, so I don't mind
having another. But the pain is minimal, so I'll postpone it.

I'm feeling good, strong, ready to fly and compete in the Santa Cruz Flats Race.
I'll work on my harness to get rid of the pressure pain that it is causing me
because I'm pushing hard on the boot. Isn't a problem if I'm barefooting it.