And you have to keep the faith. As soon as you start surfing or mountain biking you know in your heart it’s all over.
Having given this a bit of thought. I've decided its bollocks. If your biking for example is riding to Otley cafe for a scone with TomTom and Jimmy Saville maybe but if you are training hard and competing at your alternative sport. Then you will still have a high level of commitment/ competiveness which when you refocus on your climbing will push you to climb as hard as you can.
You might not be as bold but most people lose that as they get older anyhow.
stuff you start in erm, mid life that needs a lot of skill you're going to struggle to get good at though. I love surfing, and all, but gotta be realistic (ie am considering a move back to bigger boards). Then again, I came third in my first triathalon last year*. Then again again, I've climbed on and off for more than three quarters of my life (Adel, age 12, car tow rope that broke more t han once) and never been anything other than shite. So I guess despite ticking a lot of boxes on this thread, I am the climber I was. Unfortunately.
* in my age(d) category. Get me. Whilst failing to beat the mates I entered in order to beat.
