Random Biking Musings
06-04-08, 11:06 AM
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Random Biking Musings
(I apologize if this is in the wrong place, I'm 200+ so I'd qualify, but still this is more my random musings that hopefully will encourage some newbies - I have no blog but it would be scattershot if I did - I would probably throw this up on a blog in the future if I get one.)
I thought I'd post some of my thoughts on my rides. I started riding about a month ago (a week in the shop), but I started walking about 3 years ago. When I started biking, I struggled with hills and would be gasping for breath at the top of them. Now I'm managing most of them pretty well - and I'm sure all my fitness issues (including weight) can be addressed with time.
Much of riding (as walking), I'm finding is your mind. One of those things is the conception of distance. It's hard when you start to think, "I'm going out to ride 10 miles" (I just made it up to that today without a problem
), or "I'll never be able to make it to work on the bike", and it can shut you down. Driving in a car has a tendency to skew your perceptions of distance as well as your sense of physical ability. One thing I can say is if it seems impossible to do, try it! You might find you can do more than you think!
The key, of course, is your physical endurance - you want to stop when your body says it's time and not when your mind says it's time. When the distance mounts in the mind, the mind can be a enemy to getting there - the idea of it, or the montony of riding for a protracted period can get to you. My walks were like that - I could be out for 2 hrs and just the idea of it at first thought would be "Boring!", but I was eventually able to tune my mind out of the idea after a few trips.
Another one is the idea of taking hills...there was a very hilly road around here and my first thought would be very averse to the idea of taking that road. But again, conception can get to you - try it! I ended up taking that road not once but twice today. The only thing that was keeping me from it was my mind more than my fitness level. If you see something you think you can't take, try it!
Of course, there's always the issue of the fitness level. Working against that can be discouraging for most. But don't give up, what is impossible today is always possible into the future. Don't get discouraged!
I thought I'd post some of my thoughts on my rides. I started riding about a month ago (a week in the shop), but I started walking about 3 years ago. When I started biking, I struggled with hills and would be gasping for breath at the top of them. Now I'm managing most of them pretty well - and I'm sure all my fitness issues (including weight) can be addressed with time.
Much of riding (as walking), I'm finding is your mind. One of those things is the conception of distance. It's hard when you start to think, "I'm going out to ride 10 miles" (I just made it up to that today without a problem
), or "I'll never be able to make it to work on the bike", and it can shut you down. Driving in a car has a tendency to skew your perceptions of distance as well as your sense of physical ability. One thing I can say is if it seems impossible to do, try it! You might find you can do more than you think!The key, of course, is your physical endurance - you want to stop when your body says it's time and not when your mind says it's time. When the distance mounts in the mind, the mind can be a enemy to getting there - the idea of it, or the montony of riding for a protracted period can get to you. My walks were like that - I could be out for 2 hrs and just the idea of it at first thought would be "Boring!", but I was eventually able to tune my mind out of the idea after a few trips.
Another one is the idea of taking hills...there was a very hilly road around here and my first thought would be very averse to the idea of taking that road. But again, conception can get to you - try it! I ended up taking that road not once but twice today. The only thing that was keeping me from it was my mind more than my fitness level. If you see something you think you can't take, try it!
Of course, there's always the issue of the fitness level. Working against that can be discouraging for most. But don't give up, what is impossible today is always possible into the future. Don't get discouraged!
06-04-08, 06:34 PM
#3
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The whole mental concept of distnace is exactly what has kept my spiffy new computer in it's orginal package.
In time, I'll put it on when I get to the point of tracking miles and marking progress. I've only been back riding for a month, and the only progress I've kept up with is my clothes fit more loosely, I've gone from 272 to about 256 lbs, and the amount of time each ride lasts is getting longer.
I do admit to driving a particular ride route afterwards in the car to see how far I went though
In time, I'll put it on when I get to the point of tracking miles and marking progress. I've only been back riding for a month, and the only progress I've kept up with is my clothes fit more loosely, I've gone from 272 to about 256 lbs, and the amount of time each ride lasts is getting longer.
I do admit to driving a particular ride route afterwards in the car to see how far I went though
06-04-08, 07:25 PM
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Txvintage, you lost 16lbs in a month?! Wow, thats amazing, and at the same time inspirational(as I'm near 270 myself, and just got my bike Monday) Congratulations, and keep it up.
And about Glenn's points. I agree wholeheartedly with you. Our minds are both and at the same time our biggest asset and liability. Its amazing what we can accomplish once we overcome our fear and put to work the most advanced super computer to date(the mind). I'm not sure if posting links is ok, but I watch this and a few others when I need a dose of inspiration. Be warned though, it's very full of tears.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=f4B-r8KJhlE
When I feel I cant do something i'm struggling with that and a few others help out immensely.
And about Glenn's points. I agree wholeheartedly with you. Our minds are both and at the same time our biggest asset and liability. Its amazing what we can accomplish once we overcome our fear and put to work the most advanced super computer to date(the mind). I'm not sure if posting links is ok, but I watch this and a few others when I need a dose of inspiration. Be warned though, it's very full of tears.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=f4B-r8KJhlE
When I feel I cant do something i'm struggling with that and a few others help out immensely.
06-04-08, 07:29 PM
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Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
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Yep, you can post links....no problem!
Here's one of my little update videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpZRt5Y9htQ
Here's one of my little update videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpZRt5Y9htQ
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
06-04-08, 09:23 PM
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The whole mental concept of distnace is exactly what has kept my spiffy new computer in it's orginal package.
06-15-08, 09:48 AM
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Super post! I linked here form your supportive post to BigGuyMo, you're a welcome asset to our wonderful little group.
