After following the BF Road forum now for about a year I've come to a conclusion:
I will never be fast as defined here at BF. I just won't. I'm 45 yo, limited time to train...I'm just not destined to be in the same league as a lot of the riders here. I just have to accept that. I admire (won't go so far as to say
envy) you guys who can push so hard it makes me nearly puke just
thinkingabout it. I really do.
Up to now, I thought the end game was to be as fast as possible...and maybe for many or most it is. However, after reading
this thread and a ride I took on Monday, I've finally come to the conclusion it's not...and I'm fine with that. I think BF has
greatly tainted what I think I should be getting out of cycling...and I really don't think I'm alone.
What was special about Monday's ride? It was simply a recovery ride. Sunday evening I did 40 miles in and around my short, steep hill area just running up and down these short steep hills....lots of hard work, felt good, next day I was sore. So on Monday evening I did a flat 20 miles during which I didn't let my HR get above 120. I went out into the farmland here in MN. Late evening, sunset to my right illuminating the storm clouds to my left, corn fields, barns, light to no wind, 75 degrees...simply beautiful.
It was at that moment I figured out why I
really do this. Not for speed (although it's certainly fun), not for power meters, not for the intricacies of lateral stability or vertical compliance, not for droping the hammer, or building huge guads, but just to ride. To ride for it's own sake....to enjoy it, savor the time on the bike. It was truly an epiphany for me. In about a year and 3000 miles it's been the single most enjoyable ride I've taken on the bike yet.
While I will still follow BF for the equipment and fit tips, wrenching issues, and of course the humor
, I'm not going to let BF define for
me why or how I should be cycling. Does that mean I won't try to improve my performance, certainly not...but it will no longer be the driving factor in my mind when I go out into the garage and see the bike hanging, waiting.
Thanks BF, it's been fun, but the honeymoon is over.