You’re becoming an athlete. Don’t complain, embrace it
06-11-14, 08:24 PM
#1
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You’re becoming an athlete. Don’t complain, embrace it
I’ve been reading this forum for years. I actually believe I’m addicted to it. This is my first thread, wish me luck.
I read soooo many posts that basically complain about hills, wind, bike weight, basically complaining about obstacles. These are obstacles to riding, but tools to change and improvement. As a former high school and college athlete I want to applaud you, and try to convince you that obstacles are what you HUNT, what you SEARCH FOR, what you BEG FOR. Obstacles give you the opportunity to improve, to improve daily. The willingness to embrace obstacles is the very definition of being athletic. Every athlete running stairs, lifting weights, etc. could sit and complain. Instead, the real athletes have mastered their own minds into convincing themselves that the task at hand is what will make them better. Most are competition junkies, but the competition is within themselves.
While we have many challenges to overcome; diet, a sedentary life style, etc. As we overcome the mental challenge we are becoming athletic. We are becoming empowered to take on the physical challenges we have. I love to read about the guys/gals that finally get it. They start riding single digit miles. A year later they are riding multi digit miles. Two years later they are riding centuries, doing marathons / triathlons. No matter what they were in past life, they are now serious athletes. I’m envious because most of these folks kick my butt in centuries, marathons, etc. because my knees/ankles/ shoulders are shot.
If you live in a particularly hilly area, feel lucky, you can achieve a serious workout much easier and quicker than the person who has to ride huge miles on flat land to get the same workout. YOU ARE LUCKY to live where you do. If you have wind you can ride in daily, feel lucky, you have an advantage over the flatlander with ideal riding conditions.
Go Team Clyde, get better every day.
I read soooo many posts that basically complain about hills, wind, bike weight, basically complaining about obstacles. These are obstacles to riding, but tools to change and improvement. As a former high school and college athlete I want to applaud you, and try to convince you that obstacles are what you HUNT, what you SEARCH FOR, what you BEG FOR. Obstacles give you the opportunity to improve, to improve daily. The willingness to embrace obstacles is the very definition of being athletic. Every athlete running stairs, lifting weights, etc. could sit and complain. Instead, the real athletes have mastered their own minds into convincing themselves that the task at hand is what will make them better. Most are competition junkies, but the competition is within themselves.
While we have many challenges to overcome; diet, a sedentary life style, etc. As we overcome the mental challenge we are becoming athletic. We are becoming empowered to take on the physical challenges we have. I love to read about the guys/gals that finally get it. They start riding single digit miles. A year later they are riding multi digit miles. Two years later they are riding centuries, doing marathons / triathlons. No matter what they were in past life, they are now serious athletes. I’m envious because most of these folks kick my butt in centuries, marathons, etc. because my knees/ankles/ shoulders are shot.
If you live in a particularly hilly area, feel lucky, you can achieve a serious workout much easier and quicker than the person who has to ride huge miles on flat land to get the same workout. YOU ARE LUCKY to live where you do. If you have wind you can ride in daily, feel lucky, you have an advantage over the flatlander with ideal riding conditions.
Go Team Clyde, get better every day.
06-11-14, 11:20 PM
#3
SuperGimp
I actually did a little HTFU of my own today - I was just not feeling it and was tempted to detour around the only major hill on my planned route and said HECK no! Did it. Not my best time or anything but what the heck. 
I agree with the premise of the OP.
I agree with the premise of the OP.
06-12-14, 06:55 AM
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Great post HelpMeRhonda,
I find it cool when I conquer a different hill for the first time and there are many to choose from in my area. I also find myself challenged in a large way with the mental factor and some hills challenge my mental toughness more so than my physical toughness.
John
I find it cool when I conquer a different hill for the first time and there are many to choose from in my area. I also find myself challenged in a large way with the mental factor and some hills challenge my mental toughness more so than my physical toughness.
John
06-12-14, 07:25 PM
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06-12-14, 07:35 PM
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my current mode is "gimp".....I got hit by a car 2 months ago, 10 broken bones, busted/bruised lung, lots of staples/stitches and 1 surgery....sadly I will never be the same
Last edited by jsigone; 06-12-14 at 07:39 PM.
06-12-14, 07:48 PM
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06-12-14, 07:54 PM
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I used to be one of those complainers, "it's too windy to ride, these hills suck" the list was endless. My wife in encouraged me to keep riding "it'll get easier she said" and you know what? It did!
I started out last spring barely able to ride out of the neighborhood, by the fall I completed my first century (averaging 12.4 mph)
To everyone out there keep riding, it will get easier......
I started out last spring barely able to ride out of the neighborhood, by the fall I completed my first century (averaging 12.4 mph)
To everyone out there keep riding, it will get easier......
06-12-14, 08:03 PM
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06-12-14, 08:04 PM
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I used to be one of those complainers, "it's too windy to ride, these hills suck" the list was endless. My wife in encouraged me to keep riding "it'll get easier she said" and you know what? It did!
I started out last spring barely able to ride out of the neighborhood, by the fall I completed my first century (averaging 12.4 mph)
To everyone out there keep riding, it will get easier......
I started out last spring barely able to ride out of the neighborhood, by the fall I completed my first century (averaging 12.4 mph)
To everyone out there keep riding, it will get easier......
Exactly.. great job.
06-12-14, 11:15 PM
#13
SuperGimp
I got hit by a car 17 years ago. 2 knee surgeries, 5 foot surgeries and yeah, nothing's the same. Deal with it.
I give you permission to use "SuperGimp" as your avatar title. We should form a little club.
06-13-14, 11:19 AM
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SuperGimp
06-13-14, 11:26 AM
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Try riding with four coronary artery stents...or a broken rib...or shoe laces on too tight...or the sun in your eyes...or a speck of grease on your chain stays...or a loose string on your new riding gloves...those, my friends, are real sacrifices.
06-13-14, 11:37 AM
#17
SuperGimp
As for the stents, I'm sure we'll get there eventually. Give us a chance to catch up to your advanced age.
06-13-14, 11:42 AM
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I have signed up for the MS Coastal Bike ride. Looks like fun.
California, Santa Monica - Bike MS: Coastal Challenge 2014 - National MS Society
Anyone else here has done any of the MS rides?
06-13-14, 12:14 PM
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I used to be one of those complainers, "it's too windy to ride, these hills suck" the list was endless. My wife in encouraged me to keep riding "it'll get easier she said" and you know what? It did!
I started out last spring barely able to ride out of the neighborhood, by the fall I completed my first century (averaging 12.4 mph)
To everyone out there keep riding, it will get easier......
I started out last spring barely able to ride out of the neighborhood, by the fall I completed my first century (averaging 12.4 mph)
To everyone out there keep riding, it will get easier......
No it doesn't. Every ride I do is nearly as painful as my first; the only difference is that I can endure it for far longer, and I go a lot faster.
06-13-14, 12:24 PM
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06-13-14, 04:28 PM
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I broke my foot last year, on my skateboard, dipping into the bowl at the local skate park. Yes I'm 56 y/o. Can I join the club, I like to whine?
06-13-14, 06:18 PM
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On my big ride (AIDS/LifeCycle) I had some injuries. I went to the doctor, he actually said I just didn't train hard enough. I have a Rule #5 prescription. In writing.
06-13-14, 09:21 PM
#23
SuperGimp
You're in, bub. You need stents to get into the Senior Division though.
On my big ride (AIDS/LifeCycle) I had some injuries. I went to the doctor, he actually said I just didn't train hard enough. I have a Rule #5 prescription. In writing.
You're welcome to join the SuperGimp brigade though.
06-13-14, 09:27 PM
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OK, not to reopen your other thread but what did he mean by not train enough? or hard enough? I think you've done a couple hundred more miles than me this year and I'd probably do something like your life ride without too much second thought - actually, i did that Strava 500km thing in 7 days with a lot less fitness in my legs. My a$$ paid the price though.
That being said, this supposed "Sports Medicine" doctor was not helpful, knew nothing about cycling, and therefore didn't really give me anything useful. But that's ok, because I just wanted a referral to my preferred physical therapist who is a cyclist.
06-13-14, 09:42 PM
#25
SuperGimp
Day 1 (SF to Santa Cruz) is the hardest day. 85 miles and about 5500 feet of climbing. Last year, due to injury, I skipped the big climb. This year I wasn't hurt so I went for it. And paid the price. I strained my adductors and whatnot. The doctor said that it meant I hadn't trained enough.
That being said, this supposed "Sports Medicine" doctor was not helpful, knew nothing about cycling, and therefore didn't really give me anything useful. But that's ok, because I just wanted a referral to my preferred physical therapist who is a cyclist.
That being said, this supposed "Sports Medicine" doctor was not helpful, knew nothing about cycling, and therefore didn't really give me anything useful. But that's ok, because I just wanted a referral to my preferred physical therapist who is a cyclist.