I Love Cycling
03-01-18, 04:16 AM
#27
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Lots of negativity. People cursing on Strava because they got a flat, complaining about the weather, saying that this technology or that feature sucks and manufacturers are out to screw us. Nattering nabobs. Whiners and complainers.
I do my fair share.
But at the end of the day I love this sport.
Riding home last night at 11:00 PM. 55° F. The stars were out. 40 mm Gravelkings on 1400 gram wheels. 1600 lumens. Electronic shifting and hydraulic brakes. I took a long cut through the woods to get some dirt, rolled back onto pavement a few miles later and stormed up some climbs. Sublime.
Last year I rode past canyons, waterfalls, along cliffs and alongside mountain streams, stumbled upon 8 boars in the woods, rode a 26 MPH paceline with roadies on my fixed gear bike, rode to Church at 2:00 AM to pray, had my bottles freeze on a 17° ride, saw llamas, deer, turkeys, snakes, peacocks, horses, donkeys, sprayed dogs with pepper spray, rode through a swarm of bats, crashed riding in a foot of snow, went on group rides with nice guys and pretty women, had an 85 year old man on a townie play the harmonica for me, dropped a few riders and got dropped by a few, didn't get a single flat (jinx!) and met so many wonderful people that I can't remember their names.
Some of it is recorded for posterity here.
Not sure what my point is but just felt like saying this. There are days which I don't enjoy the ride but all things considered, when I survey the past and look toward the future (God willing), I really do love this sport.
yeah, so there you go.
-Tim-
I do my fair share.
But at the end of the day I love this sport.
Riding home last night at 11:00 PM. 55° F. The stars were out. 40 mm Gravelkings on 1400 gram wheels. 1600 lumens. Electronic shifting and hydraulic brakes. I took a long cut through the woods to get some dirt, rolled back onto pavement a few miles later and stormed up some climbs. Sublime.
Last year I rode past canyons, waterfalls, along cliffs and alongside mountain streams, stumbled upon 8 boars in the woods, rode a 26 MPH paceline with roadies on my fixed gear bike, rode to Church at 2:00 AM to pray, had my bottles freeze on a 17° ride, saw llamas, deer, turkeys, snakes, peacocks, horses, donkeys, sprayed dogs with pepper spray, rode through a swarm of bats, crashed riding in a foot of snow, went on group rides with nice guys and pretty women, had an 85 year old man on a townie play the harmonica for me, dropped a few riders and got dropped by a few, didn't get a single flat (jinx!) and met so many wonderful people that I can't remember their names.
Some of it is recorded for posterity here.
Not sure what my point is but just felt like saying this. There are days which I don't enjoy the ride but all things considered, when I survey the past and look toward the future (God willing), I really do love this sport.
yeah, so there you go.
-Tim-
03-01-18, 06:08 AM
#28
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I really look forward to riding my bicycle....and NOT the freedom of a car....
03-01-18, 06:47 AM
#29
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I LOVE MY WIFE (45 years this June) and really enjoy bicycling. Not one to take in nature on a ride like many people do taking photos, but do find it cool when I bike up on a Bald Eagle having a bit to eat on some road kill.
How much do I ENJOY BICYCLING ********** Went to bed around 9:00PM Monday and woke up 2.5 hours later, messed around a while and was out the door at 1:00AM starting a 113 mile riding night/day. Went to bed Tuesday night and woke up 3 hours later still tired from the 113 miles. Went outside and saw an almost full moon lighting up everything and just had to get out to ride. Got back in after 62 miles of riding in quiet bliss. Around 1:30PM I hopped on the grocery grabber and biked to the food store with cars/trucks roaring by at 45+mph.
Tomorrow I have a scan to locate the return of my prostate cancer. Undoubtedly treatment will have a MAJOR impact on my cycling but I'll keep on pedaling until I can't. Just another pothole in the road I need to navigate around.
How much do I ENJOY BICYCLING ********** Went to bed around 9:00PM Monday and woke up 2.5 hours later, messed around a while and was out the door at 1:00AM starting a 113 mile riding night/day. Went to bed Tuesday night and woke up 3 hours later still tired from the 113 miles. Went outside and saw an almost full moon lighting up everything and just had to get out to ride. Got back in after 62 miles of riding in quiet bliss. Around 1:30PM I hopped on the grocery grabber and biked to the food store with cars/trucks roaring by at 45+mph.
Tomorrow I have a scan to locate the return of my prostate cancer. Undoubtedly treatment will have a MAJOR impact on my cycling but I'll keep on pedaling until I can't. Just another pothole in the road I need to navigate around.
Last edited by OldTryGuy; 03-01-18 at 07:01 AM.
03-01-18, 07:04 AM
#30
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Cycling saved my life - literally.
I took up cycling a couple years ago, after not being on a bike since age 16.
Last year, at age 62, I decided to participate in a 50 mile charity ride. To get in shape, I rode 10-30 miles several days a week for months.
Less than 2 weeks before the Ride, I had a heart attack. 3 main arteries were blocked 95-100%. STEMI, they called it. Years of neglect, coupled with a hereditary condition, had finally taken it's toll.
The doctors said that if I hadn't been riding as much as I was, in all likelihood, it would have killed me.
They put in 3 stints, and cleared me to ride, which I did.
Yep, I like my bike...
I took up cycling a couple years ago, after not being on a bike since age 16.
Last year, at age 62, I decided to participate in a 50 mile charity ride. To get in shape, I rode 10-30 miles several days a week for months.
Less than 2 weeks before the Ride, I had a heart attack. 3 main arteries were blocked 95-100%. STEMI, they called it. Years of neglect, coupled with a hereditary condition, had finally taken it's toll.
The doctors said that if I hadn't been riding as much as I was, in all likelihood, it would have killed me.
They put in 3 stints, and cleared me to ride, which I did.
Yep, I like my bike...
03-01-18, 07:22 AM
#32
Senior Member
Cycling saved my life - literally.
I took up cycling a couple years ago, after not being on a bike since age 16.
Last year, at age 62, I decided to participate in a 50 mile charity ride. To get in shape, I rode 10-30 miles several days a week for months.
Less than 2 weeks before the Ride, I had a heart attack. 3 main arteries were blocked 95-100%. STEMI, they called it. Years of neglect, coupled with a hereditary condition, had finally taken it's toll.
The doctors said that if I hadn't been riding as much as I was, in all likelihood, it would have killed me.
They put in 3 stints, and cleared me to ride, which I did.
Yep, I like my bike...
I took up cycling a couple years ago, after not being on a bike since age 16.
Last year, at age 62, I decided to participate in a 50 mile charity ride. To get in shape, I rode 10-30 miles several days a week for months.
Less than 2 weeks before the Ride, I had a heart attack. 3 main arteries were blocked 95-100%. STEMI, they called it. Years of neglect, coupled with a hereditary condition, had finally taken it's toll.
The doctors said that if I hadn't been riding as much as I was, in all likelihood, it would have killed me.
They put in 3 stints, and cleared me to ride, which I did.
Yep, I like my bike...
03-01-18, 08:22 AM
#33
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Ditto what everyone has said. My daily commute has been a lifesaver both physically and mentally. A bicycle is a magical human-powered fitness/adventure machine.
...and cycling loves you back. Of this, I'm certain.
...and cycling loves you back. Of this, I'm certain.
03-01-18, 08:48 AM
#34
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It's good to remember why we ride, and just enjoy the moments. Felt tired the other night, wasn't sure I "felt" like going to a ride, but figured once I was out there I would be glad I did it....questioned that decision when I spent the first 10 miles in a strong headwind, but then the sun set, there was just the buzzing of my studded tires, out of the headwind, and had to speak to some deer so they could figure out what I was....6 in total, 1 large antlered buck in suburbia.
I'm still dreaming of warm days, but at the moment, I'm tickled with rides above freezing.
I'm still dreaming of warm days, but at the moment, I'm tickled with rides above freezing.
03-01-18, 09:45 AM
#35
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Last edited by rumrunn6; 03-02-18 at 02:32 PM.
03-01-18, 11:47 AM
#36
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Well said!!!!! I rode 7232.5 last year and loved every second of every mile. A favorite memory was when I rolled into my garage on the last day of September having racked up 1000 that month (first and only 1000 month) to have my kids waiting for me with a "red carpet" coming up the driveway. It was actually fiberglass sticks that are used to outline the driveway in the snow lined up.
03-01-18, 11:52 AM
#37
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Cycling saved my life - literally.
I took up cycling a couple years ago, after not being on a bike since age 16.
Last year, at age 62, I decided to participate in a 50 mile charity ride. To get in shape, I rode 10-30 miles several days a week for months.
Less than 2 weeks before the Ride, I had a heart attack. 3 main arteries were blocked 95-100%. STEMI, they called it. Years of neglect, coupled with a hereditary condition, had finally taken it's toll.
The doctors said that if I hadn't been riding as much as I was, in all likelihood, it would have killed me.
They put in 3 stints, and cleared me to ride, which I did.
Yep, I like my bike...
I took up cycling a couple years ago, after not being on a bike since age 16.
Last year, at age 62, I decided to participate in a 50 mile charity ride. To get in shape, I rode 10-30 miles several days a week for months.
Less than 2 weeks before the Ride, I had a heart attack. 3 main arteries were blocked 95-100%. STEMI, they called it. Years of neglect, coupled with a hereditary condition, had finally taken it's toll.
The doctors said that if I hadn't been riding as much as I was, in all likelihood, it would have killed me.
They put in 3 stints, and cleared me to ride, which I did.
Yep, I like my bike...
03-01-18, 11:52 AM
#38
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I think it is the Endorphin High I get from exercise and hard physical work. Hard to explain but I need an aerobic workout and some physical resistance exercise to feel good. I also need to read and learn new stuff (to be generic about intellectual development lol) I believe in exercising you’re mind and body.
03-01-18, 12:13 PM
#39
If you brake you dont win
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I love cycling always have and always will, but I see it more of an addiction than a sport.
Maybe it's the same thing.
Maybe it's the same thing.
03-01-18, 01:21 PM
#40
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Whatever it takes, though, I'm glad to be riding again.
03-02-18, 06:15 PM
#41
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That reminds me of my first century ride (organized) last year. Was getting ready to turn into the parking lot at the start/finish line when I saw someone waiting with homemade signs and thinking, "Someone's got a cheering section." As I get closer I was surprised to find that it's my wife, my son, and my sister cheering for me at the finish.
03-03-18, 07:33 PM
#43
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Awesome feeling wasn't it? Coincidentally enough I started that September with my first ever organized event, a charity century ride. Not knowing how nice it would have been to have my family there waiting we rendezvoused at a nearby restaurant. After a few beers I slept the whole ride home.
03-08-18, 09:11 AM
#44
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Some of it is recorded for posterity here
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