damnpoor

Long story short(er):

I was gone for about a year on some job related travel. I couldn't take my bike since I was living out of hotels and moving frequently. Throughout the whole thing I was counting down the days until I could get home and back on the bike. Looking forward to riding got me through those long days away from home.

Finally I made it home in June. I was so excited. I pulled the bike out of it's storage case, aired up the tires, lubed up the chain, and hit the road. Of course I sucked after so long out of the saddle but it sure felt great to be back out there pedaling through the orchards.

I got about two weeks into it and was having a great time when Lady Luck came along. She decided it was time for me to break a bone in my hand! I was crushed. Another 3 months of not being able to ride . I got a little teaser before it was snatched from underneath me again.

Every day we have this perfect weather, every time I see someone else riding, and every time I look at my lonely bike sitting in the corner I get all frustrated and antsy. I want to be out there riding with everyone else! I've been purchasing some things I've wanted for a while like tires, shoes, bottle cages, etc, but with a broken hand it's extremely difficult to do simple tasks like swap over my cleats.

Sigh...

I figured I would vent here because y'all would understand my agony. None of my non bike riding friends understand. I'm starting to lose my faith and spirit.

tligman

Next time you have to travel, consider picking up a cheap garage sale bike to move (or not move) from hotel to hotel. I've heard that a friend of a friend used to travel for work and would buy a garage sale bike, gives it a quick once-over, and then rides in stead of renting a car. company saves, he gets to ride. before they started charging for luggage, sometimes he'd even bring the bike back

bobn

Maybe a folding 20" to take along?

coldfeet

That sucks man, i get seriously cranky after a week without riding.

cyclezen

OK, so you can;t ride like you're accustomed to.
But if you can walk, you can ride.
Get a cruiser ( a CL used bike should do nicely...) where you sit on your bum and have handlebars up high enough to not have any weight on your hands. Just enough to be able to grip and steer.
go for a ride!
I used to do the same on my visits to the 'Olde Country' - used to take out my Grandfather's OpaFiets on a daily basis and just tool around the countryside. it was glorious!
it may not be what you're accustomed to, but you'll be surprised how kool and wonderful it can be. You'll see things you might not see on your 'normal' ride. You'll meet people you might not have met otherwise. You 'riding' window will be much greater and your appreciation of riding just might be greater.
it'll definitely take the edge off the Jonezin...

DataJunkie

This won't help any.
Having two sports you love is an awesome thing for injuries and when traveling.
If I hurt my wrist I can run instead. If I am traveling I run.
However, since they both share a few single points of failure (legs, back, etc) I may need to find a third sport like um... arm wrestling.

damnpoor

My doc said I'm not allowed to run either. I think he hates me. He's probably worried that I'll be jogging around and trip and really eff it up even more.