What have you learnt this year?
 

I have learnt not to get too close to large dogs, especially Great Danes, waking up in Hospital isn't fun. I have also learnt to be constantly on the lookout for drivers, "not seeing me". Also at 34 I'm not as fast as 33, I didn't even come close to winning a race this year. What have you learnt this year?
Mark

Number one thing I 'learnt' this year is comitment. If you are gonna do something, anything, commit. Doing it halfway is always the most dangerous.

I found out that my taco bell supercharger theory was incorrect.

If I eat 6 taco bell bean burritos, the resulting gasfest an hour later will NOT give me a 1-2 mph boost for the duration of the gastric orchestra that ensues such an action.


oh, and I learned to make sure your cleat bolts are tight before clipping in....clipping in is nice, but clipping out is less painful :p

I haven't worked in a bike shop for a couple of years now. I"m learning that what I know is slowly becoming dated. 10-speed, exo-bearing bottom brackets, rapid rise rear derailleurs, and we won't even talk about mountain bike suspension and stuff like that. I'm still competent with the stuff that I've got, but I'm finding myself less confident about answering a lot of questions that come up on forums like this one.

If I thought about things, I would:
Use a quality rim tape.
Re-check my derailleur pulley screws.
Not try to outrun every dog, sometimes you gotta stop.
Not ride on freshly oiled & stoned back roads.
I wouldn't try to see if I could get my rear derailleur one full turn around the rear hub, (about half a turn was all I could do).

Grass is softer than pavement.

Fat people's dogs are the ones most likely to chase you.

Squirrels all have a death wish.

Dump truck drivers are the nicest guys in terms of sharing the road.

Even a 10 minute ride is worth it.

When in doubt, get off and walk it.

Fenders rule.

"Sit-up-and-beg" riding postion makes drivers SEE you.

Two lights in front and two lights in back are much better than one each.

The three-speed bicycle is the most perfect, most zen-like ride ever invented.

I learned BikeForums exists.

That even though I usually hate talking with people, I can talk about bikes for hours and hours.

How to skip stop a track bike in traffic.

I think the biggest thing is that riding with other people actually can be fun, and you don't need to be some snotty spandex clad roadie to do it. Bikes have been my main form of transportation for several years, but it wasn't until this year that I really used it for more than utilitarian purposes.

I blame it on BikeForums.

I learned I finally got to the point that I get jumpy and crabby if I haven't ridden in three days. That riding often is good for the soul. That riding 50 miles is something I still can do...even if riding half of it into a 20-30 kt headwind still sucks...and that Ti is softer riding than aluminum......and my back doesn't hurt either anymore...

I don't have to chase the new and latest trends. Just ride what you have!

1) bikes are a useful form of transportation
2) most non-cyclists do not understand #1
3) exercise and nutrition effect my mental state and mood more than they effect my physical state (I get depressed and crabby if I don't eat right or exercise for a few days)
4) choosing a new bike to buy is harder than it looks
5) Good tires are worth it. I've got cheapies and have flatted a dozen times in the last 1k miles
6) people think I'm crazy
7) I'm crazy
8) I like being crazy

...that "Learnt" is a chiefly British past and past participle of LEARN but still sounds odd (and looks worse than odd) as he|| to this citizen of the World.

Thank Noah "We don't spell like the Brits" Webster for that.

That I can scare large dogs.

I finally realized that some people just don't 'get it' about cycling. Especially those who don't cycle- they just don't understand the addiction. I learned to not bother explaining it anymore.

I learned that often you are stronger than you think you are. When I took my first ride six weeks after major emergency surgery, I did a lot better than I thought I would!

I learned that losing 15 lbs makes a big difference when climbing those hills. Lance was right! IT also makes a big difference, however, when descending. I guess being a downhiller is off limits now.

To take a good look at the road, and what's ahead before reaching for the water bottle

If something doesnt feel right- dont blow it off- check it out

Take care of your chain- it will take care of you

Enjoy every ride as it happens- you can't gaurantee you will ride tomorrow

Find a good LBS, give them your business, it will net back to you when you need something quick or something special

Riding is always better than not riding

I learned:

That while riding for transport in LA, none of the bike "rules" apply. I actually ride on the sidewalk quite often because there aren't ANY people on them and it's rather safe.

That in LA, not one single car driver is looking out for you. And few of them care that you're there. (Though there are some lovely and angelic exceptions.)

That in LA, bike couriers are called "messengers" ... and there are actually quite a lot of them.

That the steep switchbacks up, up, UP on the Palos Verdes loop aren't really all that hard to climb.

That I'm one of the only bike riders I come across in this city that actually wears a helmet.

I "learnt" commitment too. I was commited to working (construction) all summer to buy my bike. I also "learnt" that road cycling is great, and I wish I could have discovered it sooner. :)

I learned that riding in cold, dark, windy, rainy weather is a lot more fun than using a trainer.

I learned that you can tour in the summer with only 20 lbs of stuff.

I learned that what I now consider an ordinary ride is beyond the wildest dreams of the vast majority of people I know.

I learned that building a dream bike cost a lot of money and can be quite a project to boot.

Hills make me stronger, faster and increase confidence, I learned not to be afraid of them...

I also learned commitment, and how to change a flat --- 6 times... (I hate broken glass)


Most importantly I learned that a 6 foot 6 person can race and place... and enjoy the ride...

I learned to never tell kids about new parts I have coming.

I learned that some sponsor can be complete jerks when their sponsored rider is injured.

I relearned that hardtails suit my riding style best.