cantdrv55

Thanks Steel and minivan. I intend to buy a used Burley off craigslist once the kid can hold his head up.

SanJoseBob

I stopped riding regularly in '89 and just started up again last February. From '73 to '81 I was very active riding long distances as a tourist (Bikecentennial in '76) and all around the midwest. Work, art and social life got in the way from '81 to '89 but I rode to work as much as I could.

Starting up again after such a long time off makes me a real dinosaur; no helmet, steel road bike with old school geometry, toe clips, street clothes, sunglasses and mirror from '77. Bike shops hate me, club riders all want me to wear a helmet (which ain't gonna happen). That's cool, I've always been an outsider and am used to that. The bike works as good as it did in "81 when I built it up on a custom made frame. I'll be up to snuff on the hills and century rides by next summer and the health benefits are already in the bag! 8^)

Ty.S

Bob were you the dude at the Diablo Challenge? Who had a basket on the front of his bike, with two mason jars full of chocolate milk in it? Do you also have a headlamp from a car attached to your fork? No poking fun, I can't poke fun, I got passed by this dude. Finally got him going up the wall, but the way you describe yourself as old school, reminds me of this dude (possibly you) who was as old school as I've ever seen, strong as hell rider to. I will never forget the look on the dudes face in front of me when he and his cervelo carbon soloist were passed by this dude and his basket of chocolate milk.

cntdrv - you could always play H20 polo with your son That should keep your cardio in line while you're off your bike.

SanJoseBob

That wasn't me, it was my cousin Fred. We're both cyclists to the core and just want to ride, ride, ride!

My other hobby is stargazing. Well, actually telescope making and watching the sun (currently asleep). Amateur astronomy is also a hobby that requires its participants to buy or build equipment, usually very expensive for the beginner and which can easily go into the tens of thousands of dollars. Amateur astronomers welcome newcomers with open arms, despite their apparent ignorance of the equipment and techniques of those with much more experience.

Organized cycling clubs, on the other hand, seem to put up barriers to entry despite their friendly manner. I think it may be a result of clubs being generally associated with local bike shops (who naturally want to sell, sell, sell), generally focused on racing and competition, and the mistaken belief that helmet use is always required for everyone to safely ride a bike anywhere. How many casual riders will join a group when everyone in the group uses top shelf equipment, wears an expensive uniform, and is treated like a child by being told that a helmet is required (even after signing a liability waiver)? I wish organized cycling groups were inclusive (like amateur astronomy) instead of exclusive as they have become since the early '80s. Helmets killed the bicycle boom of the '70s.

Internet based groups seem to be better. It allows birds of a feather to flock together easier, separating the racers from those wanting a more relaxed pace. Informal (at best) association with bike shops reduces the push to buy, buy, buy, and there seems to be better acceptance of those who don't want to "dress it up" to ride a bike. Perhaps I'm a dinosaur hanging on to '60s idealism, with '70s enthusiasm for cycling and a bike from the early '80s.

In any case, my cousins and I thank y'all for cutting us a bit of slack!

JesusGarcia

Woo... I used to ride a lot back in the late 80s. Did fun rides un and down the Cal coast. Even race Cat 4... Then friends got bored, and I took up golf. Got down to an 11 handicap. For 18 years, I knocked on that door to get to a single digit handicap; never happened. So, last year, I found a Vitus 979 (my dream bike back in the days) and moved to Nor Cal from Socal. And now I got me a C'dale CAAD 9!!! So for the last 18 years, I probably rode less than a hundred miles...

Alfonso1168

u said you raced Cat 4? or do you mean you raced 4 cats in your neighborhood....

MrCowGod15

Since I got more serious about biking (around the beginning of August this year), I think the longest I've gone without riding is a week. It was in the shop during that time and I had to drive all around. That was painful. When I got my bike back, I had a smile on my face the whole ride back home from the shop

Now I have to see about winter riding. I'll probably be riding every day that it's not raining (yea, I know, I'm a wuss). I need to get some winter gear first...

taxi777

I've been off my bike...for...hmmm 5 HOURS!!!! and I'm Jones'n man, I'm Jones'n!!
can't take ittt....arrrrggghhh........... : )

I think they call it restless leg syndrome?

damnpoor

The longest time I've gone since buying my bike was about six months. I had to spool up, deploy overseas, then wind down. The whole process took a long time. I remember being over there and seeing French Foreign Legion guys on their little mountain bikes putzing around base and wishing I could have my bike. Of course it was all sand and rocks so I wouldn't have been able to ride anyway.

BlastRadius

After the collision last October, my longest time is now 8 weeks. It sucked the whole time and all I could do was browse craigslist and ebay.

JoelS

Something like 9 years. Kids and other things got in the way and I took a long break off the bike. I got back on this year when my weight jumped to 205 and the Colnago was looking really dusty. Cleaned it up, new tubes, shoes, and pedals, and I'm riding again. 42 pounds down so far now and in better shape than I've been in a very long time.

nachomc

Longest was July to December last year.

cantdrv55

I'm still off my bike. I bought a Burley for my son as he can hold his head up now but even the smallest helmet is too big!

Doohickie

I guess something like 20 years. Now that I'm back on, I can't understand how I stayed off that long!

msincredible

My longest (and only) break was from 2002-2006, lots of personal stuff going on, which left me without a bike for a while.

It sure felt good to get back on.