patentcad

I'm the biggest purveyor of the Fred baiting here, but forget all that. I think we all ride for the same reasons, I've been doing it for nearly twenty years on a daily basis. Why?

• Mostly mental. I'm happy when I have endorphins in me.

• My back. Very long story. But that's how I deal with chronic back pain (nearly ten years now, it was oxycontin, now it's endorphins).

• Health. There are very few fat 85 year olds. The fat ones are dead. I'm 50, I hope to live to be at least 90 like many of my recent ancestors. But not just live to be 90, enjoy the rest of my life. I don't want to spend the next 20+ years going to cardiologists, doctors, etc.

• I'm in advancing middle age. Use it or lose it. I'm still racing my bike. I have friends who are doing that at 60+. Why not? Go as hard as you can as long as you can.

• Cycling keeps me happy. Very happy. I don't know why. I don't care. I plan my life around my cycling, the rest does seem to fall into place. That has worked for me since I started my business (in large part so I could ride my bike daily) in 1991.

I started riding a bike and loved it before I ever raced, I'll ride long after I stop racing. I'm essentially a loner on the bike, I don't really enjoy riding with others socially very much. That's not to say I can't ever enjoy it, but I'm typically happiest when it's me, the scenery and the bike on an empty road. I do like the competitive riding. I suck at it, but there's nothing like having a bunch of other idiots trying to rip your legs off @ 30mph. The only two things more fun than that are sex and powder skiing.

There are so many reasons why I'm content with this hobby/sport/past time. I don't fully understand why I love it so much, but I stopped worrying about that completely after I got back on my bike after being knocked off it for five years by back issues. Man, that was all I needed. Perspective. I was so friggin miserable off the bike/on pain meds, and I'm so happy on the bike/off pain meds that I don't worry about riding in the cold/rain/gloom. Every ride is a complete gift. I still feel that way 3 years after kicking the oxy April 1 of 2005 and cycling a few weeks later. In some ways, this chronic back pain is the best thing that ever happened to me. Still hurts all the time, but I'm very happy. Sometimes you have to get pretty miserable to understand what happiness is.

And of course I get to meet some interesting whackos in the process. Like all of you. I even enjoy the hate mail. Keep those cards and letters coming kiddies.

daytonian

So to sum up for the weekend crowd

[IMG]Picture of CSCs team motto "Harden the f*&^ up" here[/IMG]

patentcad

Here I am trying to show the Softer Gentler Side of Pcad, and all I get is BF Ball Busted (sniff).

prendrefeu

PCad,

Best posting I've seen from you in a long time. Thanks.

jsharr

Wow, your pastor could kick my pastors ass. just sayin

patentcad

There's a WWF Pay Per View in there somewhere that would get some serious ratings in the Bible Belt.

jsharr

jsharr

But mine could drop him on the climbs.

*obligatory cycling reference to stay on topic

Nachoman

Correct.

Incorrect

patentcad

Anybody who doesn't agree that Powder Skiing isn't more fun than sex or cycling hasn't done the right powder skiing.



Just another day on the fat skis @ Grand Targhee.

Brian6751

If that post doesnt make you want to ride right now....your dead Fred. Thanks Pcad.

powpow

I agree with this. Skiing/riding in the deep pow is the best. For me, cycling is second to good powder.

powpow

You've never skied the goods in the backcountry.

Brian6751

That settles it. I've gotta fine some fresh powder to ride my bike through!!

Spartan112

If you think anything is better than sex, you're not ding the sex right. Reminder, tab A into slot B...repeat.

ericcox

This will be Chapter One of the book of Pcad, kept by the Sisters of the Dura Achee.

You pretty much summed it up for me -- I'm happier and healthier when I ride, which makes the people around me happier.

patentcad

Mrs. Pcad knows what I'm like when I don't ride. She supports my riding more than anybody.

humboldt'sroads

Have it both ways!
(but powder trumps all...)

Psimet2001 

I can't imagine the street value of that mountain.


BTW - you're getting sappy in your old age. Bah...you probably don't even remember starting this thread.

<*chronic back pain sufferer myself - although suffering drug free - for 20 years. Defect in lower back. Made me get into cycling. I feel your pain. Literally.*>

Sixty Fiver

pcad my friend... in this we are in perfect agreement.

RFC

Very well said! Good form!

I am 52 and have been working out almost every day since I was 15. I started out as a long distance runner during the days when LSD (Long Slow Distance) was the preferred training method. We ran mega miles. During the summer we ran as much 140 miles/week. On a good day during a 20 mile run, we might decide that we would run a marathon for the day and tack on another 6 miles.

Although I was also a part time road biker during my running years, running was the main theme. By my early 30's, my knees were screaming at me. The trainers said that I had worn the pads thin. Primative shoes on concrete for tens of thousands of miles had taken a toll. They suggested weight training (which I was already doing).

At than point, I made a major life change and gave up running. I switch to, first, road cycling (ask me about the Denver Washington Part Midlife Crisis Criterium), second, speed skating (five wheel skates), and third, cross country skiing (when I lived in Colorado). I have no regrets about this. I love cycling. For me, it is like flying. Remember when you were 12 and your bike was a rocket.

Here in AZ, I road cycle, lift weights, and throw in some speed skating for a change of pace. My body style is not exactly normal. I am 5'9, 175 lbs, 55% legs, 40% shoulders and chest, with the small remainder midsection. Although I no longer lift for maximums on a regular basis, I can bench 250-275 lbs on any given day if I have to. And, after all of these years of training, I actually like training by myself. I'm generally gregarious and like others. I am just use to training by myself.

I am convinced that the fountain of youth is a combination of strenuous exercise and thoughtful eating. My wife, who went through brain surgery 5 years ago, has fully embraced this theme. She walks four miles every morning, swims a mile at noon, and is in the best shape of her life.

The body and mind were designed for work. That is where they thrive.

BTW, I am definitely a Fred. I could give a good g*ddamn what other cyclysts think of my bike, my apparel, or my cycling. They have no clue.

All the best,

RFC

remixity

the celestial bodies must be in alignment or something

I can't believe my eyes

patentcad

And here you thought Pcad was all Road Nazi HTFU You're All Wussy bluster.

gfrance

I too ride for many of the same reasons.

I'm right at your heels age wise at 45. I really took up cycling around 1999 to help me quit smoking cigarettes. I spent the better part of the '90s smoking cigs (and pot), reading a lot, collecting and listening to records and CDs..basically living a faux intellectual New York lifestyle. I was happy though. But I was getting fat, the blood preasure and cholesterol were going higher and higher, so something had to give.

And all this time I was living very close to Central Park but pretty much never went there. Spent all my free time combing through dusty used book shops.

I wanted to quit smoking so I bought a Bianchi Boardwalk hybrid and started going to the park for laps. Pretty soon though, some competitive side in me kicked in. I wanted to keep up with the fast guys on those "fancy racing " Soon enough I did upgrade to a nicer Trek road bike and never looked back.

Now I'm in great health, down to ideal weight, and can usually ride with the best of them. I wish I had taken this sport up earlier though. I missed a lot. Oh well. I have a long road ahead now.

R900

You have been getting soft lately - good for you.

P.S. I like your posts...