An insomnia fueled thought. Beer** with me.
Three hours on a bike seat, in and of itself, is not pleasant. Sitting on this not at all ergonomically anything platform, in tights, and on purpose, what are we thinking? And don't get me started on those seats with the cutout section built for more "comfort". Try one of those, in January, in Minnesota. Chilling and numbing, speaking from experience.
Three hours on a bike seat, in and of itself, is not pleasant. Sitting on this not at all ergonomically anything platform, in tights, and on purpose, what are we thinking? And don't get me started on those seats with the cutout section built for more "comfort". Try one of those, in January, in Minnesota. Chilling and numbing, speaking from experience.
The first squeeze of the brakes is not an occasion to celebrate. That quick shift to a lighter gear to help the legs warm up is not reason to rejoice, it simply means I am not as young as I was yesterday and the yesterdays before that.
Clearly it is not about the bike. It's not even about going fast upon the bike, although that helps.
It is about those who are around you, when you drop upon that uncomfortable seat, clip into those pedals, and accelerate.
Those who surround you in the group are who make the ride.
It is true the heart rate goes to some crazy number while my, at least perceived, wattage crosses into the high triple digits. Digits that in reality start with a 1. And while that is an amazing sensation, it is the other riders around me, who may be breathing easier or gasping for air, like me, that make this sport what it is.
It is for this time with them that I pedal.
It is true the heart rate goes to some crazy number while my, at least perceived, wattage crosses into the high triple digits. Digits that in reality start with a 1. And while that is an amazing sensation, it is the other riders around me, who may be breathing easier or gasping for air, like me, that make this sport what it is.
It is for this time with them that I pedal.
They see things along the way I miss, as likely I'm staring at my front wheel continuing the effort to get one more breath into my lungs.
And vice versa, on the off chance I actually find the energy to lift my head and look around.
They have done amazing things and been on great adventures I'd like to hear about! Perhaps that last Stop Ahead sprint they won in the last meter or their rides in the mountains of Colorado! Their life has been places I have not experienced until this ride.
And vice versa, on the off chance I actually find the energy to lift my head and look around.
They have done amazing things and been on great adventures I'd like to hear about! Perhaps that last Stop Ahead sprint they won in the last meter or their rides in the mountains of Colorado! Their life has been places I have not experienced until this ride.
I love to ride my bicycle. Even more, I love to hear the stories of my ride partners, their lives, and adventures. And to share some of my own (thanks for listening or at least looking like you're listening!).
The bicycle is a tool that makes us all better. It enriches my life every time I ride, but more so when I have the privilege to ride with others who have lived their life in a manner not (exactly) like my own.
It's not about the bike. It's about the journey. The ride. The stories. The conversation, the shared adventure of today's pedal.
This is why I ride. How about you?
Now, if I could sleep.
** "Beer with me." That is intentional.
With the Fall Riding season around the corner changes like the color in our leaves are approaching. Here is a reflection of the soon to be upon us Fall Riding Season: The Fall Ride Process, really, you do want to kill another 5 minutes of your life, right?
** "Beer with me." That is intentional.
With the Fall Riding season around the corner changes like the color in our leaves are approaching. Here is a reflection of the soon to be upon us Fall Riding Season: The Fall Ride Process, really, you do want to kill another 5 minutes of your life, right?
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