Remembering When

The other day I was remembering when I first entered the work force. My salary was around $35,000 a year and I was ecstatic. I was able to support myself and it gave me the freedom to do what I want when I want. Funny how when I look back, I fondly remember those days, but at the same time I cringe, thinking there’s no way I can support myself now with that salary. The same goes for bikes. My first bike weighed more then it cost and I loved it. There were more rust on it than paint and I swear the bike decal was holding the down tube together. I rode that bike everywhere. Not once did I look at that bike and yearned for a better frame or components. I just rode and was happy, but somewhere between those simpler days and today, the notion of envy snuck into my psyche and now I ride a state of the art bike made from the finest material that NASA has to offer. I count every gram that goes on my bike, got the finest lightest accessories money can buy and most importantly, all my gear must match flawlessly to the colors on my bike. My days are spent scouring the internet (just incase my boss is reading, I only do this during my lunch break) for articles on the latest training philosophies and newest bike technology. My nights and weekends are spent training intensely and going from LBS (Local Bike Shop) to LBS to check out the newest whatevers (I do owe my girlfriend for being very understanding). All this effort and resources has made me into a slower cyclist.

Somewhere along the way, neither NASA nor science has managed to turn back the clock and as bicycles and biking gear improved, I have gotten older, fatter and slower. I’ve spend so much time and effort on getting the latest and greatest that I’ve forgotten what it means to just ride a bike. On my best days, I am the guy that comes in the middle of the pack during a charity ride. Yes that’s right, middle of the pack on a charity ride. The only racing I do is when I over-hydrate in between rest stops. Have I become one of them? When did I transform into the type of cyclist that believes it’s more important to look good then to ride well. What happened to riding just for the fun of it, aimlessly swerving through the subdivision with no destination in mind and enjoying the company of my friends? Remember the feeling you had when you got your very first adult bike? Remember when the wind blew through your hair and your friends laughing the entire ride? Remember the feeling you had when the first time you rode bicycle without your dad holding on? What happened to those wonderful feelings?

Next sunny day, I urge all of you to get on your bike and just ride. Do not think about cadence, heat rate, pace or any number of other things that has been on your mind, job, family, etc. Just take the bike out and ride. Ride as if you are 12 years old again and you just got your first bike. Remember what is was that gave you your love of cycling and remember to share that joy with everyone around you.

Ride safely. Ride continuously. Just ride ……