Does Riding Your Bike Still Make You Happy?

This year I am going back to RAGBRAI which means I need to do a lot of miles between now and then so that the week is fun and doesn't kill my spirit. I'll be signing up for centuries, metric centuries, and lots of daily miles to get in shape for the climbs. Sometimes this can feel a little like a grind. For me it boils down to two less-favorable aspects - safety on the road and having to wake up way too early on weekends to do organized rides. 

Safety - I've been riding a lot of country roads which are great but don't always have a shoulder to ride on and sometimes people let their dog off leash and they are let loose to bark and chase. Both of these give me pause when it's time to get on the bike for my ride. 

I learned that I also need to schedule some massages to keep me pain-free on the bike. My bike fit is great but my muscles get sore when I ride a lot of miles.

What are your experiences? Here's an article from Bicycling Magazine, "What It Takes to Be a Super-Happy Cyclist"

http://www.bicycling.com/training/motivation/what-it-takes-be-super...

While it's a bit focused on racing, I think some of the same concepts can apply to other types of cycling e.g. commuting, centuries, etc. What do you think?

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Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on March 30, 2016 at 10:05am

Yeah, as hard as the gravel ride was, it was so fun get my cx bike out and kick my butt on gravel for a day. Thanks for the reminder. :-)

Permalink Reply by curt(is) locke on March 30, 2016 at 6:01am

Does cycling still make me happy?!

(Is the Pope still Catholic?)

Sure, there are certainly challenges and complaints. Keeping one bike (I have seven -- such a "problem", right?) tight and ready to rock is always an issue. Unfortunately, I lack the sufficient skill set and, thus, at the mercy of my local shop(s.) Naturally, getting a bike serviced within a reasonable turnaround during the spring rush is wishful thinking.

Last spring I first started developing what appears to be sciatica. It DID back off last fall when I had to lay off cycling for a month while recovering from being struck by a car. However, I am not willing, at this point, to accept this trade off -- that is, no ride / no pain. I just suck it up (for the time being.) It's manageable for now.

I know it's a rather pathetic "CAT 6" victory, but last night riding at the 80-mile mark I encountered a decidedly younger cyclist at 95th and Ewing who evidently wanted to chase this old rabbit and put him in his rearview. Maybe the grey beard signaled that the old bunny was vulnerable? In any case, the younger pup ran me down and passed me around 8400 S. LSD. I answered the call by dropping a couple of gears and jumping into his draft. Boy Wonder drops gears but can't shake me. I don't know how much gas is left in the tank, but I'm gonna push it till I hit E (or pull a muscle.) At Rainbow Beach the light turns red, an east-bound car on 75th Street turns north, I slip in behind in its wake, power past and glide gracefully back into the bike lane. I think it's here where I begin to drop the eager puppy. Pathetic? Definitely.

However, are we still having fun? YES!   

 

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on March 30, 2016 at 10:08am

Curt(is), you are inspiring. Are you full recovered? 

I LOVE the story about how you schooled the puppy on the path. Such a great story of letting him pass you, drafting until he was pooped, and pipping him for the win. YAY! You rock. 

Permalink Reply by curt(is) locke on March 31, 2016 at 3:54am

Inspiring? Me??

In any case, yes, I'm fully recovered. Thanks for asking. I credit my recovery to dumb luck (as to how I cleared the vehicle and landed), a great physical therapist, and having been in the best physical condition I've been in since I was in my thirties when I was a bike messenger.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on March 30, 2016 at 11:55am
As long as I breathe . . .
Attachments:
Permalink Reply by curt(is) locke on March 30, 2016 at 6:18am

Too OLD?? Of what bleep do you speak?

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on March 30, 2016 at 10:08am

How so? The miles? The cars? Other cyclists? What's wearing you out? 

Permalink Reply by haruspex on March 30, 2016 at 6:41pm

To hell with the disapproving looks! As long as cycling still brings you fulfillment (and the joint pain doesn't become too agonizing) never let anyone stop you. You are never too old to bike!

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on March 31, 2016 at 7:09am

I am not afraid to tell anyone that I am 61 years old and I love riding my bike(s). As many days out of the year as I can, and as many miles as I can.

Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on May 21, 2016 at 7:39am

When I ride my bike, I feel like a kid again, which is not to imply that I had ever matured in the first place. 

I read an article once, written by a woman, who stated that men are more in touch with their inner child. In my case, she had it backwards, my outer adult never fully matured.

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on March 31, 2016 at 7:59am

"I'm still living like it's ten years ago" - you and me both. 
Jennifer, I am convinced these are not disapproving looks but rather looks of jealousy. I refuse to believe we all have to have Dutch bikes or children. I've opted for my "mid life crisis" to be filled with Cx, road, touring, mountain and track bikes. Not Dutch. Sure, I think they are pretty but I love a good pair of drops to tuck in. 

Permalink Reply by curt(is) locke on March 31, 2016 at 10:58am

Speaking as an arrested Peter Pan who didn't even BEGIN to start to "grow up" until I hit 40 (wife AND twins in one fell swoop/ single bullet), my perspective on "mid-life crisis" is perhaps not the standard narrative.

Girls may "mature" earlier than boys, but I am not sure if women "age" faster than men. Surely biking helps maintain a certain "youthfulness."

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