Blessings on those who put coolers of ice water along a trail, who are responsible for mowing the verges, who had the foresight to acquire unused railroad grades to make trails, who resisted the urge to clear the growth along those trails, who have taken the time and materials to further add native trees and plants along the trail. A tunnel of shade is a treat on a summer day’s bicycling.
Enjoy both uphill grades and headwinds (wheeze!), that’s what the pedals are for, and downhill grades and tailwinds (whee!), that’s what the saddle is for, and may they always be in that order.
You can do it. I did. You won’t die. I didn’t. Just be a little in shape. I think I may have been. I’ll let you know tomorrow.
Passing another bicyclist is a big deal. I’ve been startled and have startled. To be truthful, the most fun I ever had was coasting between two older folks blissfully pedaling and chatting away. I just said a friendly “Hi!” I’m surprised they didn’t cuss a blue streak after they recovered from their fright.
Anyway, I’ve learned to holler “Bike on your left” when passing another.
It’s gotten a little tougher letting some folks know you’re there, what with earbuds and all. Flare gun?
There is one thing that will tempt me to don ear buds and plug in, a head wind and an upward grade. There’s nothing better than a driving musical track to help motivate. I recommend U2. AC/DC will do in a pinch. If you are by yourself, with no one else around, I’d recommend singing along with the cast recording of Hamilton.
Beans and bicycling (not to forget walking and running) are a combustibly hilarious mix. “Nuff said.
I’m amazed at how homogenous bicyclers can look, especially the more experienced. Oh, there are lots of colors, but the “in” crowd, when all dolled up in cycling garb, look alike. I expect it’s a matter of function, but I wonder. I can go 36 miles (maybe not 75) in jeans, which breathe, boots, which support my ankles, helmet (all of $19.99 worth) and t-shirt. I’ll get looks, too, although the majority of them express something other than admiration.
A corollary to the previous thoughts is the tendency for folks to think that expensive bikes are better than less expensive. While I wouldn’t suggest a person go out and buy a dime-store bike, I also wouldn’t suggest that a person should spend as much as a small car, either. In fact, an inexpensive steel alloy bicycle with one speed and a freewheel (a messenger-style ride) will get a rider around a lot of places. If, on the other hand, rides of 100 or so miles are in your future, you’ll do well to look at at little pricier model, At that level, though, training, conditioning and nutrition are even more important than how much you spend on a bike frame.
Ride in the a.m., as close as possible after daybreak as possible, in a well-wooded or heavily-prairied area. The bird song alone will make it a glorious ride. And, the morning air is cool and bracing.
I’ve met biccle riders who, similar to runner, get in a zone in which they perform better than they thought they could. That’s not me. I’m always ready to nod at persons whizzing past me or coming towards me. I’m always ready to exchange the one- or two-finger bicyclist’s wave. There’s so much to see when outside of an automobile. I’m not zoning out when I can get a chance to experience a little of the world around me.
There's more than one way to real 