[dc]H[/dc]ow many times have you heard the expression "a penny for your thoughts?"
While it's true that life can be complicated, the idea of paying for someone's thought process (especially the valueless penny) seems odd to me. No, I propose an amendment to that phrase, offering up a pedal for your thoughts. But what can a pedal give you that a penny can't?
How about solace and freedom?
Recently work and life has taken me on a move from the Hudson Valley to northern New Jersey. Throughout the month long frenzy of real estate agents, closings, packing, driving, more packing and moving, there was little of substance to lean on. Little, except for the one singular constant that has defined my free time and my life for the past half dozen years. Even with the weather being damp and unforgiving, a ride on the trainer was like an hour long escape from reality. Somehow, the simplicity of losing oneself within a bike ride is the perfect escape from reality.
[dc]P[/dc]art of the problem with the winter/off season is that most cyclists suffer from withdrawal. There's a dearth of riding outside in the fresh air, sunshine is distinctly lacking, our well earned tan lines are fading, people are missing their mid-ride social stops with their buddies and miles are generally of the long, steady distance and are performed on a trainer. While some take to the sofa to put on their winter weight (much like a hibernating bear,) some take to online forums to discuss the latest news and gadgetry and some hit the slopes or the gym to get their endorphin fix, you CAN spend time with your bike and not hate it. This time spent can be of the intimate type (get your mind out of the gutter) that will let you appreciate your bike more when the time comes to climb back on and shed those accumulated winter pounds.
Charity rides can be a minefield for new riders and veterans alike. You'll see all kinds at charity events, from the racers out for an "easy" training day to families with small kids doing "long" 10 mile rides. After spending countless miles pedaling through group rides, races, charity rides and solo training rides, I've come to a few conclusions about what to do and what NOT to do on those benefit rides.
As many of my post ideas begin, I was recently clicking around an online cycling forum and stumbled across a discussion that struck me as interesting. A simple question of “will I get made fun of for wearing a pro jersey on my ride” sparked a huge debate about the legitimacy of purchasing and wearing pro team gear. There's a lot of worry about becoming a cycling fred, showing up with gear that your legs can't back up, apparently…
Of course, there were as many opinions as there were posters, ranging from “whatever makes you happy” to “some deity will kill kittens if you wear that Sky jersey on a ride.” With such a wide range of opinions, it's not easy to sort it all out, but I'll do my best for you.
Click through after the jump to figure out how to avoid becoming “that guy.”
