The commuter bike that once again represents the simple freedom of riding a bike.
There are very few experiences as incredible as riding a bike; the wind in your face, the sensation of generating speed under your own power, the balance of forces that almost magically hold the bike suspended upright. It is the closest we humans will ever come to feeling the miracle of flight; it is the closest we can come to knowing what it must be like to be a bird.
Cycling is my passion, my greatest hobby, my obsession. From a young age, I have been taking it seriously, slowly growing my dependence and interest in life behind bars. It was during the summer when I was eight or so years old that I first set a legitimate training goal, and took to the bicycle as my primary means of summer training. It isn’t a unique story, how the bicycle intervened into a skier’s life and somehow took over, but the point is that I hardly recall a time in my life that the bicycle didn’t hold some enormous meaning for me.
Before I became a Cyclist as a pre-teen, I learned to ride a bike on the dirt trails behind my parent’s house. With this acquired skill, my range of travel increased dramatically. I could suddenly meet my friends who lived far enough away that I couldn’t walk there. I could ride to and from school, I could ride to the lake and swim with my friends. The bicycle was simple, carefree. It was freedom.
This is the great paradox of La Vie Velominatus: the more serious and passionate we become, the farther we are from that juvenile pleasure and freedom afforded by the bike. As Velominati, each ride serves a purpose, whether that purpose is to follow a training plan, feed the Good Wolf, or to spend some quality time with ourselves as introverts.
Last weekend, my girlfriend and I whimsically decided to jump on our bikes for a midnight ride around the neighborhood. No helmets, no lights, no plan; just two people riding around, choosing the route on a whim, talking about life, love, and laughing. It was perhaps the first time in more than thirty years that I felt the raw childhood whimsy of riding a bike for its own sake. It was one of my favorite rides, ever.
Cycling is indeed my passion, my hobby, my obsession; I am eternally grateful for the gift it has given me throughout my life. But somehow, I’ve lost the original connection I had to the bike from before I became a Cyclist. I am resolved to rebuild that and continue to indulge in the joyride.
Vive la Vie Velominatus.
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@frank-
"Last weekend, my girlfriend and I whimsically decided to jump on our bikes for a midnight ride around the neighborhood. No helmets, no lights, no plan; just two people riding around, choosing the route on a whim, talking about life, love, and laughing. It was perhaps the first time in more than thirty years that I felt the raw childhood whimsy of riding a bike for its own sake. It was one of my favorite rides, ever."
That statement seems to me to be the essence of Rule 6. Freeing the mind.....
@Randy C
Sounds like the cycling equivalent of skinny dipping...
@KogaLover
Hi K L - and thanks! Been absolutely drowning in work (and since I am 'my own boss', I have to harvest when the sun shines, so to speak). I must have Delgado'ed at least two VSP events in the process, too (*Sigh*). Busy times.
Anyway, the waters seem to have calmed a bit now, and the late summer weather here in DK has been spectacular so far. I foresee a long bike ride in my near future (looking at Sunday in particular; forecast is good.)
Since the VMH got her Liv it's been really nice to go out with her and just ride with no thought of sprints,Strave sections etc.Only thing is now she's got one of those mini Lezyne gps things she's now keeping an eye on her average speed and such,don't know for how much longer they'll be gentle rides,,,,
On the commuter note I'm partway re-building my old Trek hybrid in to a light tourer hack thing(it's being called Trek the mongrel!);only original bits left are the frame,rear v-brakes and rear wheel .I'm as excited about building this as I have been about any other of the stable and I may have one to do for the VMH some time.
Here's a rubbish pic of it so far;mis-matched wheels,old carbon fork,old 105 kit etc;plenty of 'cruising' will be done on this hopefully.
Oh and yes panniers! Will be doing the weekly 'big' shop with this now the car's gone.
Beautiful piece and as always, timely, as I've been spending lots more time on my commuter bike again (I'm going to have to post a picture of it as Frank has done with his).
Also, timely as I'm now in the void between the end of the racing season and the start of the winter training plan proper. One of my main aims with this 2 month break from any sort of structured training was to enjoy it - rediscover that feeling of just riding and not worrying about the results. I'm pretty sure my form has stayed more or less where it was, actually.
I think (again referring to the article) the reason why the bicycle intervened into this rock climber's life and took over is that I find enjoyment in virtually every facet of riding; I like commuting by bike, I like racing, I like time trialling, I like hard tempo rides, I like steady endurance rides in any weather, I like winter training with the club at the track and I like suffering on the turbo. Just about the only thing about training I don't like is weights but I'm pretty sure doing an hour a week up to Christmas will make me a stronger cyclist come next race season.
My weekend morning rides to the bagel store with my two boys, 10 and 7, are the best moments I spend on the bike. There isn't even a close 2nd.
-Ted
For shame Frank....
The fact that it is a commuter does not give you the liberty to post a pic with the chain in the small ring.
@Fred
I totally noticed that and almost retook the photo but was at work already etc excuse blah more excuses etc.
But I will say this:
Unholy as fuck, but works like a dream.
FNG here... Is the "Life Behind Bars" new? If so, I sense a tee shirt/bumper sticker
I got a mountain bike for the first time last year. First rode it in a New England early winter rainstorm and hit every bump and puddle I could and laughed like a kid the whole time. Those are the best rides sometimes.