It's what I do.
Spring is almost here. This week we've got temps in the 30's/50's. Barely 50 today. It doesn't quite feel like May yet. But I know it is because we have daylight long before I leave for work in the morning and long after I get home. Today I rode the LHT to work. I felt fantastic on the ride in, despite feeling like I'm catching something. Lots of colds and various crud going around. I seem to feel like I'm getting a cold every other week this year. So far, nothing has knocked me down yet.
Beautiful day with calm winds. The sky was blue and the Big Lake was calm. I rode up and over Hawk Ridge and down seven bridges road (I counted 8 bridges...??). Had some great views of the lake, shoreline, Wisconsin, and a great lakes 1,000 footer heading out of port.This year I'm enjoying my riding more than ever. I have a new attitude and a better understanding of what I like to get out of my bicycling. I have no mileage goals this year, yet I have my best start ever. I'm not training for anything, but I'm more motivated than ever to put in some miles. I'm not doing intervals, or speed workouts, or training rides. But I feel stronger than I've ever been and I'm climbing better than ever. I spot riders up ahead of me and for the first time in my life I have no desire to catch them. I'll even slow down If I think I might have to pass them and maintain a faster pace to save face if they try to pass me back up.
I smile more than ever while I'm riding. Biking is no longer a chore, or something I have to do, or another thing on the to-do-list. Biking is what I do because it's part of my lifestyle. Most Americans get up everyday, get in their cars and go to work without ever thinking about it. I get up, get on my bike everyday and go to work without ever thinking about it. It's become a part of who I am, and I really love that!
May: 226 miles
2008: 2,631 miles
posted by Doug @ 8:12 PM
10 comments
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10 Comments:
Doug,
I am curious about if you take days off and/or stretch regularly. Just looking for advice from someone who bikes much further than me. Is there any particular reason that you take days off?
Tim.
Great photos as always, and I love your attitude about riding.
Tim, I try to take at least one day off a week. But it doesn't always happen. If my mileage during any particular month gets up over 500 miles (which is most months) it really helps the legs taking a day off. I've never been good at recovery.
I stretch twice a day. In the morning right after a hot shower and when I get home in the evening. I have no flexibility in my hams, I developed some tenderness in one of my achilles a few years ago. The stretching has helped with that.
This is a great post. I too am getting less serious about cycling, but I'm on my bike more often. Age might have something to do with it for me.
Doug,
Just been catching up with your posts, great reading as usual, loved the pictures too. I agree with what you say about overtaking other cyclists, and then feeling under pressure to stay ahead, it's a bit sad. Riding the bike, getting those miles under my belt, having time to look at what's happening around me, is what counts, as far as I'm concerned. Meanwhile over here in Wales there seems to have been a sudden big proliferation of new cyclists on the roads, it's getting quite crowded, a bit selfish of me, I suppose, but like you, I enjoy that feeling of solitude whilst riding, nothing to beat it. Very few, though will get the commuter bug, but I could be wrong, we'll have to wait and see.
Cheers
You verbalized what I have been feeling lately too. I am enjoying riding SO much more since taking it less seriously.
Great attitude Doug. Inspiring! Who needs a Lance when you have a Doug. I'll be back on the road soon.
Ditto here, no racing this year, the closest randonnering is 300 miles away and I can't justify the drive and expence. Been riding more than ever though and feel great. Ride to work everyday and ride for fun when I want to. I too try to stretch but, have no flexibility in my hams.
Nice pictures! And, a distinct lack of snow!
Doug,
Way to articulate the way many feel, myself included.
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