Last night I spent about an hour with an old friend of mine looking at new mountain bikes at our local neighborhood discount bike shop. He is interested in losing weight and getting back into riding bikes. We used to ride together about 10 years ago. WOW!! So We found a few nice mountain bikes in the $350-$450 dollar range. They are hardtail, with front suspension forks and are decently equipped for the price. When I was telling Don about all of this I explained that my other bike shopping friend seemed to be very interested in the paint color and looks of the bike maybe more so than the operational efficiency or complete usefullness of the bike. He was willing to buy the next model up or down in the range to get the “Flat Black” paint color. This is funny to me because I have been accused of being vain when it comes to bike component colors and finishes.

The bottom line here is that my friend wants to lose some weight, have fun and save some gas. He has high goals of being able to ride long distances like 30 miles, but has no interest in getting a helmet, clipless pedals, or clipless shoes. He actually partially mocked me for implying that he look at these items to maybe consider down the road. I did not take offense to this because he is a great friend of more than ten years who has as good or better sense of humor than me and we can openly mock each other without fear. He referenced wearing a helmet to being
“Way too into it”.

I would hate for him to see me in my Francais de Jeux Pro Tour Jersey and accompanying “super hero outfit” on my road bike on any given Saturday morning.

Now I realize that I may be “way too into it” but is that even possible when what you are into is healthy, impacts the environment in a positive way, and is damn sweat your eyes out fun?

I have been accused by acquaintances that sometimes I talk about bikes too much. So much sometimes that I randomly expel bike references directed at nobody or worse myself.

I’m a bike dude and thats it.
I ride bikes.
I love bikes.
I fix bikes.
I help people buy bikes.
I’ve helped 5 different people I know purchase bikes both new and used.

I bike commute.
I bike dream.
I bike for life.
I bike4more.

Is that wrong?

BikeSnobNYC put it squarely today on his blog:

Fitness

Another reason people are apprehensive about riding bicycles is that they perceive it as being difficult. The fact is that it’s only as difficult as you make it. Unfortunately, though, most people are completely delusional when it comes to cycling. Many cyclists think that they’re just a pair of Zipps, a Cervelo, and a few expensive coaching sessions away from going pro. Similarly, many non-cyclists don’t bother because they think it takes strength, dedication, and training to be a good cyclist. The reality is that both types of people are completely delusional—the cyclist is much weaker than he thinks he is, and the non-cyclist is much stronger than he thinks he is. So just get on the bike and have fun at whatever speed you choose. The fitness will happen by accident.

One of the greatest things about cycling is you can do it with 10,000 people or you can do it alone. And you don’t need to engage in the “secret handshake” of name-dropping, proper equipment usage, and wardrobe in order to do it. Choose a group, choose a fashion, or don’t, it doesn’t matter.

So after all this, why would you still want to become a cyclist? Well, if nothing else, you’ll never, ever be bored again. There will no longer ever be a daunting empty window of time in your day, as you’ll always have something to fill it with. Even if you’re all by yourself.        BikeSnobNYC

Start pedaling and let it be your thing