It’s all in how you view your cycling preferences. There isn’t just one way to ride a bike or enjoy cycling. Sure, there are common threads of the sport, but being on a road bike on a drop ride, clipped in a speed, isn’t the only way to partake in the joy of cycling.
After 4 falls in 3 years, a broken collarbone, dislocated fingers, stitches and a broken heart, one’s perspective changes. Yet they all heal eventually. And part of that healing is in how you approach cycling and apply the balm of being on the bike.
I went from “going like Hell at 20 mph for 50 miles with a beer at the end” on a carbon-framed sweet machine to something more sedate. And directed. These days my cycling is mixed in with walks and hikes with my dog, Sally. I’ve gone from 200 miles a week (I did 7000 miles in 2022), mostly on the carbon-framed road bike and a dozen rallies a year to zero rallies and a week that is comprised of:
- Rides on upright, flat-pedal and fat-tire bikes maybe 50 miles a week in short 1/2-hour segments (as many as 3 times a day).
- Enjoying the ride and the solitude of being a solo cyclist.
- Seeing more when I’m out. Many times I’m collecting images of the colorful murals around Dallas.
- Returning refreshed.
Amazing what a change in philosophy can do. The physical wounds are nearly healed and I get closer each day on the emotional ones.
While I still have 6 bikes in the inventory, the three I’ve come to spend the most time on are the:
- Giant Roam hybrid
- Witerok CrossByrd single speed
- The Cruze+ e-bike
Yes, I keep the tandem as a service bike, the road bike for a few rallies back home and the Bike E recumbent sits on the trainer. So each bike plays a role and serves a purpose. For now.
The Roam became my bike packing ride after my fall in March 2023. With the Salsa racks and Oritlieb bags, it was a perfect ride for the San Juan Island adventure. I’m closing in on 2700 miles on this bike since 2020.
The CrossByrd is my fun bike. I keep largely because my good friend and skilled mechanic, Nikolaus, custom built it for me. When I go home to Tucson I feel like I’m on my JC Higgins and I’m 10 again.
I talk about the Cruze+ plus elsewhere in this space. Needless to say, it is fast becoming a favorite (not THE favorite, but a favorite).
The point of all of this is that I’ve learned to adjust my attitude, keep my fitness and my bikes and grow as a person. Somewhere in all of this I’m finding me.
Be safe and stay upright.
Relentless
