There are a lot of confusing things in this world. After reading one of my posts about a trip I took last summer another blogger asked how I suggest people make time for cycling. The best thing I can think of is, drive less. It's a difficult concept, but I just go somewhere. Life's not complicated. You don't need special clothes, a group to meet, or class to attend; just get on your bike and go somewhere. There was also this article about riding 10,000 miles a year. He lists all kinds of competitive groups taking time away from other things, motivated by professional trainers, coaches, groups and Strava goals to move people across the road. I do none of those things, and ride between 10-15,000 miles a year.
If you have one of these things, you have my sympathy,
I'd need special motivation to ride also.
Buy something comfortable and useful, you'll ride more.
Just get on your bike and go somewhere.
Apparently more people are all the time.
Apparently more people are all the time.
According to the LAB, 67% more people
commuted by bike last year.
commuted by bike last year.
That's impressive, but since the overall number
equals less than 1% it really doesn't mean much except that we may reach 2%
within 3 years...woohoo, off to the races.
equals less than 1% it really doesn't mean much except that we may reach 2%
within 3 years...woohoo, off to the races.
Speaking of races, I went to a local cyclo-cross event this past weekend
and one of the locals had the premium setup
for his children on his xtra-cycle.
for his children on his xtra-cycle.
Hook 'em while they're young.
I'd never been to one of these events and it looks kinda fun.
There were about 80-100 signed up in different categories,
They were riding everything from fat bikes to vintage touring rigs.
I've always had the impression that these things were blood and guts ordeals.
It looked like a little bit of fun
riding around a course in the park
riding around a course in the park
and hittin' a little dirt in the infield.
Riders came in all sizes and this little girl was impressive.
Especially since she was hardly as tall as her wheels.
Especially since she was hardly as tall as her wheels.
I was expecting mud baths and creek fording
but they just waltzed over these barriers
but they just waltzed over these barriers
making rather elegant dismounts and mounts.
Impressive since they were clipping in and out each time.
Of course some were not having as much fun as others,
he looked like his Strava goals were stuck up his butt sideways.
But the youngsters exhibited the exuberance of youth:
he looked like his Strava goals were stuck up his butt sideways.
But the youngsters exhibited the exuberance of youth:
"Can't wait for Monday!
The other girls ain't gonna believe this shit!"
The other girls ain't gonna believe this shit!"
"Go somewhere." Exactly! A typical day for me consists of getting myself to work (6 miles), maybe lunch with a friend (maybe a couple of more miles), and then home again (another 6). I volunteer at the co-op (9 miles r/t), go down to the riverfront with my spouse on weekends (20 miles r/t), and generally just explore the city and surrounding areas for fun. With very little effort it adds up to about 75-100 miles per week.
ReplyDeleteAmericans seem to have forgotten the bike is a means of transportation, but then again, is that really why we use cars?
DeleteBut wow, 10k-15k miles a year (190-290 a week, 27-41 a day) is a lot. I do very few purely recreational rides, no training rides, just replaced the majority of my local car trips with cycling, and I do about 3000 a year. Good for you, but I can't get away with averaging three hours a day on my bicycle.
ReplyDeleteIt's easier than you think. I have quit using my car within a 10 mile radius of home. My work locations vary but my daily commute is around 15 miles. There is 75 miles, take the scenic route home on a couple of days, a few trips to the store, theater or mall and you have another 50 without trying. Then there's recreation, add just a 30 mile club ride and a weekend metric you get to 200 miles before you know it. Then there's camping trips, charity rides, BB trips to the beach, it all adds up. I wash my car and change the oil every year, whether it needs it or not.
DeleteYeah, it's the second hundred I'm not getting. My wife and sons expect to see me at least some weekends. My default "quit using the car" distance is about 6 miles (an hour round trip.)
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ReplyDeleteDon't worry, time passes. I went through that raising my son. Sooner or later, they will give you more time. The change is not easy, but like it or not, you will get more time back on an incremental basis as they grow.
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