At a club function the other day the common complaint was the common excuse for less than spectacular "performance." Repeatedly people complain they haven't had time to get in the miles to "really ride." I still have trouble defining some of these terms, but wonder about the time factor. Most riders in clubs will say that maintaining fitness is a motivator, but "really riding" seems to mean keeping pace with a group or leading a group. It takes time to train for weekly events when the event is an imagined race. Not only do you need time to practice, you have to go somewhere you can ride all out and push yourself, track your progress and constantly improve. An hour and a half ride turns into 3 hours of coming, going and changing into the appropriate "kit." So a 25 mile ride can be worked into most schedules a couple times a week, maybe, if the family and job don't get in the way. Don't get me wrong, club riding is one of, if not the best, social sport, but riding to just ride is not the most convenient activity.
The League of Michigan Bicyclists held a fundraising event. Some well heeled benefactor offered to put up donations to match mileage submitted from routine commuting. I kept track of it for the month and exceeded my 400 mile goal. Riding to work 3 days a week, to the grocery store, out for lunch, to a meeting, over to a friend's house or going out for a cup of coffee totaled 422 miles. Some days were 3 miles, some as much as 30. It didn't take time from my schedule, riding accommodated my schedule. I'm no physiologist, but it seems to me that a little activity every day is more effective than a whole lot a couple times a week. It also makes the 25-30 mile recreational rides easier and more fun.
Then there is money. That 422 miles extends to 5064 miles a year. Since it costs 57 cents a mile to drive a car, you'll have $2886 to spend on a new bike suited for city riding and bike clothes that won't make you look like a renegade circus acrobat.
I agree! For years we've made cycling an almost everyday event, to get groceries, drop off library books, to watch the sunset from a special spot, etc. My husband retired this year, and to motivate himself, he's been calling his rides "e-biking" - errand biking! I'll be anxious to see if he rides in colder weather this winter.
ReplyDeleteThe trick about cold weather is not getting too hot.
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