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Rethinking Biking

07.21.2013 by Ray Niekamp // 6 Comments

If insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results, I guess it’s time for me to make some changes. Specifically, I’m taking a serious look at taking a hiatus from weekly club rides.

Two weeks ago, I was left behind by the rest of the B’s, and not by just a little. Today, I was the only B to show up for the Sunday ride, and they dropped me within three miles. I had already alerted the club president that I would be turning around before the rest of the group, so that wasn’t a problem. I wound up soloing on a route of my own choosing. But if I’m going to spend most of my Sundays riding alone, why bother with the club?

The main reason is, the club ride is my long ride of the week. It’s also the fastest I ride during the week. Even though I’m left behind, I push myself to try to stay close. If I ride alone, I don’t push it.

That’s largely because of my aversion to training. But if I’m going to get back to the point where I can at least acquit myself as an average B-level rider, I’ll have to train.

But it’s one thing to say I have to train — and even to start some kind of training regimen. I must stick with it. That’s where I’ve fallen down in the past. I’ll do intervals on a certain day two weeks in a row, then I’ll stop. If I’m riding alone, it’s easy for me to turnaround early, and turn that planned 58-miler into a 45-mile ride. Frankly, 45 miles would be pretty good for me these days.

Today, I got an added incentive to whip myself into biking shape. My wife and I are planning a European vacation next summer, and this morning she decided that it would be fun to spend part of it on bikes — as part of an organized bike tour. A great idea, I think. She’s already started her own brand of training for it — she found a new Pilates studio. I’ll just be more diligent about my riding.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress in the coming months.

 

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Comments

  1. RamonH says

    July 22, 2013 at 7:58 am

    So when is Mrs. BikeNoob getting a road bike in preparation for touring Europe? 🙂

    Reply
    • Bike Noob says

      July 22, 2013 at 12:26 pm

      She actually saw a nice entry-level bike recently, and is starting to make noise about wanting it. Although what really attracted her was the champagne color.

      Reply
  2. Tommy Foster says

    July 22, 2013 at 9:05 am

    You may not have made the connection that it is Tour de France season. The groups that I ride with are always faster than normal when the TdF is on. Inspiration I guess.

    Reply
    • Bike Noob says

      July 22, 2013 at 12:24 pm

      Tommy, that never occurred to me. I’m sure you’re right. All that chitchat before theride was about who did what at the Tour.

      Reply
  3. Midland says

    July 22, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    Maybe instead of riding with a group, ride with a buddy or 2 that are of similar speed. Plan your own start points, routes & rest stops. I think it helps to ride with like minded people(& nice people) more so than to just get lumped into a group. Please keep it up this guy in Northern California enjoys your blog.

    Reply
    • Bike Noob says

      July 22, 2013 at 7:29 pm

      Yep. But the like-minded people I know to ride with are people in the club’s B group. Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.

      Reply

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