Bike Noob

Because I'm Always Learning Something New

Mid-Week Stutters

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I was looking forward to my time off from school, so I could finally start building up some decent mileage and get myself in shape for the rest of the summer’s riding. But the best laid plans, as they say…

I spent most of Tuesday in Houston on business with my wife. Got back too late to ride.

Then, rain popped up this morning. After my last fall, I must admit, I’ve wimped out. I will no longer ride in the rain.

So, my big ride plans have stumbled somewhat. In the meantime, I can find some amusement in the plans of other members of my club.

There’s a good organized ride coming up Saturday — the Real Ale Ride. I’ve ridden it once, and volunteered for it once. It’s a great ride, but in my opinion, has gotten overpriced. However, a contingent from the club are heading out there.

One of the ladies, in particular, was making big plans. She wanted to do the 100-mile version, but learned that the longest route is 85 miles. Not to be stymied in reaching her mileage goal, she immediate upped it — to 150 miles.

Her plan is to ride the 85 miles. Then, she’ll start the course again — this time taking the 65-mile route. Or, maybe turn around at the finish, ride back for 32.5 miles, then turn around and ride to the finish again. What?

“150 miles on a road bike is not really that long,” she said. “I’ve done longer on a mountain bike.” She’s looking for others to join her in her quest.

So far, no takers.

Thirty Days Of Biking

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599924_10151327645307919_1146135632_nI had a big day today. I got out and rode. It was my first ride in April, and it’s already April 5th. I’m not doing very well in the “30 Days of Biking” thing that’s being highlighted on other biking blogs.

The idea behind Thirty Days of Biking is to ride your bike every day this month. Anything counts: Commuting to work, running a quick errand to the store, or the mailbox, or doing a longer weekend ride.

“We advocate daily bicycling because we believe it enriches lives and preserves the Earth,” says the website, 30 days of biking.com.

I bike because it’s good exercise and because it’s fun. I don’t throw a leg over because I have some idea that I’ll prevent the polar icecaps from melting. And because I don’t fully buy into the idealistic environmentalistic notions of the 30 Days movement, I’ve ignored it for the past several years, and will continue to do so.

Heck, I already bike more than most of the general public. In fact, I already bike more than a lot of bikers. I’ll continue to bike after a lot of the 30 Days riders stop their regular two-wheeled trips.

But if the 30 Days idea inspires a casual rider to get out more often, I’m all for it. Bring on more riders. Grow the cycling community.

But don’t be alarmed if I miss a day here and there — or several times in a row.

Life-Bike Balance

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John T, a biking friend of mine, got in touch last week to tell me he’s back on the bike. He’s trying to build up his leg strength and cardio fitness after not riding all winter. Winters being as mild as they are in Austin, I was surprised to hear this from him, but he said he got tied up attending to his two elementary school-aged boys.

“I wonder how many folks with elementary-aged kids ride regularly — consistently,” he asked. “There always seems to be something else I need to do.”

That’s something I haven’t considered. My wife and I have been empty-nesters for almost 20 years now, and we can pretty much come and go as we please. John T thinks people in my age group are best suited to ride recreationally.

“It may be just me, but most cyclists that I talk to or meet on the road or Veloway don’t have kids or they are older,” he said.

My circle of cycling acquaintances is mostly limited to the members of my club, and John may be on to something there. We do skew a bit older, with most people having grown children who no longer live at home. I envy some of the retired members who have regular group rides on weekday mornings.

A few who do always seem to struggle to juggle their biking routines with baby-sitting routines. One member is close to my age bracket, but adopted several years ago, and so has to deal with the kinds of scheduling demands that affect people 20 years her junior. Sometimes, she cuts a Sunday club ride short, in order to get home and relieve the sitter. Other times, she bows out of the club ride altogether, because she’s unable to come up with a sitter.

Another newer member of the club is a single woman with an 11-year-old at home. She turns out for the Sunday club ride regularly, but if we go a little longer than usual, gets antsy. She has no problem with him being on his own during the morning, but she wants to minimize that.

Sheryl Sandberg, the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, has been in the news lately because of her book, “Lean In,” about women in the workplace. One of her comments that’s getting attention is her assertion that there is no such thing as life-work balance, especially when the working woman is also caring for children.

Of less import, perhaps, but one that concerns us all, is whether we can find life-bike balance. Is it possible to make time for biking amid all the other distractions and demands of our daily lives?

Let me know what you think. How’s it all working out for you?

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