#!markdown
Further to that…. [one sec, lemme grab my soapbox]
Sometimes life gets in the way, and biking falls to the wayside. For about 5
or 6 years I somehow forgot that bicycling is awesome. I know this is
unimaginable to some, but it happens. Lets not dwell on how or why. I also got
rounder.
I too pulled out a 42lb (ok, 42.5lb) Kona out of the closet, blew some dust
off, and started remembering the joy that bicycles can bring, but even Old
Buck was a long, sweaty affair that required many stops, much huffing and
puffing. Now, well, suffice it to say its less of an issue (for reference:
<http://nsmb.com/defining-epic/>).
You know what got me there?
Friends. (Specifically, brand new friends. Big ups to Taylor, Dune, and Colin,
for reasons you'll see shortly).
Friends who were willing to wait for me on every single ride, on the climbs,
on the traverses, and the descents.
Friends who lack the 'holier than thou' elitist attitude so prevalent on our
beloved Shore, within mountain biking, and the action sports world as a whole.
Not friends who treat every ride as a race. Not every ride needs KOM's.
Find people who just want to go ride their bikes (and lets be honest, this
part isn't to you, Lintkey. YOU already have these friends). Find friends with
a general stoke for riding, not friends who are dropping in to Seventh Heaven
the second they catch sight of you coming up the road. It'll make you more
stoked to ride.
And you'll ride more.
And then suddenly you'll realize you're not dying trying to keep up with your
friends.
And you'll have more gas for the descents.
And…. none of your pants fit anymore? What?
As far as the Latest and Greatest Bicycle goes, as long as you've got
something you're stoked to ride, f*ck it. You can lose 5lbs off your bicycle
by spending a bunch of money, or you can go ride your bicycle and lose 5 lbs.
(Although, Lintkey, YOU need a bicycle that fits you). When you've got the
cash, motivation, and are riding enough to justify upgrading, go for it. You
really don't need to waste your time figuring out what is cool enough to ride
with the #superfastcoolguys; that's just time better spent riding.
This also applies to you, Novice Mountain Biker. Find people to ride with who
are A) Faster than you and B) don't give a sh*t. You'll be a better rider
having more fun with less pressure in no time.
And ya know. Portion control, less beer, whatever. Calories in, calories out
and all that. But mostly just go ride your damn bike.
Aug. 30, 2016, 12:46 p.m. - Cooper
#!markdown Further to that…. [one sec, lemme grab my soapbox] Sometimes life gets in the way, and biking falls to the wayside. For about 5 or 6 years I somehow forgot that bicycling is awesome. I know this is unimaginable to some, but it happens. Lets not dwell on how or why. I also got rounder. I too pulled out a 42lb (ok, 42.5lb) Kona out of the closet, blew some dust off, and started remembering the joy that bicycles can bring, but even Old Buck was a long, sweaty affair that required many stops, much huffing and puffing. Now, well, suffice it to say its less of an issue (for reference: <http://nsmb.com/defining-epic/>). You know what got me there? Friends. (Specifically, brand new friends. Big ups to Taylor, Dune, and Colin, for reasons you'll see shortly). Friends who were willing to wait for me on every single ride, on the climbs, on the traverses, and the descents. Friends who lack the 'holier than thou' elitist attitude so prevalent on our beloved Shore, within mountain biking, and the action sports world as a whole. Not friends who treat every ride as a race. Not every ride needs KOM's. Find people who just want to go ride their bikes (and lets be honest, this part isn't to you, Lintkey. YOU already have these friends). Find friends with a general stoke for riding, not friends who are dropping in to Seventh Heaven the second they catch sight of you coming up the road. It'll make you more stoked to ride. And you'll ride more. And then suddenly you'll realize you're not dying trying to keep up with your friends. And you'll have more gas for the descents. And…. none of your pants fit anymore? What? As far as the Latest and Greatest Bicycle goes, as long as you've got something you're stoked to ride, f*ck it. You can lose 5lbs off your bicycle by spending a bunch of money, or you can go ride your bicycle and lose 5 lbs. (Although, Lintkey, YOU need a bicycle that fits you). When you've got the cash, motivation, and are riding enough to justify upgrading, go for it. You really don't need to waste your time figuring out what is cool enough to ride with the #superfastcoolguys; that's just time better spent riding. This also applies to you, Novice Mountain Biker. Find people to ride with who are A) Faster than you and B) don't give a sh*t. You'll be a better rider having more fun with less pressure in no time. And ya know. Portion control, less beer, whatever. Calories in, calories out and all that. But mostly just go ride your damn bike.