For the past week and a half I had my bike inside, parked right between my kitchen and my living room, creating an unmistakeable reminder to cycle just 18km more before the end of my first outdoor season.
But fall is busy, winter sports have started, and I just haven’t found the time or headspace.
Some things work against me: a busy job that has me traveling some early mornings and evenings. I live near busy, cyclist-unfriendly streets (at least two people have sadly lost their lives near me in the past few years). A number of my club’s rider development rides were rained out this summer.
I think I psyched myself out too, a little. I struggled on a ride early in the season and convinced myself I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the excellent women riders in the group. I tell myself I’m not good at routine, but sometimes I wonder how much I am just excusing myself from committing to one.
I learned that my hybrid is heavier and slower compared to most road bikes. Also, no clips may account for my slowness.
These things, all adding up, left me getting out less often, and less longer, than I’d liked.
So, I’m finally calling it. Here I am after 8 months: 382 kms and just shy of 23 hours clocked on my bike. What I managed in a season some club riders do in a single weekend.
But SLOW was my Word of the Year (WOTY), so I’m giving myself permission to be a slow rider and have a slow start (and finish) in my fire season.
I moved my bike downstairs when I realized a friend had recently gifted me his old trainer, so my “season” doesn’t have to end: I can get to that 400 mark before the end of 2024.
I had very good time in my first riding season with the London Cycling Club. I met a few new people, rode in some new locations, and shared in a cycling birthday party for Sam. Cyclists I’ve met has been friendly, helpful, and supportive.
My best ride wasn’t my longest or fastest. I was riding in town one late summer afternoon with three friends. The warm sun and the green trees were all around me, and as I coasted down a big long hill I felt like a kid again, without a care in the world. It was just simply fun.
When I think back to when I was a kid riding around my neighbourhood on bikes, I had never cared about my cycling stats, how fast I was going, or whether I had clips or not. Maybe I will have more fun cycling next year if I care a little less about those things as an adult too. 🙂
Love this reflection! It’s refreshing to embrace the joy of riding without worrying about speed or stats. Sometimes, the simple pleasure of being out on a bike and feeling like a kid again is what really matters. Here’s to a relaxed and fun season ahead!
Well written! Riding does not have to be about competition or riding the ‘correct way’ with the ‘correct gear’. My joy is like yours, the great feeling you can get just biking down a country road on a nice day. The social aspects are also fun.
Like you i am a slow rider and my bike is heavier than the other riders. And i am not as fashionably attired…lol but who cares? This is also my first full year of tracking rides and my take is that it has the plus of motivation to ride but the minus of maybe pushing/competing too hard (which led to injuries preventing riding).
I think you are on the right track and have done well. Give yourself a present! Well done.