Cycling Nirvana

Riding the road and blogging again, pain be damned

I'VE BEEN OFF THE BLOGOSPHERE RADAR for quite awhile. (Google nearly forgot who I am.) The main reason: I had another back surgery in September, a rather unexpected one, and I’ve been recuperating ever since. Lame reason? Maybe. I guess I could have kept posting, but… 

This was my second spinal surgery in two years, and that’s just a little too frequent! If you know me, you know that I lost an eye in 2007, and losing that eye required eight surgeries. I’m not whining, but all this medical stuff has conspired to keep me off my bike, albeit intermittently, for many many months. And it made me wonder: should I keep up my blog? Should I continue to ride my bike? I had to quit running in 2004, will I have to quit riding my bike now? And if I do, how will I diffuse my passion for cycling without going into a deep depression? 

I have to agree with a wise man who once said: “Getting old ain’t for sissies.”
Part of my doubt and despair, was inspired by my surgeon who told me cycling was ruining my vertebrae. I didn’t believe him. We argued the matter. I have Degenerative Disc Disease, which is exclusive of riding a bike. I’ve had it for years. Riding my road bike actually relieved my pain within minutes. How could something that made me feel better be a bad thing? My argument made sense—to me. I did more research, and he apparently did too. The short story is, he changed his thinking on the matter—at least in my situation.

My physical therapist also agrees; riding the bike can be an excellent form of exercise for back patients when done sensibly. What does sensibly mean? For me, it means I’ll have to stay off Slick Rock Trail in Moab, and eliminate any crazy downhill or strenuous off-road riding. But I have been approved for the smooth, sensuous, mesmerizing call of the road.

I'm back... again
And so, I’m back on the bike. I’m struggling with some muscle pain, but I’m slowly working it out. I’m feeling better about myself, happier, more energetic, and I’m losing the weight that snuck back on during the past few months. Cycling is great for such stuff! 

I’m also back writing the Cycling Nirvana blog. And I’m on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Join me if you want to hear more about cycling, bikes, endurance, and safety from the perspective of an “older guy” with a bad back and a powerful passion. I'll do my best to keep up!

Urban bicycle basket designed for men

Lloyd's Opinion: It's not for me, but you decide what works best for your style of riding.

Find full product details here: Bike Crate

IN MY DAILY READING AND RESEARCH of the cycling and outdoor recreation industries, I often come across interesting new products. I use the word "interesting" with reservation, because some of the products I discover are awesome, in my opinion, while others are weak, some are foolish, and some could be dangerous, or just plain stupid--again, in my opinion.

But your opinion is what really matters
I will post what I find here, under the category of "New Products". I may also offer my opinion about the featured product at the top of the post. I do not endorse any of these products, nor am I paid by the manufacturers or representatives of the products to post them here. No funny business, just a product I've discovered on which you can form your own opinion. Comments are encouraged.

Cycling is good for you. Start now, even if you’ve done nothing for years.

I’m not a light-weight guy, but I am lighter than I was, say five years ago, because of cycling. Thirty pounds lighter. I’m not getting any younger either. But today, I feel like I’m the fittest I’ve ever been in my life.

It’s not easy to start exercising when you’ve done nothing for years. It’s tough… damn tough. And cycling is no different. I witnessed a conversation a couple of years ago when I was working in the local bike shop. The sales clerk, a tall, slender, athletic looking woman, who probably weighed about 105 pounds soaking wet, was helping this middle-aged guy make his first bike purchase since he was a kid. He was average height, and looked like he might weigh about 230 pounds. He was not an athlete. He looked tired, overwhelmed by the technological advances made in bikes over the years, and somewhat intimidated by the environment he found himself in. He knew he was out of shape, and wanted to do something about it. But here was this svelte young woman trying to sell him a high-end road bike, while preaching to him about the benefits of cranking it up every day. He walked out of the store that day without buying a bike and I’m guessing, today he’s still overweight and tired, because he saw his quest for fitness as insurmountable. 

Your fitness goals are not insurmountable
You just have to take one step at a time—your step—not a step patterned after someone else. Here are a few tips to get you started on the bike, even if you haven’t exercised in years. There’s nothing scientific here, just a method that has worked for many. If you’re not sure of your health, see your doctor first and take her advice.



1. Cleanse the mind
Get rid of all the imagery you may have of the strong, skinny, fit people that haunt your subconscious. Also, forget about all the cool new equipment that’s on the market today.

2. Get a bike
Virtually any bike will do. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It can be ugly. It can be rusty. It could be a model designed for the opposite sex. It doesn’t matter at this point. Borrow one, buy one from the police auction, buy one from eBay, rent one, but get a bike that fits you comfortably, and ride it. 

3. Ride your bike 3 times a week
Wear a helmet, and ride around the neighborhood for 20 to 30 minutes. Don’t push it, ride at a pace you’re comfortable with, and (this is important!), pay no attention to the skinny/fast cyclists  passing you. 

How’s that feel? Makes you feel like a kid again, doesn’t it? 

4. Go farther
By the third week you will be able to ride longer. Maybe 45 minutes to an hour. Try to pedal more and coast less. Try to push your limit a little. You’re feeling stronger already. You’re sleeping better. Weigh in. You’ve probably already lost a pound or two. You’re even considering a venue change from the neighborhood to an area with more open spaces, and you’re already thinking of getting a better bike.
 
5. Don’t stop now!
By the fifth week, you’ve added a longer weekend ride to your regimen. You ride to the coffee shop on Saturday morning, and meet some friends who share your fitness intentions, and you talk about bikes, safety and rules of the road. And you can’t explain it, but your mind seems to be thinking a little clearer these days.



You’ve been looking at the bikes owned by other riders and you’ve learned a lot. There are all types of bikes for all types of riding, and you’re getting close to finding one that suits you better than your old clunker. 

6. Have fun!
You’ve discovered that cycling is good, and good for you. After two months of your bicycle adventure, you’ve discovered that you’re really having fun. You’re riding dozens of miles a week. You’ve lost weight, you’ve met some really nice folks… and you’re old bike just isn’t keeping up with your adventurous spirit. And that’s a good thing. 

Now is the time to visit a respectable bike shop. (Your cycling friends gave you a recommendation.) Explain to the sales person the type of riding you want to do. Share with him your cycling ideas for the coming year, your fitness objectives, and the budget you’ve established for your new bike. A good shop will measure your body and sell you the bike that best suits your wishes. He may offer a class on safe riding. Take it. He may offer a class on bike maintenance. Take it too, both are invaluable.

You are now a cyclist. Go ride with your friends. Conquer the roads and trails. Your couch potato days will soon be a distant memory. And remember the wise words of the Chinese philosopher, Lao-tzu: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Ride4Water Race, please help if you can!

Hi Lloyd!

I wanted to share with you a cycling story that I think would interest you and your readers!  On Saturday, June 18th, Katie Spotz and Sam Williams started the Ride4Water race — a non-stop, cross-country bike race from California to Maryland to help raise money for Blue Planet, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing safe drinking water to those without.  They’ll aim to bike 3000 miles in less than eight days — that’s 1.3 times as long as the Tour de France and in one-sixth the time.  As if things weren't tough enough, Katie fractured her pelvis less than a week ago and is still attempting the ride, now on a hand bike.  

Here's the video that introduces the race: http://youtu.be/jBV4Bst7B50
Video update from the race: http://youtu.be/umw_EAidExk
You can follow her race live: http://bit.ly/Ride4Water

And if your readers are looking for an easy way to help the cause, Levi's will donate an additional $1 for each tweet including the #Ride4Water hashtag for up to $5,000.

Let me know if you have any questions. We'd love your help getting the word out.

Thanks, 

Jake
GIANTMEDIA

jake (at) giantmedia.com

Bicycling fits many lifestyles

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A FITNESS activity that’s highly beneficial, but not too hard on your body? Maybe you’re creeping up on middle-age (what is that now anyway, 60, 65?), and the health club scene is not working for you anymore. 

Do you like to get outdoors for your exercise?
I was once a runner, but back problems made pounding the pavement too painful and demanding on my framework. I needed something less jarring, but just as aerobic. Does that sound like you? I also tried golf, but for me it was too slow, too expensive, and had little to do with fitness. 

Maybe your fitness level isn’t what it once was, but you want to get it back and you’d like a sport that you can start off in a small way, and develop it into something more later. Maybe you’ve never really had a good fitness level, you’re sick of being flabby, and you’ve made up your mind to finally do something about it.
 
But what will you do?
The answer can be found in the bicycle. Two wheeled. Three wheeled. Mountain bike. Road bike. Hybrid. There is bike to fit your needs, and a level of bike riding to fit your lifestyle.


The planet is on a roll.
There are more and more people taking up bikes and bike riding than ever before. When I was first exploring the cycling world, a long-time cycling friend of mine said, “Lloyd, this is one sport that you can make your own. Take it wherever you want to take it.” And he was right! You can ride solo, or make it a social event and ride with a group. You can ride hard, or you can ride easy. You can ride far and see the countryside, or you can ride in your own neighborhood. You can race if you’re so inclined. You can ride in charity events or simple club rides to the coffee shop. Or you can pedal through town on a piece of bicycle art like this from Vanilla Cycles, and just look awesome!

Is a bike a bike?
Cyclists are a diverse bunch, and bicycles are equally so. Perhaps you’ve thought that a bike, is a bike, is a bike. Well, you’d be wrong. Here are just a few of the ways you can make bike riding your own sport, riding a bike that fits your purpose. 

The Roadie: So named because he or she rides a “road bike”. That’s skinny tires rolling on smooth pavement. There are fast riders, slow riders, social riders and solo riders. 

The Randonneur: This is a highly self-sufficient, endurance type roadie that loves the long ride—very long! Rides often last from 1 to 4 days.

The Cyclotourist: This is generally a roadie who likes to travel far and wide, and enjoys destination-hopping. Trips can last for days, or years. (Read the Vogel's story, it's a treat.)

So far I’ve only mentioned cycling on road bikes. But there are many other options. 

The Commuter: A commuter may ride any style of bike from a road bike, to a mountain bike, to a hybrid bike. Commuters are on a mission. They ride to work, to the store, even to pick up the kids at school. 

The Mountain Biker: Guess where they ride. In the mountains and on off-road trails on heavier bikes built for rough terrain. 

The Fashionista: If you can think of bicycles as a fashion accessory, you get the idea behind cycling chic. It’s the culture of comfortable urban cycling in fashionable clothes and accessories. It often involves gorgeous bicycles with classic lines, and stylish riders, many of whom are female—but not all.

The options for bike riding are virtually limitless. There are sit-down bikes, called recumbents, three-wheeled machines for stability, and foldable bikes you can carry with you on trips. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, in excellent physical condition, or overweight, rich or poor, live in the city or in the country. Cycling can be a sport, a mode of transportation, your fitness machine, or your fashion statement. So, get some fresh air. See the countryside. Revisit your own neighborhood. Get some exercise, a better level of fitness, meet new people, and have fun. 

Get a bike… and ride it! Feel like a kid again. Make cycling what you want it to be. 

The value of a bike ride

I WAS ASKED THE OTHER DAY, Why are you so crazy about cycling? For me, the answer is not as simple as it might seem. I’d like to come up with a single sentence answer that will serve for casual conversation, but until I do, I will share with you the long answer as to why I like to ride—so much.

I love the sense of freedom I feel when I’m rolling down the blacktop: gliding, leaning, forward motion, vibrations, and the wind in my face. There’s a constant change of scenery, I can see it, feel it, and smell it. That freedom carries with it a sense of autonomy, a sense of adventure. Even though I may have traveled the same roads many times before, I get a sense of exploration similar to when I was a kid pedaling my 24-inch Western Flyer down neighborhood streets that I wasn’t allowed to ride on.

Then, as now, I could feel the earth spinning under my body, almost as if my pedaling made it spin, and it gave me an inexplicable high. 

I love the simplicity of the bike. Forget for a moment frame geometry, gear ratios, roll impedance of various tire constructs, and other techno-talk. The bike is a frame with two wheels that must be propelled by the rider—no fire, no fumes. There’s something organically rewarding about the act of using my own human power to push myself along. It was exciting when I was 10; it’s eminently satisfying now that I’m 58.

The bike offers me time to be alone. I can choose to think about things, or just enjoy the world and all its elements. For me, a good long bike ride is often a time when I can generate ideas for a better way of doing things, and dream of new approaches to happiness.  Riding my bike is psychotherapy; it’s my refuge from chaos, my commitment to better health, and my church. 

Riding my bike is the antithesis of being cloistered in a capsule of anonymity. In a peculiar way, it’s very much like voicing my feelings about the world. 

I was a ride marshal

THIS PAST WEEKEND I DROVE FROM JACKSONVILLE down to Clearwater Beach, Florida to participate in a metric century, a 62 mile ride along the gulf coast of central Florida. The weather was forecast to be sunny, 56 degrees at the start and over 70 degrees by the afternoon—in my mind, that’s perfect cycling weather.


I enjoy getting in longer rides on the weekends. Century rides are normally my target, but this ride was special. I was going to be a Ride Marshal for the Ride to Defeat ALS, a one-day, fully-supported event that raises funds to fight Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Shoot that reckless driver

A video camera for cyclists?
I’VE BEEN RESEARCHING SMALL VIDEO CAMERAS that might be appropriate for cyclists. You never know when you might want to record the hammer fest that ensues during your Saturday morning club ride, the stupor affecting your rando buddies at the end of a 400K brevet, or the radical behavior of a threatening motorist. This wearable Bluetooth camcorder lets users capture video of everything they see. Clipped over the ear, this tiny video camera records continuously. Take a closer look, it’s made by Looxcie.

Let me know what you think about it.

For the women of cycling chic

I'm all about bikes and having fun. I'd like to have a blogroll of all the cycling chic sites that are available. If you have a site and would like to be listed here, please comment below with your URL. Thanks.

Blind man shares 450 mile bike trip

THIS STORY DESERVES A POST OF ITS OWN. Thanks to BikingBis for bringing it to my attention on Twitter. Cyclists are some of the most giving people I've ever met. Be sure to read the Las Vegas Review-Journal article that is linked in this story, and watch the video. It's an inspiration to cyclists everywhere and to those who want to give something back. Thanks Gene!