It's About the Ride, Your Best Ride

A small group is about to head out for a 30-mile ride on a rail trail. © Lloyd Lemons

I got a little nostalgic on this one

I’ve been an avid road cyclist for 20-years. A little over three years ago I had my fourth spinal fusion surgery. That long recovery time, combined with a few other medical issues in the interim, kept me off my bike for a while. I’m doing pretty well now, and I recently dusted off the Trek and the Serotta and found myself back in the saddle.

It was awesome! It’ll take some time, but I’ll get my legs back.

I used to write a blog called Cycling Nirvana. After my ride the other day I was going over some of the posts I wrote. I decided to reshare the one that follows.

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Ask a dozen cyclists what they like most about cycling, and you’ll get a dozen different answers. But, as time goes on, and their experience deepens, their answers will often change. That’s another great thing about cycling: It sort of evolves with you. As you become more seasoned, the act of riding a bicycle morphs into something different that you often love even more. The more you ride, the more you’ll love to ride.

What resonates with you?

A friend of mine, a long-time cyclist in his 70s, once told me that cycling can be whatever you want it to be. Want to race? Then race! There are races for every age. Ride for fitness. Ride long distances. Ride in the mountains or along the beach. Or ride simply because when you’re on your bike, the air seems fresher, colors more vibrant, and you feel more alive. Your bike can be a source of enjoyment in so many ways and on so many levels.

Out for a sunny Sunday afternoon with a ride along the river. © Lloyd Lemons

Make your ride the best ride

Explore the cycling culture in your town. You might find a great bunch of people to ride with. Are they cyclists you can relate to? Fitness-wise? Age-wise? Style-wise? Try a ride or two with them to see if they’re a good fit. If you don’t care for big rides or big groups, go solo and do your own thing.

Know your bike

Become “one with the bike”. I’ve known many cyclists who love their bikes so much, they name them. But seriously, is your bike comfortable to ride? Make sure it fits you well. You should know it well enough to fix a flat or make minor repairs or adjustments if something happens on a ride.

Develop riding confidence

Confident cycling comes from experience and understanding the rules of the road. It’s important to know how you and your vehicle (the bike) can safely co-exist with the other vehicles on the road. Experience also builds good bike-handling skills.

I’ve just written a little booklet on safe road cycling. Check it out.

Preparedness is also key to confident cycling. Carry with you the things necessary for your trip: a multi-tool, a food bar, hydration, a spare inner tube, spare cash, or whatever you think might become necessary if there’s a delay in the ride.

Make it a memorable ride

In the early stages, you should know where you’re riding to, a destination, a neighboring town, or around your community. Later, when you have more experience, it’s really fun to explore. Let your adventuresome spirit carry you along to less charted courses. Take in the sights and sounds and smells of the planet as it goes by, and use your camera to capture it.

Share your ride with others. Post a short ride story with a photo or two on your favorite social media. You’ll be delighted to see how many friends will respond with favorable comments.

Cycling can be an awesome escape! Make it an adventure. Make it part of your lifestyle. But beware. It can be highly addictive. Always remember: When you’re on your bike, it’s about the ride, your best ride.

The Road to Safe Cycling

It's possible to ride safely amid traffic. © Lloyd Lemons

Ride confidently in traffic every day

Riding a bicycle became very important to me after my first back surgery in 2000.

I used to be a runner, but my back could no longer take the pounding that running delivered. So, after a long recovery period, I pulled my old mountain bike out of storage, dusted it off, and started riding it. Cycling offered a way to exercise that was easy on my joints. In 2005, I went mountain biking in Moab, Utah, with my son and a friend. After that, I knew that riding a bicycle was my new sport. In 2006, I bought my first road bike, and I’ve never looked for or considered another sport since.

In 20 years, I’ve ridden in 15 states and covered tens of thousands of miles.

Today, when I’m out riding in urban and rural areas, I see people riding bikes on the road who have no idea of the rules of the road or safety precautions. They do incredibly dangerous things, break the law, disrupt traffic, and put themselves and others in peril.

There are, of course, very good organizations that teach safe cycling. I’ve attended two of them. But often the excuse for not taking a safety course is: Don’t worry about me, I KNOW how to ride a bike! But the truth is, often they don’t know a thing about how to ride on the road among the traffic of motor vehicles.

That’s why I wrote:

The 30-Minute Guide to Smart, Safe Road Cycling
A practical resource for casual riders, commuters, car-free citizens, and new ebike riders.

It’s important to remember: A bicycle is legally classified as a vehicle.

If you’re thinking of getting rid of your car and replacing it with a bicycle, this booklet is for you.

If you’re using a bicycle to commute to work, go shopping, take the kids to school, go to the bank, get some exercise, or any of the myriad things you do in a day, the information in this booklet can help you get started safely and confidently.

This booklet provides cyclists with the information, knowledge, and confidence they need to ride their bicycles on the road safely and within the law.

You can purchase the booklet on Gumroad, or Payhip.

Please consider reading it if you ride on the road, or give it to loved ones who ride their bikes on the road. It’s an easy read, and it could save a life.

Ten Things I'd Say Yes To

Photo by Jake Roxen on Unsplash. Thanks Jake!

1. Yes! I would move again. That is, I'd take up residence in a new place if I could find the right place. It's stressful, expensive, and a lot of work, and I've already moved many times. But I've lived in Jacksonville Florida for 22 years, and I'm ready for a new adventure. 
2. Yes! I'd buy an autonomous vehicle, once the bugs are worked out. I have come to dislike driving.  
3. Yes! I'd like to try skydiving.
4. Yes! I want to ride my bike across the country, solo or with a ride buddy.
5. Yes! I would take a drug that eliminates the need for sleep. Sleep is an onerous task. 
6. Yes! I would try microdosing psychedelics as an experiment to achieve healthy outcomes. 
7. Yes! I would find citizenship in another country if the United States Democracy fails. 
8. Yes! I'd take a trip on an alien spacecraft if the opportunity presented itself. 
9. Yes! I'd accept the opportunity to act in a movie. (I've been an extra.)
10. Yes! I would agree to experimental stem cell therapy to repair my vision.

Keep Moving: Fitness is Easier Than You Think

Walking is the best movement! Thanks, © Mark Timberlake!

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or trained fitness practitioner. Before undertaking any fitness regimen, get your physician's approval and know your physical limitations.