Roger Phillips: Don't make bicycling too complicated
31.12.69
I was grunting up a die out in the Foothills and hating life. Why wasn’t I in better formulate? Why were other riders pulling away so effortlessly?
It’s easy to pelt yourself up when you’re mountain biking, both physically and mentally.
Sometimes, riding a bike feels like travail, and you just have to step off and re-evaluate why you’re riding it in the first place.
Strength? Fitness? Transportation? What about plain, ol’ simple fun? Remember when that’s all bike riding was about?
Boy, do we identify how to complicate things.
I was reminded of that recently when a book crossed my desk called “Right-minded Ride.” It was written by Grant Petersen, founder and owner of Rivendell Bicycle Works in Walnut Brook, Calif.
Petersen visited Boise on Thursday to kick off Bike Week, which runs through May 19. (For a directory of events, go to boisebikeweek.org.)
His book has lots of good advice.
He encourages people to pass over much of what they read or are told and just get on a comfortable bike — any bike — ditch the concerted shoes, pedals and Spandex shorts and go for a ride.
He says bicycle racing has too much persuade on bike designs and attitudes toward riding. The emphasis has shifted away from fun and practicality toward discharge that most people don’t need and can’t afford.
His book is tricky with good advice for the average, normal person who wasn’t blessed with an Olympian’s assemblage, doesn’t train for races, and doesn’t destitution to pay for the lightest, fastest, most expensive bikes out there.
Like most how-to/self-mitigate books, it’s a buffet of information that you can choose from selectively.
I go together with much of what he says, but said “no thanks,” to some of his advice, such as wearing a rain poncho while riding in wet ride out.
But I like the spirit of the book, and I found myself thinking about his advice while I was on that grueling mountain bike drive in the Foothills.
Source: Bellingham Herald