speed is overrated

[sundial]

I've come to the conclusion that I am a trekker at heart. I would rather ride for distance rather than ride for performance. I am not a weight weenie. I try to put fenders, racks, trunks, or underseat bags on all my bikes. I clutter up the handlebars with things that improve comfort or safety--or for entertainment. I like knobby, heavy tires. A kickstand is useful. So are baskets to bring in the mail or a coffee cup holder that carries a mug of fresh brew. It's just a matter of time before I plan my first credit card tour. Comfort is the priority now and I'm ready to enter a new season in cycling.

[shootingstar]

Certainly it sounds as if you haul around abit more weight on bike everyday, even without buying anything for the pannier.

I don't like knobby tires, but I do have Marathon tires which have smoother thread. My handlebar real estate doesn't have much except for a bell and a mount for my no-longer-used Cateye computer.

For self, speed has only counted for meeting work commuting time...and for touring -- making sure on a long trip, to get to hotel/motel/b 'n b in time....to check out nearby eating places before dark..or book accommodation right there upon arrival. My partner has a loose style of trip planning: book lst 1-2 days..then advance reserved accommodation becomes vaguer and vaguer depending on cycling distance covered and weather during trip days.

So, are you waiting for a better time in life to do a credit card bike trip?

[Zen]

Welcome to my club

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Welcome to my club

Yeah, I totally relate!

[Blueberry]

Me too! I keep thinking about getting a "lighter" bike, but then I start mentally adding things to it....

I <3 my generator hub, fenders, rear rack, trunk bag, front and rear lights, etc.

I wasn't gonna win any races anyway

CA

[Biciclista]

Same here. What's the rush?

[sundial]

So, are you waiting for a better time in life to do a credit card bike trip?

I'm waiting for it to become cooler. I'm also looking for the right bike for the job.

[Tri Girl]

I fully agree.
I am not as fast as I used to be and I'm getting aggravated trying to get back to where I was. I find I like going slower, enjoying the scenery, taking pictures, and exploring new things.
What bikes are you looking at?

[sundial]

Tri, I'm looking at steel bikes--mtb's and touring road bikes.

[Zen]

Another opportunity to say how much I love my Aurora

[sundial]

Is Mariposa jealous?

[beccaB]

I'm usually in the last group of people finishing a Century, and I do it on a hybrid bike with lights and bags and water bottles all over it. I don't want a faster bike because I am comfortable on this one and it can take all the badness Michigan roads can dish out.

[Zen]

Is Mariposa jealous?

She would be furious if she knew I had considered selling her

[Crankin]

Tri Girl, I found that in the process of getting back to be as fast as I used to be, I did it by giving up all expectations of doing it. In other words, I stopped trying, and focusing on other stuff. Getting a 2nd bike made for slower riding, with lots of stuff on it (pannier, 2 lights, computer) gave me a reason to do lots of little errand rides and some destination rides where I wanted to to be able to walk around (i.e., not be wearing my road shoes).
Last year, I had a difficult season on the bike. I felt old and slow and had more bad days than good. This year, after a couple of months, I found that with just a little trying, my speed is almost where it was before all of my medical issues started. I look forward to riding my road bike because it's not the only thing I do. Besides riding my hybrid around town, I also started running, again, with no expectations of speed or accomplishment.
I also ride with a couple of people who are slower than me, so except for my DH and the rides I do alone, my trying to be fast isn't happening every time I get on a bike. The only group I ride with is a group that is more "smell the roses," even though there are a lot of very fit people in the group.
So, while I admit I like to improve my riding, I have stopped trying to "train." To put it in perspective, what we do is more than what 95% of people do (at least in the U.S). Have fun and enjoy yourself!

[Tri Girl]

Thanks, Crankin. Your words hit home.
I've struggled with gaining some weight (and not being able to get it off despite riding 5 days a week and counting calories), and getting slower on the bike while everyone else I know is speeding up. I've been feeling very incompetent and inadequate. I quit doing tris because I feel so slow and out of shape. So I ride alone. I go my own speed. I took the computer off. I stop to take pictures and look around more.
I just got a job 2 miles from home (as opposed to 26), so now I can ride to work and the grocery store on the way home. I'm looking forward to being a utilitarian bicyclist- not just a speed demon.