Psychic pain.

[Chicken Little]

Last week I bought a used Yaris. It may be the smallest, simplest machine I have ever driven and I love it. It's simple. It fits in a parking space the size of a post office box, 45 mpg, crank windows, etc.

When I got home, I got ready for a ride. Spandex, tire pressure, chamois butter, water, clips, chain grease, helmet, gloves, blah, blah, blah...

Although it was neatly organized and I got out the door and on the rode, I was acutely aware of how incredibly complex cycling has become, and am starting to wonder if I would be just as happy on a 25 year old beach cruiser with a cup holder and my flip-flops. (a Yaris version of my road bike)

Does anyway else become occasionally overwhelmed by the complexity of our passions?

[indysteel]

I understanf where you're coming from. I bought a custom bike early last year that didn't fit nearly as well as I expected. I spent the better part of the spring and summer trying to make it comfortable. I tried so many things without success. It had gotten SO complicated. I started to feel really down on cycling. I finally hung the bike up, and went back to my old bike. I'm starting to make up lost ground, mentally and physically. I'm trying really hard to keep it fun.

[Zen]

Occasionally?

Forever.

All my bikes make me happy but Miss Plum makes me the happiest.

[OakLeaf]

That's why you need more than one bike.

Living in a place where you can actually get somewhere on that beach cruiser helps, too.

[KnottedYet]

That's why I took the computers off my bikes.

And why I switched my clipless on my zoom-zoom bike for a pair of Grip Kings.

Velo Love!

(and the really awesome thing is that I can put it all back the way it was whenever I want to!)

[chicagogal]

I totally know what you mean. Between riding my bike, planning to ride my bike, preparing to ride my bike, getting to/from ride starts, working on my bike, etc, (not to mention training, racing, preparing for races, traveling to races) I actually spend ALL of my spare time.

The good news is that the more time goes by, the simpler it all seems because of the routine of it. The most complicated thing is keeping track of where my bikes are! Sometimes they are at home (if I am planning to ride from home) or at the shop (if I am planning to ride from the shop). If my plans change, then things get complicated :-)

[Librarygirl]

Yep, I feel like this all the time - when I'm fussing around with all my gear and hauling bikes in and out of cars and poking a thousand things in my jersey pockets and saddle pack and then having to retrieve those things seconds later when I remember I need them in my hand for something....

And then - I start riding, and it is all forgotten in an instant. I am so happy and free and I know that my perfectly fitting bike and my clipless pedals and my comfy cycling clothes and my energy drink powder tucked in my pocket all make my riding even more enjoyable, and that cycling is the ONLY exercise I have ever felt so passionate about, and kept up so consistently for so long.

And it all seems so, so worth it

[Bike Chick]

I hear you loud and clear. Sometimes it seems like it's more trouble than it's worth but all is forgotten after the first pedal stroke--its sooo worth it. The beach cruiser is fun but you still have to air the tires, grease the chain, adjust the saddle, etc. and I don't think that hitting 40 mph on a steep descent would have the same effect That's why we need more than one bike so we can ride whatever our moods dictate

[OakLeaf]

Oh, I've hit 37 coming down the bridge on my hybrid.

For sure it's not the same as the road bike. But for pure scary-@ss almost-out-of-control exhilaration...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I totally relate. That's the main reason i don't do clipless. I too stopped keeping track of my mileage and speed this year.
I believe that ideally biking should be a normal part of everyday life, not some elaborate and expensive ritual that we have to prepare for or drive to. I sometimes sense a big separation between those whose riding is competitive/sport, and those who ride for practical transportation or just for fun and fitness. When i see the complicated preparations that go into some people's rides, it makes me wonder how they can still call it 'recreational riding'.

i think it would be healthy for everyone to once a week just jump on their bike exactly as they are (just put on your helmet and gloves for safety) - no special clothes or shorts or shoes, no computer ....and ride around the block a couple of times or to the store for a quart of milk. What a liberated feeling that would bring!

[schnitzle]

I was having a conversation just yesterday about a similar topic. My friend was teasing me about getting Lycra padded shorts, and she mentioned that all the gear and special clothing made it so people were intimidated to just get on their bike and ride. I explained that in my case it's not that I am trying to compete with anyone or be "cool" but rather that my butt hurts and I want padding! lol

Her thoughts are that websites like Copenhangenize and Portlandize are so important because she feels they make cycling an everyday thing, not something that you have to gear up for?

I'm not sure where I stand on the topic. I'm too new.

ETA: I do know that I don't agree with her "no helmet" policy though.

[Crankin]

I feel differently every day I get up and decide to ride. If I am by myself and riding for fitness, some days I ride fast and compete with myself, and other days I don't. I usually end up feeling like I'm going fast and having a good time when I ride with my group or with Hirakikabou, even if I'm not going any faster than normal. It's the fun company that counts. When I ride with my 2 other woman friends, I know I will be stopping at corners or at the top of hills to wait for them; I just see this as a chance to slow down. When I am alone with DH sometimes he pushes me a bit and I am feeling it, but other times we decide we just want to ride slowly.
When the thought of going fast or even getting on my road bike is annoying me, I take out my Jamis Coda and ride to a farm stand, do errands, or meet someone for lunch. I haven't done this half as much this year, as it's been so damn hot in the middle of the day, when I usually do this, I've been at the pond, instead. And if cycling isn't thrilling me, I go for a walk or hike.
This way, I stay fresh and in shape. There's riding for different purposes and I enjoy each one. I don't look at my average except for when I ride alone or with DH.
I've tried riding without the chamois and I just can't stand the feel of it. Same with being clipped in. I rode a few times in regular shoes and my feet went flying off of the pedals. But, I do wear more urban type riding clothes, with a liner under for my errands and it's a whole different feeling.

[DarcyInOregon]

I enjoy getting prepared for my bike rides. I love everything about my bike rides, even the ones that don't turn out so well. I had enough years of riding a heavy steel 10-speed, wearing street clothing and either walking, cycling or taking a bus to get to my destination. Now this is my time, my years, and I revel in it. I love every aspect of the cycling: the computer, the training log and tracking the data over time, comparing my bike data year-to-year, planning new routes, getting better in tiny increments, exceeding my fitness goals, having the doctor exclaim to me how great I look and how healthy I am, increasing my cardio endurance to levels I did not anticipate, participating in the charity rides, meeting cyclists, doing something on a ride that I didn't think was possible like getting up a 16% grade without shifting into my granny, having two drawers of really cool jerseys that I love to wear like the Voler one that states on the back that "I never give up" and the list goes on. Getting on my bike and riding is a joy, every single ride. Maybe it is because I had years and years of not being able to ride due to injuries, so I appreciate and love these years that I have right now to ride my bike as often as I can.

And the best thing the cycling has done for me is that I can jog/run again and go on long steep climbing hikes. In 1985 an accident shattered the bones of my left ankle joint, leaving me in extreme pain for the next 7-8 years and without a functioning joint. I was told a lot of things by the orthopedic surgeon, like I would never walk normally again, would certainly never run, and would not be able to ride a bike, and I should have the remaining bits of bone fused together like Bill Walton or I would be begging for narcotic drugs. I was able to get back on the bike in 2006 and somehow all of that pedaling over the past years did something to the lame foot, strengthened the tendons and ligaments and allowed for increased flexibility like having a working joint, and this summer I was able to go to the local college track and run 3 1/2 miles on my first time out, real slow, but I was jogging. So up yours doctor orthopedic surgeon.

No, nothing about getting prepared for a ride bores me or tires me. I love it all. I hit bottom with many years of not being able to move my body very well, so I really appreciate the years I have been given to ride my bike, and I glory in all of the nuances of cycling.

[crazycanuck]

On my commute to uni classes, I have an older flat bar roadie panniers and no odometer . I wear a t-shirt & ground effect martinis (helmet etc).

It's a nice little ride & don't have to worry about speed etc.

[Crankin]

None of the geek stuff about cycling will ever thrill me. I am thankful I can afford a nice bike, with good components, and even that is relatively low key for me. I like the computer for telling me how far I've gone, but that's it.
Getting ready, is well, getting ready. You have to do it, but that's what made me start running last year; unfortunately my body doesn't like running so much, but now I will go fitness walking or hike, do yoga, lift. For me, variety is the spice of life. My next plan is to get a touring bike, so we can do more vacations, on our own, with bikes, and have a bike to ride around town, that is more comfortable than my Coda. I actually look forward to the winter, because I discovered I love being outside then, too. The x country ski/snow shoe season is very short here and often involves traveling; I ride 9 months or so out of the year and I thoroughly enjoy the break because of the winter sports I do. It also makes me look forward to riding in March.
I have been exercising for 30 years in some way or other. If I just focused on riding my bike, I would have got bored long ago. Because, when I am 75 years old (doesn't seem so far away now) I want to still be riding and believe me, it's not going to be about how fast I can go up a hill in a hard gear.