Madmax1993
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Last year I didn't get out on the bike as much as I would have liked, until October. I procured a decent front light and a long coveted frame (2009 Orange Five). This led to a series of 'firsts' for me which have boosted my confidence and desire to get out on my bikes far more.
Firstly, I went for a ride after a day at work. Until then, I only went cycling on my days off, or for the commute. Breaking that barrier of assuming I would be too tired, or that there's not enough time in the evening will allow me to be out far more in the future.
Secondly, that post work ride was in winter, in the dark, so my first ever night ride. The success of that ride tells me that even in winter, when we don't get much daylight, you can still go out to play on bikes.
Due to acquiring a new 29er that I want to get the use of, I've pushed myself to go out in different conditions that I would previously have shied away from, like rain and cold. So if I can push myself to go out in the rough weather, it should be easy to go out in the better weather in spring/summer.
The last 'first' (so far) happened yesterday, when I went for a solo ride: something I haven't done in a very long time (maybe ever). I prefer the safety, companionship and a little friendly competition that comes with riding with others. However, it's not always possible to get a riding buddy to come out, so on those days I typically don't go out. Yesterday, I really wanted to play in the snow, but had no-one to go with, so I went by myself, on some local trails, and had a fun afternoon.
I guess the point is that I'm proud that I've pushed past lethargy and laziness, and beyond the comfort zone to grow as a rider, and I probably wouldn't have done it if it hadn't been for the shake up of my bike stable. I feel that I have reached cycling nirvana with my full suss trail bike, my hardtail 29er, my jump bike, my road bike and a work-in-progress bikepacking/trekking bike. I finally feel that I have just the right bikes and I can't see myself replacing them anytime soon. Even the upgrades that I (and probably most others on here) make to my bikes are mostly done. I've run out of major spec changes to make and now the mods and parts I want to get are much smaller and inconsequential, like a nicer stem here or there.
Firstly, I went for a ride after a day at work. Until then, I only went cycling on my days off, or for the commute. Breaking that barrier of assuming I would be too tired, or that there's not enough time in the evening will allow me to be out far more in the future.
Secondly, that post work ride was in winter, in the dark, so my first ever night ride. The success of that ride tells me that even in winter, when we don't get much daylight, you can still go out to play on bikes.
Due to acquiring a new 29er that I want to get the use of, I've pushed myself to go out in different conditions that I would previously have shied away from, like rain and cold. So if I can push myself to go out in the rough weather, it should be easy to go out in the better weather in spring/summer.
The last 'first' (so far) happened yesterday, when I went for a solo ride: something I haven't done in a very long time (maybe ever). I prefer the safety, companionship and a little friendly competition that comes with riding with others. However, it's not always possible to get a riding buddy to come out, so on those days I typically don't go out. Yesterday, I really wanted to play in the snow, but had no-one to go with, so I went by myself, on some local trails, and had a fun afternoon.
I guess the point is that I'm proud that I've pushed past lethargy and laziness, and beyond the comfort zone to grow as a rider, and I probably wouldn't have done it if it hadn't been for the shake up of my bike stable. I feel that I have reached cycling nirvana with my full suss trail bike, my hardtail 29er, my jump bike, my road bike and a work-in-progress bikepacking/trekking bike. I finally feel that I have just the right bikes and I can't see myself replacing them anytime soon. Even the upgrades that I (and probably most others on here) make to my bikes are mostly done. I've run out of major spec changes to make and now the mods and parts I want to get are much smaller and inconsequential, like a nicer stem here or there.
