Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Love/Hate

I love cycling!  That is a fact.  However, there are certain parts about cycling that I don't love, that are annoying, that are dangerous, that make it difficult.  Know that as I list these, they in no way are enough to dissuade me from continuing my passion; but they are worth noting.

TOP FIVE ANNOYING THINGS ABOUT RIDING A BIKE
(In a very specific non-order)

1. IMPATIENT MOTORISTS - Though I've chosen not to put these lists in any particular order, I admit that this is definitely number 1 for this top five.  I thought about labeling it "Crazy Drivers," but in my experience, all the craziness really boils down to impatience.  Cyclists who can't ride at or above the speed limit are obvious intrusions upon motorists' sacred schedule and thereby their patience.  So it only makes sense to zoom past a cyclist with about a foot's worth of clearance playing chicken with the oncoming car in the other lane and shout obscenities at the cyclist as they fly past.  Then, since precious seconds were lost endangering the lives of their fellow human beings (and woodland creatures) in their rush, these impatient drivers have no choice but to run the stop sign at the end of the road while angrily honking their horn at anyone who gets in their way.
    Granted, that was all a bit of an exaggeration for one situation, but I have experienced each and every one of those actions at one point or another in my short cycling career.  I wish my passion didn't have to include such an unnecessary dangerous aspect, but it's there.  And I'm afraid it will always be there.

2. GEAR - One thing I love about running is that you can lace up your tennis shoes and just go.  That isn't really the case with cycling.  First of all, you have to have a bicycle and that bicycle works much better when it's in good condition.  So, you have to keep it well maintenanced.  Then you have to have a helmet because, let's face it, there are crazy drivers out there.  These are the two basic essentials needed for bike riding... but there's so much more!  If you're committed to the sport, you'll also need...
    -gloves to protect your hands from blisters and the shock from hard bumps
    -sunglasses (for obvious reasons)
    -LOOK pedals for increased power
    -road shoes to fit those pedals
    -padded cycling shorts (for that sore bum)
    -a jersey to match the shorts, with pockets in the back to store the essentials
    -cyclocomputer to keep track of how far you've gone, how fast you're going, how many calories you've burned, etc.
    -tire repair kit - flats happen
    -water bottles - stay hydrated!
I could probably keep adding stuff to this list, but you get the picture.  Sometimes it's like packing for vacation just to go on a bike ride.

3. TRAFFIC LIGHTS - I only consider these annoying because a) it is difficult to stop and go again quickly on a bike and b) bicycles are obviously not heavy enough to trip the sensor to make the light change.  I often feel very awkward standing at a light with my bike, waiting on a car to come "rescue" me.

4. THE "BONK" - Long distance cyclists will inevitably experience this "fun" phenomenon.  A "bonk" happens when a rider has gone 80 miles (or some other comparable long distance) and still has about 20 more to the finish line, but has completely run out of fuel to get there.  (You may liken it somewhat to a sugar crash.)  You are suddenly completely void of energy, no amount of water revives you, it takes extreme effort to get your legs to turn the pedals, and you lose all hope of ever getting out alive.  That's the bonk.  It's terrible.

5. DOGS - Don't get me wrong, I love animals.  But dogs chasing me is one of my least favorite parts about riding.  I'm always afraid the big ones are going to bite me (and they sure try) or that I'm going to run over the little ones and hurt us both.  I've learned which roads along my routes have dogs roaming free and I am careful to avoid them.

Whew.  Glad I got that off my chest.

No comments:

Post a Comment