I have just finished reading a book written by a fellow rider such as myself, though far more adventurous, younger, fitter and with a much greater ambition than would apply to me. Yet we share a common interest and although I would not describe myself as obsessed as this author, I do share his love of all things cycling.
You maybe familiar with the term MAMIL, it stands for Middle Aged Man in Lycra. When I started cycling on a proper road bike (I learnt to ride when I was 5 years old), I would have been a teenager and the clothing available in those days were very primitive indeed compared to today's modern materials and fabrics. Consequently Lycra stretched over men, just starting to tip over into that stage we refer to as "middle" age, slightly overweight, either first time riders or those who have returned to cycling after a lengthy gap, since their now rapidly receding youth, strike an amusing image covered in a fabric that tightly fits and shows every lump and bump. I have experienced this reawakening, the desire to try to relive former glories and whilst I kid myself, that I never really stopped cycling, I know that there were long gaps, when I never went near a bike, even if I have always had one sitting in the garage.
In recent years (quite a lot of recent years now) the popularity of the bicycle has risen to unprecedented levels and is a huge multi-million industry. At it's pinnacle are those slight, unbelievably fit professional (and I am only writing about road bikes) team riders many of whose names are now as famous as any sports person and have entered our consciousness even for those who do not have much interest in the sport. These are men and women who look very good in Lycra. The Tour de France is now possibly the biggest sporting event, in the world each year and garners huge interest from the media. Like all sports there is drama, scandal, controversy, heroes, villains, danger, breath taking athleticism and as always in sport the ever present spectre of drug enhanced performance, thankfully less so in cycling today than has been in recent history! The sport filters down through lower professional's, amateur and club riders and to cyclists like me, who ride for pleasure and fitness. The clubs are the backbone of the sport and although I have over the years ridden with a number, I no longer feel the need to "belong" , I am happy to ride with a group but I am happy to cruise along on my own or as I often do with a very good friend. In the book I mentioned earlier (Life of Mamils:My life as a middle aged man in Lycra by Martin Gatenby) , Mr Gatenby eulogizes about riding the roads of West Yorkshire and how one get to view scenery in a way one never does in car or unless one was walking and I must agree there is something tranquil and therapeutic about riding on country roads, it is a very relaxing way of shedding the travails of every day modern life, not with standing it also has the benefit of keeping you fit . He aspires to riding in all weathers, I on the other hand avoid winter riding and am more of a "fair" weather cyclist. As I have got older even the crisp clear winter days hold no charm for me on a bike, I don't want to be cold.
I have never been a quick rider, I can keep a pace for a reasonable time but am a poor climber and these days am often passed like I am standing still by many other cyclists,out for their ride ( I have had occasion for riders on big steel framed bikes, to pass me easily and there is nothing "MAMIL" like about the way they are clothed). I used to care as they disappeared into the distance in no time at all but I no longer have any such thoughts and am happy to ride at my pace, its my journey and I will enjoy it in my own time.It is one of the reasons why I no longer often ride with others, as there can often be an element of competitive spirit, which is fine, in spite of all the good intentions at the start of not leaving anyone behind etc: but I have in later years always found myself lagging behind, off the "pace" and as I spend most of the ride on my own I might as well ride like that all the time!
A true enthusiast is always looking for the latest equipment and gear, it has become easy with the ever present internet. In the initial phases of awakening to the joys of cycling, the new enthusiast will purchase all the kit and it is noticeable that as the popularity has grown so have the prices. I have purchased a fair amount of kit over the years and a good tip is peruse the sites that are selling end of line or last years stock, I recommend Sports Pursuits www.sportpursuit.com and Private Shops www.privatesportshop.co.uk, you can pick up good quality kit at large discounts.
Bikes choices are now plentiful and a bewildering selection is available from the entry level, up to the very expensive bikes like the "pros" ride, which can be the price of a new family car! Buy what you can afford, my only advice being to get a bike that is the right size for you, it can be very uncomfortable and not to say tiring to ride a bike that is not the right fit. If that famous brand of sexy Italian steed is what you desire and your prepared to splash out on one, then good for you but make sure it is the correct size! Most people new to cycling will generally purchase a relatively inexpensive first bike but if the bug bites it will not be long before you hankering over a new carbon frame lightweight machine and your first bike will become your winter ride complete with mudguards. You will understand what I mean if you already are a road bike enthusiast or you very soon will if your a new rider and your hooked!
I could go on about this subject for a long time, I have not even touched upon all the events, charity rides and sportive's etc that the average cyclist can take part in all the way to riding actual stages of the big Tours and other races the pro's ride.
I will finish on a couple of things one is safety. Motorist are generally well behaved towards cyclist, certainly where I live, since the rise of cycling they are more educated as to how to behave towards us but beware not all are so well disposed and one needs to be vigilant, especially when riding in traffic or on main roads. Be confident and make it crystal clear what your intentions are, remember you have every right to be there. The worst behaved are in my experience, are "white van man" , forever in a rush and prone to cutting corners and driving too fast, they can be very dangerous.
The second thing is "gravity" use it! We climb enough hills so use gravity to freewheel down them. If you really want fly down hill pedaling furiously, fine, your choice but even the pro's freewheel downhill!
And finally, whatever cyclist you become, enjoy yourself!
My ride
