One step closer...
Today I took one step closer to becoming a 'proper' cyclist. Today, resplendent in my new Adelaide Cyclists jersey, I ventured out fully clad in lycra for the first time.
What on earth is happening to me? Eighteen months ago I was a public transport catching, Sunday afternoon TV watching regular kind of person. Yes, I watched the Tour de France every year and mused to myself how nice it would be to get back on a bike again. But I never imagined how extensive my transformation was going to be.
Now, whenever I see a bike or someone on a bike I'm transfixed. Even when I walk down the street I check out bikes that are chained to street signs... even the fixies parked in and around Hindley Street catch my eye.
All that's left for me now is to get some gloves and some proper pedals and shoes and my transformation will be complete. And then, no longer will I be seen as just a guy in a regular t-shirt and shorts going somewhere on his bike. I'll be an identifiable member of a sub-culture who actually enjoys the idea of going out for a ride, often with nowhere in particular to go, simply for the sake of the journey... simply for the challenge of a hill or the freedom of a long open (and car free) road. Simply for the feeling of satisfaction at the end of the ride of a job well done.
Of course, the great thing about cycling is that you don't have to be wearing lycra or be riding a $5000 bike (or even a $1000 one) to enjoy the ride.
That's what it's all about in the end, right?
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Comment by Andrew on October 23, 2011 at 17:41 -
Right.
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Comment by Juz on October 23, 2011 at 18:02 -
It's fun to watch your own evolution into cycling isn't it :-) Cycling is wonderful no matter where you're at, what you're riding or what you're wearing; we all follow our own progression into the sport along the avenue that suits each of us best - enjoying it should be the common thread for us all.
And I understand about perving on bikes that are tied to posts. I got the fright of my life this morning walking on The Parade, I was unashamedly copping an eyeful of a beautiful Teschner when the guy sitting on it said "hi". I hadn't even noticed he was there and I almost jumped out of my skin! I had a good laugh at myself and ticked off another step along my evolution as a cyclist.
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Comment by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on October 23, 2011 at 18:32 -
Silly me thought you weren’t a real cyclist until you shave your legs more often than most of your female friends.
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Comment by Dave L on October 23, 2011 at 20:12 -
Forget the shaved legs, you know you are a proper cyclist when you get labelled 'another cycling tragic', lol.
Joking aside, it's when you have just ridden up to Mt Lofty (or anywhere you fancy) then back to home and think 'that's the best day I've had all week'.
Welcome to the club.
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Comment by Gus K on October 23, 2011 at 22:52 -
Yep, right on!
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Comment by Patrick O'Kane on October 24, 2011 at 0:01 -
You know your a lost cause when you don'y buy a six pack after work on a Friday any more because you want to be fresh for a 0600 start (on your day off) and the money saved can be spent on cycling goodies.
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Comment by Rob (Chewbacca) on October 24, 2011 at 0:53 -
Chewbacca likes a good ride....shaved once and so cold next day legs turned blue and it was bloody cold riding in rain and hail for 150km.....dont merely bow to peer pressure but slowly develop your own style and needs...invention is the mother of neccessity :) Definitely try out new things and you will appreciate those little comforts all the more becaise you will think how did i get by before without the glasses or leg and arm warmers. I have watched and learned over the years and still learning
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