What Makes a Perfect Ride & Perfect Ride Partner?

by Megan Hottman

I’ve often thought that the perfect riding mate is one of those elusive and difficult-to-describe creatures. Like unicorns, you know it when you see it. To articulate it and actually describe, it is quite another.  I’ve been blessed to ride bikes with a handful or so people in my life, who have set the bar incredibly high as perfect ride partners.  I’ve paid close attention to the nuances, asking myself, “just what exactly makes this so magical?” in the hopes of being able to distill it down into words without doing the dynamic an injustice.  It’s hard to describe a flow-state feeling. 

Nevertheless, as we head into 2021, as more and more people continue to find or rediscover cycling, and as many of us continue to manage our small bubbles of humans for COVID-spread-prevention purposes, I thought it might be helpful to try and articulate what makes the perfect riding partner*, so that we all might aspire to be the best ride mate we can for those with whom we ride. 

*This is not intended to reference a romantic ride partner context- I refer to the perfect riding partner, or riding mate, with no off-the-bike relationship context… but on the bike they are your partner, and your teammate (hence mate) out there on the roads, so I use those words interchangeably and throughout.  Partner in crime, person-with-whom-you-ride-bikes, friend, fellow cyclist would all work as well, but my intention was to impart a riding dynamic with a deeper sense of intuitiveness and perception, which we don’t experience with just anyone. (And hey, if your significant other IS also your riding mate, good on ya!  Riding bikes with your person is probably the best thing you can do for your romantic relationship IMHO ;)).

Let me acknowledge that when you’re new to cycling, you’re very focused on changing gears, clipping in and out of pedals, pedaling, and so on.  I fully appreciate and acknowledge your mind is full with plenty of things to focus on – that said, I still believe everyone no matter their experience, can begin curating an awareness for these behaviors early-on, and I believe doing so will make us all better and safer riders.  

OK here we go ….

SAFETY & CONSISTENCY

Of course, it’s stating the obvious, but my ideal riding mate follows the rules.  I don’t want to be out on the roads or paths with someone who breaks the laws or puts us in a position to cause a potential crash or receive a traffic citation.  Finding a riding partner who is on the same page about this simple principle is harder than readers may think, but it’s the crucial first step towards finding your perfect bike ride partner. 

One of the biggest things that puts my mind to rest and puts me in a space of ease and enjoyment when I’m riding with someone else, is their consistency in calling out hazards vocally and/or pointing out hazards.  If they are 100% accurate always indicating concerns in the roadway, I start to relax knowing that they are reliable “eyes” for me if I’m riding their wheel closely or even if we’re side by side. Knowing that they are looking at the road to ensure we don’t hit something, is a HUGE relief. I don’t exclusively RELY on their signals, but I trust them to tell me what’s coming, especially if I’m riding their rear wheel closely.   

Contrast that with the riding partner who only sometimes points out hazards … who doesn’t point them out soon enough to avoid them, … who rides in such a way that they even fail to see things and sometimes ride over/ through something I’d prefer to avoid.  I had a person on a group ride once take three of us through the same monster pothole when we were riding single file. Two of us ended up with immediate pinch flats (it was a big hard hit) … not cool.  The ones who are inconsistent “pointer-out-ers” are the ones with whom I find my guard is up the entire ride. Think about the restaurants where you’ve received inconsistent food quality or service – once it was exceptional, once it was dismal…. You don’t really want to go back and roll the dice now do you?

The ideal ride mate is also looking ahead and anticipating all the things: pedestrians stepping off corners, lanes narrowing, bike lanes disappearing or reappearing, walkers or runners up on the path, cars turning without signals, traffic lights changing. Even though they are conversing with me as we ride, the conversation is never enough to knock them off their eagle-eye vigilance.  I tend to be observing and noting all of those things too – and if I’m the only one on a ride noticing those dynamics, it can be tiring and even exhausting to essentially be the group lookout.  But when I ride with someone who is focused on anticipating possible issues the same way I am, our joint focus and attention on those things provides a sense of supportive teamwork- allowing us both to enjoy our ride, our conversation, and to share the desire to keep us both safe.

There is also a subtle way to go about pointing out hazards and threats on a ride. I’d like to thank Tim Johnson and our multiple “Ride On” events with People for Bikes for really teaching and demonstrating this technique of calm and subtle hazard-signaling.

Some people are loud and abrupt about it “CAR UP!! ” they SCREAM! – and perhaps they were trained that way, to ensure they get everyone’s attention.  But the smoother, quieter, calmer way of pointing things out using hands or just one or two key words, is so much less stressful, especially when there are just 2 riders. 

Choose the same words or phrases and stick to them.  One comment about the word “right” – it can mean correct, or it can mean turning right. Consider using “yes” or “correct” and saving the word “right” for directions. “Clear back” can also sound a lot like “car back” so refine phrases based on what your mate can hear best.  Just a few words or hand-gestures go a long way, especially when people are tuned in. 

This is not always the case of course but generally speaking when I am riding with someone like this and we are doing the joint-lookout and anticipation approach – these tend to be my safest rides, the ones with few or no dangerous or scary interactions with motorists.  Of course, as we all know (too well), anything can happen regardless of how solid our lookout teamwork is, but as a general rule: the safest rides with zero negative incidents or motorists interactions, are with riding mates like I’m describing here. Communication is key.

DIRECTIONS:

Of course …the ideal riding mate is always willing to take your photos on a ride ;)

When I ride with someone who knows the route, and I do not, I really appreciate them telling me in advance what we’re doing.  At the beginning of the ride, if they give me a general overview of the route, that is hugely helpful, even if I don’t know all of the streets and turns.  When they tell me about how long the ride will last, or where we’ll end up and about when, that is also really reassuring.  Then -during the ride, receiving cues like, “up here, we’re going to veer through this chicane-like turn, and then merge onto the road in the bike lane and then when it’s clear we’ll merge across the traffic lanes into the left turn lane…”. This kind of message cannot be clearly portrayed with just a couple hand gestures or words, and it also informs me of traffic patterns or potential risks to be aware of as we are making these dynamic moves in the road.   

CALLING US OUT

My ideal riding mate tells other path users we are coming up, on their left (calmly and friendly-tone), and how many of us there are, and waves or says something kind, so that they feel warm and fuzzy about us as we pass.  Contrast that with the cyclists who overtake walkers or runners in such a way as to make the path user feel threatened or scared.  Remember: We are out trying to make friends on our rides, to show the world how awesome bikes and cyclists are  -to be bike ambassadors – not to overrun or frighten path users!

WAVING

My ride partner does an impeccable job waving at cars who wait for us – those who pause; we wave and give a gesture to get their attention and we wave in such a way as to signal appreciation and a heads up, not a gesture that sends an entitled or demanding message.  When we give the two-finger salute (like the peace sign) to motorists, it’s a GOOD thing.  We are out making friends at the same time we’re trying really hard to make sure that they see us.  Often, my riding mate even waves or says hello to walkers or runners on the sidewalks next to us as we ride past in the bike lane.  Always projecting that kindness vibe -that energetic connection with others out getting their recreation on.  THANK YOU as a hand gesture to motorists goes a long way.  Waving makes everyone happier. Do as much of that as you can. 

This is one of the biggest nuances and most impossible to teach to cyclists – the behavior and body language we use during our ride sends all kinds of messages to other road and path users.  Someone is always watching us.  When we give off a friendly, connected, “we are all out here in this fresh air together” vibe, it unites us.  Sadly, we can all think of a handful of cyclists that we know, who instead project that sense of “this is my road, get out of the way, COMING THROUGH” aggro – self-absorbed vibe.  And that just turns people off of cycling. 

SOUPLESSE

Then we get into the real juice of a solid flow state ride…. The way that two people are able to ride bikes side by side, or single file, with bikes close to one another, handlebars even with one another, comfortably close, rolling steadily, having conversation, making occasional eye contact during the discussion… neither one is “half-wheeling” the other; both have the capability to perceive the others’ pace and to back off subtly if one is having a better day on the bike than the other rider is…. (BTW- You’ll know you’re half-wheeling your riding partner if you find yourself talking over your shoulder frequently; that’s a sign they are not right next to you ;) ).

Souplesse is the art of riding a bike in a smooth fluid motion.  The Velominati defines it as, “Souplesse is the perfect storm of Looking Pro; harmony between grace and power, casual and deliberate. It speaks of the entire organism, the perfectly manicured machine together with the perfectly refined position and technique of its rider. It is the combination of Magnificent Stroke, gentle sway of the shoulders and head, the rhythmic breath, and of knees, elbows, and chest converging on the V-Locus.”

Again, this is one of those things that you’ll know it when you see it.  And if you yourself ride this way, and you are fortunate to find a riding mate who rides this way, let me tell you, the sight of the two of you on the road, side by side, will make people stop and look.  Because it really is the most amazing and awe-inspiring sight.  Poetry in motion.  It’s the beauty and art form of cycling to which we all aspire, and when you find yourself on a ride in this state, it is as though the world blurs around you and the bike ride, conversation and company, all move into sharp focus, and the miles click off effortlessly.  Suddenly- a four-hour ride can be finished and it happened seamlessly. 

This brings to mind the subject of surging.  As we say in cycling, smooth is fast.  And so it is when riding with your mate.  When you pull on the front keep it smooth and steady.  When you leave a stop sign or stop light, don’t punch it and sprint off, gradually accelerate.  When you slow down and speed back up, make the acceleration smooth, smooth, smooth.  Nothing wears out my legs quicker than when I ride with someone who is punchy in all the wrong places.  It can be so exhausting trying to close those gaps off stop lights, or having to reaccelerate when they take the front to take a pull and they press on the gas too much.  This is all a sensory read and it takes time and practice, but it also takes awareness and a desire to pay attention.  Read your mate- and don’t leave them in the dust.  My riding mate does not surge. Rather, he slowly and almost imperceptibly increases speed, ensuring I am on his wheel as he does so.  Or if he is going to intentionally surge, he tells me so. 

This brings me to another nuance related to standing: when I am riding the wheel of my mate on a climb and he is ready to stand up, he’ll give me an indication.  Most common is the double elbow flick, a sign a rider is about to stand up out of the saddle.  This allows me the chance to soft pedal for a second, to create a small gap for their back wheel, which will seem to go backwards as they stand.  When two people are riding closely to one another, and especially when the back rider is really sitting on the rear wheel of the front rider, this is a really important thing to do.  If I choose not to also stand when he stands, I will remain in the saddle and ever so slightly accelerate to regain position on their wheel. 

All of these subtle energy-saving techniques add up to a smoother, safer, more enjoyable ride with minimal energy-wasting surges and gaps.  When mental energy is conserved in this way, we are freed up to invest more physical energy into the work we are doing on the bike.  The entire ride is more enjoyable.

JV TO VARSITY -CLARITY OF PURPOSE

Have you ever been on a ride where you thought the purpose was riding simply to ride- no agenda, other than to connect with your mates and be social, perhaps have a coffee stop, otherwise just #milesofsmiles and some togetherness? Have you ever been on a ride like that where perhaps one of your group members really wanted some structure, perhaps some intervals on hills or some punchy-spots? When you put those two objectives together without communicating about it in advance, it can result in disappointment or frustration all around.

This is when alignment, or at least a discussion of the ride’s purpose or goals, can be very helpful.  And it’s possible for everyone to get what they need even if the goals are different.  For example, one person can give it some gas on the hills to add that punch or effort for fitness gains while the others can remain social and continue chatting up the climb.  Or, someone can start the ride an hour earlier or tack on extra after to get their distance or time goals met.  What is key is that these things be vocalized.  Because nothing brings the mood down, or breaks up a small group ride faster, then some who want to add surges, accelerations, hill repeats, and some who don’t, when those desires aren’t spoken in advance. 

Based on rider goals, or on the time of year or season, some riders will be perfectly happy to ride just to ride -just to be outside, happily pedaling.  Some will need to execute a mission on every ride, whatever that may be.  To keep everyone together and happy, it’s a “best practice” on your varsity squad to articulate these desires in advance. 

This pre-ride conversation can be facilitated with a ride route map shared between you and your riding mate(s).  “Here is the ride plan,” it can start, and the graphic can include mileage, elevation gain, and a map (if the ride has been done before, or if an app like RideWithGPS is utilized to pre-map the ride).  This way you and your riding mate(s) will have expectations of distance, time, climbs, difficulty, regroup spots, snack stops, and so on.  This allows you and your mate to prepare with snacks, drinks, a mental map of how the ride is likely to unfold, and if you haven’t already guessed it -taking these uncertainties and unknowns out of the equation makes for – yep, a smoother, calmer, more enjoyable ride. 

Think of it as a mini trip each time you go.  Having a destination, or objective, or at least stops and refuel points in mind, gives everyone involved something to set their sights on. 

GRACE

When you ride with other humans, it’s important to also tuck some grace in that back jersey pocket.

When (not if), someone is having a bad day, realize that we're all humans and humans have not-optimal days sometimes. Give your mate(s) permission to scrap the ride or bail, or shut it down early if they are really struggling and don’t make them feel badly for it. Maybe you take all the pulls into the wind and they sit on, or maybe the route gets shortened because they just don’t have it …. Someday it will be you on the struggle bus; it happens to us all.  (It often catches us by surprise too).  Maybe your mate wants to just sit on your wheel and not say a word back there, but still wants to ride with you.  Cool.  Have that discussion.  Maybe they need to turn around and go home and climb back into bed.  It happens.  Don’t make them feel badly about it. There will always be another perfect ride day. 

IN SUMMARY- TUNE IN, FEEL THE FEELS, SMOOTH IS FAST, ANTICIPATE

I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to ride with people who ride the way I’ve described above.  And it is the gold standard; it is remarkable and noticeable when I go back to riding with a mate who does not follow these techniques or approaches.  It is more fatiguing and mentally taxing.  It can be downright stressful if I ride with someone who does few or none of the things mentioned above.  (And you can be sure, I minimize the number of rides like that.  It diminishes my bike riding joy). 

If you want to be the dreamy ride mate for your pal, tune in, really feel and perceive what is going on during the ride.  Perfect the art of riding side by side, and single file, and really hone your senses to anticipate what is happening well up the road, what might happen, and what your riding mate might need to see or know or hear well in advance. 

Riding with your mate is not the time to make them read your mind. 

Until such a time as you’ve perfected the art and they have too, and you can ride side by side without speaking a single word, truly in a zen space existing and pedaling, savoring and knowing what the other will do, without a sound uttered. 

That, my friends, is heaven on earth.  It’s the perfect bike ride …with the perfect riding partner. 

I wish that for you and for all of us this year. 

Shammy Misconceptions

Okay all you naysayers to the shammy wearing world:

I'm already hearing several reasons folks are already skipping out on their New Year's resolutions when it comes to indoor trainers, and the #1 reason is comfort.

First off, make sure you've been fitted to your bike and or trainer including the proper shoes. Most knee and hip pain stem from an ill fit, so make sure you take the time to get a good fit before wandering into the Zwift, Rouvy, or Sufferfest lands which generally include hours in the saddle.

Compression is the name of the game here; think tight, stretchy socks.  I prefer bibs which eliminate the band pressure around the bladder area, but whichever style, short or bib, make sure they are tight and have a good chamois. "Shammies" have quite a few misconceptions: too snug, unflattering, bulging, and awkward but you can always wear baggy shorts on top. Let's not forget we're usually on trainers to meet certain goals whether that be racing, touring, or just good ole fitness without the wear and tear on our bodies.

Remember, this is about comfort and reaching those objectives. Don't make the mistake and go super cheap on this important piece of clothing. With the right tight fit, shammy butter, and a good training plan, your New Year's Resolutions on your indoor trainer should become more focused and attainable. Within 30 minutes on the saddle with a good shammy and butter, you'll appreciate the comfort and sensation.

I wear Champion System, which are seamless on all their bib shorts, or tights. Plus, they offer several levels and are affordable starting under $70.

#ridemoredriveless

Cheryl Gaiser

My Experiences with Biking to Work and How to Do it Yourself

 I decided to pick this topic because over 57% of people live close enough to work to take themselves via bicycle. My goal is to help you realize that commuting to work can be challenging yet super fun. I found it extremely difficult to adapt to not only the beaming heat searing the streets in Phoenix, but, also, to mentally accept the need to drive to wake up and also to hop on the bike and ride back home after a long day at work. It's definitely not the easiest thing you could do everyday. But, once you overcome those challenges, you'll be unstoppable.

Yes, I used to commute via bike in Phoenix...mid summer. Those three miles were always strenuous. I didn't own a car, so commuting any other way wasn't really possible for me. The train did help some, but for the most part, it was just me and my feet on the pedals. Sweat dripping off my face and burning my eyes, I look down at my bike and smile. The serotonin my body is releasing is making me feel really happy to be alive.

Cycling to work at a bicycle shop - that ride was mostly streets and sidewalks. It was in the suburbs of Chicago, and the funny thing is, I was the only one from that shop who would ride their bike to work. Eventually, everyone else caught on and decided to ride their bikes, too. The power of persuasion!

While at my current job, my car's brakes decided to stop working, so therefore, my only option was to ride to work. When I first started, I noticed there were A LOT of bikes parked up next to the Amazon building. I was excited to make new cycling friends! I even got to race one of my co-workers to see whose bike was faster. I won. I had so many adventures riding my bike 20 miles a day - on graveyard shift.

HOW TO DO IT YOURSELF

1.  Evaluate your route. Is taking the trails more efficient? Do you also have to take the bus or train to get there?

2.  Try the route before you use it for commuting. You don't want to make yourself late or run into any issues that may cause you delay.

3.  Get ready to leave the house. Make sure you have a change of clothes, deodorant, and extra shoes. Everything you might need before, during, and after arrival.

4.  Commute to work on your bike.! The best part.

5.  Arrive at work and lock your bike.

6.  Leave work and ride home. Be safe, and if it's dark outside, you will need to make sure your lights are working.

Follow these six step and you'll be able to successfully ride your bike to work. Try it at least once. Have any further questions? Feel free to reach out to one of our Bike Ambassadors!

#ridemoredriveless #cyclist_lawyer #commuting #biketowork

Jess B.

Biking and Mindfulness

Cycling has impacted my life in myriad ways, but most importantly, cycling has taught me how to be present. Mindfulness is a common refrain these days, and there are any number of apps or shamans out there willing to help guide you on a path to better mindfulness - and I'm sure many of them are quite good. For me though, nothing has had quite the same impact on my ability to step outside the noise of my mind and be totally aware of my being, surroundings, and mental state as cycling. I often think of the John Denver line: "His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand...The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake" - I don't know that John was a big cyclist, but that line could embody any of my longer training rides.

The key goal of mindfulness is to achieve a state of awareness of your mind and body in your current surroundings. The first time I really remember achieving this level of zen was on the bike. The feeling of letting my thoughts completely evaporate and just feeling the wind across my face, my connection to the pedals, and the road beneath my wheels was intoxicating. The reasons that I ride are numerous: the health benefits, I'm good at it :), the feeling of accomplishment when you get a PR on a serious climb or just crush a local segment; but the reason I always lace up my shoes and throw a leg over my ridiculously high saddle (I'm a tall guy) is that feeling of complete oneness with myself and my world.

This blog is meant to share the benefits of bike commuting and riding in general, but it also serves as an educational guide for those just getting into riding. If you haven't reached this moment of zen yet, don't fear, it's probably just around the corner! Here are some quick tips that have helped me get to a place of inner peace - which you're going to want on your next hundred mile ride.

1) Don't force it - the more that you try to meditate, the more you're working too hard. Instead, try to gently nudge your mind back to where you are at present as your thoughts start to wander. Don't fight it, if you start thinking about work that's fine - just gently nudge yourself back to feeling your breathing and watching the road ahead (as with all of this the idea is not to be asleep at the handlebars...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE always pay attention to the road and your surroundings, that's actually a huge part of this!)

2) Focus on your breathing - this is probably the most important part. Not only will better breathing help your riding (your HR monitor will thank you), but focusing on your breathing is the easiest way to help your mind from wandering. This works best on serious climbs IMO - head to your local measuring stick climb and think about active breathing - breathing from the stomach and actively pushing the air out. This cycle will center your body and your mind, and don't be surprised if you start pushing the watts!

3) Relax and take notes - I stole that one from a rap song :). Honestly keeping a journal entry of your rides, training, and where you were from a headspace is invaluable. You'll start to better understand what might trigger your tougher rides, what thoughts you have trouble clearing from your head, and what you did right on the days that you were flying. 

Feel free to comment below with some of your own experiences/tips for achieving better mindfulness, and as always, have fun and be safe out there!

Missed Miles: Gained Perspectives

Wow, did this year start off with a bang! I had become a Guinness World record holder, shuttered our 20-year retail store, and started a successful consulting business. Little did any of us know what was around the January 2020 corner.

Over the past several years, I wound down my local road racing while ramping up gravel riding.  I've found great pleasure in including my wife, Rhonda, in my training. We started joining in on longer rides, which in turn led to Gran Fondo and Century touring. We've attended the Cache Gran Fondo in Logan, Utah for several years and recruited Bike Ambassadors for this mid-July road trip. COVID obviously cheated us of this plus many group rides as travel ground to a hard STOP.

Not one to sit still for long, as you can only put so many puzzles together, I snagged a part-time position at my local bike shop in late April. I began to notice that most of the bikes, which first time riders were bringing in for "complete tune-ups" just needed a good clean and lube. We had to sanitize every bike out in the yard prior to bringing it into our bike techs. While the customers' bikes were in the rack, I'd discuss washing every other ride with dish detergent liquid, an old tooth brush on the chain, wax, dry or wet lubes; the little things that help those small mishaps from turning into big, expensive repairs. "Save your $$ for fun clothing, colored pedals or bar tape, maybe upgrade to new wheels." I've made quite a few new friends through just starting the conversation, being thoughtful, and offering helpful advice. Having a now semi-seasoned rider stop by the shop, hunt me down just to say "thanks" with a big smile beneath the mask feels awesome!

As Bike Ambassadors, we should all stop and assist, start the conversation, wave as you pass riders and listen to others' concerns. It's amazing how often we can help if we just listen and hear what others are trying to convey.

Our missed Fondos, Centuries, and group rides have allowed us to see and hear things we would have missed otherwise. We've spent more time with our immediate loved ones. We all hiked, biked, and commuted more. We are all learning that the "new normal" is doable not to mention the overall wellness these new endeavors have shown us.

Cheryl

Biking to Kids' Activities

Amidst all the challenges of the past several months, it can be uplifting to recognize a few "silver linings." Here's one: biking is having a bit of a moment. Bike sales are at their highest since the 1970s. Individuals and families around the world are jumping on their bicycles for both exercise and for transportation.

Those of us who were already “in the know” about the glorious biking lifestyle might feel a bit smug. But I’d argue that there’s always room for us to increase our dependence on our bikes. This is particularly true for those of us who have children. It’s common for avid cyclists to trade in their bike commutes for an SUV or a minivan when little ones come into the picture. Biking becomes more of a recreational activity for families and less of a transportation method.

But it doesn’t have to be this way! I’ve been biking as my primary means of transportation with little ones since 2012, and I plan to keep biking with them for years to come.

If you, too, would like to avoiding the prevailing car culture while getting your kids to and from school and activities, here are my top tips:

Invest early in your biking infrastructure. Often new parents start with a baby seat that mounts on the back of their bike, and then progress to a bike trailer. While both of these options allow you to bike with your children, to haul significant weight more than a couple miles, you need a cargo bike. Cargo bikes are increasing in popularity in the United States. There are many options in different price ranges and you can sometimes even find one used. But no matter what bike gear you choose, just make sure you're thinking ahead. Don't buy the bike accessory that works only for that moment; remember how quickly kids grow!

Don't over schedule your family. Biking does take longer than driving. (Not always a lot longer when you take traffic and finding parking into consideration though!) It's difficult to bike to one child's soccer practice if your other child has an art class immediately before or after. Try to keep your family's schedule relatively light and consider biking part of the activity. It's good exercise and family time, after all!

Select activities near home. The choices for kids' activities are plentiful these days. When looking for options for your kids, see what's within a few miles' radius. Also consider the biking routes you would take to each location. It's great for kids to be exposed to a wide-variety of activities, so try to let the availability lead your search. This will make it easier to bike instead of drive.

Teach older kids safe riding skills. Once your children are old enough to ride on their own, make sure you've done plenty of practice rides close to home. Kids should be well-versed on how to ride safely. For more tips on this topic, check out Bike Ambassador Erin's previous post on biking with kids! 

Pack well. Keep your bike(s) stocked just as you would your car. Have plenty of water and snacks for the family, as well as a first aid kit and extra clothes. Entertainment for little ones is a great idea, too. My family loves having a portable speaker on our cargo bike for music or audiobooks!

Remember the lights and safety gear. Kids' sports and activities can sometime go longer than expected. Make sure all riders have lights for their bikes as well as their helmets of course. Fluorescent jackets or vests and flags are a good idea too.

Just do it. In our modern society, too often we default to driving instead of biking. Maybe we're more used to it or we think it's easier or it's just what everyone does. But you can retrain your brain to think of biking as the default. The more you "just do it," the easier it becomes. The more second nature it will be for your whole family! 

How COVID Has Changed My Cycling Mindset

As an aging road runner, cycling found its way into my heart forever back in my mid 40s. Through a friend's suggestion I ride a 50 miler with her, I discovered a great workout that didn't hurt my back quite as much as running had. I soon discovered that I felt like a kid every time I got on a bicycle. The freedom of moving through the air on a machine powered solely by me...and gravity...absolutely delicious...downhills are the  BEST :)...uphills not so much :/. I hadn't ridden that much since I stopped triathlon training in my early 20s and began having children. Starting my medical career also cut into time on the bike as medical school and training doesn't leave much time/energy for long rides.

I'm now at 20 years of constant cycling and years past setting cycling goals by way of registering for big event rides. When I register for an event, it drives me to set goals for mileage and climbing, so as to complete the event with pride, rather than killing myself and calling for a SAG wagon. I eventually began to do these events for charities and causes I feel passionately about, raising money...essentially marrying 2 passions, cycling and philanthropy.

I've cycled Charity Treks across New England several times (400+ miles Burlington, VT to Portland, ME to raise money for HIV Vaccine Research), Courage Classic several times (rides out of Copper Mountain, CO, to benefit Children's Hospital Colorado, where I work as a Pediatric Radiology physician), AIDS LifeCycle (545 miles to SF to LA to benefit AIDS organizations) in 2019. Several other rides I've done have also been benefit rides and it makes me happy to raise the money while doing something I love.

A product of all this cycling has been joining bike clubs to help me get my miles in. It's hard to ride long miles alone every time, so joining in with others registered for an event, or locals with other goals, has been a fabulous way to meet others who love to ride. I've made lifelong friends through bike clubs, an unexpected outcome from all the miles and all the fundraising. What a gift.

Now that COVID has become our reality and "social distancing" is in place as the spring cycling season gets underway, I miss my friends from the OUTspokin' bike club (Denver's LGBTQ cycling club), the anticipation of a group ride to see my old friends and meet new ones. I miss my friends on Team Colorado ALC (the group here in Colorado that trains for AIDS LifeCycle together). I see my friends' rides on Strava and on Facebook and we are all alone now, or with just one other, safely "social distance" riding.

It makes me sad in some ways that this cycling season is so very different from all of my others, but I have discovered a silver lining in this for me personally. I now have no event to plan for...I have no miles I HAVE to ride...I have no hills I HAVE to climb. I'm a kid again. Getting on my bicycle for the pure enjoyment of riding a bike. WHEEEEE :).

P.S. Also feeling strong in my new Bike Ambassadors kit!