The best biking experience of this young year happened for me the other day. First let me provide some background info, the 411 as our friends at Bike Magazine like to term it. I’m nearly thirty and the only activity that I’ve ever partaken of even closely resembling aerobic is mountain biking. I’m an ex plate-head (weight lifter), with baseball leanings. My wife on the other hand runs incessantly, always has and always will. Second only to running as her favorite past-time is pestering me that I never run with her and Chester (our freak dog).
Just recently the weather here on the East Coast went truly wintery (I had ridden three times a week up until Christmas). Add to that the fact that the Breezer and the winter bike – my wife’s old Giant; an unsuccessful foray into mountain biking – were both on the verge of major mechanical repair and one arrives at the saddest of all phenomenoms, the ‘husband-cave-in’. I ran.
Sure I know, no better cardio fitness, weight bearing, but this is running – without being chased. I hate running. I’m not built to run. Most importantly, its not fun. Well here’s the thing, it hurt and all, but I had a ball – outdoors with my wife and dog. Our two separate passions are a good thing for our marriage. Healthy couples need interests outside of each other. But our busy lives coupled with my 3-5 bike rides a week and her daily runs had recently been making both of us feel a little isolated. I mean I married her because I love her company. It was great to be with her. And she was great. Just the right amount of encouragement mixed with competition. It was also really cool to reaquaint myself with my accomplished wife. I tend to forget sometimes that she’s incredibly good at things other than picking husbands.
I know, have I forgotten that this is a mountain biking site. No. Here’s the point. I hadn’t even realized it but the bikingwas getting stale. Ride to get better, to keep the beer-gut at bay, because everybody is fitter and more technically proficient. What about why we all fell in love with mountain biking – because it’s shit eating fun. I had a great time running with my amazing wife and our dog. As a matter of fact I have since ran for two weeks straight. I have never wanted to bike more in my entire life. Come on January Thaw!
Morals:
- Unless you’re training for the Olympics or are paid to ride don’t forget to enjoy other activities.
- The people you love might miss you – you freaking dirt head you… hell you probably miss them if you think about it.
- Mountain biking should always be fun.
Posted in Bicycle Stories