How To Go For That First Bike Ride, Again

As we start to  move into Fall, the days can be a bit cooler, and the mornings can be downright cold. It takes a little more motivation not only to get out of bed, but to put on an extra layer, cap and gloves before you even turn over the pedals and get out on your ride. 

But for some of you, there is missing step before you even make the decision to get out and ride. The question you have been posing to me is, "I don't know where to ride safely." That can be a huge barrier to riding. And there are a couple of ways to tackle this problem. 

The first is to ride with a more experienced rider. He/she will be able to lead you on a ride of the appropriate length and find the right course where you can feel confident and be able to concentrate on your fitness, rather than worry about getting lost or riding with too much traffic. 

The second is to use a cycling app. Strava and MapMyRide both have "Routes Near Me." This way, you can see the most popular rides in your area. I will not get into all of the data you can drill down into, but you can quickly become competitive with yourself and others as you follow these same routes. 

The third is visiting your local bike shop. The experts there know the area very well and can share rides that fit your fitness and skill level. At the same time, many bike shops have an organized group rides. You will see everyone from the weekend racer, to the complete novice. Ask about a no-drop ride. This means that no matter how new you are to cycling, no matter your fitness level, no matter how you are feeling that day, there will be someone  who will stay with you and get you through the ride. 

I have done the majority of my riding by myself on the road. I set my own fitness goals and attained them with the help of apps and family support. I squeezed in rides where ever I could so my fitness goals would fit in with my busy family and work life. 

And group rides are a great way of being part of a larger cycling community. You may not be a CAT2 racer or a thrill seeing downhiller. There is a group out there that shares your cycling style and values. 

Or hit me up at gerald@geraldrhodes.com and I will come ride with you.

The Start of Helping Cyclists

Today is the 25th day in a row that I have been on my bike. 31 will be my all time record. While I am excited about that, it is not the point.

What I am really excited about is that I am helping people. Today I took two of my clients out on a bike ride. It was a beautiful day out in East Boulder County. Could not asked for better weather. As we rose with every crest of a hill, we were met with a gentle breeze that remind us of our morality. The difference between yourself and Taylor Phinney can be ever so slight on your best day. Noticed a few things with my clients as we tackled the hills of the East. 

Either I am not staying hydrated enough (though my Taylor Scale says I am at 60% hydration, post ride) or my clients need a lot more water than me. I'm thinking the later. We probably do not need an expresso break, but we definitely need a hydration break.

East Boulder County is relatively flat compared to the Foothills. That is not to say that it is as flat as Kansas.Especially towards the end of the ride, I need to pay attention to the final hills to ensure everyone's success on the day.

The last thing is conversation. I love cycling because you can think about everything or you can think about nothing. The rhythm of the road can be rather zen like. Group rides are therapy sessions. What is said out on the road, stays out on the road. And those easy climbs are perfect opportunities for talking out ideas and sharing dreams, or otherwise being crazy. There is no judgement out on the road. All you are left with is the satisfaction of a ride complete and the company you keep. That means a lot in our busy lives. I'm looking forward to reaching out to more of you and share my story of your success. Get out and ride...

My Practice

This  has been an incredible week. It started off really bad, a topic for another post. I came to two important realizations this week. I feel like I am finally contributing and helping others.
I reached a personal goal of getting down to my ideal weight. This was my first realization of the week. Men my age, particularly black men, have a difficult time controlling their weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I have been able to accomplish this through controlling my diet and being consistent with exercise and riding my bike.
you see, I have been beating myself up these past few weeks because all I felt I have accomplished is going out for a bike ride. And then I realized that this is the point. Through going out for a bike ride, I have created a practice around helping others get out and enjoy bike riding. This was my second realization of the week. I have three clients so far and I am actively seeking more people to help.
There are so many reasons why I love to bike. Being outside in the fresh air, the rhythm of pedaling, the sense of accomplishment, knowing I am doing something healthy for myself, are all just a few of the reasons I bike. This is what I want to give to others. How do you feel? Do you want to get into cycling, but have no idea where to begin? Do you want to buy a bike, but have no idea how much to spend. There are great deals on used bikes, but what are you looking at? Is it really what you need?
My clients all have different reasons for riding. My first client is simply trying to live a healthier lifestyle. Biking is his primary means of commuting and transportation, and cycling may be his conduit to connecting with himself. My second client is simply trying to get into road biking. He used to do a lot of mountain biking and now would like to do more road biking. It can be something that he and his father can do together. The third client is choosing to ride to give herself some quality alone time. A way to be active while enjoying the outdoors.
So my challenge to myself it to help more people. Create a place where I can help motivate more busy people to be active and get on their bikes. Find new ways to get my story and message out there and find new ways to help as many people as possible. How can I best serve you?

Let's Get Started and Ride