If you spend a bit of time reading, or just looking at, the numerous magazines about bicycling, a couple of things are likely to happen.
You might find yourself in I-Need-A-New-Bike land. Close to that is the state where you have convinced yourself that you need some new piece of equipment, say, a new helmet or backpack water bag, or an entire set of tools. Could be that your need for new cycling shorts or a great looking new jersey will take an upward spike too. It’s all there for you to look at and read about, in full color too. The national economy needs us to spend money. It’s how things work.
But, do you really need all that stuff to enjoy riding your bike? If what you have is worn out, broken, or really smells bad, maybe you do. I rather like cruising through whatever bike shop is at hand, just to look at all that really cool stuff in there. Sometimes I actually spend a few dollars, and on occasion, a lot of dollars. Sometimes, it’s actually something I need.
Most of us in Boomer status aren’t professional riders, road or mountain bike. We aren’t going to look like those young men and
Ride on.
women who are pro riders. After all, if you look at any pro peloton, it’s obvious that it’s impossible to come up with enough body fat in the whole group that can be measured in any meaningful way. Our need for bike stuff is quite different than the professional, or even semi-pro, group. How many category rated riders, who are in the Boomer years, are there, any way?
Why do we ride bikes? My guess, and it is a guess, is that we ride because we can, it’s fun, and mostly helps us stay healthy. Some of us ride to keep diabetes in check, or our blood pressure under control. Riding on a consistent basis helps control weight. Maybe we are cancer survivors and riding helped us re-gain the strength that chemo and radiation took from us. Keeping the good cholesterol from being overrun by the bad cholesterol is another reason. Maybe it’s just a great way to clear your head of all the chatter that spews about all day.
Mostly though, I think we ride because it is simply a great thing to do. Once you have the bike and helmet, it doesn’t cost much to get on your bike and start pedaling. Fixed budgets like low cost things. It’s a pretty good way to meet people too. Every other rider this rider has spoken to has been very pleasant, and generous with ideas and information. Trading info on what kind of bike you’re riding is a good way to find out the good and the bad about other brands. If you are stopped by the side of the trail or road, most bike riders will stop to see if you are ok. While on a recent ride with my friend Ed, we came upon two riders, each on recumbent cycles, stopped by the side of the trail. We stopped and helped the young woman, who couldn’t walk, get her chain back onto the cassette. Bike people generally do things like that. All for one and so on.
With summer here, our opportunities for riding are pretty good. Longer days, warm (in some places, just plain hot), great riding weather. Take advantage of it. Having fun has no age limit.