Body Parts vs. Reality Factor

Oh yes, that is exactly where I am going. Being 61 and wanting to ride like I am 21 (okay, I’ll take 35 if I must), reminds me of body parts.

So, I did lose 3 pounds. It would have been easier to buy a lighter bike, but there is a sense of accomplishment here.

Between my wife and me there are/were issues with knees, backs, shoulders and hips. I looked on ebay and craig’s list, but could find no replacements. We need to do this the hard way.

  • The weight loss, as little as it is, does help with the riding. It is less strain on other body parts and gives one the urge to lose another pound or two.
  • Almost daily stretching and yoga keep backs, knees and hips moving as well as one can without surgery.
  • The shoulder, after five years did need surgery, but is fine now.

The best thing that started to happen last year and really took hold this year was the Reality Factor.

We came to a decision, conclusion and implementation that provided unexpected good results.

  1. It is too much work to constantly struggle to become better, faster and stronger.
  2. We rode this spring at whatever pace felt comfortable . . . but we rode two to four times a week and we did our hilly rides at least half the time.
  3. Zen Cycling became the survival tactic. Don’t feel comfortable in the pack, move to the front or drop off the back. Ride the hill at your pace whether others pass you or not. Leader going too fast, tell him or her to slow down.

So what happened when we did this?

  • We got stronger anyway.
  • Our ride average improved slightly.
  • The same people who passed us on the hills still do.

We ride a lot off the back because we feel our peers — even our good friend peers — are not safety conscious enough sometimes.

We get our work out, but enjoy the ride more.

I guess the Reality Factor is not all bad.