One year of riding

[htedum]

So I started riding last Dec 15th on a cheap Indian bike - viewtopic.php?f=22&t=4719.

It hasn't been all that long, really, and there are so many people here who've been riding much longer. But for me it's a milestone. I've never stuck to any sport/physical activity for such a long time. Weights, jogging, badminton. Here's how it usually goes -- 1 week to 3 months of intense involvement, burn-out, and then avoiding the place.

To be fair, it's not always my fault. When I went to the gym, the brain-dead "instructor" there told me to come early in the morning on an empty stomach, without coffee even, and work on my cardio. Instead of feeling fresh and invigorated, I would be dead tired at the end of my workout - I hated it, and I hated him. I went regularly for 3 months, but then one day I skipped it, and I never felt like going back. I hear now that the gym (one of Bangalore's older, more popular gyms, mind you) is on the verge of shutting down. Good riddance.

When I started cycling, it was an impulsive thing. I was sitting at my desk, and I thought it would be nice to ride a bike. I googled 'bangalore bicycles', found the BOTS site, read the FAQ, didn't understand anything, and the same evening, I went to a local 'cycle mart' and picked up my first LAS for all of 7,500. It's probably worth mentioning that at this point, I weighed (around) 110 kgs, and was a chain smoker (30 cigarettes a day). Just five years before that, I was a healthy 75 kgs.

The worst part was that I had never realized how much I had let myself go.

So I started to wake up early and ride, because no matter how tiring it was, it was fun goddamit. I would do 10 km and be panting at the end, but I'd come back home happy and the rest of my day would go great. Within a week, I started riding to office (5 km away). Within a month, I had become much stronger, my smoking habit had become very occasional (still is), and I did my first (non-continuous) 100 km on the 10th of Jan. I met a couple of friends there (Sampath and Madhavi), thanks to whom I was able to complete the ride.

That ride was when I became a real cyclist. 100 km without a vehicle? Did I really just do that? The kind of independence and possibility that a bike offers is amazing. It still gives me goosebumps to think about how much farther I will travel on my own power, and what places I still have to explore. Every time I turn off the beaten road and find a new, unknown route that is unexpectedly beautiful, I feel this insane rush of serotonin. It's addictive.

Like I mentioned in a different thread, I have lost at least 15 kilos since then. I have been suffering severe bouts of manic-depression since I was 16. I now ride/run almost daily, and my mood has stabilized to a large extent. I eat healthier, without trying. I've met some great people. I've seen some breathtaking views. I've had the best meals of my life after long days in the saddle. I drink less now, but I enjoy it more.

Minkey-style observations:

- Warming up makes all the difference. Don't push too hard too early.
- Rest is important. Don't cycle everyday, take a break when you feel energy dropping. It'll make you stronger.
- Some days, you're a roadie, other days you're a tourer, and some other days you're a mountain biker. Go with open arms.
- Find your rhythm. Once you're in the sweet spot, you can ride forever.
- Eat wisely. Feed your face = Turn your feet. Even if you're trying to lose weight, don't ride without eating. You will suffer, you will give up.
- Sometimes, you just can't. There's no shame in pushing your bike up that hill. You'll ride it another time and wonder why it felt so hard the last time.
- Talk to the locals when you travel. Especially when you're riding around remote villages, people can be genuinely curious. You'll find that many are eager to help you if you take the time to talk to, rather than just ask of, them. Of course, there are assholes everywhere, so be smart.
- Learn to fix a puncture. Carry a spare tube and a pump. Always. I had a flat yesterday after more than six months. And yesterday was the first time I hadn't taken my pump.
- Try running. I was the last person you'd expect to see running, but here I am actually enjoying it. It does wonders to your endurance and ability to sustain a sprint.
- If someone has to ask you why you're riding, he'll never understand.
- In the beginning, you may need company to ride, but after a while, try riding alone. It's a different, but equally enjoyable, trip. You set your own pace, you're lost in your random thoughts. Pedaling is a hypnotic motion.

[cryptic_abbreviator]

So I started riding last Dec 15th on a cheap Indian

Tring tring

MMHROTD. Keep em turning !

ciao
gr

[krishnas]

Just the read one should start a (work) day with.
Awesome..
Hope to write my own one year of riding version in... 7 months time, but I bet its not gonna be as awesome as this one.

Its startling, how much ground one can make in just 1 year of riding.. first with Boni and now you. Honestly shocked to hear, just one year of riding.
Adds lotta pressure on folks like us

And dude, your observations are gems. Make a lot of sense already.. and hope to make the best use of your experience.
But, I kinda disagree on Pt 6:

- Sometimes, you just can't. There's no shame in pushing your bike up that hill. You'll ride it another time and wonder why it felt so hard the last time.

I think, the moment one gives up on a climb, that tells us that its ok to give up..
I know you have much more experience than me... but whatever little riding I have done, 'that' is one option I have never allowed myself.. but then am sure, I have yet to be introduced to the climbs where I will probably chew on my ego

Many more years and tons of miles to you, Abhijit. And keep sharing your experience.

[themadman]

Heh is this why you sent me that BBC thread of that first century ride I missed?
You've come a long way man, congratulations. You taught me that my bike has a third, bigger chain ring as well. Also, my knees don't like you.

I drink less now, but I enjoy it more.

+750ml

Some days, you're a roadie, other days you're a tourer, and some other days you're a mountain biker. Go with open arms. And empty pockets.

FTFY.

I really think this should be read by people who are contemplating buying a bike. Appreciate the honesty. That overwhelming sense of independence you get when you realise that distances hardly matter is awesome.


EDIT: Heywaitaminute. This means even I finished a year early this month. Or was it sometime last month (?). Probably too busy fixing a puncture.

[deepakvrao]

Very nicely written. Congrats on your complete lifestyle change.

[indiakram]

bravo, abhijit. Beautiful year it shows, keep scribbling you will definitely encourage people.

[akshay200x]

Well done Abhi(hathi). Wish you many more miles and a lot more happiness.

Abhi(admin), Can you start a new section for stuff like this? Boni had also written his experience...

[farazs]

But, I kinda disagree on Pt 6:

- Sometimes, you just can't. There's no shame in pushing your bike up that hill. You'll ride it another time and wonder why it felt so hard the last time.

Me too. There is definite shame in pushing your bike up a hill ... especially if it's just to ride back down from the top. If your destination is on the other side and you *need* to get across then it's okay to walk. If I have to stop on a hill, I'll take a break and start again. If I simply can't, I'll turn around and go back with a vow to come back stronger. If I have to take a break, I'll still want go back and try to do it non-stop. I believe one doesn't have the right to see the view from the top without putting in the hard work to get there.

Other Zen stuff is good. Yer truly hooked! Bet you'll still be riding if I check back after 10 years

[s1d]

Great post!
Hope it serves as an inspiration to many others

[vaidy]

Hello
Congrats!!
I am into 1st month of riding and finding it great , Hope it will be long...

vaidy

[uhk]

Good one, mate. Calls for sipping - very little - champagne, no?

[Praveen001]

Congratulations on completing one year of cycling. Very well written thoughts abour your cycling experience. Like Deepak said, this is truly a lifestyle changing activity. Wish you many more years of happy riding.

[htedum]

Thanks guys. At the risk of sounding all beauty-queeny, BZ, BBC and lately DM help a lot - always great to read where others are going, what they're doing, how they're training. I couldn't have done it without you *sniff*.

@krishnas and faraz - When I was starting off, there were many hills I just couldn't do. I would have to stop, catch my breath, start again, etc. In retrospect, it doesn't matter how I did it, it just matters that I wasn't demoralized by those failures. That's what I meant. I agree with you, if you're stopping out of laziness, rather than a lack of ability, then shame on ya.

@madman, I think you started a little earlier than me? And please, you're no slouch either when you go for it!

[htedum]

Good one, mate. Calls for sipping - very little - champagne, no?

Oh yeah, time for a !

[pranavnegandhi]

Great writing there. Congratulations.

You sure upgraded your bikes real quick. I see a Tuareg and a JtS in your signature. And your profile pic is kinda apt for the moment.

.p