Comments on: Live to Ride

By: Full Face Helmets

Full Face Helmets — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 06:05:00 +0000

Your passion of bike riding is awesome and you really fulfil your plans. May you get succeed in your business and get the dreams come true.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 01:54:00 +0000

Thanks Jim. Glad it got you out of the office and onto your bike. Not to say that office work can’t work with bikes! I have spent a lot of time here in Whistler working behind a computer, but my prerequisite is whether or not the scenario will allow me to ride bikes as much as I want (at least three days a week, if not 7… )

Whistler has been amazing to me. Riding bikes every day during Summer, hanging at the lake when your body is too abused to ride bikes any more, and a nice laid back lifestyle to tie it all in. I definitely recommend coming up to Whistler to explore the “free” side of the town. There’s plenty of scope to get smashed, eat fifteen deep fried cows glazed with cheese and smoke cigars, but beneath the superficial side there’s some great people and a very free lifestyle to be had here.

Ride on mate!

By: Jim (@bikerly)

Jim (@bikerly) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:29:00 +0000

Outstanding blog post and life outlook, Jase. I needed to read this from you today…and dammit I’m leaving the office early to gide my bike.

Enjoy your time in Whistler…I know you will…dang I’ve heard good things about that place. Godspeed.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:56:00 +0000

Thanks Darryl,

We are definitely keen on the touring trip, but need to go on some test runs first! Traitor Cycles hooked us up with some frames last time we were down there and I’ll be looking at building them up when the money comes around so we can start putting some KM’s down and do some “weekend touring” practice.

But if all goes well, I’m always keen for an extra in the touring crew, even if we just meet up somewhere. How does Florence sound? haha

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:08:00 +0000

This is one fantastic post, Jase. I just re-read it and it was something I needed to hear today….seriously. You really helped me focus my attention back on what is most important. As I mentioned in the intro to this post….I really need to meet up with you. I fully mean that and have really enjoyed slowly getting to know you and look forward to more.
My wife just mentioned to me that she thinks our family should do a cycling trip through Europe in about a year….maybe we can join up on that together. That would be incredible.You really know what living is all about and I wish you and your wife all the very best.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:06:00 +0000

Nice one Joel! I’ve met so many people that have had their lives changed by cycling whether it be on a road or on a mountain.

By: Joel Phillips

Joel Phillips — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:31:00 +0000

FUN….That’s why I ride a bike because it is fun, pure and simple. Through cycling I have been able to regain control over my life and more importantly, discover the self-confidence I never realized I had. Growing up (in the 70′s), bikes were king. School, ball practice, trying to pull off an Evel Knievel jump, everything we did involved a bicycle.
I lost touch with that part of my life when I turned 15 and started driving. I let life roll me like a degenerate gambler in some dark back alley after making another excuse for not paying the vig. I licked my wounds and crawled into a hole. I took a job where my experience and education was grossly exploited, but I didn’t care because I felt safe. Fat and unmotivated, I started having health issues. Nothing too serious, all things considered, (hernia, gall bladder), but my doctors all stressed the importance of me doing something more than walk my dog. My surgeon strongly suggested riding a bicycle. I asked her if that was really advisable because of my past
knee injuries and back trouble. She was
quick to point out that the cycling motion is beneficial to both the knee and
hip joints because the repetitive, measured movement, is rehabilitating to
damaged joints; as it loosens fixations and broadens the range of motion. Additionally, cycling helps build leg
strength, specifically the hamstrings, which lessen the burden on the back. After
looking at myself in the mirror without any bias, I realize it is time to hop
back in the saddle.

I began by riding thirty minutes every other day
along the Platte River Bike trail in Denver during my lunch break. The first day I did this the same feeling of
elation I felt the first time I rode my very own new bike began to flood over
me. My smile couldn’t have been broader
as I entered the trail at 8th Avenue and the stress of the morning
began to wash away. As I rode along the
river, under I-25, then between Mile High Stadium and Elitch Gardens I couldn’t
help but wonder why I ever quit riding my bike in the first place. During these rides I marvel at how therapeutic, both
mentally and physically, cycling is. The
scenery, the camaraderie among riders and simple joy it brings is something that
just needs to be experienced. Chronicling
my progress, charting my weight-loss and increase in physical fitness keeps me motivated
to ride. Taking any opportunity to advocate bicycling and share my rekindled
passion led to the founding of Reasons2Ride.

Like Jase, I’ve made the decision to make cycling the center of my life. Yes it required sacrifices and lifestyle changes. My wife and I gave up luxuries and cut expenses to the bare minimum. We’ve never been happier. When I looked back on my childhood I realize what I missed most was it’s simplicity. Too often we choose to make life complicated as our view of what we NEED becomes distorted. Now that the bike is back in my life and we’ve simplified things, life is fun…..Livin’ to ride, and riddin’ to live for sure…Nice post Jase and Darryl

Joel