James Fredrickson – New York, NY

“As I look back on my childhood, I can’t think of a single great moment that didn’t include my bike in some way.  It was everything to me.  I was my mode of transportation, my pathway to pretending I was Evil Kenevil, and my ticket to freedom.  Now that I’m an adult the bicycle allows me to channel that child in me and let’s me escape from what weighs down on me in life.  I am loving the bike.”

Erik Duhrban – Holland, The Netherlands

“I am lucky to live in a city where bicycles are as common as vehicles.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Riding a bike to me is so much more than just a way to get from here to there.  The bike is a part of me and I am better because of it.”

Meagan Smith – Vancouver, BC

“It is now that time of year where I am not able to be on my bike each and every day.  I really like how riding my bike to where I need to go gives me that calm feeling that sets the mood for my day.  Everything and everyone seems so much happier when I’m on my bike.  I think all of us need to spend more time on bikes.”

Jim Northway – Perth, Australia

“Why am I loving the bike?  I can’t put it all down into words, but I can say that something so simple as a bike has brought me years and years of great memories and experiences.  I’m not sure who invented it, but I’d like to thank whoever did for creating such a great thing.”

Lenni Eubanks – Toronto, Ontario

“When I was a kid our neighbourhood wasn’t safe to be outside. On my bike I could escape that a little…and it opened up my world. Suddenly I realized there were clean parks, there were community centres, there were local pools I could get to. That created a love for cycling and to this day, I never feel more joyful, more free, more confident than when on my bike.”

Lenni has founded a wonderful organization called My First Wheels, an organization all about getting bikes to those kids who need them.  Find out more about this fantastic program in this news story:

Stacey Hanna – USA

“I have been fighting alongside my husband in a custody battle since we got married two years ago in June 2009. I have three daughters even though I only birthed two. I was repeatedly told I was not her mother, and we were accused of all sorts of drama and trauma. This fight is over and we have our daughters all together again. I have been diagnosed with diabetes, had kidney stones busted up, and spent time recovering during February 2011. My doctor told me to exercise. My heart said get on a bike.  My mother is now quadriplegic after a medical coma induced on Valentine’s Day. I adopted a dog destined for me while she was sick, and almost gave him away. He is the doggy love of my life.  I turned 40 in April, and I felt my life spinning out of control this winter and spring. I moved into my parents’ home in April in order to take care of my mom full-time, and was able to talk my dad into letting me keep my dog. The only peace I get from all of this is the time I spend on my bike.

I was able to ride my bike pulling a trailer with my 87 pound ten-year old daughter riding in the trailer and her bike strapped to the outside of the trailer. I feel like the world is manageable if I remember to take it slow. On a cruiser, there is no other way.”

Francois Coene – Belgium

“When I was a kid Eddy Merckx won everything. In 1976 it was Lucien Van Impe who won the Tour de France. I was eleven years old en it was the hottest summer so far. Since then cycling impressed me. I did competition at my 15th for 4 years and even now I still like my “iron horse”.  In Belgium cycling is overwhelming, it is like as a hobby. For me it is like a drug.”

Steve Ross - Orange County, CA

“In the mid-west farm area where I grew up, a bicycle was a kids first mode of transportation from A to B… no romance to speak of. However, that all changed for me, back in my mid-twenties when I moved to The Strand in Manhattan Beach, CA. Riding hard all day turned into a romance with not only my road bike, but how I felt after 80 mile ride.”

Ian Redmond – Ireland

“When I was about 10 I tried every sport.  Soccer, (hurling football <- two Irish sports), swimming, handball, racquetball, tennis, karate, I could go on for days, But then when I was in school one day I was talking to my friends and they said there was a cycling club in Ireland.So when the bell rang I went home and told my parents about it.  So one Friday night I went to the local park and they supplied me with a bike for a lend for a few weeks.  Straight away I thought it was very good.  Then I stopped it for a while to go back playing soccer.  But i got sick of the soccer.  It was always Cycling or Soccer.  So I decided to give up the soccer and it was the best choice I have ever made.  I never won a race until I was in the junior ranks and that was last year. I got 2nd on the track in the nationals in 2006 and that was my best achievement up until last year a few 2nds 3rds and 4ths. I got to know so many people through the sport like I got to know Darryl (@lovingthebike) on twitter and he is such a sound person.  Cycling isn’t just about winning its all about taking part, and enjoying your self.  If I didn’t win a race I wouldn’t be upset I’d just go out the next time when there’s a race and  keep trying.”

As always, at the top of each month we like to feature the amazing stories and memories of people who are loving the bike.  Please take a look at what our February 2011 lovers have to say. Hey…..and we’d love to hear from you as well….feel free to submit your “Look Who’s Loving the Bike” story to us at any time.

Cliff Wilson – Guildford, United Kingdom

“My first real cycling memory was seeing a tv programme about “non-mainstream” sports.  They showed some old black and white stuff of the Giro and the Tour. On to the screen flowed Coppi (The Heron).  I was transfixed. The flair, the style, the panache.  He was just clearly in a different league. Such metronomic perfection.  The show included material on Anquetil, Louison Bobet and others, and finally, Tom Simpson in that unforgettable black and white checker Peugeot jersey.

From that moment on I was absolutely, totally, utterly hooked!  It was all so foreign and different and exciting.  The first time I travelled to France to follow the Tour I nearly died with excitement.  I came home, saved for a year and bought my first bike – a Bob Jackson Reynolds 531 frame – kitted out with parts from the likes of Mavic, Campagnolo, Cinelli, Christophe, Hutchison – Gawd, pure magic……”

Gerry Korzi – Atlanta, GA

“Most likely seeing someone in town with one of those ‘English racers’.  I wanted one with a passion. 40 years later I still lust after new models.  I still miss the days when I didn’t have to change close to ride my bike, the tires never needed air and the chain didn’t rust.

Oh, and trying to figure out why someone wouldn’t mind being nicknamed “Cannibal”.  Bikes have and always will represent a certain kind a freedom known only to those that ride.

Think back when you were a kid. See, you remember.”

Sheena Aikman – London, United Kingdom

“Riding around the block to see my friends. I was about 8. It was in Blackpool and the freedom was amazing.  I still cycle now and the sense of freedom and excitement never goes away.  I love cycling!”

Alan Huntley – Doncaster, United Kingdom

“A 3.5 mile time trial when I was 14 organised by the UK womens Lands-end-to John o’Groates record holder (847 miles). Janet Tebbut. She introduced me to cycling all those years ago. I’m 48 now. Thank you Janet.”

Peter Heerland – Amsterdam, Netherlands

“My father was a professional a long time ago and i still remember him falling, always falling on the road, always wounds and he said to me – ‘no cycling for you.’  Then when i got too old to play soccer, I started cycling and now I am riding about 14,000 km per year.

I am 51 years old now and too old to be world champion road cycling, but riding with the other old guys in the Ardennen, I feel like Frederico Bahamontes.”

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to 2011.  At the top of each month we like to feature the amazing stories and memories of people who are loving the bike.  Please take a look at what our January 2011 lovers have to say.  We’d love to hear from you as well….feel free to submit your “Look Who’s Loving the Bike” story to us at any time.

Clive Chapman – Birmingham, England

“Back in the early 80s when I was in my late teens I cycled to our family holiday in Tywyn in Wales from Birmingham with my younger brother. A total of 122 miles. We both had iron framed “racing bikes” with steel wheels and 3 speed hub gears.  It took us 12 hours, which included sheltering in a barn from a violent thunderstorm in the village of Morville, being overtaken by our parents in the family car by Caersws and finally collapsing in a heap by the River Dyfi about 15 miles short of our destination. The spot by the river was beautiful and I always remembered resting up there, indeed me and my brother often talk about that resting place when getting all nostalgic about the ride.

But eventually we did it and got to Tywyn, knackered, bedraggled but very pleased with ourselves. The main reason for the ride was to shut our old man up as he was always banging on about cycling to Sheffield to see a relative when he was a lad. That ride so he says, was on a fixie, which apparently was popular in the 1940s when he did it. So kudos to Dad who will be 79 next birthday!

Anyway, he was proud of us for the achievement and he never used the Sheffield ride to beat us with again!”

Read the whole story about Clive’s riding memory at http://www.massivemtber.co.uk/?page_id=390.

Peter Heerland – Amsterdam, Netherlands

“My father was a professional a long time ago and i still remember him falling.  Always falling on the road and always wounds.   And he said to me no cycling for you. Then when i got too old to play soccer, I started cycling and now I am riding about 14,000 km per year.
I am 51 years old now and too old to be world champion road cycling, but riding with the other old guys in the Ardennen I feel like Frederico Bahamontes.”

Gerry Korzi – Atlanta, GA

“Looking back, I can remember seeing someone in town with one of those “English racers”. I wanted one with a passion. 40 years later I still lust after new models.  I still miss the days when I didn’t have to change close to ride my bike, the tires never needed air and the chain didn’t rust.

Bikes have and always will represent a certain kind a freedom known only to those that ride.  Think back when you were a kid.  See, you remember.”

Karen Carter – East Lancashire, UK

“My earliest cycling memory is borrowing my sisters trike (aged 3ish) and hitting a lamppost!”

Carola Everts – The Netherlands

“Our favorite cycling moment of 2010 has to be our ‘meeting’ with Lance Armstrong last summer in Rotterdam. After having seen the Tour de France on television already so many times, it became a dream to finally experience the big ride for real. This year, with the Grand Départ in our home country the Netherlands, it was a chance of a lifetime. One that would be even better than expected. It all started with some voluntary work for the organization. Thanks to a crew shirt, VIP card and friendly chat with one of the stewards, we ended up in the area where all the team buses were parked and all the riders prepared for their first ride, a time trial in the city of Rotterdam. Next target: meet ‘the Shack’s and it’s ‘Boss’. Many people have an opinion, but to us Lance Armstrong is one of the most inspiring athletes. So seeing him do his thing was another thing on our wish list. No sooner said than done. Our favorite cycling moment of 2010 was when Lance Armstrong was telling his story to a bunch of very excited journalists about his race against the clock and we where standing in front. We weren’t  journalists and we weren’t supposed to get this close, but this was really the last thing we could care about. Sometimes it’s just a matter of being at the right time, at the right place:

The interview with Lance can be seen right here.

Shelly Mossey – New York, NY

Read more about Shelly’s Human Powered Mobility at his site: Urban Mobility Project’s Battery Park City, NY.

As you know, at the top of each month we like to feature the amazing stories and memories of people who are loving the bike.  Please take a look at what our December lovers have to say.  We’d love to hear from you as well….feel free to submit your “Look Who’s Loving the Bike” story to us at any time.

Duncan Sandford – Wigan, UK

“Yeah , every ride, sun, rain, muggy all great. One that stands out is a Boxing Day ride 3 years ago, all wrapped up and fresh and frosty remote West Lancs roads, dry and ice cool surfaces, watery sun in early mist and no body else about. Fill your lungs with cool air with burning thighs and cold nose – absolute MAGIC.”

Brian

“The last time I bought myself a brand new bike from a shop was way back in 1988. I was between my freshman and sophomore year of of college and I had a pretty good summer job. I had some cash burning a hole in my pocket and I had a mountain bike, but really wanted a road bike. So I ended up buying a brand new Trek 1200 in denim blue with yellow accents. It came with a full Shimano 105 group. I was pumped.  I put so many miles on that bike over the next few years. Raced it in a few road races and my first few century rides. I sold that bike a few years later because I spent a few summers focused on rock climbing instead of riding, so away it went. Since then I have acquired a number of bikes, all pre-owned. My favorite part by far, which doesn’t usually happen with new bikes, is tearing them down to the bare frame. Seeing how well (or poorly) a bike has been assembled and maintained is a real pleasure. Then the cleaning and selection of what parts I am going to re-use or replace with new is such fun! Then when the bike is clean and all back together and adjusted, then that first long ride brings me back to that Trek 1200. Except that there is such a great feeling of accomplishment when you were the one to do the work!”

Darrell Robertson

“I love the bike because it is a reflection of me and what I can do, where I can go and what I can endure. I provide the balance, the propulsion, the speed. Where I go on the bike is a reflection of me and what my eyes desire to see. The has no limitations. The limitations are all mine as well as the liberty that I use the bike to experience. The bike makes me more approachable and less threatening both to myself and to others. I love the bike because it removes the tethers of modern technology that dictates, ‘go there, go fast, hurry, park here or pay to park there.’ The bike is like a banner. The bike is not what provides me liberty but it says to all that I have been liberated.”

Taiwoon – Singapore

“I am from singapore and I ride because I like to. I like the freedom and that I can see many things in familar places. In the name of progress, Singapore is also tearing down many buildings and places. Places that meant alot to me. My blog aims to capture the memories and the simple pleasure of just riding. I don’t care if it is a cheap bike, super expensive bike..just ride, because u want to.

Read more about Taiwoon’s love for the bike at http://smallwheelsbigsmile.blogspot.com.

Tom Winfield – Omaha, NE

“Riding a bicycle was a requirement. I grew up on a farm. My sister and I rode our bicycles the 2+ miles ever day to the 1 room school we attended. That went to the wayside when I got my driver’s license.

Fast forward some 440 years – Now bikes have gears and brake levers, I love the bike now, because I get our in the fresh air, see the sights, breath the air.”

Follow more of Tom’s cycling adventures over at http://naugabike.blogspot.com.

My friend, Cristi, from CyclingDomestique.com told me she was going to be interviewing Ben Day of the FlyVAustralia/ Pegasus Racing team, and wondered if there was anything I’d like for her to ask him.  I told her to find out what is was that caused him to start Loving the Bike.  Here is the exchange through her words.

C/O Cristi Ruhlman - Cycling Domestique.com

Ever wonder how pro cyclists get their start in cycling?  What inspired them, did they start riding as infants and build their skills on a big wheel tricycle?

Well, maybe some of them did, but for Ben Day of the FlyVAustralia/ Pegasus Racing team, it wasn’t so easy.  For this pro-cyclist, the road from Australia to winning races definitely didn’t start in the crib.

CyclingDomestique.com caught up with Ben last week  as part of an interview on Teamwork and “Mateship” on FlyV but Ben also gave us some insight into how he got started in racing–what started him on the road to Loving The Bike.

Ben Day on Loving The Bike:

CyclingDomestique.com: I think we’d all love to find out what drew you to cycling in the first place?

Tour Down Under Team UniSA-Autralia Supporters Club 2003

“My parents didn’t race, but I believe that my grandfather did. Not that I ever knew my grandfather, but maybe it was in the blood there little bit, a couple of generations ago.  My family, my parents were very protective when I was growing up, so they didn’t let me have a bike of my own until I was like 14 or 15.”

“I used to go see my cousin who lived in the Outback (Outback, Australia), and I used to get on one of those girls BMX pink bikes with the hard seats and just ride around for a couple of days at a time.  It was something I loved doing. So I always had the passion there, but I’m not really sure where I developed it from. But it was just something-being on the road and going fast. It always kind of excited me.”

CD:  So would you say that in the outback and riding that BMX bike, that was kind of your first experience Loving the Bike?

“Oh yeah for sure.  I’d come back with a sore ass for being on the plastic seat all weekend–that thing really hurt. But it was good times, really good times.”

Ben Day is now the complete professional cyclist, he rides fast , wins races and talks about teamwork at the FlyVAustralia team.  He is a leader and gives ultimate credit to his “mates” for the success of the Pegasus Racing team, as it heads to Europe and the next level in cycling.

But as this former-Australian Champion and European cycling veteran began to talk about his early days, riding his cousin’s bike in the Outback, the tone of his voice changed and Ben sounded totally relaxed.  It was easy to tell that he was really excited when talked about how he first started LovingTheBike.  It’s what’s behind Ben Day’s passion for the bike — it’s that teenager riding a borrowed BMX bike with a pink seat all about in the Outback.

As you know, at the top of each month we like to feature the amazing stories and memories of people who are loving the bike.  Please take a look at what our October lovers have to say.  We’d love to hear from you as well….feel free to submit your “Look Who’s Loving the Bike” story to us at any time.

Eric Hutchins (@trimon29) – Houston, Tx

“My love for the bike comes from a feeling. Those times when everything is working right, your spinning along, the road is smooth the scenery beautiful, the only sound the whir of your gearset. Your body is up off the ground and it feels like flying. Not being a writer I can’t describe it like you guys can but, its magical, it feels for a while like you can go forever, like you wont tire, like gravity doesn’t effect you.”

Pamela Fagan Hutchings (@Pameloth) – Houston, Tx

“I love the bike because it makes me feel like I am at that magical age of “no responsibility,” when you first experience freedom on your bike, the freedom to go wherever two wheels can take you.  Ah, to be young, flying, and free.  What is ever better than discovering that feeling?  I rediscover it every time I sit on a bicycle seat.”

Read more about why Pamela is loving the bike over at her blog: Road to Joy

Lou Cook – Westford, Ma

“I was on a ride today and started reminiscing about how I got into cycling. Way back in 1984 one of my good friends Matt started riding a lot. He was so into it that he bought his bike piece by piece and built it himself. I would go over his house and sit and read the old cycling magazines he had piled up on the floor. His room always smelled of bike grease and you had to be careful where you sat as there were drying chamois shorts everywhere. These were OLD SCHOOL chamois in which you had to massage lotion into the chamois in order to keep it supple. I would sit in a trance as he would tell me about his rides and how far had traveled.  I marveled at the many towns he would visit on a single ride.  Thanks Matt for everything.”

Shelly Leslie – Raleigh, NC

“That’s why I love the bike. The wind in my face, the stillness in my mind. On the bike is where I think about nothing but being on the bike. Taking in the world’s beauty. Concentrating on that which is right in front of me. Remarkable how it clears my head and gives life to my creativity off the bike. That’s why I’m loving the bike.”

Dave Criswell – Boston, MA

“The ride I’ll never forget.  I’ve had a few “epic” rides during my cycling and triathlon days but last Saturday’s July 4th ride topped them all.”

Dave explains it all in his blog post found here.

Aimee Wilson – Philadelphia, PA

“One of my most memorable rides was in about 50 degree or so weather. I just know it was very cold and damp here in suburban Philly that day. I was determined to finish the ride because I wanted to see the Covered Bridges (the name of the ride) along the route. I learned to win against adversity and find the positives in a given situation (the covered bridges were amazing).”

Is it really September already?  As you know, at the top of each month we like to feature the amazing stories and memories of why people are loving the bike. Please take a look at what our September lovers have to say.  We’d love to hear from you as well….feel free to submit your “Look Who’s Loving the Bike” story to us at any time.

Jeremy Durrin – Northampton, MA (@vomaxtechnical)

“I am 22 yrs old. When i was in high school i played baseball non stop. I graduated and went to a community college and needed some type of outlet. I bought a cannondale from the early 90′s and started riding it to classes about an hour away.

For me, that time on the bike is MY TIME. I enjoy getting lost in thoughts on long rides and then snap out of it and realize you don’t know how you got where you were going. Thats the greatest feeling when riding.

Seeing things that most people dont get to see like sunsets from the top of a hilltop while going 35 MPH to get home before it gets dark. Riding on dirt roads in western MA and not see a car for 4 straight hours.  Its my time to reflect on everything.

But on the weekends, i throw that out the window, and use it as an outlet to push my body to the extreme and race as hard as i can in the hilly New England races.

I don’t know where I would be without my bike and the people i surround myself with when im riding bikes.

Bikes make me happy.”

Bob Rogers – Tucson, AZ

“We all know, or think we know, the concept of Shangri-la. For some it is the perfect place, for others the perfect lifestyle, for some it is a plush resort on an exotic isle, others the No Tell Motel on the edge of town.

My wife, Claire and I set out to find out for ourselves, and of course our mode of transport was our trusty touring tandem, Zippy, nearing 40,000 miles of self-contained touring around the world.

After we left the mountains of Sichuan and Yunnan (beautiful both) we crossed into Laos, and found the happiest people we have yet seen in our travels, okay, maybe the Fijians but that’s another story, beautiful and laughing all the time. Again they were sharing with two wandering Westerners on a strange bicycle in the middle of nowhere. They have even forgiven us for the bombs we dropped on them during the Vietnam War (The American War they call it here) even thogh up to 100 of them are killed each year by unexploded bombs. We found out how they feel, when we became lost for two days in jungle mud tracks (one of the old branches of the Hoh Chi Minh Trail) where there had been no bomb clearing yet. A bit dicey pushing a loaded tandem for 30 kilometers one day. We decided Laos was our idea of a Shangri-la; we could live there.

Vietnam, particularly the Mekong Delta was also welcoming and the food was wonderful. Cambodia was as poor as Laos, and nearly as friendly; Angkor Wat was all you might dream it to be, an we could have lingered a week. After just under 3,000, sometimes very difficult miles, we arrived Bangkok for an eight day day in one of our favorite world cities.

Did we find Shangri-la? For us, always, Shangri-la is the journey, as long as it is on our bicycle.”

Read more from Bob at his New Bohemians Blog.

Sandra Foerster – Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

“Cycling is … when your heart is pounding from the excitement of speed and the feeling of control.

Cycling is … when you can feel the hurt in your legs but it is a good hurt and you don’t even actually know if you are still pedalling because you are one with the machine.

Cycling is … when you know you are stronger than your opponents.

Cycling is … when all your muscles in your body are taut, ready to pounce, when your senses are alert and you zoom in on the finish line, almost in trance, forgetting about the other riders around you.

Cycling is … when you shoot for the line and the hurt is nowhere near as painful as what you have endured in hard training sessions in the past and it is sweetened by the prospect of victory.”

More of Sandra’a cycling writing can be found at Competitive Cycling.

Kavindra Joshi – Bengaluru Area, India

“I rode in the Himalayas in India. I climbed from 3500ft to 10000ft. I was difficult and to top it all I was not sure whether i would be able to complete the ride. Last 7 kms of the climb was deadly with cobbled roads and very steep incline. I kept on telling myself i will do it. Viola i did it. Was the only 1 in the group not to hike the bike and completely ride the distance.

I forever had streched my mind and my self belief.”

Todd Witkin – New York, NY

“Any time I find myself surrounded by beautiful scenery, and I take an extra deep breath and think “It’s great to be alive!” Cycling gives me something to look forward to, even on the most stressful days of my life (weather permitting).”

I Am…..

We’ve been running the monthly “Look Who’s Loving the Bike” feature now for six months, but I have yet to give my story as to why I am Loving the Bike.  At the top of each month we feature great cycling stories and memories of why people are loving the bike.  Please take a look back at what others have been saying for the past six months…..one of my favorites so far is this video from Rhett Dopwell who has a great explanation of why he is loving the bike.

When I started this blog back in February with my very first post, I did so because cycling was my passion and I wanted to get involved with a blog to feed this love.  The past six months have helped me realize how much I really do love the bike and all the great things it does for me and my life.

As I’ve heard many of the people who have already provided me with their cycling memory or story say…it’s very difficult to select just one thing I love about the bike.  The first reason that comes to mind is that I love how it makes me feel and what it does for my body.  If it wasn’t for cycling I really don’t know how I would ever get any cardio, let alone love the way I get it.  Cycling makes me feel and look healthy and I absolutely love it.

But I am Loving the Bike for so many more reasons than just that.  I love it because of the solitude and meditative state that it brings me to every time I’m on it. As I mentioned to Bryan from Biking to Live the other day, cycling is my only means of escape these days….and I’d probably be a total mess if I didn’t have that.

I love the connection cycling gives our family when out on a ride together.  I love the craftsmanship and beauty of the design…..and the way that two wheels on a frame can provide so much to all of us who ride one.  I love the camaraderie and brotherhood among riders.  I love the speed and knowing that I am moving myself solely by my own power.  I love the fact that there is no better means of environmentally friendly transportation than the bike.  I am simply loving the bike.

So here I am…a guy, his blog, and his bike.  The combination of these three has given me more than enough reasons to be Loving the Bike, and I’m so thankful I get to share it with you through each and every post.

I still need to know why more of you are Loving the Bike.  Please submit your reason to us by going to our “Look Who’s Loving the Bike” Submit Form and we’ll feature it in an upcoming post.  Look Who’s Loving the Bike is posted at the top of each month.