Flip-Flopping the Ride
Although I’m a lover of all types of bikes….I’d consider myself to be a road cyclist first and foremost. I love the speed, the distance, and all the good stuff that comes from a road ride.
Sure, I also love getting out on my mountain bike and ripping through trails….and if I had a cruiser, I would totally love to slow it down for a cool and easy ride.
If I was just a couple years younger, I’d be out there attempting insane half pipe tricks on a BMX…..and would most definitely like to be checking out what all the cross bike buzz is all about. But no matter, road cycling would be my number one.
Okay, back the beginning. I’m a cyclist who’s weekly rides have primarily consisted of the road variety for as long as I can remember. For the past few months I’ve been mixing in a mountain bike ride at least once per week, but still 90% of my riding has been on my road bike. Until now.
We opened the doors to our Mocha Spoke café on June 3, and my life has been flip-flopped both on and off the bike. I went from being a guy who has worked from home for the past 5 years, to now spending 10+ hours a day at the café.
But the biggest change of all has been that I’m now on my mountain bike more than my road bike. I commute by bike and am usually carrying a load of stuff with me….so the mtb just makes more sense. Don’t get me wrong, being on any bike is awesome….but I miss my road bike so much.
I keep telling myself that this is temporary and that flip-flopping the ride is just going to make me a stronger road cyclist. So until I can work those daily road rides back into my life, I’ll do my best to enjoy the fact that I’m still on a bike…..and will cherish each and every road ride I take.
I am a rodie, always will be, I dont mind my mountain bike, and Pamela and I have had some pretty cool rides, but to me it is such a different experience. As a kid I used to love the crazy down hills stuff with jumps and stuff like that. But not anymore. I like heading off on trails when there is stuff to see that you could not get to any other way than a mountain bike, but aside from that, give me my Road Bike, my Aero Bars and let me put my head down and GO.
Like you, I enjoy change….but not always. I haven’t really liked being knocked off my routine of road riding. But I’ve don’t pretty good at managing it and getting as many road rides in as possible this past week. Thanks Sweetie.
I hear ya! I love riding bikes. Period. I prefer road, but love riding trails on my old mountain bike. I just don’t get to do it as much as I’d like to. So, each chance I get to do it, it’s just that much more special. Look at it that way. 🙂
Thanks Paul….good perspective. I’m doing my best to make the most of things right now and it is pretty cool to be able to mix up my riding so much.
Absolutely. And, by riding different bikes in different ways, you’re honing different skills/handling techniques that may help out down the road. For example, I’m pretty good at bunny-hopping on my mtb and learned that skill as a kid on my BMX bikes. It’s come in really, really handy on my road bike quite a few times now. And I know several others who bike that don’t have that skill. So, even though you miss your road bike (I know the feeling), you’ll be a better cyclist in the long run for all the time you’re putting in on the mtb. Ride safe!
I can think of one bike that would rule them all for you 😉
If you can fit your load in a backpack, then you could be letting the bike carry the load.
Sounds good to me, Rob. You and I definitely need to spend some quality time on the bikes together one day.
I’m sure you’ll be back loving the road bike soon, Darryl. Just enjoy being on any bike for now.
Thanks Ann, I’ve been able to get back on my road bike more this week than the past couple weeks so I’m happy about that.
I understand your love for road cycling and I feel the same way as you do. I don’t mind getting out for an occasional mountain ride or will take my cruiser to the coffee shop but my main riding and enjoyment comes from road cycling.
Thanks Ben. Man, a nice cruiser ride to the coffee shop sounds really good to me.