Look Who’s Loving the Bike: September

David Buscarello – New York, NY

“As a kid I rode everywhere in the neighborhood all day every day when weather permitted. Later I delivered newspapers by bike, full set of baskets on my Raleigh Sports 3 speed. Later on got the Raleigh Grand Prix, that was my mode of transport as a teen and also through college. I bought a mountain bike in the 80’s (Univega Rover) and put on many miles on road and trail. Later it sat in the garage as kids were born and raised. I resurrected it a few years ago with new road tires and had it tuned, but it was never that comfortable. Last April, I bought a hybrid comfort bike and reconnected with riding. I discovered the Rail Trail Greenways in my local area and just started to ride. First 5 miles, then 10, 20 and did a half century this year. I joined a group and now like to get out several times a week and ride. It has really helped me to trim down and get into better shape. And it is just fun!”

Dave Pahl – South Africa

“I guess at the end of the day it’s you and the machine. It doesn’t get any easier, just quicker and there are certain enjoyable challenges in that. As a child it gave me freedom to get around.”

R. James Olson – New York, NY

 “I like getting to that point where I feel I could go on indefinitely…there’s no effort…just a steady rhythm.  I also get a thrill when I’m going fast enough for my eyes to water and the tears travel upward.”

Samantha Robinson – New York, NY

Never am I more “in the moment” than when I am on two wheels. In fact there is a quote by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that sums it up rather nicely, “When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.”

Julie Mestdagh – Belgium

It started with a bet … I’m a marathon runner and once said jokingly to a triathlete friend that triathlon can’t be that hard “just float around in water, sit a little on a bike and then start the real work, RUNNING”. 😉 Joke, of course. So this friend challenged me to go for a 80K bike ride with him at his pace 34 km/h or something…. bought a race bike, started training and now just can’t do without cycling. And yes, it’s more than just “sitting on a bike, it’s a hell of a workout”