How To Ride A Bike Forever
 

I recently received Rivendell's Parts & Accessories Fall-Winter 2000 No. 7 catalog after purchasing it on Ebay. Although not the version I thought it was (I was thinking it was the version with more stories and frames), nevertheless it had a couple interesting stories. And this gem:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2b95824e65.jpg

For what it's worth, this has been my unspoken approach - with modifications - for the past 50 years. Here's to the next 50 :)

DD

Oh jeez. Not another GP thread.

:popcorn

That's some good advice. Nice post, Dude!

I gotta follow rule 8 due to rule 1. Guilt is a great motivator. Maybe I learned that every Sunday morning growing up.

For the most part, those rules work for me. Some days, when I’m not quite motivated or too fatigued to ride, I’ll do a little wrenching or just straighten up the workshop.

It’s also true the bike I’ve had the longest (LOOK 753) is the one I cherish most.

I have a hard time with Rule 6: Thou shalt not compare (covet) thy fellow forum member’s bike.

I already enjoy riding without rules. Adding rules isn't likely to improve the experience.

Sage advice. A ten or fifteen minute ride sometimes does wonders.

I have his book on my Kindle, and enjoy reading it. Kind of a reminder to not take it too seriously. Don't wanna burn out.
I may not share his opinion on everything, but it's a refreshing change on the whole kitted-up fasterfasterfaster view.

Unknowingly following rule #8

there's a lot to be said for not turning a hobby into work or some sort of obsession... unless that's where you get your jollies.
One of my bike buddies used to race and is now kinda burned out on riding. He does enjoy just going out on rides to chat with friends and not get too serious, though.

I think the great philosophers Ben and Jerry summed it up nicely....


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...040f3aaeb5.jpg

Steve in Peoria

Seems rather like 8 thoughts, with number 8 being - never mind. :innocent:

Waiting for some over-philosophical soul to pick up the debate about what differentiates "thoughts" from "rules".

That, and the most obvious thing was overlooked...

9. Don't die.

Just what we need...more rules....:innocent:

J/K, that was a nice read, especially #5–my justification for N+1. :thumb:

Catholic? :lol:

Pretty good advice. I should follow it.

Back in the autumn my neck and shoulder were aching (old injuries) and I was getting slower on the bike. So I decided to take a little time off to let the achy stuff heal. Maybe do an indoor trainer session once in awhile.

I started walking instead. Just to keep the parts moving.

Then I added a little jogging, maybe 50 yards at a time, gradually adding more.

Pretty soon I'm jogging continuously for a mile... two miles... three miles...

Then I felt the urge to get faster -- running instead of just jogging. I do some full stride intervals.

Next thing you know I have running shoes instead of sneakers and hiking boots.

Now I'm checking my splits every walking/jogging session.

And my neck/shoulder pain have been replaced by leg and knee pain.

I really should leave the computer off the bike, resist the urge to use a fitness app on the phone, and just go for a ride.

When I was racing I rode every day, often the hardest part of the training ride was lacing up the shoes.
once on the bike, it was easy.

I rode in the off season every day too, it did not have to be hard miles, just a 42x17 and spin.

the dark side of numerous bikes is that it is work to keep them all it perfect shape.

Great tips! I definitely feel pressured to ride as much as I can to keep up fitness, gain something on my riding crew, get stronger to push my gears, etc. But then I have a ride(mostly mtb but sometimes on the road) where I just pedal, look around, and enjoy being in nature, alone with my thoughts and that’s where I notice that bikes aren’t about parts, l’eroica, the best tubulars, deer heads, TMar’s BS, absolutes, lugs, suspension travel or plastic layering. But just getting together to enjoy yourself and your pals and rip around pushing some pedals. Thanks for the post and the reminder that we’re all just trying to have some fun pedaling.

I LOVE THIS!!! Truly - what great sentiments. I find something to appreciate in all of them but #5 & #7 are my favorites. I enjoy riding & passionate about each of my bikes. I need to ride and love to ride and do it every day and will til the day I die. Thanks for posting this - made my night :)

I like rule 8 the most.

I don’t do a 10 minute ride but I do take a short ride like 8 miles each week usually with my 14 year old kid.

I do like looking at my times and speeds etc but only looking at myself not comparing to or aspiring to others. I rode an hour today and after I got back all I could think was how fun it was, how relaxing it was and I couldn’t believe an hour had passed so fast and I wanted to ride again, although I didn’t because I had too much to do.

I love riding my Falcon the most but it’s fun to have a few bikes to ride.

Thanks for those reminders, DD!

What makes that list quite alien to me, is the "rule" which would be the absolute #1 in my area: ride a bike to get somewhere.

Thanks for sharing that DD. I especially like #5 , as if I need validation! Seriously , I have at least ten bikes and rotate frequently to mix it up. Most of my rides are two hours or more but then I do ten minute rides at lunch during the week to get a break from my shop. Yesterday I went for a 30 minute ride to the harbor and back. Now I am already anticipating my weekend ride. Hmmmm, which bike?🙄

For me there are two rules in bicycle riding and life, for that matter.

Rule One: I have to do it...

Rule Two: I want to do it...

My rule one often leads one down the path of good enough. My rule two down the path of best results.

For me, even when I used to commute to and from work, rule two always applied to my bicycle rides.

The lovely suggestions for "How To Ride A Bike Forever" are amusing and close to the mark, however; the only one I fully agree with is #8. I learned, long ago, that using a computer can (and did) interfere with the pleasure and want to do it factors. I tossed my computer and never did keep a log book (well one year the company I worked for encouraged the logging of mileage, offering prizes for most kilometers ridden - I came in second).

These days I still hunt through dump litter, I spend cash that I cannot really afford to spend on bike stuff. I spend time at Bike Forums because I want to. I spend hours puttering with my bikes, even when it is -24 degrees celcius outside (bloody cold today - dog, with one rear leg raised, froze to the tree a couple of hours ago), because I want to. I go through the agony of painting and cleaning and storing and and and, all because I want to.

The results...

My first old road bike that I restored myself (too big, bent and I destroyed the original paint/art...
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c1537ef8fc.jpg

My last effort at restoration...
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9114e4e61b.jpg

My present effort...
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8b7bee3a90.jpg

My heart gets it but my brain expected, "Increase riding 10% per week and at the limit you ride forever."

I don’t get it, 8 “rules” and not a single mention of Campagnolo.

For those of us that either live car-free or just enjoy riding our bike to the grocery, "3. Go short" isn't much of a problem.

Well ... unless it's freezing and wet outside and we're out of coffee.