how will i know when i'm "serious"
04-15-09, 11:15 AM
#26
Carpe Diem
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@AngryScientist
How do you define yourself as a runner?
How do you define yourself as a runner?
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04-15-09, 11:16 AM
#27
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Are you married?
Has your spouse threatened your marriage and/or your life because of the bicycle and anything related?
if the answer is, "no," then you have a lot of work to do.
Has your spouse threatened your marriage and/or your life because of the bicycle and anything related?
if the answer is, "no," then you have a lot of work to do.
04-15-09, 11:22 AM
#28
Lost
Thread Starter
for me that one's easy - i've been running consistently for well over a decade, and still love to do it. i've competed in countless races, made several great friendships, and (considering the rest of my wreckless lifestyle) has undoubtedly kept me a fit, healthy adult. it is something i grew up with, and still love to this day. it practically defines my lifestyle.
cycling, otoh, is something relatively new to me. i LOVE it, but i want to know if its a puppy love at first site thing, or if its another lifestyle type activity that will shape my self.
so - back to the goal - i figure if i set a tough goal, meet it, and still love getting on the bike, i'm hooked...
cycling, otoh, is something relatively new to me. i LOVE it, but i want to know if its a puppy love at first site thing, or if its another lifestyle type activity that will shape my self.
so - back to the goal - i figure if i set a tough goal, meet it, and still love getting on the bike, i'm hooked...
04-15-09, 11:22 AM
#29
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If the bed is significantly more comfortable than the weather outside (to the point that it requires multiple layers of clothing) and you still drag yourself out for a couple hour ride, then you could be serious--when the weather isn't fair and you still go out.
04-15-09, 11:57 AM
#33
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Pick some goals that mean something to you- finishing a century, XXXX miles a year, doing a particular ride, climbing Upchuck Mountain in under 30 minutes, losing 20 lbs. Whatver they are make them quantifiable ("get faster" or "get in shape" are lousy goals) and make them a stretch but possible if you work for them.
That's how, when I started riding again, I went from "I am just going to ride for fun but I am never racing again" to racing: metric century, century, hard century, Death Ride, Everest Challenge, other road racing.
04-15-09, 12:05 PM
#34
stole your bike
i am admittedly a wishy washy fair weather cyclist. i picked up road biking as marathon cross training, for the low impact goodness.
i do however love biking when i'm actually in the saddle. i have an entry level sora equipped via narone, great bike, truly. i'm also a gear fanatic. i want to move into something a little nicer component wise, i'm thinking something steel with campy, something sweet. something that when i look at, i drool. something that makes riding a century feel like a trip to the grocery store.
i have no real interest in racing, i like going fast, long rides, epic scenery, tough climbs, and whooshing descents.
at the end of last season, i was ready for the bike upgrade, but i told myself, "self, let's see how much you actually ride next season, and if you're serious about putting the miles in, we can justify the new shiny, lusty purchase" its not about the money, its about the principal at this point.
i want to set a goal for this season, now that spring is here, at the end of october, i want to be able to say :
a) i was a serious rider this season, i can justify a new bike
or
b) i got by just fine with my via narone, and i barely road any miles, i dont need another bike.
this season i'm not planning on running as much, which will open up time for cycling.
so does anyone have any suggestions as to how to gauge if i met my goal, based on the above?? i'm trying to be honest with myself this year, and i want to be able to quantify my accomplishments or lack thereof.
sorry for the long post.
i do however love biking when i'm actually in the saddle. i have an entry level sora equipped via narone, great bike, truly. i'm also a gear fanatic. i want to move into something a little nicer component wise, i'm thinking something steel with campy, something sweet. something that when i look at, i drool. something that makes riding a century feel like a trip to the grocery store.
i have no real interest in racing, i like going fast, long rides, epic scenery, tough climbs, and whooshing descents.
at the end of last season, i was ready for the bike upgrade, but i told myself, "self, let's see how much you actually ride next season, and if you're serious about putting the miles in, we can justify the new shiny, lusty purchase" its not about the money, its about the principal at this point.
i want to set a goal for this season, now that spring is here, at the end of october, i want to be able to say :
a) i was a serious rider this season, i can justify a new bike
or
b) i got by just fine with my via narone, and i barely road any miles, i dont need another bike.
this season i'm not planning on running as much, which will open up time for cycling.
so does anyone have any suggestions as to how to gauge if i met my goal, based on the above?? i'm trying to be honest with myself this year, and i want to be able to quantify my accomplishments or lack thereof.
sorry for the long post.
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04-15-09, 12:11 PM
#35
stole your bike
It seems like I have to make an informal business proposal for every major bike purchase I make, and while I could just show up with new stuff I'd rather not deal with the consequences. Fortunately my wife supports my riding and most performance related equipement isn't an issue since she understands it has quantitative value, new clothing however always gets the "don't you have a jacket already? What's wrong with that one?". I'm not sure how I'm going to pitch the either new BMC or used CAAD8 I've been peeking at.
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04-15-09, 12:22 PM
#36
Lost
Thread Starter
I've always felt the best approach is being honest with yourself in identifying the reasons you want to upgrade and measure that against your financial situation. The bottom line is you can enjoy riding on almost any bike, it's just a matter of how comfortable and efficient you want to be on it. The Via Narone will get you by just fine whether you're "serious" or not, if you want to satiate your gearhead temptations then upgrade components as they fail. The more time you spend in the saddle the more aware you'll become of what part of your bike you may want to perform better, but if you got the bike not too long ago I'd ride some more before replacing it. Nice components are great but if you pay a lot of money and they feel the same as what you had (or notice minimal improvement) then the drool factor becomes more of a "what did I do?" concern. Ride some more and see how it goes.
jorge - we should do some riding this summer, once i improve my average mph to something respectable. i'm pretty close, and flexible on location.
04-15-09, 01:18 PM
#39
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I gave myself a weightloss goal using a new bike as a reward. I did in fact lose the weight, but I'm pretty sure I would have bought the bike even if I hadn't
04-15-09, 01:35 PM
#40
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In your position I would wait until your bike starts breaking down. With Sora that should not take too long.
If you start having a lot of problems with things like shifters, wheels, ect that would be a good time to reevaluate your gear.
If you start having a lot of problems with things like shifters, wheels, ect that would be a good time to reevaluate your gear.
04-15-09, 01:43 PM
#41
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It seems like I have to make an informal business proposal for every major bike purchase I make, and while I could just show up with new stuff I'd rather not deal with the consequences. Fortunately my wife supports my riding and most performance related equipement isn't an issue since she understands it has quantitative value, new clothing however always gets the "don't you have a jacket already? What's wrong with that one?". I'm not sure how I'm going to pitch the either new BMC or used CAAD8 I've been peeking at.
"But Sweetheart, won't that just prove there's nothing wrong with your old bike?"
D'oh!
04-15-09, 01:47 PM
#42
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This place should be called "the support group from hell".
Buy a new bike? Sure!!
If you have to, set an event or mileage goal, then buy the bike when you meet that goal. I'll tell you, though, the new bike makes getting to that goal all the more possible (and more fun). Nice equipment is very often it's own reward, especially if you're a gear junky like me.
It seems to add to the positive motivation to ride, just 'cuz it's such a pleasure to be able to use nice stuff.
edited to fix quote: it's "the support group from hell"
Geesh. That's what hapens when trying to work while posting.
Buy a new bike? Sure!!
If you have to, set an event or mileage goal, then buy the bike when you meet that goal. I'll tell you, though, the new bike makes getting to that goal all the more possible (and more fun). Nice equipment is very often it's own reward, especially if you're a gear junky like me.
It seems to add to the positive motivation to ride, just 'cuz it's such a pleasure to be able to use nice stuff.
edited to fix quote: it's "the support group from hell"
Geesh. That's what hapens when trying to work while posting.
Last edited by DScott; 04-15-09 at 03:13 PM.
04-15-09, 01:51 PM
#43
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This place should be called "the support from hell".
Buy a new bike? Sure!!
If you have to, set an event or mileage goal, then buy the bike when you meet that goal. I'll tell you, though, the new bike makes getting to that goal all the more possible (and more fun). Nice equipment is very often it's own reward, especially if you're a gear junky like me.
It seems to add to the positive motivation to ride, just 'cuz it's such a pleasure to be able to use nice stuff.
Buy a new bike? Sure!!
If you have to, set an event or mileage goal, then buy the bike when you meet that goal. I'll tell you, though, the new bike makes getting to that goal all the more possible (and more fun). Nice equipment is very often it's own reward, especially if you're a gear junky like me.
It seems to add to the positive motivation to ride, just 'cuz it's such a pleasure to be able to use nice stuff.
04-15-09, 03:04 PM
#45
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i'm not looking to compare myself to anyone, or what anyone considers me either. i am interested in setting goals for myself, and look forward to the challenge of achieving whatever goals i set.
the bottom line is that i am a goal motivated person, and i will feel better about buying myself a new toy if it is a "reward" for meeting some challenging goals.
the bottom line is that i am a goal motivated person, and i will feel better about buying myself a new toy if it is a "reward" for meeting some challenging goals.
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"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
04-15-09, 03:15 PM
#46
Senior Member
I started down this route - but with me it didn't work. Then ended up buying a new bike up front as incentive. That did the trick. Lost 20 lbs and am now racing with a local team.
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Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
04-15-09, 03:45 PM
#47
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I just got back this afternoon from a 32-mile loop on a 6-year-old hybrid. Sunny day. I smiled a lot. So if I'm smiling does that mean I'm not serious?
04-15-09, 03:48 PM
#48
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This guy's always smiling and I'd consider him a pretty serious cyclist.
04-15-09, 04:23 PM
#49
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i want to set a goal for this season, now that spring is here, at the end of october, i want to be able to say :
a) i was a serious rider this season, i can justify a new bike
or
b) i got by just fine with my via narone, and i barely road any miles, i dont need another bike.
this season i'm not planning on running as much, which will open up time for cycling.
so does anyone have any suggestions as to how to gauge if i met my goal, based on the above?? i'm trying to be honest with myself this year, and i want to be able to quantify my accomplishments or lack thereof.
a) i was a serious rider this season, i can justify a new bike
or
b) i got by just fine with my via narone, and i barely road any miles, i dont need another bike.
this season i'm not planning on running as much, which will open up time for cycling.
so does anyone have any suggestions as to how to gauge if i met my goal, based on the above?? i'm trying to be honest with myself this year, and i want to be able to quantify my accomplishments or lack thereof.
That's easy ..... a minimum of 8000 km for the year, but preferably 10,000 km for the year.
The year before I bought my most recent road bicycle, I rode 8500 km for the year. The year I bought that bicycle, I rode 11,700 km for the year.
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04-15-09, 04:48 PM
#50
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Push yourself to increase the amount of rides, time and distance over last season. Even you don't accomplish any of them by the end of the season you will know if your serious.