What every cyclist wants for Christmas more or less

Submitted by Mark EWERS on Thu, 12/14/2006 - 8:21pm
Mark EWERS's picture

First off I'll just say that I did indeed get out for that ride today. About all I will say on the topic is that despite the messy roads, windy conditions, cloudy and cool weather, and my own inability to generate much wattage today I had a great time. In fact a much better time than had I stayed in the office working. I got home about the time it got dark and headed back to the office. Guess what. I hadn't missed much, so catching up was easy with all the extra energy from my ride.

Not a great ride, but a good one all the same.

During my ride I got to thinking about Unit's post about God speaking to him through his empty toilet paper roll and what he wants for Christmas. It occurred to me that most all of what I want is about the same as every other cyclist out there. My list goes something like this:

  1. More watts. Anyone going fast enough for long enough yet? Didn't think so. I think it would be great to be wrongfully accused of doping. It would be like getting carded when you're over 40.
  2. Less cars and trucks and SUVs on the roads. Particularly those with drivers who dislike cyclists behind the wheel.
  3. More bike stuff. You have all the bike bling you need? Neither do I
  4. Less stress. Hey I shouldn't have to anguish over whether I can sneak out for a quick ride when the weather's good. Stressing over how many layers to wear... that's more than enough, don't you think?
  5. More time to ride. A 25th hour in each day reserved only for cycling would be a good start. Twenty extra weeks of vacation each year - even better.

That's it, more or less. Well, I really have one more less but I'm keeping that one to myself. (No, it's not less gray helmet hair. Though that wouldn't be too bad.)

Unit's picture

This probably ought to be a separate post....

Unit wrote 5 years 8 weeks ago

I must respond to #1. I guess in all honesty I would like to go faster, but I find that the harder/more I train the less I enjoy cycling (the more it starts to feel like a grind). Now that I ride strictly for fun, I am enjoying riding more than ever.

The fact that I am taking shifters off every bike I ride further indicates that I don't really want to go faster...I just want to have more fun.

#2....well I make my money off all those trucks and SUVs, but I would like a little more acceptance of cyclists...Its not like we take up that much of the road.

#3 Yeah...no, "HELL YEAH!" Bikes stuff is good! I want more....luckily I don't need any, thus any that I get will be even sweeter.

#4 Stress is one of the main reasons I ride...remove the stress and I might not ride as much...sort of like a necessary evil.

#5 Time...Man I could use some of that! I wish I had more time to ride...but the reality is, it would be squandered on other activities that seem important.

Summary?

I just want more happiness, I have no idea really how to accomplish that, but every year I get a little better at it. My family helps a lot with this. I suppose if I find a few less empty rolls of TP when I need them most, that could help. I figure as long as I live a decent life, I will get a few less reminders that my Karma balance is off.