over the weekend, i topped out over 5,000 miles on my waterford. i’ve had that bike for just under three years now, i believe, and really 5,000 miles during that time frame isn’t that many miles for someone who commutes every day. (i know i recently lamented the not-so-long-ago 4,000 mark, so feel free to read more there.)
having since moved to san francisco, my commutes have ranged from a mere 3–5 miles RT daily (except on workout days, where i can add another 14 miles to that number). and sure, the summer saw a handful of longer rides into sausalito and fairfax, but the mileage just isn’t there. not in a city of only 7×7.
what’s more, though, is i simply don’t care. for someone fascinated with numbers in other aspects of life (how many calories did i burn on the stairmaster-thingy? how many years do i have to work before i can retire? how much money would we need to save to possibly afford to buy in this city?), the number equated with mileage on my bike doesn’t rank on my list of top interests. in fact, i’m thinking it’s time i remove the odometer from my bike and be free completely.
because if something stops to matter, why continue to pursue it? there are plenty more things out there demanding my attention and counting miles simply isn’t one of them.
04 May 2010
i failed to report that two weeks ago, i rolled over 4,000 miles on my precious waterford bike. in just over 2 1/2 years, i rode the equivalent of a trip to the midwest and back. 4,000 miles sounds like a lot. but in truth, it’s not. not for someone who used to ride year-round despite inclement weather in chicago. not for someone who moved to california to explore new territories by way of two wheels. not for someone who doesn’t own a car or who avoids public transportation like the plague.
so what gives?
i’ve got zero excuses really.
actually, this past weekend’s ride could shed a bit of light on the subject:
1) i am no athlete. i’ve always wanted to be, naturally, but i never wanted to work at it. i kept hoping the occasional weekend ride over the summer would be enough to literally get me in better shape. but i lose fitness fast, and with the chillier temperatures, the riding isn’t as prolific.
2) the wind. believe it or not, there’s still wind here, and on sunday, it deterred naz and i from completing a 50-mile ride. though some would say doing half that is still pretty damn admirable, it’s the failed 25 miles that honestly hangs over my head. stupid wind.
3) careless and selfish riders. ten miles from home, still on the other side of the golden gate bridge, i had two roadies tailing me on an incline. did i mention the winds? did i mention no fitness? i basically was pulling these two bastards while trying to climb a hill and look over my shoulder for oncoming traffic so i could cross back over to the bridge’s bike path. oh yeah, and it started to rain. instances like these are clearly discouraging rather than motivating.
naz and i have been talking more about the reevaluation of our diets and exercise level. i think we’re on a better path now as we look to alternate activities and update our way of cooking. i hope to talk more about this in the new year, but to clarify, this decidedly is NOT a new year’s resolution. it’s more about altering a way of life to be continued as long as necessary, not till the end of february when clearly the resolution has failed.
07 December 2009
• my first bike ride to fairfax.
• our first ferry ride across the bay.
• our first folsom street fair.
• our first bicycle portrait session.
and one other first, though, i’ll leave it off the interwebs. if you see the boy, be sure to ask him about it. giggles will ensue.
and in two weeks, my sister will be back in town, this time as a 21-year-old and this time, with my mom. i’m looking very forward to this visit.
29 September 2009
