Two Wheel Blogs

Sorry, it is true. I have not had much to say lately. I refuse to drone on about my road riding that I have been doing a lot of lately. There is just not much exciting to say about what I do.

I have not had electronics on my bikes for a couple years now, so I can not really talk about distance, average speed or power. The only thing I can say is how long the ride is in minutes and hours (pretty boring).

I live in central Missouri, so I can not boast about ancient landmarks that I pass as I ride. In fact, I tend to pass the same things every week. I could talk about the historic monuments that I pass (underground railroad refuges, State Capitol, Governor's Mansion, farms, railroads, other neat stuff that is hardly legendary).

I ride with ordinary average people. I would love to tell you stories of riding with people steeped in wealth, fortune, or fame, but most of my riding partners are people like me. While the people that tolerate riding with me are great people, none are X-pros, or even avid racers (except when I occasionally get to ride with 2-old).

I used to ride in the woods a lot. I always seemed to come up with lots of neat nature photos and such to share. Talking about road rides just seems less interesting (at least when I am the one talking). What I experience on the road is difficult to share. All I can really say is that it seems different in nearly every way from riding in the woods.

The road allows me to interact almost completely with my fellow riders while in the woods, there is far less opportunity. On the road, I can get instant feedback from those around me (usually). This is enjoyable on many levels.

On one hand, it is a social thing. We can discuss whatever we like. That is really tough in the woods on single track.

On the other hand, it is a competitive thing. Fellow riders can visualize your suffering directly, but you also get to see the suffering that you inflict on others. A person can hide their suffering in the woods (I could write a book on how to do it), but on the road it is wide open, a struggle can be observed from great distances.

The road is good. It is hard to verbalize the attraction. There is just something about cruising along on your own power (sometimes with a little help from the wind) and finding peace. I love it, but it is hard for me to share the experience in writing. I will try harder to share more and bore less in the future!