Sometimes life throws you lemons, even on the bike. It has caused me to say my farewell to mountain biking.
Just 2 and a half months ago I was finishing up the end of our fall race season feeling fast, fit, and having a blast on the bike. I was riding 3-4 days a week. Life was great on the bike.
Then my arch nemesis happened.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME!!!
AHHHHHH How I hate you. I loathe the day that Benjamin Franklin proposed you as a way to cut back on usage of lamps. (true story) Oh Daylight Savings Time, If I could give you a paper-cut I would squeeze an entire orchard of lemons into it.
I hope you fall on a banana peel and break your tailbone.
Really though, Daylight Savings Time isn’t the problem.
The problem is that there is just less sunlight during the winter months. DST just happens to signal that season’s arrival every year.
Why I hate Daylight Savings Time
I have to say goodbye to my post work, evening rides. Farewell to grabbing a pair of shorts and a jersey and jumping on the bike. Now I need 5 layers and an electric furnace on my feet to stay warm. (I have chronically cold feet)
Worst off, my bike sits alone in the garage, begging me with every glance to abandon all reason and responsibilities and just ride.
This time of year is tough on me. And I’m guessing that I’m not alone. Odds are good you aren’t riding as much as you were prior to the dreaded DST time change either.
Sure, I could be night riding, I do have the miniature sun (a Serfas True 1500
And that’s ok.
Priorities Come First
I’m not a professional rider, my income isn’t dependent on how often I make it out on my bike. In fact the winter is usually a time of saving a little money because I’m not riding as frequently.
Real life comes first, providing for my family, fulfilling dreams of entrepreneurship and spending time with my wife are things that are more important than riding.
But, There is good news. A new hope on the horizon. Time switches back in just 1.5 months!
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME!!!
Ohhhh! How I love you. You bring extended days of riding through trees, skidding across loose dirt and enjoying the trail with friends. Long extended post work rides with no worries about the sun going down on me.
Man I can’t wait.
Praise God that my farewell to mountain biking is so short lived.
In the meantime, I will keep trying to force myself onto a spin bike or stationary trainer. But I’m not going to like it dangit.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey dude, now that you’re self employed you should be able to ride whenever you want. Take advantage of your free lifestyle and the fact that you’ve gone pro. Plus, getting out on your bike will open your mind and bring in great new ideas for you to use with your clients.
Get out there and ride, my man.
Darryl
What planet are you guys from, I rode 2 laps Erwin today its January and its was 70 degrees.
This week has been a lot better.
I make no bones about it though, I do not like the cold. Anything below 50 and I start considering wimping out. Below 40 and the likelihood that I do goes up to 90%. Below 30 and your just crazy.
Texas winters tolerable??? You have lost your freakin mind. Man if the weather ever calls for more clothing than board shorts and flip flops I’m PISSED.. Then we go days without sun what is this crap? I am miserable bastard all winter.
G$
HA HA! G$ you crack me up man.
I mean at least its not Minnesota, right?
But I agree, if I could I would live on an island… perhaps the island of Grenada with my main man Darryl from Loving The Bike.
Exactly….isn’t summer a year round thing everywhere? You just need to come spend the month of January here next year.
Darryl
I feel your pain man, I have been injured this winter and it’s just made it worse. I miss the after work rides on those warm summer evenings. I need to figure out how I can afford to go down to the warmth during the winter…lol.
Ha ha, yeah at least I live in Texas where the cold is usually tolerable. I don’t think I would survive if all I could ride was my trainer…