Not Riding To Race
In a world of cycling for fun, it’s not a surprise that the common stereotype is that if you’re riding bikes, it must be for some sort of competitive reason. Is it less valuable if there isn’t a prize at the end or a goal to reach, or can we simply ride for the fun of it, to simply escape life’s challenges and disconnect from reality in some small way.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about people's first perceptions of riding bikes and how it is almost always assumed that if you ride a bike it’s for some competitive reason and very rarely thought of as just a form of escape or pleasure. It seems that this sort of riding is only thought of for elderly people on ebikes. I like that Riv call some of their bikes country bikes, I think this is a really good way of describing what this sort of bike can and should be used for.
It also seems that the consensus among most is that you need a fancy bike, and all this gear to get you out there riding when both couldn’t be further from the truth. Before I got my first Rune setup I was riding a 90’s Specialized with modern parts on it, but even the parts it came with could have had you rolling and enjoying what a bike has to offer. If my memory serves me right I paid £70 for that complete bike, and if you did want to spec that thing out on a budget Ebay and various bike swap meets are a great way to get some good parts for cheap.
Then there is the attire most think you need, and trust me you do not need spandex head to toe or shoes that make you sound like a tap dancer walking around the cafe mid-ride to be comfortable on a bike. A T-shirt, some Vans, and an old pair of cut-off shorts will do just fine. You’ll be way more comfortable than in some spandex that doesn’t breathe and clipped shoes that keep your legs fixed in one position that is terrible for your knees. I’ve been riding for the past 5 years in the same cut-off Dickies and those paired with my beloved broken-in Brooks are a match made in heaven.
After that, it’s trying to break down the misconception that this thing is a race. When I offer to take out friends that have just got into bikes I can instantly sense that hesitation, like they think I’ll speed off like a rocket and they are gonna have to give it everything they have to keep up. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most of the time when I’m out riding the average pace is more like the turtle than the hare, and there are always multiple snack stops and time to take in the calm scenes around me. Don’t get me wrong, now and then I like to knock out a hot lap, but most of the time it’s a cruising pace that anyone's ability can keep up with. In my opinion, if you can ride 10 miles without being completely spent then you can also ride 20 miles, as long as the pace is steady and everyone is there to enjoy the ride.
Photos by Tom Faz & Cass Gilbert