Cruzbike-in-Germany
Member
Hello All,
I set up my mind regarding sporting success on a bike and want to share my thoughts with you.
This might help some readers finding his / her truth more easily.
It was triggered as somebody said here "uphill has never been my thing".
At first, I tended to agree, but then I thought: there was a time when I was younger, lighter and went faster.
Some stay light and small and / or train themselves and still go fast when getting older, and they lift the trophies.
Some don't, like me. Am I sad or missing something? NO!
My point: everyone has to overcome his own challenge.
I (40 years) weigh 100kg, and there were times when I weighted <70kg (at 16 years?) and already loved to bicycle. I notice a strong link between weight and climbing capability. Nowadays I go up slowly, enjoying the effort and the sweat - I made my peace with the fact that at 1,83m (6ft) I am not a small Pantani that can fly up the mountain at half the weight.
Regarding EPO & Co I think it's not only the drugs, it is the genes, some things cannot be changed. I also stopped searching for "light bike parts" - if I ever did.
Quite the contrary: I am happy to have found an ergonomic riding position (Cruzbike- Hallelujah, John!) with a gearing that is low enough and a home trainer to start putting down my 10kg surplus. I could never reduce this amount with lighter parts on a road bike as this is more than the whole bike usually weighs nowadays...
. If I can't ride a road bike anyway - being too heavy and with back issues it would not be fun, WTF?? This is not MY challenge. Why?
If I (120kg with bike/stuff) climb the hill slowly enjoying it, and somebody (60kg with bike/ stuff) passes me at double speed, we both produce roughly the same power . Right, Mr Plager? (BTW I am a physics graduate). Only that the other guy happens to weigh less, so also his equipment can be lighter, starting with his shoes etc !!!! Maybe he also looks better, but hey, that's life.
The thing for me is to have fun and keep the motor going: no injuries on tendons, muscles, joints and bones, just the feeling that I can unleash my power! Holy Endorphines, I hope I made my point!
Always happy and healthy biking! Cheers
Ernest
I set up my mind regarding sporting success on a bike and want to share my thoughts with you.
This might help some readers finding his / her truth more easily.
It was triggered as somebody said here "uphill has never been my thing".
At first, I tended to agree, but then I thought: there was a time when I was younger, lighter and went faster.
Some stay light and small and / or train themselves and still go fast when getting older, and they lift the trophies.
Some don't, like me. Am I sad or missing something? NO!
My point: everyone has to overcome his own challenge.
I (40 years) weigh 100kg, and there were times when I weighted <70kg (at 16 years?) and already loved to bicycle. I notice a strong link between weight and climbing capability. Nowadays I go up slowly, enjoying the effort and the sweat - I made my peace with the fact that at 1,83m (6ft) I am not a small Pantani that can fly up the mountain at half the weight.
Regarding EPO & Co I think it's not only the drugs, it is the genes, some things cannot be changed. I also stopped searching for "light bike parts" - if I ever did.
Quite the contrary: I am happy to have found an ergonomic riding position (Cruzbike- Hallelujah, John!) with a gearing that is low enough and a home trainer to start putting down my 10kg surplus. I could never reduce this amount with lighter parts on a road bike as this is more than the whole bike usually weighs nowadays...
If I (120kg with bike/stuff) climb the hill slowly enjoying it, and somebody (60kg with bike/ stuff) passes me at double speed, we both produce roughly the same power . Right, Mr Plager? (BTW I am a physics graduate). Only that the other guy happens to weigh less, so also his equipment can be lighter, starting with his shoes etc !!!! Maybe he also looks better, but hey, that's life.
The thing for me is to have fun and keep the motor going: no injuries on tendons, muscles, joints and bones, just the feeling that I can unleash my power! Holy Endorphines, I hope I made my point!
Always happy and healthy biking! Cheers
Ernest
