As a rookie cyclist, I’m finding out that this is a very technical sport in just about every respect. Take the clothing for example: it feels engineered more than designed. And when you first start riding you’re bound to feel self-conscious, if not down right mortified by what you’re wearing. But after a while you realize nothing else will do. And of course the kit changes with the seasons and even small fluctuations in the weather mean you gotta make adjustments to compensate. It’s an endless balancing game.
Bike accessories come in all shapes and sizes and every time I turn around my buddies are debating the merits of one or another of their latest acquisitions - or talking about their wish list with wistful expressions.
Bikes come in all prices. Some of them are more expensive than cars; others are the price of a sushi dinner for two in Manhattan.
Choosing the right bike matters the most because it will truly be an extension of your self and the companion of many adventures. Aligning and fitting it to your body is like tuning a musical instrument. Your bike will require your meticulous care and attention to perform flawlessly.
But of course none of this - not the bike, not the clothing, nor the accessories - is the true engine of your progress; it’s the heart that drives you. It’s the desire to be out in the world and to find out something about yourself in the process. And even pain, when it comes, becomes a motor. If you can accept it - and get to the other side of it - pain will teach you valuable lessons and make you a stronger rider.