Why Cycling?

A lot of people don't understand what the pull is to cycling.  Some people think it's boring, some people think it's not fast paced enough.  Some people don't think it's grueling enough.  I tend to laugh at comments like that, because clearly, people who say things like that don't understand the sport at all.  Try climbing up a hill on your bike and imagine doing that day in and day out for three weeks up some of the toughest mountains in the world for miles and miles.  Do you think it's not so grueling now?

Cycling is so much more than just a sport.  It's a way of life.  A friend of mine devotes his blog to fitness and having a healthy lifestyle.  Cycling provides just that.  Running isn't for everyone; that's why there are different ways to get fit.  The bottom line is that you have to enjoy what you're doing or you'll never have the motivation to get out there and bust your butt.  Isn't that true with everything in life?

I'm not going to sit here and tell you that you don't suffer on the bike; that it's easy the first day you get on your bike.  Believe me... it's the hardest work you'll do.  Whenever I even start thinking about approaching a climb up a mountain side my legs start to ache.  Why do I do it time and time again?  Because I live for the bike.  It's hard, and there are some days that I don't feel like going and killing myself out there... but I have come to love the sport so much that I can't quit.  The exhilarating feeling of riding down a hill; the exhilarating feeling of killing it up a climb; the exhilarating feeling of accomplishment.  It's what keeps me coming back day after day.

It's not easy to start something, but I promise you, that if you find something you're passionate about; whether it's cycling or something else, you'll accomplish anything you can dream of.  Ultimately, that's what cycling brings to me.  It makes me feel as if I can accomplish anything that I put my mind to.  I never would have thought I could accomplish what I've accomplished on the bike... and I'm still learning.

Obviously, I love to follow professional cycling.  The pros amaze me.  They really do.  To watch them glide up a mountain side like it's nothing and know that they are suffering is something that I don't think I'll ever get over.  These are the people that motivate me to be better on the bike.  They give it all they have, and then some, because they love it.  Some people wonder why I love to talk about professional cycling so much.  I can tell you that I love it, because to me, riding and being a part of the pro cycling world are one in the same.  There's tons to learn and I'm soaking it all up. 

There is so much that goes into cycling.  When you gear up for a long Saturday ride, you have to be prepared.  You have to know which liquids and food to take so you won't run out of energy half way through.  If you're just starting out, it's important to set goals.  Make sure you set achievable long & short term goals.  If you don't, you won't get very far.  Some of my goals are:

• Ride around Bear Lake this summer
• Ride around the Alpine Loop
• Ride up to Snowbird
• Compete in the Lotoja

Some of those might not happen for a few years, but I have my sights set on where I want to get.  That's what I want to do with this blog.  I want it to be an informative site that discusses cycling but I also want it to hold me accountable for my goals.  I want to be able to talk about what rides I've done and how I can relate my improvement on the bike to life.  I have a long way to go so I hope you'll join me in this journey.  This blog is far from just a professional cycling blog.  It encompasses everything cycling.  Join me for the ride of a lifetime.  It'll be well worth it.