GET THE POEM - er, BIKE - OUTDOORS!

Why Cycling must be done Outside 

and 

"Riding an Indoor Trainer" is an Oxymoron

"One of the most important days of my life was when I learned to ride a bicycle."

 - Michael Palin 

from 88 of the best quotes about bicycles and cycling 

Now here's a good reason: the Sella Ronda

"Who is this nut job?", "Whaddya mean, I'm a moron if I ride an indoor trainer?" and "What does Poetry have to do with Cycling?"  Questions some people will be asking after (IF?!) they read this post. I'm happy to answer those questions. My aims in writing this post is to encourage people to get outside - and have a bit of fun while I'm at it. I understand there are lots of reasons why, for some people, that is difficult or even impossible. There will those of you who won't like what I've got to say. Still, I hope that you will indulge me as my sole purpose is to get some brain cell activity happening - and to see more folks on their bikes (OUTSIDE!), especially in good weather. 

Another spectacular day in southern Tasmania

I understand that an indoor trainer has its place. I've even used one myself when recovering from various injuries. And I was very grateful when my darling wife was offered an indoor trainer (I'd sold mine by then) by Andrew Thorburn to help her rehab from a fractured spine  when it would have been totally idiotic to ride a bike outdoors. And now, with all the hoo-hahs and doo-dads of modern trainers (aka artificial intelligence and virtual reality) as well as having a good workout, getting on an indoor trainer can actually be a lot of fun. 

Honestly though: who is having more fun?

Why then is "riding an indoor trainer" an oxymoron? Basically, intrinsic to the meaning of the verb "to ride" is the notion of travel, of movement, of going somewhere. And despite Strava playing along with this "virtual ride" nonsense by displaying a map for you of where you rode "virtually", you haven't in fact been anywhere.

Einstein knew what he was talking about

At one stage of prolonged cold, wet weather I decided to investigate all the good indoor training apps and various stationary torture machines. Fascinating. After all that I decided to go for a walk. That said, I might actually take the plunge myself one day and buy an indoor trainer. So no, I don't think you're a moron if you get on a stationary pedalling machine. If I do start using one again though, I won't be fooling myself that I've "been for a ride".

Another thing. Mark Breen, one of our inspirational local legends who does lots of miles very fast once said to me, "Going for a ride is just a good excuse for getting out for a coffee".

Get out and have a coffee!

Even better if it's with friends

Hey, you can even undo all that good work you did on the indoor trainer by having a little indulgence ...

Hmmm ... Blueberry Danish or Almond Croissant?

I don't always stop for a coffee and a snack, but doing so does provide another dimension to a ride and sometimes you even bump into someone else who's out and about on their bicycle. One day in Richmond Dianne and I bumped into local legend Anita Gordon and had a chat. We hadn't met her before but worked out who she was and introduced ourselves. Another real world connection made. Nice.

"These bikes aren't going anywhere"

Bikes by definition have two wheels and go from one place to another. So the heading above just doesn't make sense.  But here is a video in which a top cycling journalist says "these bikes aren't going anywhere":

Each of the so-called "smart bikes" featured will cost you more than Australian $5000 - and not one of them has even one wheel, let alone two! Great workout machines no doubt, but THEY ARE NOT BIKES! And sadly, there is no getting around the fact that they are all just butt ugly!

Meanwhile, you could buy this beautiful 2020 Bianci Aria with an Ultra Disc groupset in the classic "celeste" livery for less than any of those non-bikes which won't take you anywhere:

Now isn't that pretty?

If like me, you started riding a bike as a kid, you can remember that absolute joy you had tooling around the countryside. 

Yeehaw!

The sense of freedom -  amplified for those of my generation by the wind ripping through your hair - was something so special! Every ride I go on is an attempt to recapture that sense of joy.

There's something special about being outside. Even a somewhat staid Canadian poet from the 1960's recognised that going outdoors changes everything:

Like I said earlier, I understand that some people just can't get out to ride a bike. And there may be a really good reason that even if you can, it works better at times to get on an indoor trainer. But remember: life is short. We never know what's around the corner. If it's a choice between getting on a bike or hopping on the indoor trainer because the latter is a bit more convenient ... please, please, please: get on the bike! Recapture that magic feeling of being a kid again: even if you can't feel the wind rippling through your hair it'll still be on your face, and ruffling up your jersey. And besides, I'd love the opportunity of saying "G'day!" as we pass by each other.

G'day Beth!

Oh, and in regards to the first question: He's a 65 year-old (going on about 11) transplanted Canuck, living in and loving Tasmania, the UnderDownunder sanctuary from the rest of the world.