How fantastic to be on a bike

[HappyMartin]

Four weeks back I broke a rib at the Rietvlei mudfest 24 hour. This morning was my first ride since then

 

As this is the Rant and Rave sub forum I want to rave a bit.

 

It felt fantastic to be back on the bike. It was a lovely morning and we did an easy 70km road ride south of Joburg. No wind, quiet roads and pleasant conversation with mates. Coffee afterwards. Loved how it felt riding up hills, dodging obstacles and diving into corners. The warm muscles, hard breathing, bit of sweat, it was all fantastic. The bike felt light and responsive and the roads smooth.

 

What a great hobby. What a terrific way to spend a few hours in the morning. Can't wait to go out again tomorrow

[kosmonooit]

Yes, like most good things in life that are most appreciated when you don't have them any more. I was off the saddle for 20 months following a spinal injury in 2006, my comeback was the Crater Cruise marathon, took me 8 hours, but what a sensation.

[HappyMartin]

Quite right. Twenty months is a long time or be off. Did you make a full recovery?

[Danger Dassie]

Glad to hear you're back on the bike Martin! It's like an addiction, innit.

 

Often find I get cranky if away from the bike for too long.

[HappyMartin]

Glad to hear you're back on the bike Martin! It's like an addiction, innit.

 

Often find I get cranky if away from the bike for too long.

 

Not sure it's "like an addiction". Pretty much resigned to the fact that it is an addiction. A very pleasant one though. Did mostly MTB the 2nd half of this year and it felt amazing to be on a road bike again. I think this weekend I will be back on the MTB again

 

I have a plan for the 24 hour next year and have organized some help for food and bike cleaning. Hopefully I will do better than this year.

 

Next goal this the Nova Coli in Italy in May. 200km and 3800m of climbing. Lots of training needed so just as well I am enjoying it

Edited December 23, 2012 by HappyMartin

[BergForce]

Get a mtb. I relax much better and have way more fun offroad. No pollution, no traffic danger.

['Dale]

Welcome back!

[Let's Ride]

Enjoy it.

 

Hurt my ankle so been off the bike. Rather safe than sorry.

[carbon29er]

I know what you mean Happy, today last year I broke my left clavicle on our pre-Christmas pre-coffee ride. The nest 3 weeks were hell as the surgeon could only operate on Jan 6. A week later the Tacx became my best friend.

[The Ouzo]

I went through a steady decline in motivation to ride a few years back, whilst trying to push through it I started a spate of getting punctures on every single ride I did. That just demotivated me further to the point where I was ready to sell the bike and take up the couch.

The result, 2011 I only did 400 odd km of riding, 100 of those was because we bought a bike seat for my daughter and she loved riding in it.

2012, until September I had done 450km, 50 of which was a race, 80km of it was with my daughter again.

But my good mate convinced me we need to do the 94.7 again. So in September I got back on the bike for real. What a feeling. Loving every moment of it again.

The result, I've put in 1000km since the beginning of September.

 

Road or trail, this is an amazing sport.