Hog's 1000th post - It's a special one!

[Hog_]

So I did it.

 

I left my car at work, and I pedaled home. It felt great!

The trip went faster than I expected, according to my Cateye it took exactly 36 minutes and 29 seconds, distance is just over 10km. Ave speed of 16-something, top speed 57-something. Max heart rate was 192

 

Tomorrow I'll have no choice but to ride into work, and then I'll ride back home. I'll use the car again on Friday after work. How cool is that?!

 

But that's not what makes this post special. I had time to reflect during my post ride shower, and I think I've come a long way. If you met me just over 2 years ago, you would not recognize me. I was a little fatter than now, had long hair, played in a hard-rock band, smoked on/off, drank a lot, hung out in dingy, smoky pubs and clubs, drove home drunk a lot after gigs and rehearsals. Most importantly, I was unhappy. I felt crap. I didn't enjoy making music anymore (it's a very bad industry in SA). I was fighting with my fellow band-mates pretty much every rehearsal. I was constantly in a crap mood, and it put strain on my relationship.

 

Then I said '**** it!' I decided enough is enough. I quit the band, which was a constant drain on my resources, my creative energy, my time, everything. I found myself with a lot more free time, so I started putting extra effort into my work and started progressing in my career. I became much happier, since for once I got something back for the effort I put in. But something was still missing. I read somewhere that mountain biking is a lot of fun - I remembered my childhood days of me and my BMX on the local BMX track, my first mountain bike, me and my friend chasing each other on our road bikes....

 

I bought a mountain bike. My 'goose. I became a little obsessed. Started training, getting fitter, learning to ride again, picked up an injury along the way and recently, I got back on the bike after 4 months out due to the injury.

 

I feel great! Life is great! While the main catalyst for change was leaving the band, I feel that my riding obsession brought with it a quality of life that I would not normally have had. Today I'm happy to get up at ungodly hours over weekends to get exercise, I don't touch or crave cigarettes, and I've slowed down on the drinking.  I feel healthy for the first time in years, and I look healthy too.

 

So in short, in 2 years I went from a unhealthy amateur rockstar, to a somewhat-healthy amateur mountain biker. Its amazing how life can make such a turn for the better in such a short time.

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

[turtlek]

So I did it. I left my car at work' date=' and I pedaled home. It felt great! The trip went faster than I expected, according to my Cateye it took exactly 36 minutes and 29 seconds, distance is just over 10km. Ave speed of 16-something, top speed 57-something. Max heart rate was 192 Tomorrow I'll have no choice but to ride into work, and then I'll ride back home. I'll use the car again on Friday after work. How cool is that?!But that's not what makes this post special. I had time to reflect during my post ride shower, and I think I've come a long way. If you met me just over 2 years ago, you would not recognize me. I was a little fatter than now, had long hair, played in a hard-rock band, smoked on/off, drank a lot, hung out in dingy, smoky pubs and clubs, drove home drunk a lot after gigs and rehearsals. Most importantly, I was unhappy. I felt crap. I didn't enjoy making music anymore (it's a very bad industry in SA). I was fighting with my fellow band-mates pretty much every rehearsal. I was constantly in a crap mood, and it put strain on my relationship.Then I said '**** it!' I decided enough is enough. I quit the band, which was a constant drain on my resources, my creative energy, my time, everything. I found myself with a lot more free time, so I started putting extra effort into my work and started progressing in my career. I became much happier, since for once I got something back for the effort I put in. But something was still missing. I read somewhere that mountain biking is a lot of fun - I remembered my childhood days of me and my BMX on the local BMX track, my first mountain bike, me and my friend chasing each other on our road bikes.... I bought a mountain bike. My 'goose. I became a little obsessed. Started training, getting fitter, learning to ride again, picked up an injury along the way and recently, I got back on the bike after 4 months out due to the injury.I feel great! Life is great! While the main catalyst for change was leaving the band, I feel that my riding obsession brought with it a quality of life that I would not normally have had. Today I'm happy to get up at ungodly hours over weekends to get exercise, I don't touch or crave cigarettes, and I've slowed down on the drinking.? I feel healthy for the first time in years, and I look healthy too. So in short, in 2 years I went from a unhealthy amateur rockstar, to a somewhat-healthy amateur mountain biker. Its amazing how life can make such a turn for the better in such a short time. Thanks for reading!

 

[/quote']

 

 

 

[Yang]

Great. I can read stories like this anytime. Here's to you Hog- Cheers.

[shaunh]

Congrats!!! And keep going!!!

[Weekend_Warrior]

I think that deserves a beer and a late night in a dark and dingy pub.

[Hog_]

 

I think that deserves a beer and a late night in a dark and dingy pub.

 

Right now I'm pulling a late night in front of my PC, in my dingy room, and I only have 1 Tafel left in the fridge. Guess that'll have to do.

 

 

 

 

 

[Pocketbikes]

Looking at you now, I would never have guessed it. Well done

[singletrackmind]

Impressive!! more people should be like you

[Dirtbreath]

Nice one.

 

As long as you dont start shaving your legs and riding those anorexic tubes.

[GFishy]

Like your posting.

 

Attitude change will open new world as you now know!

 

Congrats!

 

GFishy2008-09-01 22:54:20

[Sean Badenhorst]

And most of us would rather be rock stars...

 

Glad your new world is better than your old one, Hog. Don't lose your musical touch though. It's a special talent that many long for.

 

[Skye]

Wow what a nice inspirational read Hog. Wishing you many hours of safe cycling 

[slowpoke]

Hog, this is one of the most inspirational posts i've read in a loooong time. good on you for changing your life around for the better.

[Hog_]

Thanks everyone! I'm at work, showered, and just finished my Coco Pops!

 

The route to the office had more uphill, which I suppose is cool. I did 9km, but it also took me 36 minutes. I'll try to keep the ride to work easy, and find more uphill and a longer route home.

 

It was nice and cold this morning, so I'm feeling quite fresh. Summer will be a different story though.

 

 

 

 

[Tumbleweed]

Thanks everyone! I'm at work' date=' showered, and just finished my Coco Pops!
[/quote']

pssssssst: saying all-bran or high-fibre flakes would give this i've-re-invented-myself you more cred

 

seriously, am proud of you, hog!

[linnega]

Thanks everyone! I'm at work' date=' showered, and just finished my Coco Pops!

The route to the office had more uphill, which I suppose is cool. I did 9km, but it also took me 36 minutes. I'll try to keep the ride to work easy, and find more uphill and a longer route home.

It was nice and cold this morning, so I'm feeling quite fresh. Summer will be a different story though.

[/quote']

If you find a really easy ride to work, the shower can be replaced by a quick wash.  This morning into work I didn't even break a sweat and I'm in Durban.  Take a longer route home, find a few verges and paths that have some interesting obstacles.  Find a couple of different routes and settle into a routine ie a different route for each day of the week going home.  That means you don't have to think about where to ride and won't give yourself a chance to back out on lazy days once the initial commute enthusiasm wanes.  I went back to commuting about 4 years ago and have been doing the Monday drive in and Friday drive home for a good 90% of the weeks since then.