"Why Cycling?"
It seems like an easy question to answer, yet I had difficulty framing my response when the reporter posed it. Even today I find composing my answer a puzzling task.
Do I keep the response simple and short? Should I divulge the multitude of reasons, a list that seems to keep growing the more I ponder the question? Do I expound on the details of each reason. Are the numerous reasons an attempt to clarify for myself why cycling has become a significant activity in my life or am I just trying to justify the time and money I spend on cycling?
As I sit here writing this, my mind is bouncing all over the place and I find myself trying to resist following the myriad of paths of my tangential thinking. 25 years ago a friend who was having difficulty following my rambling dialogue labelled me a "tangential thinker". It's true; no matter whether I'm conversing with someone, reading, watching a movie or listening to a presentation or lecture my mind comes up with all sorts of different ideas and thoughts and I frequently get side-tracked following and exploring these various streams of thought.
This blog was supposed to be more focused; at least that was a goal I set for myself. This is almost as challenging as keeping New Year's resolutions.
So why cycling?
I think I'll try to answer that another day. Right now I've got to get ready because our grandson will be here any minute now.
Friday, June 2, 2017
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Why Cycling?
"Why cycling?"
A TV reporter repeatedly asked me that question.
"Why cycling?"
The interview was in a friend's bicycle shop. About a month prior to the interview I had purchased a Fatbike (a bicycle with 26" x 4" tires) from the shop. My friend had told the reporter he had a customer (me) that had purchased a Fatbike to increase the intensity of cycling as exercise. He also informed the reporter that I had lost 170 lbs, much of it by cycling. I didn't hear about this conversation until my friend called me and asked if I would speak to the reporter on air.
Five years ago I weighed well over 400 lbs; I had difficulty climbing a flight of stairs, I could barely manage a 20 minute bicycle ride at less than 10 km/hr. My joints ached, I wheezed with every breath, I needed help with tying my shoelaces. Attending a concert or a sports event was unpleasant because it was difficult getting in and out of the seats at all the venues; just sitting there, squeezed into the seat was painfully uncomfortable.
Today things are very different.
Yesterday I went for a 77 km bike ride, averaging just over 20 km/hr.
This July I will be cycling in a fundraising ride in the Canadian Rockies. A seven day ride from Jasper, Alberta to Waterton Lakes, Alberta.
As part of my training for this ride I am participating in a month long fundraising ride for the Sick Kids Foundation (Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital). My Goal is to ride 2000 km in the month of June 2017.
Why cycling?
I can think of many reasons. I'll save those for upcoming posts.
A TV reporter repeatedly asked me that question.
"Why cycling?"
The interview was in a friend's bicycle shop. About a month prior to the interview I had purchased a Fatbike (a bicycle with 26" x 4" tires) from the shop. My friend had told the reporter he had a customer (me) that had purchased a Fatbike to increase the intensity of cycling as exercise. He also informed the reporter that I had lost 170 lbs, much of it by cycling. I didn't hear about this conversation until my friend called me and asked if I would speak to the reporter on air.
Five years ago I weighed well over 400 lbs; I had difficulty climbing a flight of stairs, I could barely manage a 20 minute bicycle ride at less than 10 km/hr. My joints ached, I wheezed with every breath, I needed help with tying my shoelaces. Attending a concert or a sports event was unpleasant because it was difficult getting in and out of the seats at all the venues; just sitting there, squeezed into the seat was painfully uncomfortable.
Today things are very different.
Yesterday I went for a 77 km bike ride, averaging just over 20 km/hr.
This July I will be cycling in a fundraising ride in the Canadian Rockies. A seven day ride from Jasper, Alberta to Waterton Lakes, Alberta.
As part of my training for this ride I am participating in a month long fundraising ride for the Sick Kids Foundation (Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital). My Goal is to ride 2000 km in the month of June 2017.
Why cycling?
I can think of many reasons. I'll save those for upcoming posts.
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