Non Cyclists?

Much to my surprise – they do exist.  

I was at our local brewery eating some great pizza. I am not a ‘regular.’ I comment to my significant other that I am surprised because each time I visit I see the same people. I am not on a schedule, so I am not ‘just catching them on their normal day there.’ I comment that it is amazing that some people have the time to go there and drink for hours with such frequency. How do they have that much time in their days to do that? To which she replies, “Says the guy who spends hours on his bike.”

My response? “That is fair.”

She is correct. I do spend a fair amount of time (she might say – A LOT of time) on my bike. Averaging about 8 hours a week does not seem like a lot to me. There are people who spend that much time at the gym … or watching TV … or on their phone. Of course, I would like to spend more time on my bike. At times I do. But sadly, there are times I get less.  

Back to the brewery.  Well, at least when I finish my ride I can do other things, many of those at the brewery are not ‘able’ to do other things because of the alcohol intake. Correct? Not really. If I have the ride I want, I am often somewhere between ‘not the most effective’ to ‘totally useless’ after I finish. Still a tie score with the brewery regulars. 

Well, at least I am gaining fitness riding rather than drinking. Correct? Yes, that is true. But alas, I have to believe that mental health is as important as physical health. Although beer is not mental health (a few of my riding companions might heartily disagree with that statement) the social side of gathering with friends is important. Might still be a tie score here.

Why do I say all of this? Well, allow me to go further … and redirect.

I am not a teenager, nor am I in the first few decades of my life. That means many that I interact with during my work or leisure time are much younger than I. It appears to me that in those age groups video games are quite dominant. I am not a video game guy. Yes, I played them back in the Atari and Intellivision days (if you do not know what that is – well, it was just after Pong). I even took my Intellivision to college – and never turned it on. I was not a ‘gamer’ then; I was an ‘outside kid.’ I much preferred the world out in nature.

I am befuddled by the intense focus on video games now, the money, the equipment, the time spent on them. And then I remind myself that I ride bikes. Yes, I see bikes as very different. I see bikes as an enjoyable physical activity and a wonderful way to spend time out in nature. But many see bikes the same way I see video games. Many see bikes as simply a kids’ toy.

I passionately disagree – and at the same time heartily agree. More on that later. Yes, we can pull the same argument out – fitness, fresh air, engaging with the real world etc. I do believe that, but then again, my preference is the bike. There are video gamers that cite other benefits. I do not understand their proclivity for that world. Then again, they do not understand mine. Acceptance. Maybe the new ‘gamification’ of indoor riding will eventually gain us new cyclists? Maybe they will try the indoor ‘game’ of cycling and then move outside? Maybe? There is always hope. Although I do accept their choices, I do think being in the ‘real’ outside world has value. In many ways, greater value.

I have a friend; he has a wife and kids, is a medical professional and owns his own business. He spends big money and time on video games. He described it to me as, “It is my golf. My time to relax and unwind with friends.” Do I understand? Yes … No. Not really. Then again, no one understands why I want to sit on that tiny seat and ride 100 miles. I cannot understand why anyone would want anything different.  

Back to the earlier kid statement. I agree, we do not want bikes to be seen as kids’ toys. They started out as high-tech transportation devices. After all, the Wright brothers were bike guys. Bicycles then moved to a world of their own once motorcycles and automobiles were developed. They are still efficient and effective and exceptional for both transportation and recreation. For all ages. Of course, kids want freedom and also what their parents have so kids wanted bikes in the past; they seem to want mobile phones now. A bike plus a kid equaled accomplishment and freedom. Truly, riding a bike fosters some of the freedom, joy, and accomplishment that brings back the great part of being a kid.

When interacting with non-cyclists about riding I always say to them something like this, “Exercise is important, and you should engage in regular physical activity. If you choose something that is enjoyable, then you will not only do it more frequently, but you will enjoy your time doing it. That is why you should try riding a bike. It is a joy. It is like being a kid again. The mental and physical benefits from it are a bonus.”

That is how I feel. I advocate for that; surprisingly it is often a hard sell.  

We are all different. Judgements aside about the value or validity of individual choices – individuals get to make their own choices. Good or bad. I am all for that. Also, I encourage everyone to at least jump on a bike and ride it a few times as an adult – then they can decide if it is for them or not. There are many options, from traditional, to city bikes, to recumbents, to tandems, adult tri-cycles, hand powered bikes and even E-bikes out there now that can ‘bridge the gap’ if there is a fitness or physical ability that is the barrier. 

Are there really non-cyclists? Much to my surprise – they do exist. Sometimes I wonder what they do with all that extra time …