Cycling Lessons

When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man's convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man's brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle. ~Elizabeth West, Hovel in the Hills

During the summer months I try to cycle at least 100 miles weekly, and usually can count on getting in closer to 125 miles in a good week. On a club ride or with my usual Saturday ride partners, I literally live in and out of the draft while cycling.

Drafting (riding behind other riders) is huge in cycling.  When riding in a group, the person riding in the front is working hard to break the wind resistance.  Those who ride closely behind get pulled along in the slipstream of the rider in front of them.  Being 3rd or 4th in a line can be almost effortless on a flat stretch of road.  The person in the back is pedaling one pedal stroke for every three the person in front takes.

I can make a lot of analogies to real life when it comes to the draft. In life, like cycling, no one can ride up front and do the hard work all the time. Every so often we need to drop back in the pack and let someone else "pull". We all need a break from the grind of daily life. If you try to "pull" all the time, you'll burn out, just as on the bike. On the flip side, no one can draft all the time either. If so, you'll be accused of not pulling your weight, just like on the bike.  So, whether its your work group, church group, or cycling group, it's good to work together and not lay all the heavy burden on one or two people all the time.  Of course, some cyclists are stronger than others, and they will naturally stay near the front of the group and do most of the pulling.  It works the same with an organization.  Leaders stay near the front.  However, leaders need a break now and then and even the weakest rider can step up and do the work for a short time so the leader can rest. 

This picture is the front of a birthday card given to me by my sister-in-law for my 51st birthday.  I like the retro style of the bike frame, whitewall tires, and cool headlamp; but also like the fact that it has hand brakes and a rear derailleur, a blend of old and new.

I feel a little like that bicycle, able to remember when television changed from black & white to color, but now enjoying HD; growing up with rotary-dial phones but now texting and emailing on a mobile phone; having grandparents who had a party line but able now to talk face-to-face on Skype with my son who lives in Japan. 


Here's a sample of scenery we get to enjoy while biking central Kentucky.
  

This little covered bridge is near the entrance to a farm in Madison County, not far from the Kentucky River.