Less Bling, More Blast: The Road to True Cycling Joy
I've always been honest about my addiction. Give me two wheels, and I'm happy.
For years, those wheels were fat, knobby, and covered in mud. As a committed mountain biker, the sound of tire tread humming on asphalt wasn't exactly my jam. But a funny thing happened at the start of this year: curiosity won. I decided to challenge myself and try road cycling, purely to see what all the fuss was about.
Turns out, the fuss is a blast. The best part is that the journey has taught me five huge lessons that apply to cycling and, frankly, to everything else.
1. The Bling Does Not Build Blisters
Let’s talk gear. When you jump into a new sport, there is immense pressure (mostly self-imposed) to buy the carbon-fiber equivalent of a space shuttle. But here’s the truth I learned: the best, most expensive bike is utterly unimportant for starting out and getting truly fit.
My entry-level mid-range road bike has been more than capable of handling every climb and descent I’ve thrown at it. The same goes for the kit. Those $300 bib shorts? They're lovely, I'm sure, but a good, reliable, mid-range pair of shorts and a comfortable jersey are all you need to log serious miles without sacrificing dignity. Save the high-end kit for when you can actually outride your current setup. Focus on the engine, not the chassis.
2. Race Yourself, Not Your Neighbor’s Wallet
One of the highlights of this year was joining a few cycling races and challenges and having a genuinely great time. Why did I do it? Not to compare my time, my speed, or my equipment with the semi-pro looking dude next to me.
Races and bike events are challenges to yourself, and only yourself. They are markers of progress. They are celebratory finish lines for all the work you’ve already done. If you're tackling a new distance or beating your personal best, you've already won. The spirit of the event should always be about achieving your own personal target, whatever that may be.
3. Group Rides: Gratitude Over Gear Envy
Group rides are fantastic for pushing pace, learning routes, and enjoying the social side of the sport. However, they can quickly turn into a showroom floor where people discuss gear weight and drivetrain hierarchies.
My advice? Go, have fun, work hard, and be true to yourself and grateful for what you were able to buy. When you see someone with a bike that cost more than your car, just admire the engineering and keep pedaling. Your bike is a machine that allows you to experience joy and challenge. That is an invaluable gift, regardless of the price tag. Keep the focus on the camaraderie and the mileage, not the catalogs.
4. The Solo Forge of Resilience
The group ride shows you what's possible; the solo ride is where true progress builds.
When you're out there alone, there’s no wheel to follow, no one to pull you up a hill, and no friendly distraction when the headwind hits. It is just you, your legs, and your determination. This is where you find out what you're truly made of. This builds the resilience in fitness and in the mind that simply can’t be replicated when surrounded by others. If you want to get faster, tougher, and more mentally resilient, make peace with the open road and ride solo.
5. The 4 AM Reward: Solitude and Scenery
While the physical challenge is key, the real, unexpected reward of the road is the sheer beauty and unique moments you soak up. The meditative rhythm of the spin allows you to truly appreciate the daytime landscape: the still reflection of the sunrise on a lakeside ride, the earned panorama from a mountain top ascent, and the cool, damp tranquility of a mid-forest road shaded by trees.
But the magic of the solo experience is often found in those very early, 4 AM rides. While it’s still dark, these hours offer a genuine, rare magic, the solitude is absolute, broken only by the sound of your tires and the unexpected sight of wild animals still foraging, roaming around undisturbed. This combination of stunning views later in the day and deep, silent solitude at dawn is the ultimate payoff for showing up.
A Blast of the New
Starting road cycling was a challenge I put up to myself, driven by nothing more than a simple “What if?” and the desire to try something different. That curiosity led to an amazing year of races, new friendships, and finding a whole new type of flow on two wheels.
Whether it’s road cycling, learning to surf, or picking up a musical instrument, the juice of life comes from the new experience. Challenge yourself, be curious, and have a blast doing it. You already have all the gear you need, it’s between your ears.