…I’m Still Ready for My Close-Up

That’s right, A Dude Abikes was featured in the local newspaper.  I blogged about it on January 15, 2018, and since it’s exactly a year later today, it seems appropriate to remind older readers, new followers and visitors, too.  The blog is titled “Read All About It!  A Dude Abikes Featured in the Austin American-Statesman.”  While it did not catapult me to stardom or anything, I thought it was a pretty decent write-up.  It was by the now former reporter and author of the Fit City blog, Pam LeBlanc.  (She continues to write about her travel and fitness adventures at this link.)  In the year since that post came out, I have continued on my own journey.  Please click on through to read more!

365 Days Later…

In 2018, I covered alot of distance – literally – and which I wrote about in 5,143 Miles in 2018: 4,554 Biking + 589 Walking. Pretty, Pretty, Pretty Good for A Dude!  While my bike miles went down (by a mere 160 miles), my total mileage went up by 429 thanks to my new daily habit of walking.  But during and after my 15 minutes of fame, I was not that famous.  Sure, I got a few more readers, which was great.  But I have not (yet) been discovered or become a household name.  That’s ok, that wasn’t the goal.  Telling my story was and still is.

In so doing, I have become a prolific writer, both in blogging three times a week and working on my book the other four.  Followers, visitors comments, and likes went WAY up.  And I’ll say it again:  biking is a team sport.  There were and still are mechanics, shop helpers, sponsors, donors, helpers, friends, supporters and many more.  So I’m profoundly grateful to anyone who’s been along on my journey, and especially to those who continue to be.  (If you’re not a follower, consider becoming one by clicking on the box that should appear at the bottom right that says “Follow.”  If you have trouble, find my email on the About page.)

That’s not to mention the daily yoga and ongoing efforts to do better in the diet department.  The following items did not cross my lips all year:  bread, cookies, cake, chips, doughnuts, pasta, pastry, pizza, tortillas, or white rice.  There were a few allowances for very minor things like the long grain brown rice flour in Beanitos, chips made mostly from beans.  The struggle is real, and continues.  I also put in hours volunteering for better bike facilities.

The thing I’m most proud of is that while I did just one fundraiser bike ride, the Mamma Jamma, my donors pitched in $2,502 for breast cancer services.  If you’re one who gave money, THANK YOU!  Over my six career charity rides total, I have raised over $12,000.  That’s the most important statistic of all because it helped people with breast cancer, AIDS and MS.  I’m not just a pretty face and a tight bike ass (under the cushioning):   I also really do care.  Yeah, I’m like Deadpool that way.

Lessons from the Year

The article does a pretty good job of making the main points I also make here in this blog:

1.  Biking is not just for rail-thin, skinny, fit racers.  Many people with different body shapes, weights, ages, fitness levels and abilities can benefit from bicycling if they want to try it.
2.  You can do alot more than other people tell you, and what you may think.  Put in the time and work, and you’ll gain rewards beyond just better legs.  I’m living proof of that.

   

3.  The community of cyclists is diverse, not monolithic, and is fun to be part of.  Whether it’s making the miles matter through charity rides, meeting new friends through shop or social rides, or volunteering with your local bike advocacy group are all great ways to expand your experience.
4. Biking is good for body, mind and soul.  The benefits extend beyond a stronger body.  The challenges, danger and even suffering involved can make you a more resilient human being. Even if you don’t do 100 miles a week, there is the stress relief, expanding of one’s experience, being in nature, getting Vitamin D and fresh air, reducing traffic and pollution are all important side effects.
5.  Bicycling can be a lifelong sport for many and is a metaphor for life, too.  Don’t take short-cuts, do look over your shoulder, be sure to wave at other cyclists and stop to help when needed, try hard but don’t overdo it, recapture that feeling of freedom if you biked as a kid, and most of all:  HAVE FUN!

Next Steps / Pedal Strokes

Where to next?  Well, time will tell.  With my League Cycling Instructor training, I hope

to be able to teach safe cycling to people in Austin, Texas.  As work allows, I plan to finish A Dude Abikes – The Book, revise and have it edited and published or self-published.  I want to publish interviews with other cyclists that I’ve already done, and do more.  Also, I want to reach more people to inspire them to try biking (particularly middle-aged fathletes like myself.)

Getting a new, lighter bike would allow me to bike more miles more quickly and comfortably, and possibly do more charity rides.  Of course, I want to continue to work on and hopefully improve my overall health.  Lots to do with alot less time to do it as I head back to work full-time.  My efforts may have to be dialed back, but I will do my best to stay active, productive and creative.  And yes, crank out them miles.

And now, without further ado, here is the link to last year’s post.  If you have trouble getting to the article, press escape repeatedly while the page loads or use incognito mode on your web browser.  If neither of those work, email me through the address mentioned on the About page.  Thanks for reading!  -A Dude Abikes

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