Why

I may not be racing as much as in the past, or be in as good of shape, or even ride as much. I still do, however; enjoy my time on the bike as much as ever.

I have been thinking about what keeps me coming back to the bike. Is it habit? Am I looking to find something in it I have not yet found? Am I out to prove a point? It is none of these, but I have distilled a few things about the bike that keep me coming back.

Soul Riding. For me where the soul of riding starts is the confluence of machine, man and shared experience. Soul riding for me is riding with comrades through terrain defined by climbs, small roads and the elements. Conversations, efforts, speed…That’s what keeps me coming back to it, not power meters, intervals and structured training. While they have their place, that’s not where it begins for me. For me there is no question how to spell soul riding. I have had many memorable experiences racing in rain, snow, great weather and terrain, made all the better by sharing the experience with friends and teammates.

The Cycle. Even today, there is something special about an evening spent maintaining the cycle. How many hubs have I overhauled, bottom brackets installed or wheel trued? I have no idea, but it still gives me a special feeling going through the process of maintaining one of the most elegant machines we have invented.

The Unseen. The draft- you never see it, but is has such a huge effect. Knowing the right guy to ride behind in a breakaway that will make your day easier- it is not immediately apparent, but it has a very real effect. Subtle techniques to be more efficient, this takes understanding yourself and the machine and how the two meet.

There is so much more…. Cycling has so many faces, is there anything else like it?

JK

Podcast 07/28/2008

 

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Some say it is the amplified sound of a tire going flat, others say it is the schizophrenic musings of one person talking in his sleep… all we know is that it is called The Two Johns Podcast! This week the Two Johns talk Tour Wrap up, hot women racing- listener feedback that includes saddle sore talk, book club, having tatoo of yourself on your shoulder, power drain, toxic sweat, clydesdale fork concerns, a subject that will remain unspoken but is often accompanied by beards, style & much, much more. Listener Feedback award as always brought to you by our friends at Defeet.

Alpe d’Huez

So you thought that the Alpe was hard? Watch this awesome Japanese sand biking competition>

Ricco, busted

Just in case you’ve deleted this one from your memory banks…

New Podcast 07/15/08

 

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Listening to the new podcast is easier than climbing the Sleeping Bear Dunes, but not nearly as much fun. It is all listener feedback. Topics are saddle sores to Viagra improving “performance.” There’s also a little Tour talk at the beginning.