Since it's cold outside (or, actually, today it's warmish and wet . . . I could have ridden outside but the wife and I are coming off nasty colds and I didn't want to spend the afternoon as a snot fountain) I was doing high-speed sprints. The Carmichael Do The Tour Stay At Home Stage 17, to be exact. Yes. THAT Stage 17.
When I'm out riding I see other cyclists who are clearly high-level riders. Often, as they pass me, I marvel at the striations of their muscles and the clear dedication they have. I often think, "Hey, I'm dedicated. And, also, I've noticed a huge change in my body profile and see new musculature on my legs. But given the placement of my head, I can't tell what's really going on."
Admittedly, I've wanted to do this for a while. In fact, I should have documented the whole physiological change I've gone through. It would have been interesting. To me, at least.
Anyway, to those with strong stomachs, here is a brief history of my calves (not including the boring, sedentary version):
May, 2006 (Rearish view):
Six months of riding, non-action shot. The calves are coming along nicely. The V of the musculature is developing. I also remember at this point when I was stretching prior to a ride I had to pay particular attention to the calves because they always felt a little tight and, if it were cool out, I would develop cramps on longer climbs. December, 2006 1 (Rear View):
You can't see much in this photo, but I'm in mid sprint, standing in the pedals. Yes, I'm wearing white athletic socks (cycling socks dirty) and I have black shoes, which are so two years ago. Whatever. My wife couldn't quite catch the right moment where the downward force of my pedal stroke causes the muscles to flex. However, I can see the total change in the leg as a whole.December, 2006 (Side View):
Ugh. I'm reluctant to show this photo because it shows how sloppy my pedal stroke is during a sprint. Haven't quite gotten that down yet. But, I'm proud of the development of the musculature.Why am I proud? Because I've become athletic. I'm in the best shape of my life and, honestly, I've found a hobby that I love. It's an expensive hobby and it really is more of an obsession.
What this represents for me, other than grossing you out, is a huge accomplishment. An accomplishment that I'm proud of for more than personal reasons:
Perhaps because of my constant riding, I can count at least five adults who have taking up riding. Whether I'm responsible or not, I'm happy that these people have found something that they can enjoy and put them on a path health and happiness.
What's great about cycling, that I hope they will discover, is that you can choose your daily path. One day you can take the bike out and torture yourself with a brutal, fast ride that tests the very limits of your abilities. Or, instead, you can go for a ride with the family and enjoy a nice day as a family. If you wish, the bicycle can be your vehicle to a hidden world, and you can take a bike trail (such as the KATY trail) on a weekend adventure.
The bicycle has opened up a whole new world for me, one that I had glimpsed when I was 12 and obsessed with the moving Breaking Away. When I rode my 10-speed, which was a heavy, Sears special, I felt like it could take me anywhere I wanted to go. It never really did, of course. I was a kid, but it took me all over the neighborhood and survived some pretty stupid, dangerous races with my friends.
Now, that little black Specialized? It really could take me anywhere. Except, now I understand that it's just the wheels. I'm the engine, captain and navigator.
So now it's time to set my goals for 2007. I accomplished all but one of my 2006 goals (alas, I did not ride a century), so I'll move that one over. I wouldn't have guessed that I'd ride 4,600 miles or ride through a national park, climbing climbs and passing people on the way while still being able to chat and talk on the climb. In January of this year, all of those goals seemed impossible. And I'm sure that's how I'll feel in 2007, but I'm dedicated to trying. Because, after all, one thing I've learned that a bicycle is good for is showing you where your personal limits lay and giving you the motivation to test and overcome those limits.
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