Podcasting is one of the fastest growing areas of online media and cycling isn’t with out its share of them. This week saw the launch of a new one and it’s called Cycling 360. Some of you will recognize the guys behind it as they each are active in the world of cycling both on and off the Internet.

I’ve put this post off because I keep telling my wife that I don’t want or need anything for Christmas. With less than two weeks until Santa comes, she’s getting a little impatient with me and gives me “The Look” when I tell her I don’t want anything. Not the Lance Armstrong to Jan Ullrich ‘I’m about to drop you on Alpe d’huez look’ but the squinty-eyed ‘You’re really getting on my nerves look’. Husbands know ‘The Look’ I’m referring to. I bet that look could intimidate both Lance Armstrong and Jan Ullrich. Maybe not Chuck Norris though.

The move to Daylight Savings Time occurred first. Instead of being able to ride in the morning, when it was still getting light outside near the end of my rides, setting the clocks back an hour turned my morning ride into an adventure into pitch black. I don’t like riding when its dark for the entire length of my ride. I’m not a vampire. Then I got sick and stayed sick, off-and-on, for several weeks. It was hard to get over. And then I got into a serious funk with my online activities.

I like the idea of being able to get what I need at the Local Bike Shop (LBS). I know I can get better prices online but it’s nice to be able to walk into a LBS, get what I need, and use it the same or next day if I want to. Plus it supports the little guy and the local economy. Since I’ve moved back to Florida, though, I’ve gotten more and more upset with the LBS’ here. Here’s why.

A couple of weeks ago I posted a group ride report that I did on Labor day. I wouldn’t have normally been able to participate in that ride due to work but with the holiday I took the opportunity to do it. What was really awesome was that the start point was only about 1.5 miles from my house so I could ride to/from the group ride. @331miles mentioned that it was great that I could “ride to the ride.” I agree but finding rides that are close enough to ride our bike to isn’t easy and I began to think about why people drive to their rides and wondered just how far people would drive to ride.

PhotoC: Blacknell

Driving to ride our bike kinda seems backwards but I know lots of people do it for a number of reasons. They do it to participate in fund raising events, races, and even local group rides. Or maybe they drive to ride a particularly nice stretch of road or to get some training time in the mountains. Regardless of the reason, lots of folks drive to ride. Even if you want to participate in local group rides, chances are you probably won’t be able to ride your bike to the start/finish unless you’re lucky. When I was in Dallas I belonged to a group that really took the cake when it came to driving to the ride. They would setup Saturday rides that would routinely require a 50-75 mile drive (one-way) to the start/finish point. I liked the group, and the people in it, but I think that’s just crazy and I didn’t attend any of those rides. Back here in Florida there are plenty of local group rides going on in the area but all of them would require a significant drive to get there. Luckily I’ve got a decent bike rack for my car and can throw it on so I can drive to a local ride if I want to.

My questions to you are:

1. How far will you drive to ride for a charity event or group ride?
2. How far will you ride to participate in a group ride?

PhotoC: Blacknell

1. When he rides his bike, the earth spins faster. Or slower, depending on which direction he’s going.
2. When he crashes, it can be measured on the Richter scale. Then he gets up.
3. He doesn’t attack the Peloton, he rides it into submission.
4. After finishing the Tour de France, he rode it again. Backwards.
5. He doesn’t ride up a mountain, he takes the express elevator to heaven.
6. It’s rumored he wins races he doesn’t even participate in.
7. When he says ‘Shut Up’, his legs listen.

Jens Voigt. The Most Interesting Cyclist In The World.

Jens Voigt (Image Courtesy of Velonation.com:Jered Gruber)