I'm a pretty avid cyclist. Back ten years ago I used to put in over 200 miles a week.
Then I took a few years off.
I started cycling again in 1998. I'm not quite to the point where I used to be, but I'm getting better. Next year will be my year!
Back in early 2003 we bought a tandem. It took a while to get used to, but now we are getting better. It is a great machine.
I currently ride a GT 3000Z. It's a pretty good bike. Shimano 105 components. Yes, I'd love to have the Dura-Ace, or what ever, but I'm doing fine.
I go in and out of being an equipment nut. Sometimes I think I need an "X" or a "Y" to make myself a better rider. Maybe a whole new bike. A Euro-racer that weighs in at 8 kg including the tires.
And then I remember what I used to ride.
For years I rode a Diamond Back cross bike, or hybrid. It was one of the early cross bikes. It had a heavy crome-allo frame that had a road bike's geometry. It had big, knobby tires. It was a beast.
I used it as a road bike. I used to put in average speeds of over 20 mph on a consistent basis. I've beat a 19 mph average on my road bike only a handful of times.
I guess it's not the bike…..
I love bicycling.
The sense of freedom.
The sense of accomplishment after a hard ride.
Time by myself.
The camaraderie of group rides.
Having sports car owners get mad because you beat them off the line at a red light.
Words cannot do it justice. If you don't bike, I can't explain it to you. If you do, you already know.
New Hampshire is a great place to cycle. Some people would call it too hilly, but that just makes it more challenging.
New Hampshire is a beautiful state. One of the best ways to see it is on the bike. I know my way around many of the back roads of southern New Hampshire not from driving, but from cycling.
There are avid cyclists everywhere. New Hampshire is no different. I belong to the Granite State Wheelman, a New Hampshire bike club. Lot's of great people.