I ride in a group more often than not.
I like the dynamic of hitting the trails with friends, pushing each other beyond where we may have gone on our own, and sharing trail highlights after an epic ride with buddies over a couple beers. I ride with truck drivers, students, entrepreneurs, doctors and lawyers. The riding brings us all to a common ground. It’s the social side of riding and it’s nice to be able to use your individuality and be part of a group.
With all that said, what makes me laugh when I’m out riding with the boys is the conversations I get myself involved in. There are so many different personalities and lifestyles and, yes, there are some great conversations, but almost every ride is inundated with chatter about equipment. Tires, bars, suspension, frame geometry, wheel size, air pressure. seat posts, grips and carbon, carbon, carbon…that’s a popular one! I know we all love our bikes, but if we’re going to stop trailside to debate another life altering tread pattern, maybe we should just keep riding.
Can you imagine going to a pub with your friends and talking only about the bar stools.
“Dude this is so cushy I could sit here all night, check out the chrome on those legs, and those are titanium bolts holding this thing together; Wow this is the best stool on the market, bar none.”
That would just be weird, wouldn’t it?
Yes, bikes are awesome and getting new goodies for them is really exciting. I admit I get as excited as anyone and agree these definitely merit a quick mention at the beginning of the ride.
Then let’s try to remember that we’re riding in a group to socialize a bit and maybe we have something in our lives other than a new carbon handle bar to chatter about for the next two hours.
The answer to your next questions are: yes, I am looking in a mirror as I write this and yes, I am laughing at myself.
I’m James Durand and I’m Goin’ Ridin’ …with my new suspension fork!