Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Cycling Objectives - Lessons reminded

My recent visit to Australia has reminded me and has brought me down to earth.

The two cities that I happen to visit is Adelaide and Sydney. Both are cyling friendly cities which has dedicated bike lanes and bike facilities such as bike parking spots and bike friendly public transport system.

The cyclist over there are not very hung up on fashionable bikes but cycles with an objective of health and getting to destination. Unlike me, who of late, seems to be drawn to having a nice bike and nice jersey but is horrendous in the art of cycling. Bottom line, I have been adultrated with the wrong sets of culture and values.

Even visiting bike shops, which much to my wifes' disgust, i noticed that the stock of high end cycling stuff are rare. Frames such as Specialized Tarmac SL is a rare thing and Groupset such as Campy Chorus/Record, Shimano Dura ace/Ultegra are kept in jewel case and brought out for select few customers. Bikes that are equiped with the Shimano 105 (for those in the know) are considered high performance equiped bikes.

Wheelsets such as Token are considered highend rims and is kept together with the Zipps and the Reynold. I think, we in Malaysia are spoilt for choice and spend extravagently on cycling without actually looking at the proper objective of cycling (in this case for me, I have lost my values)

My take home is that I should be grateful for what I have invested and lets focus on the sports and not on the bike.

8 comments:

Vicious Cycle said...

good one..thats what ive felt during my trip in Neatherlands.

As long as they have their bikes and cafe....

Anonymous said...

+1 bro, when I was in Sydney and told my groupset wa
s Ultegra SL ..ternga nga mulut depa. That experience left me humbled and remind me 'its not about the bike. thats why sampai hari ni aku tak upgrade besi burok aku.

Anonymous said...

Well spoken.....i truly believe in legs rather than bling bling...but...me like u of late i have been so focused in upgrading me bike forgetting that I should be upgrading me legs too...after reading wat you have written ....its really an eye opener......cheers....

The Editor said...

Hey thanks guys, didnt know many of u share this trivial observation.

Anonymous said...

Yes Bro.
i give u 2 tumbs up for that comment
...

Anonymous said...

it's very subjective, just like a car, be it kancil to MB Brabus, bottomline is from point A to point B.

As long as you spend within your own limit and not getting the $ from Ah Long for the upgrade. I think it's ok. After all, you only live once and be good for yourself for the hard earned $ and reward yourself once in a while.

why not?

Anonymous said...

hmm that woud not be according to EURO CYCLIST CODE OF CONDUCT .. hehehhehehehe

Ride 2 infinity n beyond said...

what would u rather be, the rider with the bike to complement him or the other way round? ha ha ;p