Cycling has parallels to life and offers a chance for teaching important life lessons

Cycling has parallels to life and offers a chance for teaching important life lessons
By:  Michael Lander

Cycling is one of many competitive sports, but for the majority of cyclists, like these on Mud
Island during the 2012 Bluff City Blues 100, it is something that they do for fun and/or
exercise.  Most cyclists, who ride in groups, and who participate in events like this, often
look out for one another, essentially working together as a team.

Life, in many ways, I think, can be just like a bike ride.  It doesn't take a lot of imagination to see the parallels that exist between it and cycling.  I recently thought about this while I was on one of my bike rides.  Since then, I have come to believe that it is entirely possible that just about everything that I need to know about life, and about the world around me, (along with some very important life lessons), could easily come from the perspective of cycling or the vantage point of a bicycle.    

As with most bike rides, life in many ways is simply just a journey that each one of us get to take.  You never know exactly what you will end up seeing or experiencing and the road ahead can be very uncertain with many twists and turns along the way.  There are times when it will all seem extremely predictable, like you've done it a million times before, but at other times, it will feel very new and different to you and part of the thrill is in not knowing what will happen next.

Occasionally, you will also experience a little pain and a few problems along the way, too, but you can expect a little of this whether in life or while riding a bike.  In either case, it is best not to let this slow you down or stop you from riding, or from living, because, if you do, you just might miss out on seeing or experiencing something worthwhile just around the corner.

Cycling, as with life itself, is really meant to be enjoyed.  It is always good to take a little time out of your day to get away and to see the world and appreciate all the wonderment and beauty that is in it.

Also, through cycling, as in life, you can come to a greater appreciation of those around you.  If you ever ride with others, you learn about working as a team, having someone there to occasionally guide you, to point out hazards along the way, and who will let you draft behind them when you are tired, doing the same for them whenever you can.  Through this you come to understand the benefits of working together with others and looking out on one another's behalf.  How much better would this world be if the rest of the world did this in their lives?

It is through cycling, too, that you can find a way to help others in need, which can be one of the most gratifying experiences that you can ever have in your life.  Riding for charitable causes are certainly one of the best ways to do this and, through it, you get the satisfaction of doing something that will benefit others while improving your own health as well.

While it is often a good idea to protect yourself from danger, watching out and paying attention to the road signs ahead, taking precautions and minimizing any unnecessary risks that are out there, this should not prevent you from living or from enjoying a good bike ride either.  Life is meant to be lived and every now and then it is necessary to take some calculated risks since success and happiness are sometimes only found when you are willing to do just that.

With cycling, as in life, you can also sometimes feel like you are being pushed to your limits and that is not necessarily always a bad thing either.  Progress, improvement, and growth often only comes when you are forced to meet or exceed your limitations.  You must, however, always be sure to take care of yourself with adequate rest, nutrition, etc.  No one is ever served by anything that negatively impacts you and your ability and performance, long-term.

Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, there are times when you will still experience disappointments and failures regardless of how hard that you try.  It is during these periods that you need to seek some inspiration, motivation and help from others.  Like on any ride, there are some parts that are easy and fun and some that are not, but you often get more from the tougher and more challenging parts, so try to learn and grow from all of these.  And if or when you fall, you should do your best to brush yourself off and to get back up and ride again, since failure only comes when you surrender.

For success in life, and in cycling, you must come to value hard work and training and try not to sweat the small stuff.  Focus instead on the important things and on what really matters.  The finish line for any race may be your ultimate goal, but in the end, what is most important is that you just did the ride and that you enjoyed yourself along the way.

Finding ability, a positive attitude, and a greater motivation for cycling

Finding ability, a positive attitude, and a greater motivation for cycling
By:  Michael G. Lander

Some cycling events can be a true test of endurance like the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's
FedEx Rock-n-Roll MS-150.  For most of the cyclists who participate in this event, it is a two-day,
150-mile bike ride.  The cyclists in this photo are pictured as the ascend what is known as "the wall"
on Day 2, (Sept. 9, 2012).

The American novelist and screenwriter, Raymond Chandler, once said that, "Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."

These words would, no doubt, resonate with anyone who has found any degree of success in sports, business, academics or any other pursuit in life.  This would be no less true for those committed to cycling, especially those who do it at a more competitive level.

It would be safe to say, like with any other athlete, a cyclist's ability to perform at a higher level often only comes through sacrifice, hard work, and intensive training.  What gets you there, however, is motivation and no world class athlete makes it without this.

From the more casual and recreational cyclist to the more competitive one, finding the motivation to ride and staying at it can be one of the biggest challenges that anyone can face.  It is for this reason that it is always important to first establish why you want to ride and what your ultimate goals are in doing it.
 
Whether it is simply a way to take in some scenery, to spend some time with friends or family, to get some exercise, or to help with losing some weight, it should always be an activity that is fun and enjoyable for you.  This will make you less inclined to try to find ways or excuses of getting out of doing it.

As in other sports, conditioning and training are absolute essentials to improving and maintaining performance in cycling.  Those who want to do better, to ride longer, and to ride faster must be willing to commit the time and resources that are necessary and this means riding as often, and with as much intensity, as you are able to.

With that, it is also a good idea to set both short-term and long-term goals and to track your progress as well.  This allows you to see how you are doing and where you are improving.  This can help you in determining what adjustments or changes you might need to make.  Working and riding with others who are more experienced cyclists themselves can also be invaluable.  Your performance can also be greatly enhanced by reading books, magazines, and online articles and by watching videos on topics related to cycling.

In addition to that, you can also search for role models to help guide and inspire you.  From national to international cycling events, cyclists have tested the limits of human endurance and accomplished amazing feats for decades.  If you live in the Memphis area and are looking for inspiration, you need only to look at Memphis native and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Kristin Armstrong.  For years, her mantra has been "You have to live with this ride," and "you're only as good as your last result."

There are times, however, that despite your best efforts , it may seem difficult or impossible to keep at it.  Anyone who has experienced the occasional pain, discomfort, and exhaustion from a long-distance bike ride knows this all too well.  Setbacks, failures, and disappointments can and should be expected, but it is important not to let this derail you from staying the course.  Lessons can always be learned and success can often come from failures, adversity and shortcomings.  The important thing is to make the most of it and to turn it around to your advantage.

Motivation relies on self-discipline, drive, and determination and it comes with knowing that most things in life worth having do not usually come easy.  It takes considerable time, effort, and perseverance to get better.  By working hard, not giving up, remaining focused on achieving your goals and by maintaining a positive attitude about it, you should be able to experience both success and a feeling of accomplishment each and every time that you meet or exceed your goals. 

The ability to succeed must first begin with motivation and then having the attitude that you can and will do it.  As the Star Trek character, Jean-Luc Picard often said, you just need to "make it so." 

Winter months should not necessarily be the end to outdoor cycling in Memphis

Winter months should not necessarily be the end to outdoor cycling in Memphis
By:  Michael Lander

The Memphis area doesn't usually see much snow accumulation, but when it does
snow, even that doesn't deter some of the die-hard cycling enthusiasts from getting
out and riding in it.

With a cold, brisk wind hitting their faces, and the occasional tingling sensation of cold fingers and toes, there are some who do not let winter stop them from doing one of things that they love to do most.

The winter months are a time of shorter hours of daylight, colder temperatures, and for all, but a few, it usually means a lot more time spent inside than out.

Bike riding in the winter months in Memphis may sometimes seem like a true test of endurance, leading some to believe that some cyclists possess an extraordinarily high tolerance for cold weather than most Memphians otherwise seem to have.

These cyclists often earn the respect and admiration from those who want to ride in the winter months, but who just don't think that they could possibly tolerate a bike ride when it feels like they are spending that time in a walk-in freezer.

For these other cyclists, winter is the time when outside bike rides often trail off, and come to an end, and the indoor stationary bike or trainer gets the time and attention that it didn't otherwise get for most of the spring, summer, and fall.

As most avid cyclists would readily concede, however, the indoor bikes and trainers are barely an adequate substitute for the level of workout that they get, and the enjoyment that they experience, from actually being outside and riding.

Winter doesn't stop everyone from venturing out and riding.  After riding several hours on
the trails at the Wolf River Greenway, and Yssac Ramirez, (on the left) and
Jordan Reifler, (on the right), call it a day and head back to their cars.

Even though riding a bike throughout the winter months does present its own unique set of challenges, it might be well worth some serious consideration for those who might be interested in having an alternative to that indoor bike.

As those who ride throughout the winter will tell you, getting acclimated to the cold is certainly a part of it, but it is also a matter of preparation and dressing appropriately in winter weather clothing too.  This also includes dressing in one or more layers with a non-absorbent base layer next to the skin which helps to repel and whisk the sweat away from the body.

The inner base layer should be made of any synthetic whisking fiber and you should avoid anything made of cotton since it just absorbs sweat and keeps it next to your skin. 

The layering is absolutely essential in helping to trap a certain amount of body heat and keeping your body at a temperature that you are comfortable enough with.  As important as it is to do this though, it is equally important not to overdress either since that will cause your body to overheat, to sweat more, and to quickly make you feel much colder whenever you have to stop moving. 

It may take several rides to see just how many layers that you feel best with and you may require less as you become accustomed to the cold and whenever you increase the intensity level on your bike ride.

For outer wear, a light wind or waterproof jacket should be sufficient and, ideally, one that will allow excessive body heat to escape.  The jacket you choose should accommodate either cold and wet or cold and dry conditions.  When it is cold and wet, it is good to have a jacket that has vents with zippers on it.  When it is cold and dry, a soft-shelled jacket that allows wind to penetrate is best since it will help to counter-act the effects of your body heat.

For the head, a helmet with a liner and or a thin knit cap will help you to retain some body heat.  A balaclava (or ski mask) will help to keep your head and face warm and, if you prefer, it can be pulled down over the neck instead.

For the fingers, it is good to have a pair of well-insulated, foam padded gloves for the palms that are waterproof, that provide an adequate grip, and that have the flexibility to allow you to change gears and to squeeze the brakes.  A hybrid glove with a mitten design is especially good for helping to keep your fingers warm and a gauntlet length will cover part of your wrists and fit over or under the cuffs of your jacket.

For the toes, it is a good idea to have some warm socks (multiple pairs, if possible) so that they can remain as warm and comfortable as possible.  Toe covers and booties (socks that fit over your shoes) will provide additional warmth for your feet.

One other thing to consider when riding during the winter months is to keep a bike in really good condition with frequent maintenance and cleaning, so that everything remains in good working order.  Always remove sand, dirt, salt, or other debris that may have accumulated on a bike with special attention given to the chain and to the brakes.  Periodic checks of other parts of the bike, like the cassette and the rear derailleur, should also be done as well.

Braving the cold wind and 30-degree temperatures are Elizabeth Owen, her husband,
Curt, and his brother, Kevin.  They decided to take a late Saturday afternoon bike ride
from the Wolf River Greenway to Shelby Farms and back.  They joined about a dozen
other cyclists who also chose to ride in spite of the cold temperatures.

Because of less daylight hours in the winter, bikes should also be equipped with lights and reflectors for added safety.  Thick tires, with a sufficient  tread are definitely recommended and they should be under-inflated, with a little less pressure than normal.  This will put more of the tire on the surface of the road and should provide for better traction.

Throughout most of the winter months, the Memphis area is usually spared a significant accumulation of snow and ice so it isn't often a factor that cyclists typically have to contend with.

On those rare occasions when cyclists do encounter this type of weather, however, they should take some precautions and be prepared for whatever conditions that they might face.  This means not only have a bike that is ready and equipped for winter weather, with things like studded tires, but also allowing for more time to ride slower, trying to avoid riding where you cannot see the road surface, and being especially cautious on roads that have not been cleared, treated, or that have had very little, if any, traffic on them.

Finally, it is also important, whenever you ride out in cold weather, to eat enough in order to provide sufficient fuel for your body and to stay hydrated.  With the cooler temperatures, it is often easy to overlook this, but you are always at risk of dehydration whenever you sweat.  Also, since the air is usually drier during the winter, you are much more likely to lose moisture simply through breathing alone.

By just following these few simple steps, and by just dressing properly for the colder weather conditions, there is no reason that Memphis-area cyclists should always have to settle for just riding on an indoor bike when they can ride outdoors throughout most of the winter instead.

Memphians, and Others, Find Another Thing to Love About Memphis

Memphians, and Others, Find Another Thing to Love About Memphis
 By:  Michael G. Lander

In less than a decade, Memphis has seen a proliferation of bike lanes, trails, and paths,
like this one that runs parallel to Humphreys Blvd., that people in and around the city
of Memphis have been quick to take advantage of.

Throughout each season, and through countless fields, along small creeks, and surrounded by tree-lined trails and pathways, they come.  Some are walking, others running, and still others are riding their bikes. 

Many cities around the country, for many years now, have led the way in creating bike and pedestrian trails and paths, offering an amenity to those within their communities that many have increasingly taken advantage of.

Whether for exercise, or just for fun, those who venture out to these places get to experience the wonderment and beauty of nature, often within, or around, the confines of the urban jungle that surrounds them.

For years, dozens of cities around the country were leading the way in creating bike and pedestrian trails and paths like Boulder, Colo., Chicago, Ill., Minneapolis, Minn., Portland, Ore., and San Francisco, among others.  In some cases, they converted former railroad lines for this new and welcomed use in what is known as rails-to-trails. 

Realizing the value and benefits of it, and with foresight and a vision, other city leaders paved the way as Memphis seemed to make no move in that direction and lagged far behind these other progressive-minded trailblazers.

While Memphis successfully promoted other venues for attracting tourists and visitors to the city, there was very little evidence that city leaders were willing or able to invest the necessary resources in developing bike and pedestrian facilities or in an infrastructure dedicated purely for recreational purposes that would benefit the health and well-being of its residents.  With no elected officials articulating a vision, or any obvious support for this, there was nothing much to instill any hope or confidence that this would ever come about in Memphis.

With little room for optimism, the negative voices who always seem to find fault, and something wrong with their city, and its leaders, once again seemed to prevail.

Fortunately, for Memphis and its residents, this was not the end of the story.  Within the last six years, the city's mayor, A.C. Wharton, appointed the first bike and pedestrian coordinator, Kyle Wagenschutz, and through a public and private partnership, and the combined efforts of many, Memphis and the surrounding areas have created new trails, paths, and bike lanes at an unprecedented pace.  The first segment of the Memphis Greenline opened in 2010 with a handful of others that soon followed.  

Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Wolf River
and the Germantown Greenways as Germantown Mayor Sharon Goldsworthy looks on.

Aside from the recreational aspect of cycling, the city has also helped to lay the groundwork for making bikes an alternative form of transportation for some Memphians with long range plans to make it a more viable option in the future.

Since it recently begun its efforts, Memphis been recognized as one of the most improved cities for cycling, which has helped to shine a favorable light on the city and giving us all something to be very proud of.  With further extensions planned on several existing trails and paths, and an eventual one on the Harahan Bridge, and over the Mississippi River to West Memphis, Ark., it is sure to attract even more attention and visitors to our city and giving everyone just another positive thing to love about Memphis.