Competitiveness and perseverance makes for better cyclists

Competitiveness and perseverance makes for better cyclists
By:  Michael G. Lander

Competitiveness, and the desire to win, is often one of the greatest
motivators for those participating in cycling events.

Exhilaration, pride and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment often come with winning. Professional racing cyclist, André Greipel, described the feeling that he had when crossing the finish line and winning one of the stages in the Tour de France as a "few seconds in heaven."   It is the kind of sentiment that many other successful cyclists have either felt or wished for each and every time that they have competed.

Everyone who competes wants to win, to be recognized for their hard work, and to experience those few fleeting moments of glory.  It is what motivates most athletes and it is what they live and strive for.
 
Down deep inside, every one of us shares that very same desire to compete and to win at something and, in the competitive world that we live in, just about everyone loves, admires or respects a winner. Ultimately, when it comes down to it, competition is good for all of us.  It is a great motivator, providing each of us with a goal and inspiring us to always improve and to excel.  It also adds excitement and thrill for those who compete as well as for those who are just watching all of it on the sidelines.

Competition, however, does not always have to be against others.  For many non-competitive cyclists it can simply be a way of racing against yourself, in which you strive to surpass your previous accomplishments and where you seek to achieve new personal bests.

For these and other cyclists, getting better and finding success at it requires a tremendous amount of dedication, commitment, and sacrifice.  Along with that, it also takes a willingness and stamina to stick with it even when there might be a temptation just to give up and to quit.

Cycling, especially over really long distances, can be extremely challenging, demanding and tough.  Not everyone can do it.  On these long rides, cyclists can sometimes experience a lot of soreness, discomfort and pain.  It can be particularly brutal when it is oppressively hot and suffocating like a typical summer day in Memphis often is or when you encounter a strong headwind or come across hills that have an incline that seem go on forever. 

Ultimately, like in many other sports, cycling can be a real test of endurance, requiring a higher threshold and tolerance for pain.  As grueling and as tough as it might sometimes be, though, the most passionate and competitive of cyclists learn to gut it out and not to let this get the best of them.  Quitting, for them, is never really an option.  They would undoubtedly agree with Lance Armstrong when he once said that, "pain is temporary.... quitting lasts forever" and with the legendary NFL coach, Vince Lombardi, who said that "quitters never win and winners never quit."

It is through dogged determination and perseverance that competitive and long distance cyclists are able to overcome the many challenges that they face and are able to conquer almost any adversity that they encounter.  This is not to say that they do not experience setbacks or defeats along the way, but it is how they respond to failure that distinguishes them from everyone else.
  
All true champions fully understand what ABC's Wide World of Sports famously described as "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat."  Triumphs do not come without a combination of both of these and in some ways, success sometimes only comes through defeat.  Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, defeat can sometimes become the motivation to bring about or to give rise to victories that otherwise would not have been possible.  No victory is more sweet than one that comes from the ashes of failure and disappointment.

Whether it is in a competitive race or not, there is always a sense of accomplishment or, at the very least, a feeling of satisfaction and relief whenever you finally cross any finish line.  It is the culmination and the validation of all the time that is spent preparing and training for it. 

You can only get to that point by staying the course, by not giving up or quitting, and by finding motivation or inspiration that comes from competition.  From all of this, better cyclists invariably come and world cycling champions like André Greipel are made.

Best reasons for Memphians to consider either running and/or cycling

Best reasons for Memphians to consider either running and/or cycling
By:  Michael Lander

With adequate training, cyclists can ride up to 100 miles or more in a
single day.  These cyclists are one of several hundred participating
in a two-day, 150-milebike ride in 2012 for the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society.

Some prefer to run, others would rather ride.  Though different in many respects, both runners and cyclists have much in common with one another, reaping some of the same health benefits, sharing some of the same roads, the same trails, and often many of the same goals. 

Often identified as two of the more popular forms of aerobic exercise that anyone can do, both running and cycling can be done either indoors or out, alone or with others.  For most though, when given the choice, nothing beats being able to take your workout outdoors, turning the outside world into your own personal workout area.

In Memphis, it is obvious that a growing number of people are doing just that with many taking advantage of the burgeoning number of multi-purpose trails and dedicated bike lanes.  This is coupled with an increasing awareness and acceptance of runners and cyclists who are becoming a very familiar sight as more and more Memphians are putting on their running shoes or getting out on their bikes and riding.

Cyclists have a number of places where they can ride with many
drawn to the Shelby Farms Greenline trail, among others.

Even though runners and cyclists don't exactly compete against one another, (and it wouldn't exactly be a fair race if they actually ever did), comparisons, invariably can and should be expected.  These can be especially helpful to anyone who is looking to get into shape and is considering whether to start running or to take up cycling.  Each of the two certainly has its own set of pros and cons and it should be factored into any decision as to which might be best and which will meet the needs for each and every individual.

When it comes to cycling, one of the biggest advantages that it has over running is that it allows you to cover a lot more territory, and to see more scenery, than you can typically get on most runs.  Cycling can also serve a more practical purpose in that it can allow you can travel to and from places, over longer distances, in which you can carry things that you couldn't reasonably do while running.   

Also, cycling is often seen by many experts as being easier on the body than running can be.  Dr. Hirofumi Tanaka, a professor of kinesiology and director of the Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin said, "Cycling is a non-weight bearing activity, so it is better for your knees and joints."

Another option for cyclists is to do some off-road, mountain
bike trails. These can be a great workout and they can offer
an exciting alternative for those interested in riding something
besides the roads or other paved surfaces.

One of the biggest disadvantages with cycling, it would seem, is the cost that is often associated with it.  The most significant expense is the initial investment in the bike itself, but after that, there is the cost of routine maintenance and repair and then the added cost of any gear and equipment that you might want to have for your bike and then there is the money that you will need to spend on clothing and a helmet. 

In addition to that, cyclists are always going to encounter greater wind resistance and the hills are going to be much harder to climb than a runner is likely to experience.  Also, there is a greater risk of more serious injuries and accidents that can occur on a bike, especially when riding on the roads. 

To help minimize or alleviate some of the risks involved with that, it may help to ride with other cyclists and it might make it more fun by doing that.  If you are looking for others to ride with in the Memphis area, you can join a bike club like the Memphis Hightailers or the Hernando Bicycle Club in Mississippi.

Men's Health conducted a short comparative look at cycling verses running and which one of these is best.  They considered which will get you fit the fastest, which one will help build muscle better, help with losing weight, and which one will cause less wear and tear on your body.  Their conclusion was that cycling won in three of these four categories with running edging out cycling when it comes to weight loss.

Runners have a wide range of options in places that they can go to run
and a couple of running groups that they can join if they're interested. 
This group of runners are members of one of Memphis' running clubs,
Star Runners, crossing over the bridge from Mud Island and heading east
toward downtown Memphis.

Aside from helping lose more weight, running is also less expensive than cycling can be.  About all that you need is a good pair of running shoes and you are good to go.  Running, for the most part, also provides a high intensity aerobic workout that you may not always get on a bike ride and you can get away with being out in inclement weather conditions that are not necessarily practical or sensible to try to do on a bike. 

Like with cycling, runners may find more safety in numbers as well and they have the option of several running clubs in the Memphis area to choose from like Star Runners and the Memphis Runners Track Club.

Even though some may see running or cycling as an either or proposition, there are several good reasons for considering the idea of actually doing both.  Susan Lacke identified some of the more convincing reasons for doing both in her blog entitled "5 Ways Cycling Can Make You a Stronger Runner."  In it she said that cycling can be an excellent cross-training activity for runners, helping to strengthen complementary muscles, provide active recovery, and can get you well on your way to becoming a triathlete, should you have ambitions for doing that.

Running, as with cycling, is growing increasingly popular in and
around the city of Memphis with members of both groups
experiencing the cardiovascular and other health benefits
associated with each activity.

While it is not uncommon to see runners who are willing to try cycling, especially after suffering an injury or after experiencing some sort of knee or joint pain, there are probably a lot more cyclists who are reluctant to make any attempt at running.  Some, it would seem, would be willing to do it only if they were being chased by somebody. 

For them, this may be one of those times that they might want to look at this situation as if it were like a bicycle gear, but one that required a paradigm shift, so to speak.  By doing that, and considering the benefits of doing both, it can provide for an alternative workout that may help them with becoming an even better cyclist than they currently are.

Whether you run or ride or do both, the main thing is to get out and do something.   "Greater aerobic fitness is closely linked to a reduced risk of chronic disease and a longer life span," Dr. Hirofumi Tanaka said and ultimately, in the end, you really can't go wrong with choosing to either run, to ride a bike, or to do a combination of both.  Either way, you will undoubtedly benefit with better health and a much better quality of life.

Bike trails and city roads offer Memphis area cyclists with choices to meet the needs of all

Bike trails and city roads offer Memphis area cyclists with choices to meet the needs of all

By:  Michael Lander

Even though there are some inherent risks involved with it, riding on the road is
often the best option for those cyclists who want to ride fast and who want to
ride long distances.

We all love having choices.  It is something that we all want, and something that we all have come to expect in our day-to-day lives.  This is no less true for those who enjoy spending part of their time, and life, on a bike. 

When it comes to choices in places to ride, life could not be much better for cyclists who live in and around the city of Memphis.  The number of options has been greatly enhanced over the last couple of years with the recent development of new bike lanes and trails that have come about in and around our Mid-South city.  

In very little time, we have witnessed a new and ever-growing network of bike lanes and paved bike and pedestrian trails that have grown exponentially and have become an integral part of our ever-evolving urban landscape.

Aside from being a welcomed sight for cyclists, runners and others, these new bike lanes and trails are also helping to unify and bring neighborhoods closer together, especially as they begin to tie in and interconnect with one another.  It is on these bike lanes and trails where people are being brought together, where they can share and enjoy the same common areas meant for anyone and everyone.

If there is a problem with any of this for cyclists, it is only in them trying to decide whether they want to hit the road, to hit the trails, or do a combination of both.  Ultimately, for some, it often simply comes down to a matter of preference, but for those who are new to cycling, or who are unsure about which might be best for them, the decision could easily come down to two simple things.  The first of these involves the type of cyclist that you are and the other is what you want to get out of the rides that you plan to do.

For those who are new to cycling, or who consider themselves to be more recreational cyclists, the paved trails may be the best place for you to go to.  For the most part, they are relatively easy and flat and a cyclist can travel at a much slower, more leisurely pace when they visit them.  This is especially nice if you are more interested in talking and just enjoying some time with friends and family. 

The trails are also ideal for riding with smaller children who are just beginning to ride and who are too young to be out riding out anywhere else on their own.  The trails are also quite scenic, particularly in the spring and fall, and they are one of the best ways for cyclists to see the beauty of nature with many places that you can stop and to really take it all in.

The bike trails, like the Shelby Farms Greenline, are often the best choice for those who
who are new to cycling, who may not be comfortable riding on the roads, and who
are a lot more interested in moving at a slower pace.

If there is any downside to the trails, though, it is that they can sometimes be a little congested with pedestrians, runners, people walking their dogs, parents pushing strollers, and so on.  This is often the case on weekends and when the weather is really nice.  When they are congested like this, it can make for slow-going for those on a bike.  Also, because they sometimes intersect with some streets from time to time, it may mean some frequent stopping and waiting before it is safe to cross.

For those who want to avoid some of this, the roads may be the best option for you.  This is especially true for those who are more serious cyclists and who want to train for long-distance rides and who want to be able to go fast.  Because there are more dangers for cyclists on the roadways, you have to be more cautious and careful and constantly aware of what is going on around you.  Since you are out in traffic, you must know and follow all the rules of the road and that essentially means just acting and behaving like you would as if you were in your car.

Whether you have a preference for the trails or for the roads, it is nice every now and then to switch things up and do one or the other or both just for a little variety.  Each has their own distinctive advantages over the other and they both offer cyclists a chance to try something a little different for a change.  Either way, it gives all cyclists a choice and that is always a good thing for everyone.

Best parts of cycling greatly outweigh any downside; getting better takes effort, but comes with big pay-off

Best parts of cycling greatly outweigh any downside; getting better takes effort, but comes with big pay-off

By:  Michael Lander

One of the best parts of cycling for some is training and riding together with friends who
also love cycling.  There are also some who do it as a way to support one or more charitable
organizations, like the Wings Cancer Foundation, who sponsor bike riding events for
fundraising purposes.  In this photo, from left to right, is Brian Jones, John Kakares,
and Chuck Bolton, all from Memphis.

Hot, tired, and sore...... That just about sums up how I felt after finishing most bike rides, especially in that first year when I returned to cycling after a 27-year hiatus.  This was also a time before I fully acclimated myself to the oppressive and suffocating heat that we regularly experience in the summer months in Memphis.

As tough as it sometimes was, following that first year of riding, I kept at it, riding as hard and as often as I could.  My ultimate goal was to better prepare myself for some long distance charity cycling events that I wanted to do, but I quickly found that I really enjoyed it, especially as I got faster and was able to go even longer distances.  Since then, I have logged thousands of miles over more than six years, and I have seen and experienced all that is great about cycling.

For most avid cyclists like me, the best part of cycling often far outweighs any downside that might come along with it.  For some, it is all about the fun and enjoyment of it and the time that they get to spend with friends who share their love of cycling. 

For others, it is about that great feeling that they get after a really strenuous workout or that wonderful sense of accomplishment after winning a race or just completing a long and difficult bike ride.  Whatever the reasons might be, the drive to go back to it again and again can have an irrepressible hold on you.  Some might compare it to a drug, but it is one, I believe, that comes without all the bad side effects.

Along with all the good that can come out of cycling, though, there are some parts of it that are not exactly that easy to overcome.  Like any other demanding physical activity, it does not come without a price.  This price for most cyclists is the time, effort, and expense that they have to put into it and the occasional pain and discomfort of riding, whether it is soreness in the arms, legs or contact areas of a bicycle seat, or the occasional leg cramps, to the numb and tingly sensation in one or both hands. 

Even though there is not always an easy remedy for all the pain and discomfort that a cyclist will encounter, for most, a lot of soreness can often be reduced by riding as frequently as possible and by doing some other additional strength training to augment this.  Having a bike that is properly fitted to your size is also critical for riding more comfortably too. 

Proper nutrition is equally important with consuming plenty of carbohydrates before attempting any long distance bike ride.  Cramping can also be a problem for some and that can be alleviated by occasionally stretching while riding and by getting a sufficient amount of electrolytes before and during a ride and by remaining adequately hydrated throughout it. 

It is also a good idea to invest in cycling clothes that will keep the sweat away from your body with shorts that have pads that will offer some amount of cushioning and will keep you as dry as possible.  Anti-chafing ointments and creams, like Skin Sake, will also help you with protecting against friction and preventing the development of saddle sores.

Beyond the practical suggestions and advice, though, a big part of overcoming pain while riding means becoming accustomed to a certain level of discomfort associated with it and by developing  a high enough tolerance and threshold for pain.  Even though some may already have that, for others it is something that should come to them in time. 

As with any other physical activity, there is a lot of truth in the maxim of "no pain, no gain," and pain is almost always the first step in the process for improvement.  It is sometimes helpful to see this as something that it is only temporary and one way to help minimize the effects of this is to ride as often as you can.  This should help to lessen soreness as your body adjusts and your muscles become better conditioned. 

It might make it easier to endure the initial stage of conditioning when it is seen as a means to an end with an ultimate pay-off when you reach the goals and objectives that you have set for yourself.  You just have to be willing to push yourself and to put up with some of the pain and discomfort on the front end in order to eventually achieve these later on. 

There is tremendous amount that someone can gain through cycling and anyone can get better at it by just doing it often, by pushing themselves just a little harder, and making sure that they always enjoy  it.  As long as it remains fun and rewarding for you, being hot, tired, and sore should not be enough to keep you away from doing it.

Questions and Answers on Bicycle Safety

Questions and Answers on Bicycle Safety
By:  Michael Lander

Since returning to cycling in 2007, I have been an active proponent of an activity that
I have really come to love.  Along with that, because of some of the risks and dangers
that are involved with cycling, I have also felt the need to encourage and promote
safety for all those who decide to ride.

 On Aug. 8, 2013, University of Memphis Daily Helmsman Reporter, Samantha Esgro, asked six questions of me for a possible feature story that the editorial staff had assigned to her on bicycle safety.  Even though the story never ran, I thought that it was a topic that would still be of interest and concern to those who ride a bike.  With them in mind, I decided that I would share the questions and answers that I provided to The Daily Helmsman, with some additional information included, in the hope that it will further promote safety for all cyclists.

Question #1:  What are some of the basic rules cyclists (bikers) should know before they begin?
Answer:  Some of the very basic rules that cyclists should follow are pretty simple and more-or-less common sense.  Cyclists should act no different than any motorized vehicle operators do on the road.  Since they are moving slower, though, they should stay on the far right of the road so that cars and other motor vehicles can easily pass them.  They should also obey all the rules of the road, stopping at red lights, etc.  At intersections they should give hand signals to indicate which direction that they are going in and it is also important that they go with the flow of traffic and not against it.  If at all possible, they should try to avoid riding on sidewalks.  If they must ride on a sidewalk, it is important that the cyclist slow down and that they yield to any pedestrians. I have a website that I developed and maintain that provides some other useful tips and helpful information for cyclists at:  http://memphiscyclist.com/index.html and I offer additional information on twitter @memphiscyclist.  There is also an excellent five and half minute Tiger Bike Safety video, (uploaded on Oct. 2, 2013), that was created for students at the University of Memphis that others might also find extremely helpful as well.  
 
Question #2:  Why are these rules necessary to follow?

Answer:  As for the rules, I would probably advise that every cyclist take them all serious and to follow them as best they can.  Unlike a car, cyclists have no barrier or protection if they are hit so they cannot afford to do anything wrong, like running stop signs or red lights.  Doing so could cause them serious injury or even result in death.

Question #3:  Can you think of any rules that people wouldn't guess existed?

Answer:  I am not exactly sure what rules people may or may not be aware of, but the biggest things that I see bicyclists that do that are wrong includes riding against traffic instead of with it and riding on the sidewalks when they should actually be out on the road instead.

Question #4:  Where can beginner cyclists (bikers) go to find a list of laws?

Answer:  Local and state laws for cycling can be found by doing a search on the Internet, but I would advise that beginning cyclists in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi go to my website for a list of laws.  I created this specifically to help give cyclists one place to go to get a complete set of laws concerning cycling.  Here is a link to that webpage:  http://memphiscyclist.com/html/bikelaws.html.

Question #5:  How safe is cycling (biking)?
Answer:  Like anything else, there are some risks involved in cycling, especially for those who are on the roads, but it should not be enough to stop anyone from doing it.  The main thing that cyclists should do is to always pay attention and to know and to follow the rules of the road as anyone else on the road should do.  For their own safety, cyclists should also do a couple of additional things to help minimize the risks.  For starters, I always recommend that they wear a helmet.  In addition to that, I would advise them to wear brightly-colored clothes and that they have reflectors & lights on their bikes, especially if riding in the early morning or late evening, so that they can easily be seen.  It is also a good idea to make sure that a bike is in good working order, with the tires inflated to the appropriate PSI (as indicated on the tires) and that the brakes are working properly.  Also, cyclists should always make it clear what they are doing and where they are going by giving the appropriate hand signals.  Above all else, cyclists should always be aware of what is going on around them and not leaving others guessing what they are about to do or where they are going.

Question #6:  How long have you been cycling (biking)? What got you started?

Answer:  I started back to cycling in 2007.  Since then, I have really gotten into it and have ridden for many charitable causes that I wanted to support.  That was really the biggest motivator for me to ride.  In addition to that though, I have also found cycling to be a lot of fun and that it is a great way to get exercise and to stay in shape.  I also like that it is an environmentally-friendly means of transportation too.  What has made cycling even more enticing for me has been what the City of Memphis has done to make cycling even better and safer for cyclists with new bike lanes and trails and by appointing the first Bike & Pedestrian Coordinator.  Because of all this, and my love for cycling, I created my cycling website to give Memphis area cyclists everything that they might want or need to know and it is also my way of giving back to the local community.  I hope that this, and all of the many efforts that have been made in Memphis will get people to consider riding a bike and maybe doing that instead of just jumping in a car whenever they want to go somewhere.  It would be better for them and the environment if they did.