A few years ago we made the decision to become a zero-car family. Gas was through the roof, parking fees weren’t much better and our old veedub was spending more time in the shop than on the road. Commuting on foot just made sense.
We were more than happy with our new transport arrangements, until the day a Dahon store opened around the corner from my office. Within the month we were zipping around town our our new ‘foldys.’
During the week we commuted to work and back and on the weekends we’d ride to the mall to watch a movie. While no big shakes in terms of distance (we’re talking a mile each way), these excursions were having a positive effect on our health and wellbeing.
Along with increasing our overall fitness, they were honing our cycling chops and making us more confident riders. Which is why, about a month after buying our bikes, I decided a bigger challenge was in order.
From Commuter Cyclist to Event Entrant
“I’m going to enter the Cape Town Cycle Tour,” I announced to my wife one evening after work.
At 109 km (67 miles), the Cycle Tour was an ambitious goal to attempt on a folding bicycle. While great for city commuting, they’re not exactly geared towards long distances. At least, that’s what those in the know would have said, if I’d bothered to ask their opinion.
“I think I’ll ride for charity,” I continued, hoping to pique her interest.
“Oh?” She looked up from her laptop.
Now I had her.
“Yip, it doesn’t make sense to cycle that distance unless you’re doing it for a cause, right?”
“Okay, well in that case I’ll do it with you,” she replied enthusiastically.
Yass!
What followed was months of focused training. We sweated, we cried, we bickered, but most of all, we had fun.
Goodbye, Comfort Zone!
I received my first bicycle at the age of four, my wife received hers when we went to collect our new Dahon foldys. The discrepancy in our respective skill-sets was vast, but not for long.
(She may have been a greenhorn on the bike, but my wife had determination on her side.)
That initial month of commuting short distances increased our base fitness significantly, but upping our mileage in preparation for the race was still tough. Not least of all because spending that much time in the saddle is hard on the butt.
We kept at it, though, and before long the rides became easier. Eventually we reached a point where we felt confident we’d be able to accomplish our goal.
We’d be back-of-the-packers for sure, but for us it was about the experience. The lycra-brigade were welcome to race, we just wanted to ride. And that’s what we did.
A Slight Change of Plan
Cape Town Cycle Tour
Unfortunately, the year we entered the Cape Town Cycle Tour was the same year the route was cut short due to a devastating wildfire that tore around the peninsula.
Improvising at the last minute, race directors created a short 47 km (29 miles) out and back route that paled in comparison to the real thing.
Was I disappointed that we never got to ride the full route? Absolutely. But at the end of the day, we got to ride the year it mattered, and somehow that meant more.
Essentially, biking a mile (or two) every day for a month led me to doing something I never would have even considered. So often it’s the seemingly small things that lead to the truly momentous ones.
I’m not suggesting you have to enter a big race (unless you want to, of course), but it’s worth being open to new things. You never know where they will take you or what doors they’ll open.
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