Tag: Bicycling Olathe and Beyond

This morning I was watching a newer video by GCN – Global Cycling Network that had tips on how to know if you have lost sight on why you ride your bike.  And it got me to thinking about Why I Ride My Bike.

EXERCISE
I’m +50 years old and sit in an office most of my work days and talk with people. Not many calories burned there.  When I ride, I like my body.  I breath better, feel better, sleep better.  I look better.  When I take extended time off the bike, all those positives begin to dissipate.

RECHARGE TIME
Another reason why I ride my bike is hidden in the first reason; I talk with people all day.  Happily, my work office sits right in front of a paved trail that can take me on a 33 mile loop. I can get on my bike and just ride. Then I can think…or not think.  I can ponder issues to be tackled or I can just consider my cadence and speed.  Or I can choose to concentrate on any wildlife I may see.  It’s “me” time.

SOCIALIZING
In all of us there are contradictions.  I like my “me” time to recharge. And I like to ride with like minded bicycle riders.  In fact, I lead a Meetup group here in Olathe, Kansas called BOB – Bicycling Olathe and Beyond.  We have strictly social rides and we have rides that go out for 50-60 miles.  Generally, people group themselves pretty well.  You can really get to know people when you spend 4 hours with them cycling week after week.

CHILDLIKE FUN
Perhaps most importantly, I love feeling the wind through my hair as I zig zag down a street switching my body weight from one side of the bike to the other.  Now, those of you that know me know I don’t have any hair, so that may have been figuratively speaking, mind you.  The point is, riding a bike is just plain fun for me.

I would love to hear from you why you ride your bike now that I have shared with you why I ride my bike.

2018 was a year of not-enough-rides by Bicycling Olathe and Beyond…BOB for short.  There were personal reasons for that.  2019 will be different. We now have darned near 500 members, most of which I’ve never met.  Here is what I am asking from you…

Additional Organizer
I’m looking to add one additional organizer who will be in charge of the more recreational rides. Rides like 5-10 miles on the Indian Creek or Tomahawk Creek Trails, or just tooling around Shawnee Mission or Heritage Parks.  These rides are strictly for the fun of it.  No drop.  No requirements other than to have a good time.  Social rides, if you will.  Definitely family friendly rides.

Social Organizer
I’m looking for someone that will organize 2-3 Meetups for bicycle riders around southern JoCo.  Not a ride, but a gathering.  Maybe we reserve the back area of The Other Place in Olathe, or space at the new Peanut in Olathe?  Anyone willing to take this on?

Mountain Bike Organizer
Frankly, I gave mountain biking up.  I don’t like rock gardens.  Yet, we have quite a few people that inquire about mountain bike meetups.  So if you’d like to take charge of this, let me know.  We’d love to help you facilitate those.

Contact Chris to be an Organizer

Gravel Rides
Over the last couple years I have really gotten in to gravel riding.  And as luck would have it, I have a small place out in the Flint Hills  about halfway between Emporia and Council Grove, Kansas.  As such, I will be hosting gravel bike rides out there on some Saturdays throughout the warmer months.  So look for those gravel bike rides to come.

Road Bike Rides
And, of course, we’ll re-launch road bike rides.  We have plenty of road riders of all abilities at this site.  Be sure to read our What We’re About link on our home page to get a good feel for our rides and where you would fit in.  Some are no-drop, some are all-out-get-after-it.

And most of all, remember.  This is about fun and exercise and making some good friends.  BOB is not about getting you ready to win a gold medal. It’s about enjoying life.  If that’s you, we’d love for you to join us in 2019.

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