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What retirement from racing and bike part building has done for me
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bunnyman
Jul 2, 08 21:19
Post #1 of 11 (374 views)
What retirement from racing and bike part building has done for me
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Well, I have to say that while I miss the competition, I don't miss the pains of being chronically injured. Non-racing has been very good to me.
1) I am almost as slender as when I was in my prime, yet I am not tired and I don't eat nearly as much. In my bike race days, I was 117# soaking wet, rode well over 1K miles per week, and never had much time to do much except eat, work, and crap. I looked emaciated, and I was subject to many illnesses and always was hurting. I am now 135# (@5'8" tall) and am much more muscular these days.
2) The money has just shifted from bikes to musical instruments. But for some reason, musical instrument maintenance is not nearly as expensive as bike maintenance. Trade-off: buying older musical instruments is a LOT more expensive than buying older bike parts; however, older musical instruments are much more serviceable than older bikes. $5 for a set of strings every few months vs. $35 for a chain every year, plus $20 for cables per year, $100 for tyres per year, $500 for new cycle clothes per year (as I would at least a few items per season from wearing them out), $100 for new water bottles, etc., etc.
3) Long hair does not impede your ability to get workouts in. Yes, I had hair down to the middle of my back many years ago, and it was a pain while racing. I can now have long hair and it doesn't make too much of a difference these days.
4) I can drink as much as I want these days, and I can stay up late. My workouts are almost exclusively indoors these days, so I am not hamstrung by weather or sunlight. I can get my workouts in whenever. I don't have to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to get to a race at 6:30 to get a good transition spot and a decent warm-up. This is the shit!!!!
The funniest thing is that I finally quit smoking AFTER I quit racing. Weird, eh? I put on thirty pounds after, but I finally got tired of looking at my fat ass in the mirror and started getting conditioned. I feel like I could complete a sprint distance race tomorrow, albeit slower than ever; however, my back won't hurt after the race.
I do get out on the bike on occasion, and it is now a liberating feeling. I run all of the time, it's just for fun. But I also stay conditioned and pain-free.
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Dammit! I still smell like cotton candy!!!
spotticus
Jul 2, 08 23:38
Post #2 of 11 (351 views)
Re: What retirement from racing and bike part building has done for me [bunnyman]
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only in the world of cycling can someone 5'8 135# claim to be happy with their newfound musculature.... haha good read though, very funny, rock on!
DawnT
Jul 3, 08 5:37
Post #3 of 11 (296 views)
Re: What retirement from racing and bike part building has done for me [bunnyman]
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I can't even imagine 117 lbs on an adult who is 5'8". Yikes! Glad to hear you're doing so well. Congrats on the quitting smoking too!!
cerveloguy
Jul 3, 08 6:33
Post #4 of 11 (275 views)
Re: What retirement from racing and bike part building has done for me [bunnyman]
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I'm only doing one local sprint tri this year, more or less taking a year off. I'm still riding and swimming, haven't done any running, am the same weight as when racing regularly. I thought I'd really miss doing a tri every other weekend, but I don't.
"OK, I'll admit I screwed up the facts"
bunnyman
Jul 3, 08 17:43
Post #5 of 11 (186 views)
Re: What retirement from racing and bike part building has done for me [spotticus]
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Thank you very much.
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Dammit! I still smell like cotton candy!!!
bunnyman
Jul 3, 08 17:44
Post #6 of 11 (185 views)
Re: What retirement from racing and bike part building has done for me [DawnT]
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Keep in mind I haven't seen 117 since the age of 25 (and I am quite a few years older than that, now).
Thanks. I am better than I have EVER been in my life!!!
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Dammit! I still smell like cotton candy!!!
bunnyman
Jul 3, 08 17:46
Post #7 of 11 (183 views)
Re: What retirement from racing and bike part building has done for me [cerveloguy]
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Taking the year off will make you appreciate racing when you return. I just don't miss is it all anymore, especially the pain.
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Dammit! I still smell like cotton candy!!!
Monk
Jul 3, 08 20:32
Post #8 of 11 (160 views)
Re: What retirement from racing and bike part building has done for me [bunnyman]
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Keep in mind I haven't seen 117 since the age of 25 (and I am quite a few years older than that, now).
Thanks. I am better than I have EVER been in my life!!!
I'm guessing it is the drinking and staying up late.
HOPE is not a plan.
CHANGE is not a plan.
BELIEVE is not a plan.
JSA
Jul 3, 08 20:55
Post #9 of 11 (147 views)
Re: What retirement from racing and bike part building has done for me [bunnyman]
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I gotta ask. I have been dying to know. What does your signature line mean?
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"My better is better than your better." - LT, via Nike
The people who keep me moving:
TRANSITION -
Get Moving!
bunnyman
Jul 3, 08 20:57
Post #10 of 11 (147 views)
Re: What retirement from racing and bike part building has done for me [Monk]
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Staying in what I thought was fighting weight was extremely stressful. I could dust any hill put in front of me, but I was always injured.
Now, if I weren't eating well and exercising the way I do, my drinking would have me weighing over 200#. But my back is so much better these days with my new conditioning programme.
Again- I am better than I have EVER been.
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Dammit! I still smell like cotton candy!!!
bunnyman
Jul 3, 08 20:58
Post #11 of 11 (146 views)
Re: What retirement from racing and bike part building has done for me [JSA]
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Let's just say somehow, my hoodie that I wore under my motorcycle jacket smelled like cotton candy for weeks. I won't say exactly how it happened, as I must protect the not-so-innocent...
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Dammit! I still smell like cotton candy!!!
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