[dar917]

Originally Posted by Ronin

Hi Dar!

The use of cleats/toe-clips is really about the particular sub-culture of bicycling that you belong to. They are not for everyone.

Linda and I are part of the sub-culture that is spandex clad, helmet wearing, cleated shoes, drop bars, narrow tire, high-zoot bike people that ride both for exercise/training as well as speed.

I'm even one of those males who shaves his legs during the cycling season for a whole host of reasons (vanity, ready for road rash, massage friendly, but mostly vanity - I've got great leg muscles).

Are we competitive? Yeah, pretty much for our age group although we do not "race" but do love to pass other people on the road, particularly those that are decades younger than we are.

Other cyclists use their bikes for transportation and ride traditional block pedals and that is just fine with me. Whatever reason you ride is your decision and does not increase or decrease my respect for anyone who rides a bike with regularity.

ahhh I see. OK. I'm still new to city riding, and still learning about the whole cycling culture.

I ride my bike to work every day at least; I do it because it's fun, I like the exercise, and sticking it to the man by not buying gas. It has become quite an addiction though, I get antsy if I can't get out every day!

[sprzepiora]

Originally Posted by dar917

...I get antsy if I can't get out every day!

I know what you mean, I ride Mon, Wed, Fri and walk on TUE, Thur. with a long ride on Sunday with my two older boys. On the days I walk I miss riding, but I have to give my butt a break or it really hurts.

[Axel Slinger]

Originally Posted by Ronin

The most important thing is that you do keep active and if bicycling with block pedals is your thing that is fine with me.

Yep, that's a fact. No matter how you do it, the important thing is that you do it.

And it is working. My test results have been better over the last three months than they have been in years, and I have lost 26 pounds now. When I started riding every day I weighed 310. Now I weigh 284.

In fact, I just about fell over a little while ago after I tested after lunch. The test result was 103, which is about typical for the last week or so. But then I checked my averages and it says that for the last 7 days the average test result is 116. That is the lowest weekly average I've had yet. Woo Hoo!