Bike snob

Back in the day I was consumed by bicycling. Riding a bike was my primary mode of transportation growing up in a small town---then I fell away, got involved when mountain bikes appeared, then got going on road cycling. I got into the racing scene late---too late from a physiological standpoint to make much impact and truth be told, I wasn't a great racer. I was what is called 'pack fodder'---the group that can usually hang in a race but never finishes in the top spots.

Even so, I was sucked into the mentality of road cycling which is a pretty snobby branch of the sport. In that world if you don't have the latest helmet, the hottest wheelset, the newest sunglasses, you're pretty much persona non grata. When coming up on other riders (always from behind because you're so much faster)---I would instantly measure the other rider to see what 'kind' they were. It got so bad that if a guy hadn't shaved his legs (the true sign of a bike snob)---then he wasn't deigned worthy.

I readily admit all of this because this was behavior that took place before I was saved. I often point out that my best cycling years directly coincided with my most selfish time. I'm not maligning serious and dedicated athletes, but when you're serious about a sport other things have to go by the wayside.

So--since I moved to our morning show 3+ years ago I stopped with our team group rides. I left the team. I stopped riding nearly altogether preferring to not ride rather than ride alone. It's only in the past month that I've climbed back on the bike for some wonderful shorter loops after I get home from work.

Cut to the point of this story. I was out for a 25 mile loop yesterday afternoon. It was a glorious day; blue sky, great temps, not too much wind. I was heading home when I crossed Good Hope Road just behind another rider.

Yes, I did the quick scan on him. Old, old bike. Milk crate bolted to the rack at the back of his bike. He was riding in sandals. Old, out-of-fashion helmet. I got in behind him as cars were behind us and I didn't want us squeezed onto the shoulder. He noticed me back there and I told him I was tagging along until the cars were clear.

He probably scanned me as well. Typical snobby rider. Expensive bike, expensive shoes, just-the-right sunglasses. I was probably the type of rider who usually blasted by him, ignoring him and leaving him to revel in the awesome power of a true road warrior.

Instead of doing that, I pulled alongside him when the road was clear. We began a conversation about riding---his bike (30+ years old). He told me he had been riding or walking to work for over 40 years. He told me about his old bike being stolen years ago but being recovered 6 years later in the same condition. I asked about his sandals remarking that he could probably put more power into the pedals with a stiffer shoe. No, he said, I really don't even wear shoes---haven't for many years. In fact, he shared, he's got his kids shoeless now. Then he told me about how he had given up all that trying to keep up with the coolness, the materialism, the stuff.

It was a great conversation, one that I would have missed had I continued on in my single minded ride. I don't know what it was that held me up yesterday---I didn't evangelize, didn't witness---it might have been a good idea as I'm pretty sure he was Jewish (I should tell you sometime about the time I was on a group ride that contained a Rabbi!).

What's the takeaway? I don't know---maybe if you're a golfer, take time to visit with that guy with the million year old bag and the non-custom clubs. If you're a Harley Rider, talk to that Vespa rider. An elite runner? Wind down your run with that guy struggling to find his next breath on the hill.

Jesus was the son of God and He took time for everyone. Was He scanned back then? I'd think so---He was homeless, probably scruffy, had no possessions outside of His cloak, yet He had the words of life for anyone ready and willing to listen. Conversations can be rich and rewarding gifts.