https://www.bodyworldsboston.com/the-transformative-power-of-cycling-a-comprehensive-guide-to-freedom-friendship-and-vitality/
April is a great month for cycling . Just after 10 a.m., my phone started ringing. The cycling team’s group chat was buzzing: “Meet at the usual place. Coffee for those who are late!”
Cycling Fun 1: The “Late King” Who Is Always Chasing
Speaking of being late, I remembered the embarrassing incident last Saturday. I had set three alarms, but I was still 15 minutes late. When I arrived at the meeting point, I only saw the backs of my teammates going away and a message from Xiao Ming: “I’ll wait for you at the coffee shop!” That day, I chased them for a full 20 kilometers, and my legs were weak when I arrived at the coffee shop. Now I have learned my lesson and prepared my equipment the night before.
The double joy of riding with a companion
Riding with good friends is definitely the greatest joy of cycling. Our small group is very casual, sometimes we go on road racing, sometimes we go to explore forest trails. Last month, we joined a local cycling club and found that organized activities are also great – you don’t have to plan your own route, just follow the leader. Now we are “double” riders, riding freely and doing club activities.
Cycling Fun 2: The “Battle of Dignity” on the Climb
I remember the first time I rode with my club, there was a classic stage with a 3km climb. The leader said “Meet at the top”, and everyone started to compete. I pedaled hard and was about to be the first to reach the top, but suddenly there was a “click” – the chain broke! Now every time I pass that slope, my teammates will tease me about my expression at that time.
The unwritten rules of cycling
Although riding with friends is casual, there are some rules that everyone knows:
- Bring all the equipment : It rained heavily last week and I didn’t install mudguards, so I was arranged to be the last. Looking at the clean backs of my teammates in front of me, and then looking at my legs full of mud… Now I always install full-coverage mudguards on my car.
- Take care of each other : When I was a rookie, I had a flat tire. Thanks to my teammate Zhang, he brought a spare inner tube. Now I always have two inner tubes and tire repair tools in my tool bag.
- Safety first : We invented a set of hand signals: “pothole” means patting the buttocks, and “car” means touching the helmet. Once, Xiao Ming made a mistake in the hand signal, and the whole team suddenly braked. It was hilarious.
Cycling fun 3: Coffee shop “refill challenge”
We have a tradition: we go to a coffee shop after every ride. Whoever arrives last gets to buy a round of coffee. Last month, I came in last three times in a row, and my wallet was bleeding. This week, I secretly practiced more, and finally I was no longer the one paying the bill!
The most important thing is to be happy
In the end, the joy of riding with friends is that there are people who go crazy with you, people who wait for you, people who help you when you get a flat tire, and people who high-five you when you reach the top. Just like the slogan we shouted when we set out this morning: “Not the fastest, but the most exciting!”
https://www.bodyworldsboston.com/the-transformative-power-of-cycling-a-comprehensive-guide-to-freedom-friendship-and-vitality/