My zest as a cyclist goes with my fancy as a collector. I have a few collection of bicycles, and a caboodle of souvenirs and autographs of famous racers. Other than these, I have a fondness for collecting roads. Not literally as physical objects, but as different boulevards of experience.
I don’t go by the route that most people travel- they leave me cold. But I take time to explore, and sometimes, in my idle and energetic cycling moments, I take interesting backroads. Pedaling through and with my leisurely focus, I cruise because the lanes flow with a wild flowing rhythm. Variety is always there to enhance my riding experience.
Cycling is about my bike and me, freeing myself in the moment. Feeling the present where I feel alive as I get lost in the action. But the silent bustle of my riding cannot be if I jaunt through a dull or monotonous road. The best roads magnify the feeling of my focus and wandering. It’s simply me and myself when I look ahead to a meandering spin of asphalt. A forthcoming small rise intuitively goads me to push harder on the pedals. That’s everything there is in the moment. My consciousness just is, no cogitations about the past or the future.
It’s more than roads, though, because these thoroughfares are framed by surrounding landscapes. A canopy of trees affords a tapestry of colors and shapes that shelter me from the glare of the sun and the wafting of the wind. Patterns of light filter through the patchy covering of lush greenery, bathing my face and shrouding me with a brio of warmth and verve, further invigorating me to revel in my recreation. And I pass through sturdy and imposing steel bridges, feeling the empowering awe of the grandiose hard- wearing intricate alignments of iron…and I think of how time and the different tides of life bring out the unwavering, indomitable spirit of a champion.
My leisure activity has over 100 years of history. It’s been almost a decade that I’ve been riding, too. As a cycling enthusiast, I’ve had several road bike collections.
There’s the traditional road bike, quite lightweight, weighing as little as 15 pounds, made of metal and carbon for the most efficient ride possible. The parts are light, and at the same time allowing the rider a more aerodynamic position.
An endurance road bike has a more upright position. It’s a more comfortable ride with an endurance because of its more stable geometry and longer wheelbase.
A flatbar road bike takes out the narrow road drop handle bars and in place beds in stable handlebars of the mountain bike variety. Flatbars have light road wheels, fun to ride, especially around town.
A cyclocross road bike is designed for off road racing with its stronger frame and knobby tires. They feature cantilever or disc brakes for better performance in muddy conditions.
Touring bikes are like traditional road bikes but have panniers at the front and back to carry heavy loads. Designed to control the extra momentum on dirt road riding with a beefed up frame, parts and geometry.
I know a lot about road bikes, but I can’t say enough about roads. As a road collector, I continue to drift, searching for roads, for inspiration, for discovery and for myself.
Shop for bicycles online at Chappelli.com for the best rides and roads to discovery.
Brigette Madison is into fusion cuisine, a foodie by heart and a restaurateur by trade. She loves to dissect new restaurants and night haunts. Naturally, she’s into blogging. The food industry is always fresh, and so are her insights.
