Most of my ideas for blog articles come on my rides. Where my neurodivergent mind is free to workout problems, create more problems, and also wonder things like, why haven’t the California Raisins made a comeback? I feel like they’re… ripe for one. See my battle?

But on today’s ride, I was working on being more appreciative for what I have from a cycling perspective. I’ve been pretty hard on myself lately since I haven’t made the progress I think I should have; as if success is a linear graph. And I didn’t want to lose my love for cycling, by analyzing my riding too much, which is a HORRIBLE place to be I imagine. I made it easy on me today as I rode a ~70 mile route with my buddy John. One that we rode together since I started into the sport. So it was very easy to appreciate the company and the scenery… not so much the headwinds, but #DeltaStrong.

Bikes

The sun was bright and shining down on the Embers finish of my Cervelo Soloist, and the blues and greens were jumping. Thankfully the farm roads aren’t busy with traffic because I was in a trance. It reminded me about my trip to Hawaii where I rented a Cervelo Soloist and rode the Queen K Highway Kona ride. The sun was just as bright and I was shocked at the finish on the bike, as it looked black in the store. I knew that was going to be my first New bike since I was 12 years old.

I now have my Soloist that I ride 200-300 miles a week and when I’m not riding it, it’s piece of beautiful art on my wall.

I love my bike, and that trip to Hawaii made me fall in love with it. I snapped back to my ride with John and luckily I hadn’t crashed into him as I was daydreaming about a bike I already own.

Kit

I have only very recently started to treat myself to “Premium” kit. 80% of my kit before this were Hand-me-downs from John or Jumbo Visma fan kit. So when I needed new summer kit I bought myself a Rapha Core lightweight jersey in Fluro pink. I put it on and felt like I was Neilson Powless or Ben Healy in their EF kits! The Rapha bibs fit me much better than my BlackBibs with a chamois that felt like an ass-formed couch cushion. The first ride in my new kit was the hardest climb ride I’ve done to date, up Rattlesnake Bar and Folsom Lake Loop in Folsom, California. I have no tests to prove it, but my kit gave me 10 watts. I felt inspired to ride and motivated to ride because I knew I looked good and felt good.

Last week I purchased my first Pas Normal Studios jersey… and I had a similar experience “upgrading” to Pas Normal, as I did “upgrading” to Rapha from Hand me downs. My Pas Normal kit makes my Rapha kit feel like a wool sweater. It fits so much better, stretches so I’m not fighting the fabric and looks damn good.

Did I mention how beautiful my bike is ?

At this point in my ride, my conversation about my appreciation for all things cycling goes up in the headwinds. Who TF rides in 30 mph headwinds, on a journey for appreciation? But I looked and felt hella good on my favorite bike, in my favorite kit with a good friend, on a sunny northern California day.

So what does any of this shit have to do with appreciation for the sport and something I can look to find happiness in my life?

My bike and my expensive kit motivate me to ride! I like riding a bike I admire and I think is beautiful. And my kit, although it IS functionally better, I feel good looking good. I think we can all relate because I don’t see many cyclists rockin’ the whole “Homeless Chic” vibe.

And to continue with the theme of improving mental health through cycling… you’re fucking worth it! This was the hardest thing for me to accept. That may sound ridiculous, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there are more people out there with similar feelings. You are worth the kit you want, you’re worth the bike you want. Don’t go into debt… but don’t settle.

In the words of a wise man (Tom Haverford), “Treat Yo’self.”

Experiences

This doesn’t mean going to your nearest Pas Normal dealer and blowing your wad on a week’s worth of new kit. Hell, a few pieces of kit can cost you the same amount as a somewhat local cycling staycation. And what is always the most important thing… is trading miles for smiles and doing it in a place that inspires and transcends your ride. I think back to my trip to Hawaii often or my rides in Mendocino, on those beautiful rolling coastal hill roads. So make sure you take the time to enjoy where you ride… but it’s an amazing experience to do it on a bike you love and in kit you feel confident in.