I have become a cycling widow. My husband has recently caught the cycling fever and I am now a cycling widow. A fellow cycling widow (Stefanie) wrote up the following to help me in my new role:
Terms you will need to become acquainted with:
Biking - only used when referring to a motorcycle
Cycling - correct term used for bicycling
Century - a 100-mile bike ride
"Hitting the wall" - term used when the cyclist can't physically continue cycling and must stop or die.
"Clip in" - refers to the clips on the bottom of the cycling shoes and connecting them to the pedals.
"Time Trial" - a preset distance during a race that is timed.
"Wheel Sucker" - guy who stays in the back of the pack and drafts everybody else without taking his turn in front.
Pinerallo, Opera, Campagnolo, De Rosa - Italian cycling manufacturers.
Tour de France - biggest bicycle race of the year, held in France (at least most of it), lasts 23 days.
Yellow Jersey - overall leader of the Tour.
Green Jersey - Points leader of the Tour.
Polka Dot Jersey - Best Climber of the Tour.
White Jersey - Best Young Rider of the Tour.
Things you'll need to know:
The month of July will be spent watching the Tour de France (with much yelling).
Become familiar with all the cycling shops in town: Bike Barn, Main Street Cycles, Pedal Power and Art's Cyclery.
Online cycling shops: Colorado Cyclist, Bike Tires Direct
Be prepared to see your husband in tight shorts with padding in the crotch (NEVER dry these in the dryer).
NEVER visit small towns while wearing these shorts; locals will throw spit wads at you.
All cycling clothing must be carefully cleaned and lovingly hung up to dry.
Most Saturday mornings will be spent cycling (really early).
Learn to dislike Union Asphalt truck drivers (they aren't nice to cyclists).
Get used to your husband yelling bicycling tips to other cyclists while he is driving the car (i.e., raise your seat, increase your cadence, oil your chains, etc.)
DO NOT try to figure out the points system for the Tour de France, it was thought up by French men, so it makes no sense.
Italians make the best cycling equipment and the French are just "wannabes"
Good bike frames cost about $2,000 (that doesn't include the tires, wheels, gears, brakes, handles, or anything else that you would think goes with a bike).
His legs will look nicer than yours.
Terms you will need to become acquainted with:
Biking - only used when referring to a motorcycle
Cycling - correct term used for bicycling
Century - a 100-mile bike ride
"Hitting the wall" - term used when the cyclist can't physically continue cycling and must stop or die.
"Clip in" - refers to the clips on the bottom of the cycling shoes and connecting them to the pedals.
"Time Trial" - a preset distance during a race that is timed.
"Wheel Sucker" - guy who stays in the back of the pack and drafts everybody else without taking his turn in front.
Pinerallo, Opera, Campagnolo, De Rosa - Italian cycling manufacturers.
Tour de France - biggest bicycle race of the year, held in France (at least most of it), lasts 23 days.
Yellow Jersey - overall leader of the Tour.
Green Jersey - Points leader of the Tour.
Polka Dot Jersey - Best Climber of the Tour.
White Jersey - Best Young Rider of the Tour.
Things you'll need to know:
The month of July will be spent watching the Tour de France (with much yelling).
Become familiar with all the cycling shops in town: Bike Barn, Main Street Cycles, Pedal Power and Art's Cyclery.
Online cycling shops: Colorado Cyclist, Bike Tires Direct
Be prepared to see your husband in tight shorts with padding in the crotch (NEVER dry these in the dryer).
NEVER visit small towns while wearing these shorts; locals will throw spit wads at you.
All cycling clothing must be carefully cleaned and lovingly hung up to dry.
Most Saturday mornings will be spent cycling (really early).
Learn to dislike Union Asphalt truck drivers (they aren't nice to cyclists).
Get used to your husband yelling bicycling tips to other cyclists while he is driving the car (i.e., raise your seat, increase your cadence, oil your chains, etc.)
DO NOT try to figure out the points system for the Tour de France, it was thought up by French men, so it makes no sense.
Italians make the best cycling equipment and the French are just "wannabes"
Good bike frames cost about $2,000 (that doesn't include the tires, wheels, gears, brakes, handles, or anything else that you would think goes with a bike).
His legs will look nicer than yours.
1 comment:
I really love my cycling widow!
Post a Comment