it’s not about the bike …
If I had a better bike would I be a better cyclist?
Would I suddenly have more skills, more strength, more talent (or some talent!)? Would I suddenly be more comfortable conquering the hills on the back roads of Thirlstane and Sassafras? Would my arse hurt less? Would my legs hurt less? Would I have less back and hand pain? Would I suddenly have more bravery when I’m ripping down hill at high speeds?
Nup. Nup. Nup. Nup. Nup. Nup. Nup. Aaaaaaand … Nup.
What would it give me?
More respect as an athlete (and I use the term “athlete” very, very loosely)? More confidence? More motivation.
Maybe. Probably. Maybe. No guarantees.
But it definitely won’t make me a better cyclist. Only I can do that. And training is training, regardless of the bike I am dragging around underneath me. A $5,000 bike is not going to make me significantly faster or better – because there is no substitute for miles on the road.
Hey, I’d love a nice shiny road bike with the Look clipless pedals, carbon forks, oh-so snooth Shimano 105 gearing, women’s specific seat and aero bars. But I don’t need it. My trusty old mountain bike – with the clunky gear changes, rusty chain and cogs and the big chainring that doesn’t work - will do the job for now. I’m not forgetting the fact that I am a novice, novice athlete and at this stage in my triathlon career I just can’t justify the expense. I might do this season, hate it and never do another tri again.
But I really can’t see that happening. I suspect I’ll get addicted.
But if I have a good season this year (in the novice, novice section) and show that I am serious about triathlon, then surely I have a great argument to take to my financial planner, um husband when I do need a new bike.
And I will need a new bike … but I will farewell my trusty, rusty old mountain bike with a great deal of respect. It owes me nothing and has put up with a lot. This is a bike I won in a raffle when I was in grade 12 … with a ticket I didn’t buy (no I didn’t cheat … we ran the raffle and as a thankyou we got a free ticket each). Oh, and that ticket was No. 1.
That was more than 12 years ago. At the end of this summer, I think it will have deserved a rest!!
