{"id":21465,"date":"2017-02-27T11:47:25","date_gmt":"2017-02-27T19:47:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/?p=21465"},"modified":"2020-09-01T17:01:38","modified_gmt":"2020-09-02T00:01:38","slug":"how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/","title":{"rendered":"How I Took 40 years to Become a Cyclist"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It took me 40 years to move from <strong>\u201cI love riding bikes\u201d<\/strong> to <strong>\u201cI am a cyclist.\u201d<\/strong> Hard to believe, I know. Looking back, I guess it was because I made so many mistakes along the way. Maybe I&#8217;m just a slow learner &#8211; but please let me tell you about my journey to becoming a cyclist.<\/p>\n<h3>Learning to Ride a Bike &#8211; the Hard Way<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21523\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21523\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21523\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/pedal-car\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car.jpg?fit=750%2C815&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"750,815\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Pedal car\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;My first pedals were encased in a tin pedal car. But I never met a pair of pedals I didn&#8217;t like!&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car.jpg?fit=276%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car.jpg?fit=750%2C815&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21523 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car.jpg\" alt=\"My first pedals were encased in a tin pedal car. But I never met a pair of pedals I didn't like!\" width=\"750\" height=\"815\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21523\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21523\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/pedal-car\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car.jpg?fit=750%2C815&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"750,815\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Pedal car\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;My first pedals were encased in a tin pedal car. But I never met a pair of pedals I didn&#8217;t like!&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car.jpg?fit=276%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car.jpg?fit=750%2C815&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21523 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car.jpg?resize=750%2C815&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"My first pedals were encased in a tin pedal car. But I never met a pair of pedals I didn't like!\" width=\"750\" height=\"815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car.jpg?resize=276%2C300&amp;ssl=1 276w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car.jpg?resize=138%2C150&amp;ssl=1 138w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car.jpg?resize=250%2C272&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car.jpg?resize=320%2C348&amp;ssl=1 320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/noscript> My first pedals were encased in a tin pedal car. But I never met a pair of pedals I didn&#8217;t like!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>My very first bicycle memories involved a <strong>lot of pain<\/strong>. My buddy Kevin, who lived next door and was a year older than me, taught me how to ride a bike. This basically involved him encouraging me to get on a bike, and then standing back and watching as I hurtled down the driveway of his home, around into the back yard \u2013 and then slammed straight into a tree. It was a big yard and there was just one little tree, so I am not sure how I managed to hit it so unerringly. But I did. In my memory, <strong>I hit the tree every single time<\/strong>. This did have the helpful side effect of stopping me, as the bike did not have brakes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">From that experience, I guess I should have learned that (a) I needed to work on my steering a bit and (b) <strong>brakes are a need-to-have<\/strong> on a bike, not a nice-to-have.<\/p>\n<p><strong>But I didn\u2019t.<\/strong> In fact, my next memory of that learning-to-ride-a-bike experience was venturing out onto the road (in retrospect, it was lucky that it was a very quiet road). I remember being really pleased with myself, as I discovered it was easier to ride on a paved road than on grass. By the time I managed to turn the bike around and head back towards my home, I was going at what I thought was an impressive speed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Unfortunately, I had not yet learned the basic concept that <strong>it is a good idea to slow down before attempting a turn.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>So I turned into our driveway at breakneck speed \u2013 and very nearly did break my neck. I couldn\u2019t make the turn, so I went soaring off the edge of the retaining wall, and somehow managed to belly flop onto my mother\u2019s prized rose garden.<\/p>\n<p>The next thing I knew I was looking up into Kevin\u2019s shocked face, and realizing that I couldn\u2019t speak or breathe. It was the first time I had ever been completely winded. As soon as I could draw breath, I shouted at him: <strong>\u201cStop standing there and go CALL MY MOTHER!\u201d<\/strong> Yep, not one of the high points of my youth.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Strangely, none of that shook the fixed idea I had in my head that \u201cI love riding bikes.\u201d Even though at that point, <strong>it was not so much riding as crashing.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>As I Got Older, My Attempts to Ride a Bike Became More Fun!<\/h3>\n<p>Over the years, I started to have more and more fun riding bikes. One of my best childhood memories is of riding my bike along bush paths, hurtling downhill with my scruffy brown Heinz 57 dog in hot pursuit. Other times I would join a bunch of neighborhood boys and we would ride along the streets in a pack. Looking back, I am not sure how we all survived that. The drivers were monumentally unfriendly to people on bikes, and there was no cycling infrastructure at all. Luckily, we were too young to realize that we were in any kind of danger, so we had a great time.<\/p>\n<h3>The Red Chopper Bike Incident<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21507\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21507\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21507\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/next-there-was-the-red-chopper-incident-7501\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Next-there-was-the-red-Chopper-incident-7501.jpg?fit=750%2C503&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"750,503\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Next, there was the red Chopper incident 750(1)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Next, there was the red Chopper incident &#8230;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Next-there-was-the-red-Chopper-incident-7501.jpg?fit=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Next-there-was-the-red-Chopper-incident-7501.jpg?fit=750%2C503&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21507 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Next-there-was-the-red-Chopper-incident-7501.jpg\" alt=\"Next, there was the red Chopper incident ...\" width=\"750\" height=\"503\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21507\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21507\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/next-there-was-the-red-chopper-incident-7501\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Next-there-was-the-red-Chopper-incident-7501.jpg?fit=750%2C503&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"750,503\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Next, there was the red Chopper incident 750(1)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Next, there was the red Chopper incident &#8230;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Next-there-was-the-red-Chopper-incident-7501.jpg?fit=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Next-there-was-the-red-Chopper-incident-7501.jpg?fit=750%2C503&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21507 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Next-there-was-the-red-Chopper-incident-7501.jpg?resize=750%2C503&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Next, there was the red Chopper incident ...\" width=\"750\" height=\"503\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Next-there-was-the-red-Chopper-incident-7501.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Next-there-was-the-red-Chopper-incident-7501.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Next-there-was-the-red-Chopper-incident-7501.jpg?resize=150%2C101&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Next-there-was-the-red-Chopper-incident-7501.jpg?resize=250%2C168&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Next-there-was-the-red-Chopper-incident-7501.jpg?resize=320%2C215&amp;ssl=1 320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/noscript> Next, there was the red Chopper incident &#8230;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Next, there was the red Chopper bike incident. Chopper bikes were suddenly the must-have bikes, and I got a red one for Christmas. Basically, <strong>Choppers were the most ridiculous design ever, with a very dangerous, tiny front wheel<\/strong> \u2013 but they had a cool factor. So I took my ridiculous-but-cool bike out for a Christmas morning ride.<\/p>\n<p>It lasted about three minutes. Just until I got to the first steep downhill, and hurtled down it. The handlebars got a speed wobble that I could not control, because of the ridiculously small front wheel, and I ended up flying through the air \u2013 until I was abruptly stopped by the sidewalk. So, I spent that Christmas in hospital with a concussion.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em>But still, I was convinced that \u201cI love to ride bikes.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>From that, I might have learned that <strong>not all bikes are created equal<\/strong>, but I didn\u2019t. As I mentioned, I am a slow learner.<\/p>\n<h3>The Teenage Years &#8230;<\/h3>\n<p>Next came my teenage years, when I was determined that <strong>I would ride a bike for transportation<\/strong>. The trouble was that the bigger I got, the taller the hills seem to get. Looking back, I realize that a lot of the problem was that I was riding a monumental clunker of a bike.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_19724\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19724\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/fensterbme\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"19724\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/best-posts-about-bike-lights\/light-on-bike-photo-from-photographer-on-flickr-7501\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/light-on-bike-photo-from-Photographer-on-Flickr-7501.jpg?fit=750%2C420&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"750,420\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"light-on-bike-photo-from-photographer-on-flickr-7501\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Bike lights have come a long way over the last few years! Bike lights have come a long way over the last few years! Photo credit Photographer on Flickr Commons&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/light-on-bike-photo-from-Photographer-on-Flickr-7501.jpg?fit=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/light-on-bike-photo-from-Photographer-on-Flickr-7501.jpg?fit=750%2C420&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-19724 size-full lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/light-on-bike-photo-from-Photographer-on-Flickr-7501.jpg\" alt=\"Bike lights have come a long way over the last few years! Best posts about bike lights\" width=\"750\" height=\"420\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-19724\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"19724\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/best-posts-about-bike-lights\/light-on-bike-photo-from-photographer-on-flickr-7501\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/light-on-bike-photo-from-Photographer-on-Flickr-7501.jpg?fit=750%2C420&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"750,420\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"light-on-bike-photo-from-photographer-on-flickr-7501\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Bike lights have come a long way over the last few years! Bike lights have come a long way over the last few years! Photo credit Photographer on Flickr Commons&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/light-on-bike-photo-from-Photographer-on-Flickr-7501.jpg?fit=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/light-on-bike-photo-from-Photographer-on-Flickr-7501.jpg?fit=750%2C420&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-19724 size-full lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/light-on-bike-photo-from-Photographer-on-Flickr-7501.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bike lights have come a long way over the last few years! Best posts about bike lights\" width=\"750\" height=\"420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/light-on-bike-photo-from-Photographer-on-Flickr-7501.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/light-on-bike-photo-from-Photographer-on-Flickr-7501.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/light-on-bike-photo-from-Photographer-on-Flickr-7501.jpg?resize=250%2C140&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/light-on-bike-photo-from-Photographer-on-Flickr-7501.jpg?resize=320%2C179&amp;ssl=1 320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a> Looking back, I realize that a lot of the problem was that I was riding a monumental clunker of a bike. Photo credit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/fensterbme\/\">Photographer on Flickr Commons<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>At that point, I had no idea that <strong>there is a massive difference between a good quality bike and a clunker<\/strong>. And one of the key differences is that it is WAY easier to ride a good quality bike. You know, where the bike actually <strong>helps<\/strong> you to move, rather than trying to slow you down. So I eventually gave up, and moved on to a motorcycle, and then on to a yellow Beetle. I focused on school, and then on my career, and then on raising a family.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21529\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21529\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21529\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/kids-at-muizenberg-about-1993\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kids-at-Muizenberg-about-1993.jpg?fit=750%2C532&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"750,532\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Kids at Muizenberg about 1993\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;For a long time I was so focused on raising kids that I had little time to remember that I loved riding bikes&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kids-at-Muizenberg-about-1993.jpg?fit=300%2C213&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kids-at-Muizenberg-about-1993.jpg?fit=750%2C532&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21529 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kids-at-Muizenberg-about-1993.jpg\" alt=\"For a long time I was so focused on raising kids that I had little time to remember that I loved riding bikes\" width=\"750\" height=\"532\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21529\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21529\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/kids-at-muizenberg-about-1993\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kids-at-Muizenberg-about-1993.jpg?fit=750%2C532&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"750,532\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Kids at Muizenberg about 1993\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;For a long time I was so focused on raising kids that I had little time to remember that I loved riding bikes&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kids-at-Muizenberg-about-1993.jpg?fit=300%2C213&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kids-at-Muizenberg-about-1993.jpg?fit=750%2C532&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21529 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kids-at-Muizenberg-about-1993.jpg?resize=750%2C532&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"For a long time I was so focused on raising kids that I had little time to remember that I loved riding bikes\" width=\"750\" height=\"532\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kids-at-Muizenberg-about-1993.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kids-at-Muizenberg-about-1993.jpg?resize=300%2C213&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kids-at-Muizenberg-about-1993.jpg?resize=150%2C106&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kids-at-Muizenberg-about-1993.jpg?resize=250%2C177&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kids-at-Muizenberg-about-1993.jpg?resize=320%2C227&amp;ssl=1 320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/noscript> For a long time I was so focused on raising kids that I had little time to remember that I loved riding bikes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>I started to forget that I loved to ride bikes.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>My First Attempt to Bike Commute<\/h3>\n<p>In my late twenties, bikes started to call me again. I decided that I would bike commute to work, a distance of about seven miles each way, and reasonably flat. It was fun! I remembered all over again how much I loved riding bikes, and got really fit in a short period of time. Unfortunately, there was still another lesson to be learned. This was simply that <strong>there are places where it is smart and safe to ride a bike. And places where it is not.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>At the time I was living in a small city in South Africa. The streets were designed (of course) for cars and buses \u2013 and none of the drivers was remotely interested in sharing them with an idiot on a bike (their description, not mine). On one memorable day I was very nearly run down by a bus driver who left-hooked me (it\u2019s left-hand drive there). In the gutter, shaken, I realized that if I persisted in riding a bike, sooner or later, someone <strong>was<\/strong> going to kill me.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>So I gave up again, and for many years I actually DID forget that I loved to ride bikes.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Moving to Canada<\/h3>\n<p>Then I moved to Canada. The first job I got, my boss was a redheaded woman who rode her bike to work every day. About 12 miles each way. She explained to me that Vancouver had quite a lot of bike paths, even on bridges. And that she hardly ever felt unsafe biking to work. I suddenly remembered that I LOVE to ride bikes. And a little voice in the back of my head started to whisper, <strong>\u201cYes, you can.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18667\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18667\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"18667\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/make-bike-routes-in-vancouver-safer\/vancouver-separate-bike-lanes-looking-down-from-the-viaduct-7501\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Vancouver-separate-bike-lanes-looking-down-from-the-Viaduct-7501.jpg?fit=750%2C675&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"750,675\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Vision Vancouver has already made awesome improvements to cycling safety in Vancouver. Sometimes it seems like everywhere I look, awesome separated bike lanes are springing up. Vancouver separate bike lanes looking down from the Viaduct 750(1)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Vision Vancouver has already made awesome improvements to cycling safety in Vancouver. Sometimes it seems like everywhere I look, awesome separated bike lanes are springing up. Here&#8217;s a view of some Vancouver separated bike lanes, looking down from the Georgia Viaduct&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Vancouver-separate-bike-lanes-looking-down-from-the-Viaduct-7501.jpg?fit=300%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Vancouver-separate-bike-lanes-looking-down-from-the-Viaduct-7501.jpg?fit=750%2C675&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-18667 size-full lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Vancouver-separate-bike-lanes-looking-down-from-the-Viaduct-7501.jpg\" alt=\"Vision Vancouver has already made awesome improvements to cycling safety in Vancouver. Sometimes it seems like everywhere I look, awesome separated bike lanes are springing up. Here's a view of some Vancouver separated bike lanes, looking down from the Georgia Viaduct\" width=\"750\" height=\"675\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18667\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"18667\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/make-bike-routes-in-vancouver-safer\/vancouver-separate-bike-lanes-looking-down-from-the-viaduct-7501\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Vancouver-separate-bike-lanes-looking-down-from-the-Viaduct-7501.jpg?fit=750%2C675&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"750,675\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Vision Vancouver has already made awesome improvements to cycling safety in Vancouver. Sometimes it seems like everywhere I look, awesome separated bike lanes are springing up. Vancouver separate bike lanes looking down from the Viaduct 750(1)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Vision Vancouver has already made awesome improvements to cycling safety in Vancouver. Sometimes it seems like everywhere I look, awesome separated bike lanes are springing up. Here&#8217;s a view of some Vancouver separated bike lanes, looking down from the Georgia Viaduct&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Vancouver-separate-bike-lanes-looking-down-from-the-Viaduct-7501.jpg?fit=300%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Vancouver-separate-bike-lanes-looking-down-from-the-Viaduct-7501.jpg?fit=750%2C675&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-18667 size-full lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Vancouver-separate-bike-lanes-looking-down-from-the-Viaduct-7501.jpg?resize=750%2C675&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Vision Vancouver has already made awesome improvements to cycling safety in Vancouver. Sometimes it seems like everywhere I look, awesome separated bike lanes are springing up. Here's a view of some Vancouver separated bike lanes, looking down from the Georgia Viaduct\" width=\"750\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Vancouver-separate-bike-lanes-looking-down-from-the-Viaduct-7501.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Vancouver-separate-bike-lanes-looking-down-from-the-Viaduct-7501.jpg?resize=300%2C270&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Vancouver-separate-bike-lanes-looking-down-from-the-Viaduct-7501.jpg?resize=150%2C135&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Vancouver-separate-bike-lanes-looking-down-from-the-Viaduct-7501.jpg?resize=250%2C225&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Vancouver-separate-bike-lanes-looking-down-from-the-Viaduct-7501.jpg?resize=320%2C288&amp;ssl=1 320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/noscript> Vancouver has a LOT of bike routes, so you can ride without feeling in danger!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>So I bought a bike again. Unfortunately, although I now had the right city, I still had not got the point about how hard it is to ride clunkers. So I bought a really cheap bike. And a bike trailer for my four-year-old. I remember the first time I tried to tow her to her daycare. I was baffled. <strong>How did she get to be so HEAVY?<\/strong> And even without the trailer and the four-year-old, every little hill seemed to be really, really BIG. For a while, I was really discouraged.<\/p>\n<h3>The Breakthrough!<\/h3>\n<p>Then, I finally made the breakthrough. I was in the habit of spending a lot of time at bike shops, and one day I took a good quality bike for a test ride. It was a DeVinci Rio, which is the cheapest bike in the high quality DeVinci range. But it was like I\u2019d finally got the brakes off! I couldn\u2019t believe how much easier it was to ride this bike, and to get up hills. And I remembered that <strong>Hey, I LOVE to ride bikes!<\/strong> So of course, I bought the Rio, and started riding it to work.<\/p>\n<h3>I Finally had All of the Pieces. A Great Bike, and a Great City to Ride in<\/h3>\n<p>Vancouver is not Amsterdam, but it does have a lot of good cycling infrastructure \u2013 and it is constantly improving too. I started cycling to work, and again got really fit. Not as fast as I did when I was in my twenties, but I did get fit and have a lot of fun. I was reminded that riding a bike to and from work is just about the best thing you can do to reduce stress in your life and feel great.<\/p>\n<h3>The Challenge of Steep Hills<\/h3>\n<p>A decade later, I found myself with a new job and a bike commute that included massive hills. Too steep for me to do once in a life-time, let alone twice a day. It looked like I was going to have to give up the bike commuting. But then <strong>I discovered the magic of electric bikes<\/strong>. With a BionX assist to help me up the hills, I was able to continue to enjoy bike commuting.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_17894\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17894\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"17894\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/bionx-pl-350-electric-bike\/joe-riding-devinci-copenhagen-with-bionx-750-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Joe-riding-Devinci-Copenhagen-with-BionX-750.jpg?fit=750%2C720&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"750,720\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Joe riding Devinci Copenhagen with BionX 750\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;With a BionX assist to help me up the hills, I was able to continue to enjoy bike commuting.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Joe-riding-Devinci-Copenhagen-with-BionX-750.jpg?fit=300%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Joe-riding-Devinci-Copenhagen-with-BionX-750.jpg?fit=750%2C720&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17894 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Joe-riding-Devinci-Copenhagen-with-BionX-750.jpg\" alt=\"It's fairly obvious I'm riding an electric bike - unless I pass by so fast that I'm just a blur!\" width=\"750\" height=\"720\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-17894\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"17894\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/bionx-pl-350-electric-bike\/joe-riding-devinci-copenhagen-with-bionx-750-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Joe-riding-Devinci-Copenhagen-with-BionX-750.jpg?fit=750%2C720&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"750,720\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Joe riding Devinci Copenhagen with BionX 750\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;With a BionX assist to help me up the hills, I was able to continue to enjoy bike commuting.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Joe-riding-Devinci-Copenhagen-with-BionX-750.jpg?fit=300%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Joe-riding-Devinci-Copenhagen-with-BionX-750.jpg?fit=750%2C720&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17894 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Joe-riding-Devinci-Copenhagen-with-BionX-750.jpg?resize=750%2C720&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"It's fairly obvious I'm riding an electric bike - unless I pass by so fast that I'm just a blur!\" width=\"750\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Joe-riding-Devinci-Copenhagen-with-BionX-750.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Joe-riding-Devinci-Copenhagen-with-BionX-750.jpg?resize=300%2C288&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Joe-riding-Devinci-Copenhagen-with-BionX-750.jpg?resize=150%2C144&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Joe-riding-Devinci-Copenhagen-with-BionX-750.jpg?resize=250%2C240&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Joe-riding-Devinci-Copenhagen-with-BionX-750.jpg?resize=320%2C307&amp;ssl=1 320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/noscript> With a BionX assist to help me up the hills, I was able to continue to enjoy bike commuting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For three years, I rode an e-bike to and from work every single week day, for a total of about 16 miles a day. The e-bike made a daily commute with giant hills possible and even fun, so I kept it up. This is consistent with <a href=\"http:\/\/electricbikeblog.com\/research-shows-electric-bikes-make-people-cycle-longer-often-especially-women\/\">research that shows that electric bikes cause people to ride more often and further<\/a>. I was still getting exercise, however. So much so, that <strong>I got fitter than I ever have been in my entire life<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3>A New Cycling Challenge<\/h3>\n<p>Now, I am once again in a different stage of my life. As Heraclitus said, the only constant is change. I am now working from home (on this blog!!!), which means I don\u2019t have the consistency of twice daily bike commutes. <strong>I have decided to channel my love of riding bikes into a new challenge.<\/strong> I have started training on my regular bike (by beautiful <a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/2014-specialized-tricross-review\/\">Specialized Tricross, reviewed here<\/a>), and plan to build up the distance until I am ready to do something I have always wanted to do: long-distance charity bike rides. My first will be 40 km, then 80 km \u2013 and finally I will get to my first Ride to Conquer Cancer, which is 200 km over two days.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">So \u2026 now I am not only someone who loves to ride bikes \u2013 <strong>I am a cyclist.<\/strong> When did that happen?<\/p>\n<p><strong>I don\u2019t know at what point I started to think of myself as \u201ca cyclist,\u201d not just someone who loves to ride bikes<\/strong>. I think it most likely started creeping up on me when I started writing this blog, back in 2010. I wanted to write a blog for people like me \u2013 <strong>average people who love to ride bikes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Over time I finally realized that <strong>riding bikes had become an important part of my identity<\/strong>. Sure, I am a son, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a liberal, a writer, a sci-fi fan, a dog-lover who has inexplicably progressed from German Shepherds to Poodles, a traveller &#8211; I am many, many things. But in the middle of all that, <strong>riding a bike is very important too<\/strong>. Riding bikes has given me transportation and health, but it has given me a whole lot more besides that. It has given me an interest, a passion, a community, a focus. It has become a<strong> vitally important part of my identity<\/strong> that I hope I will never again have to give up.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Do you have a story to share about your early experiences of riding a bike?<\/strong> We\u2019d <strong>love<\/strong> to hear your story. You can comment below if you are logged into Facebook, or just send us an <a href=\"mailto: joe@averagejoecyclist.com\">email to tell us about it<\/a>. We&#8217;re always looking for Guest Posts &#8211; would you like to write a Guest Post about how YOU became a cyclist?<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<table id=\"tablepress-43\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-43 tbody-has-connected-cells\">\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<td colspan=\"3\" class=\"column-1\"><center><strong>As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td colspan=\"3\" class=\"column-1\"><h3>Check Out Our Most Popular Posts!<\/h3><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td colspan=\"3\" class=\"column-1\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-25127\" style=\"max-width: 750px; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-99-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-25127 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Top posts AJC\" data-width=\"750\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_25127\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_25127\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-42801 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2023-07-30 12:36:22\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/garmin-edge-540-vs-840\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/3-views-of-Garmin-Edge-540-vs-840-3-1.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-42801 msDefaultImage\" title=\"3 views of Garmin Edge 540 vs 840 (3)\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>The New Garmin Edge 840 vs. 540: What's the Difference, and Which is Better?<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-45253 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-02-22 21:00:38\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/garmin-edge-1050-vs-1040\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Garmin-Edge-1040-vs-1050-on-handlebars-copy.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"Garmin Edge 1050 vs 1040 on handlebars\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-45253 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Garmin Edge 1040 vs 1050 on handlebars copy\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Garmin Edge 1050 vs 1040 - What's the Difference, and Which One is Better?<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-43285 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2023-11-25 14:17:30\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/garmin-edge-540-vs-840-vs-1040\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/PH-man-road-bike-forest-road.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"When you&#039;re enjoying a fast bike ride in a beautiful setting, having an easy-to-use bike computer really does enhance the experience, Garmin Edge 540 vs 840 vs 540\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-43285 msDefaultImage\" title=\"PH man road bike forest road\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Garmin Edge 540 vs 840 vs 1040 - Complete Comparison with Chart Showing Differences and Similarities<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-42800 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2023-07-30 12:32:40\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/shokz-openrun-pro-vs-shokz-openrun\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Post-header-Joe-and-Maggie-wearing-Shokz-OpenRun-Mini-headphones.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"review of Shokz OpenRun Mini headphones\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-42800 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Post header Joe and Maggie wearing Shokz OpenRun Mini headphones\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Shokz OpenRun vs. OpenRun Pro Bluetooth Bone Conduction Headphones: What's the Difference?<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-43108 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2023-11-12 08:44:18\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wahoo-tickr-heart-rate-monitor-review\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wahoo-TICKR-post-head.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"Wahoo TICKR Heart Rate Monitor \u2013 Our Review\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-43108 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Wahoo TICKR post head\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Wahoo TICKR Heart Rate Monitor \u2013 Best Budget Heart Rate Monitor?<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-43107 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2023-11-12 08:42:38\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/can-average-cyclists-do-zwift-workouts\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Joe-on-Zwift-bike-12-oct-2023-with-105-proof-copy-1-1.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"I fell in love with Zwifting instantly. In seemingly no time, I had completed my first 100 miles, and was totally hooked\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-43107 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Joe on Zwift bike 12 oct 2023 with 105 proof copy (1)\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Can Average Cyclists Do Zwift Workouts?<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-42685 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2023-07-13 20:58:32\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/garmin-edge-840-vs-830\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Garmin-Edge-830-840-and-830-solar-post-header1.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-42685 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Garmin Edge 830 840 and 830 solar post header(1)\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Garmin Edge 840 vs. 830: What's the Difference?<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-42798 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2023-07-30 12:28:50\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/cycling-erectile-dysfunction\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Erectile-Dysfunction-01-smaller-1.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"The root of the problem is that when you cycle, you spend a lot of time with all your body weight bearing down on a small but sensitive part of your anatomy\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-42798 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Erectile Dysfunction 01 smaller\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Can Cycling Cause Penis Numbness, Erectile Dysfunction, and Prostate Cancer?<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-42684 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2023-07-13 20:56:47\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/garmin-edge-540-vs-530\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/540-Bike-computer-near-sea.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"Garmin Edge 540 vs 530 - What&#039;s the difference?\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-42684 msDefaultImage\" title=\"540 Bike computer near sea\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Garmin Edge 540 vs 530 - What's the difference?<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-42794 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2023-07-30 12:23:28\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/review-of-the-mojawa-run-plus-bone-conduction-headphones\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Post-header-Joe-floating-in-pool-with-Mojawa-headphones.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"What better way to relax your body after a bike ride than getting into the water!\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-42794 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Post header Joe floating in pool with Mojawa headphones\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Review of the Mojawa Dual Function Headphones: Bluetooth Open Ear for Cycling, and MP3 for Swimming<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-41082 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2022-12-01 11:35:16\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/garmin-edge-1030-plus-vs-1040\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Post-header-1040-vs-1030-Plus1.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"They look the same - but there are quite a lot of differences!. Garmin edge 1030 plus vs 1040 bike computers\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-41082 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Post header 1040 vs 1030 Plus(1)\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Garmin Edge 1040 vs 1030 Plus: What\u2019s the Difference?<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-35727 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2020-09-13 16:39:34\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/best-garmin-edge-bike-2\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/slide-all-garmin-edge-bike-computers-compared1.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"All Garmin Edge Bike Computers Compared\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-35727 msDefaultImage\" title=\"slide all garmin edge bike computers compared(1)\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>ALL GARMIN EDGE BIKE COMPUTERS COMPARED. 130 Plus vs Explore 2 vs 530 vs 830 vs 1030 Plus vs 1040<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-33696 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2020-05-17 13:45:41\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/best-cheap-bike-computers-under-100\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/7-cheap-bike-computers-on-a-handlebar-header1-1.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-33696 msDefaultImage\" title=\"7 cheap bike computers on a handlebar header(1)\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>7 of the Best Cheap Bike Computers under $75 \u2013 Includes Budget Wireless Computers<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-37594 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2021-02-15 18:45:51\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/7-of-the-best-budget-bike-computers\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/7-budget-bike-computers-post-header.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-37594 msDefaultImage\" title=\"7 budget bike computers post header\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>7 of the Best Budget Bike Computers<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-37535 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2021-02-09 17:46:40\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/7-best-dog-bike-baskets\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Dog-bike-basket-header1.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"7 best dog bike baskets\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-37535 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Dog bike basket header(1)\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>7 of the Best Carriers to Take Your Dog on Bike Rides<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-34577 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2020-07-27 15:05:43\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/garmin-edge-530-vs-830-vs-1030-plus\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/530-vs-830-vs-1030-plus-header-min.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"This graphic shows you the relative sizes of the 530 (left), 1030 Plus (center), and 830 (right)\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-34577 msDefaultImage\" title=\"530 vs 830 vs 1030 plus header-min\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Garmin Edge 530 vs 830 vs 1030 Plus vs 1040 Bike Computers: In-Depth Comparison with Reviews and Videos<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-33276 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2020-04-23 15:42:22\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/best-road-bike-saddles-2\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Best-road-bike-saddles-header.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"Best road bike saddles\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-33276 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Best road bike saddles header\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>9 of the Best Road Bike Saddles for Men and Women - Video-Packed Post<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-32893 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2020-04-08 08:05:11\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/7-best-bike-computers\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/7-best-bike-computers-header-41.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-32893 msDefaultImage\" title=\"7 best bike computers header 4(1)\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>7 of the Best Bike Computers<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-32445 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2020-03-09 12:27:40\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/7-best-waterproof-cycling-jackets\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/9-of-the-best-waterproof-cycling-jackets-header1.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"9 of the best waterproof cycling jackets for men and women. A great waterproof cycling jacket will keep you dry, and at the same time be breathable, so that you don&#039;t overheat your core\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-32445 msDefaultImage\" title=\"9 of the best waterproof cycling jackets header(1)\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>7 of the Best Waterproof Cycling Jackets for Men and Women<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-30917 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2019-07-25 16:27:47\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/garmin-edge-530-vs-830-vs-1030\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Garmin-Edge-530-vs-830-vs-1030-header-2.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"The Garmin Edge 830 on Maggie&#039;s bike\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-30917 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Garmin Edge 530 vs 830 vs 1030 header 2\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Garmin Edge 530 vs 830 vs 1030 vs 1040<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-31341 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2019-08-26 22:13:15\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/great-bikes-amazon\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/woman-bike-and-dog-at-sunset-2.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"Get a new bike, and then get outside and have fun!\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-31341 msDefaultImage\" title=\"woman bike and dog at sunset 2\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>7 Great Budget Bikes You Can Buy on Amazon - Cruiser, Mountain, Road and Hybrid<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-25151 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2017-08-12 16:10:32\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/compare-best-waterproof-bike-panniers\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Bridgestone-MB2-classic-mountain-bike-on-trestle-bridge-on-Lochside-Bridge-700x300.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-25151 msDefaultImage\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>7 of the Best Waterproof Bike Panniers Compared<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-25163 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2017-08-13 19:30:07\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/best-baby-and-child-bike-seats\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/man-cycling-from-Tsawwassen-with-child-1-750-closer-1.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-25163 msDefaultImage\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>7 of the Best Child Bike Seats Compared<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-33689 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2020-05-17 13:25:47\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/7-best-bike-locks\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Bike-lock-header1.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"7 best bike locks\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-33689 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Bike lock header(1)\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>7 of the Best Bike locks Compared. Find the Best Bike Lock For You!<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-42799 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2023-07-30 12:30:42\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/best-headphones-safe-cycling-2\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Post-header-Joe-and-Maggie-safest-headphones.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-42799 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Post header Joe and Maggie safest headphones\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Best Safe Headphones for Cyclists Compared<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-45252 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-02-22 20:57:16\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/piriformis-syndrome-in-cyclists\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Piriformis-muscle-seen-from-behind-header.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"Piriformis muscle seen from the front header\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-45252 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Piriformis muscle seen from the front header\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Piriformis Syndrome in Cyclists - How to Prevent and Cure It<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-45526 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-03-08 16:15:36\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/are-garmin-edge-bike-computers-worth-it\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/keen-cyclists.jpg?resize=750%2C420&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"420\" width=\"750\" alt=\"If you are you a really keen and serious cyclist, aspiring to train hard and become fitter and faster, then it is possible that a Garmin Edge bike computer would be a good choice for you\" class=\"slider-25127 slide-45526 msDefaultImage\" title=\"keen cyclists\" \/><\/a><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Are Garmin Edge Bike Computers Worth It?<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td colspan=\"3\" class=\"column-1\"><h3>Did you enjoy this post or find it helpful? If so, please support our blog!<\/h3><br \/>\n<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-43266 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Table-Picture-Joe-on-bike-in-desert-with-Adidas-bike-shirt-Nov-2023.jpg?resize=170%2C160&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"160\" \/><br \/>\nWe write this blog because we love cycling. But we also need to earn a living, so we would appreciate it very much if you click through to one of our reputable affiliates for your online shopping. <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2hqcg9Q\">We are proudly affiliated with Amazon,<\/a> which sells pretty much everything, and has outstanding shipping and return policies. When you buy from our affiliates we make a small commission, and this is the <strong>only way<\/strong> we earn any income. Plus, it costs you nothing at all - a real win\/win situation! We here at Average Joe Cyclist do not receive any information AT ALL about who you are, where you live, or what your dog's name is. Buying through our Amazon links is simply an anonymous way to thank us for our efforts, like tossing a few coins in a tip jar. Except that it is Amazon who tosses the coins, not you!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><center><a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2dQ8qH2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shop at Amazon in the USA:<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><center><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/b?_encoding=UTF8&amp;camp=15121&amp;creative=330641&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;node=2406106011&amp;site-redirect=&amp;tag=avejoecyc-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shop at Amazon in Canada:<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><center><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/b?_encoding=UTF8&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;node=324144011&amp;site-redirect=&amp;tag=avejoecyc-21\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shop at Amazon in the UK:<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td colspan=\"3\" class=\"column-1\"><center><strong>As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-43 from cache --><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 2672px; left: 60px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 2859px; left: 60px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 3172px; left: 60px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 999px; left: 115px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 999px; left: 115px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 975px; left: 115px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 975px; left: 115px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 4413px; left: 60px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 1025px; left: 60px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 2013px; left: 60px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 4489px; left: 60px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 4489px; left: 60px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: block; cursor: pointer; top: 174px; left: 60px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 174px; left: 60px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 5348px; left: 60px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 174px; left: 60px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: block; cursor: pointer; top: 3493px; left: 60px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: block; cursor: pointer; top: 174px; left: 60px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c  no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: block; cursor: pointer; top: 174px; left: 66px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It took me 40 years to move from \u201cI love riding bikes\u201d to \u201cI am a cyclist.\u201d Hard to believe, I know. Looking back, I guess it was because I made so many mistakes along the way. I&#8217;m a slow learner &#8211; let me tell you about it! I learned to ride a bike the hard way &#8211; not so much riding as crashing. I had a lot of setbacks along the way. Finally, I learned the keys to making cycling safe, easy and fun &#8211; and somewhere along the way, I became a cyclist!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21527,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[406],"tags":[109,5,246],"class_list":{"0":"post-21465","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling-and-health-cycling-and-fitness","8":"tag-bike-commuting","9":"tag-cycling-for-health","10":"tag-vancouver-cycling","11":"entry"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v23.8 (Yoast SEO v25.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How I Took 40 Years to Become a Cyclist<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It took me 40 years to move from \u201cI love riding bikes\u201d to \u201cI am a cyclist.\u201d Now, I know how to making cycling easy - and I am a cyclist!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How I Took 40 years to Become a Cyclist\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It took me 40 years to move from \u201cI love riding bikes\u201d to \u201cI am a cyclist.\u201d Now, I know how to making cycling easy - and I am a cyclist!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Average Joe Cyclist\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/averagejoe.cyclist\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/averagejoe.cyclist\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-02-27T19:47:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-09-02T00:01:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car-750-x420.jpg?fit=750%2C440&ssl=1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"750\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Average Joe Cyclist\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@AvrgeJoeCyclist\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@AvrgeJoeCyclist\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Average Joe Cyclist\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/\",\"name\":\"How I Took 40 Years to Become a Cyclist\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car-750-x420.jpg?fit=750%2C440&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-02-27T19:47:25+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-09-02T00:01:38+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/#\/schema\/person\/5ed1d4c86d3fc3c7265efe25d3ad9dd7\"},\"description\":\"It took me 40 years to move from \u201cI love riding bikes\u201d to \u201cI am a cyclist.\u201d Now, I know how to making cycling easy - and I am a cyclist!\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car-750-x420.jpg?fit=750%2C440&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car-750-x420.jpg?fit=750%2C440&ssl=1\",\"width\":750,\"height\":440},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How I Took 40 years to Become a Cyclist\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/\",\"name\":\"Average Joe Cyclist\",\"description\":\"A Blog for Average People who LOVE to ride bikes!\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/#\/schema\/person\/5ed1d4c86d3fc3c7265efe25d3ad9dd7\",\"name\":\"Average Joe Cyclist\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/www.averagejoecyclist.com\",\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/averagejoe.cyclist\/\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/author\/admin\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How I Took 40 Years to Become a Cyclist","description":"It took me 40 years to move from \u201cI love riding bikes\u201d to \u201cI am a cyclist.\u201d Now, I know how to making cycling easy - and I am a cyclist!","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How I Took 40 years to Become a Cyclist","og_description":"It took me 40 years to move from \u201cI love riding bikes\u201d to \u201cI am a cyclist.\u201d Now, I know how to making cycling easy - and I am a cyclist!","og_url":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/","og_site_name":"Average Joe Cyclist","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/averagejoe.cyclist","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/averagejoe.cyclist\/","article_published_time":"2017-02-27T19:47:25+00:00","article_modified_time":"2020-09-02T00:01:38+00:00","og_image":[{"width":750,"height":440,"url":"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car-750-x420.jpg?fit=750%2C440&ssl=1","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Average Joe Cyclist","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@AvrgeJoeCyclist","twitter_site":"@AvrgeJoeCyclist","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Average Joe Cyclist","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/","url":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/","name":"How I Took 40 Years to Become a Cyclist","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car-750-x420.jpg?fit=750%2C440&ssl=1","datePublished":"2017-02-27T19:47:25+00:00","dateModified":"2020-09-02T00:01:38+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/#\/schema\/person\/5ed1d4c86d3fc3c7265efe25d3ad9dd7"},"description":"It took me 40 years to move from \u201cI love riding bikes\u201d to \u201cI am a cyclist.\u201d Now, I know how to making cycling easy - and I am a cyclist!","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car-750-x420.jpg?fit=750%2C440&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car-750-x420.jpg?fit=750%2C440&ssl=1","width":750,"height":440},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/how-i-took-40-years-to-become-a-cyclist\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How I Took 40 years to Become a Cyclist"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/","name":"Average Joe Cyclist","description":"A Blog for Average People who LOVE to ride bikes!","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/#\/schema\/person\/5ed1d4c86d3fc3c7265efe25d3ad9dd7","name":"Average Joe Cyclist","sameAs":["http:\/\/www.averagejoecyclist.com","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/averagejoe.cyclist\/"],"url":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/author\/admin\/"}]}},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Pedal-car-750-x420.jpg?fit=750%2C440&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p13QyJ-5Ad","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21465","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21465"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21465\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21527"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21465"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21465"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21465"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}