I enjoyed the video. I have osteoporosis and recovery from a hip pinning surgery and a wrist fracture. I had to change the way I ride. I just purchased a new bike. A Trek fx3 stagger. A blast to ride. Not fast but I am able to continue the joy of cycling. Life is better when you pedal🚲👍😁
Kodiak. Thank you for the videos. I stumbled across you by accident researching sizes for a Caad 10 I recently purchased. Used in near new condition/ a solid deal with the training unit, some upgrades. I've ridden bikes since I was a born almost, always loved it. Was always intimidated by road bikes. But I did it and I now understand the fever and love of cycling in a new way. Currently looking for a club on FB or online in Napa /Solano area Northern Ca. As a small business- restaurant owner, I deserve me time again now that I'm 52 and my kids are in HS, mostly self sufficient. So I have some time to explore this new cycling stage in my life. Golf will easily take a back seat! Thanks the content and you have a gift for sharing my friend!
Thank you Luis - great video and advice - loved your emotion and passion about connecting people and making a difference. Subscribed and looking forward to your content! My personal take outs were working on my body aerodynamics, remembering to have fun adventure rides and connect more with my riding buds and son on the bike. Thanks and Be blessed!
Aero is only important in competitive cycling. Otherwise, you're just depriving yourself of an opportunity for exercise. It's like lifting 40kg because it's easier than lifting 50kg.
Only issue with aero....it will make a difference at lower speeds. No one talks about head wind..windy days it comes into play. Your quoting wind tunnel numbers.
Spot on! So much wisdom in one video. I've gone from 180 lbs (overweight) to 143lbs riding weight a long time back (Perhaps underweight). Got super fast, did some centuries. One thing I learned - the faster you get, the fewer friends you have and there's still always someone faster. You may start to leave your old friends behind to ride with the newer, faster group. It gets lonely at the top and I realized these new "friends" weren't really friends at all. They were nice, but not the "have your back" kind of friends. It's so much about the fellowship... I personally like getting folks out riding and excited about the sport. I've put some of that weight back on and have been riding less the last few years. I need to get back into it, just not that extreme, ultra competitive crap. But also true that 2 riders on the same road = race - great quote!
Whew buddy, this comment hits home and has me in my feelings right now lol. Started riding with my best friend. I'm 205 lbs he's the ideal cyclist body at 135-140 lbs. He's surpassed me so much on the climbs because of my weight and is starting to ride with the top local dudes. We still ride but Jesus criminey I can barely keep up the dudes too fast for me anymore. Feel like I'm losing my riding buddy! Just keep on.
When riders aren't matched in fitness, the fast one can ride a slower bike such as a gravel bike with 45mm tires, or one with an internal geared hub like Alfine or Rohloff, a singlespeed, or a flat bar bike with gravel tires. The slower one can ride a fast road bike with deeper wheels if they have that or borrow from the fast one.
Awesome vid Luis, you got me choked up at the end as your passion for riding is intoxicating! When I turned 60 I decided to tone back my pace & stop hammering every ride & enjoy the ride & the people I’m riding with, at the same time staying strong & fit. For me riding, weight training, good diet & positive attitude is the secret to longevity, stay safe my friend!
I like riding easy in the country and looking at the scenery on Sundays. It seems it's always hard riding all the time with friends. I tell them I like doing a solo on Sundays just to avoid the same ole balls to the wall riding.
@@alonzobattise952 My mother is in her upper 70s and I bought her a low step over bike when she thought it was over. My advice to her was start gradually and build into it slowly. She started one mile twice a week, Tues. and Thurs. Then a month later three times a week, added Sat. with three miles. She rode to hard and had to start over about a month later. After two years she is riding twenty miles a week. Her joint pain has almost disappeared. Key is don't overdo it because it takes a long time to heal over fifty. Stick with it my friend, it will add good years to your life I believe.
60 is relatively young. But depending on your fitness, just start slow and build up by increasing your mileage 20 to 30% weekly. Keep the intensity easy.👍🏾
@@thegoodwheel I wished I said that about fitness, I got a buddy that hardly ever has ridden a bike but has kept in shape all his life, he just started riding about six months ago and I mean he jumped in head first, he is averaging 18mph and is 65yrs old.
Its interesting to see people of all ages can be on the same sort of life journey at the same time in their life. Im 26 and quit smoking a few weeks ago, been focusing on diet and human connections. And man oh man do i feel the same way you did during the video. The amount of deep human connection ive experienced recently makes me emotional. Im so looking forward to a healthier snd brighter future! Cool how biking gets us to think about life holistically huh?
Great content, Luis! And always keeping it real! Here in Montreal, I’ve noticed a move away from team kits or coordinated gear, although cycling clubs are obviously still coordinated. One of my most memorable group rides started out as a solo ride from Cullera to Valencia, in Valencia province, Spain. Riders joined and dropped off over the 50km distance. Riding in a country where cyclists garner huge respect on the road is such a pleasure. Rode back to Cullera solo - into a headwind lol. 🚴🏾
Your content is always great and practical for the average cyclist. It really helped me progress from beginner to intermediate rather quickly. Thank you for what you do for the sport!
Reduction in bone density is a huge issue, especially for long distance cyclists. Studies have shown minerals actually leaching from the bones with long exercise sessions such as cycling. Thanks for mentioning this important concern.
You bring up some very good points, and they can save someone's life. There is no place for a sprint on a public highway with traffic in the next lane (3:28)!! EVER! If there's a crash, the pileup can easily spill over into the next lane and an oncoming car will just crush everyone to death. The most important thing you can do in a large group is think about the good safety practices. Learn to see an accident in the making, before it happens. When you see that people are doing dangerous stuff, just drop back and get out of there. If you want to sprint and race hard, sign up for a crit!!
And take your friends with you, sometimes people get so caught up in these things, they don't even realize how insane what's happening actually is. Do it properly, don't endanger other riders, first rule of the game. Be predictable in public traffic. Also the first rule of the game because there is no freaking substitute for common sense and adhering to best traffic practices. No glory in watching the Giro from a wheelchair.
This is my first time watching one of your videos. I love your perspectives on cycling. Thank you for what you do. I subscribed. I hope I’ll ride with you some day if you ever come up to the mountains on WNC.
Awesome video totally agree with everything. Cycling has become the new middle-age middle-class sport where you can show off your gear and the money you spent on it. The club I ride in has better gear than the Tour de France. They laugh about me and my Aluminum bike. Their obsession with weight and aero is absolutely hilarious though themselves they are 220 lbs. One guy last time showed up in "aero socks". Now they all have aero socks :D.
It's simpler than that, trends don't make sense. A curated fit to the bike, ergonomic technique, safe riding practices and good nutrition are what you need to ride. Anything else is superfluous unless you are a sponsored racer, paid to maximize performance.
Your videos are super helpful - especially being a complete novice cyclist and getting on the trail and having some sense of etiquette thanks to said videos. Hopefully I'll be able to hang with the B group in a few months.
I have been cycling all my life. And I do take pride in my appearance as well. But it is more of a physical thing. People who wear too elaborately fancy kit look like clowns more than anything else. Especially if there is too much of a discrepancy between ability and presentation.
One thing about being just vegi or vegan is it really is true that you feel great for the first while but after about a year or two you really start to feel ...not your best and it's easy to just shrug it off as "getting older" but get your bloods done. For me my thyroid got fucked and a few of the other vitamins were dropping on the low side, sure the vegti types will say "then you're doing it wrong" but simply just eat everything in moderation and if you're cycling that excercise will take care of the rest.
I love the call out of enjoying a different riding experience. This year was the first year I rode outside of south florida, first to Lake Tahoe which allowed me to experience climbing at elevation and bombing decents. Then I went to Las Vegas to do some mountain riding in the desert. Each palce not only did I have a diffent riding experience but also exposure to different riding cultures. I met awesome people that ride different bikes more suited to their environments. If people love the sport of cycling and I love all forms then leaving your comfort zone and heading someone new can reignite your love for the sport.
I do agree with you at the last point. The long zone 2 rides are both optimal for your training, but also for your mind when doing them in good company.
As a mountain biker transitioning to road riding, this channeling is incredibly valuable. Thank you for providing an education on the etiquette of the road. I can’t begin to tell you how much i’ve learned from your instruction in the last six months. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Luis. I’m an old guy who cannot bomb along at 20+ mph anymore but I still love riding. I really enjoy your videos. You seem really practical and well grounded and your love of cycling shines through.
Yea my biggest thing I want to contribute and change in cycling that doesn’t matter is the astronomical cost for bikes is not the ONLY option and love showing people how you can access riding at a fraction of the cost. But also in this crazy time of division and hostility going on, I love that simply riding a bike can bring people together and heal one another.
Nice video, to clothing... I love just my shorts from freeride time, sleevless tshirt and that is about it on my slicks equipped bike. Mind you, its only gravel, not even endurance or even full sport roadie, but yeh...
Great video, subscribed and keep up the honesty on all these videos. This is the second time I find your vids and this time I ended up subscribing. The first time was when you reviewed The Caad10 and guess what? I went ahead and bought myself a used one. Extremely happy with it, doing B and A’s rides with it 👌🏼🤙🏼. Be blessed brother 🙏🏼
Many great cyclists, like Sagan, have MTB beginnings. With the exception of my roadbike and bibs, I proudly, and unapologetically, display my MTB heritage in my XC helmet, T-shirt, and hairy legs on road rides in front of the snobs.
Love your content but a note on gaingin drive train efficiency; A bicycle drivetrain is already between like 95 and 98 percent efficient, just by existing and working properly. You can't make it much better through care, lube, or much of anything aside from just keeping it clean and working properly. lol
Also, can you name the brands forcing snobbery on local group rides so I can inform myself and my customers to never buy them and kick their reps from the store if they come in?
Great video! I’m living in Japan right now and the cyclists here are all masochists. On the hottest or coldest days they’ll do 200K, 300K or even longer rides. It’s just nuts. The riding is beautiful though, and the exact opposite of Florida in that the climbs are many and very steep! One thing about giving up red meat, don’t forget that it’s very nutritious,full of B vitamins and good fats. Enjoy in moderate amounts! Keep up the good work!
Biggest problem is everybody's a pro. There's no such thing as casual riding anymore. 3 years ago, I bought a 700 bucks hardtail that I used 95% of the time on asphalt, from riding thru the city up to 120km long rides...it was basically a tool for exploring (still is). This year, I decided to go for performance instead of just recreational riding so I bought a cheap, Decathlon road bike (I think it was like 400 bucks). You can't imagine how many bad looks I get from total strangers just because their fat ass on a 12 grand carbon bike got overtaken by a dude in jeans and vans on a pos budget bike. My point is, if you buy a Porsche, it does not automatically mean you're a profesional racing car driver all of the sudden. You can own a Porsche and enjoy it like a normal person...without racing gear, track days and so on.
We called those people called "suck and dash" the ones that never rotate to the front for well over the first 3/4 for some reason and then they suddenly have energy to go 2-3 MPH faster than the group has been riding previously, but won't start the acknowledged sprint either. They act like they are local Mark Cavendish expecting Mark Renshaw to lead them out all the way. lol AS far as kits, I ride a "Ride" in the logo of Tide, M&Ms, Cookie Monster, Skittles, etc. all with plain black Sugoi bibs. I do have my higher end club apparel, though. It is a nice treat to feel the super high quality against the skin.
On the long ride front, unless you are training for a multi week stage race it’s probably unnecessary from a fitness point of view to have 15-20 plus hours a week on the bike or to go 200 km on the weekend, unless that’s your thing. How long do you have to train at below level 3 to maximize aerobic gains in minimal time? I’d be curious to know what other non-racers are doing…
Whats up bud. This is the first vid of yours I came across. Subscribed! Good for you on the diet shift. Been vegan for 15+ years. Biking/cardio gains have been insane. Love that you get emotional over seeing person to person connection. In these harder and darker times that we have all been going through (in the technologically saturated era we are in), tech has surely connected us in some ways, but in a lot of ways it has shattered our ability to have meaningful interactions. So I feel you on seeing things like that happen organically. It's almost like witnessing a miracle before your eyes that technology has blinded us to. Riiiide on, Cheers.
As I got older I gave up a lot of stuff I used to believe in cycling. I'm 53 now, I don't get out as often anymore and I'm not as fast as I used to be nor was I ever really that fast to begin with. I gave up group riding because it was filled with a bunch of over-biked old guys on $10K+ bikes who wished they were racers and made things dangerous. Heck, I was one of those guys but I no longer wanted to be. I stopped killing myself and worrying about the numbers: watts, speed, distance, power, weight and just started enjoying the ride itself, taking in the sights and appreciating where I am. I ditched my race bikes and replaced them with all-road setups, some carbon and some steel. I'm finding I'm enjoying cycling again like when I first started as a teen. It's more of an escape than a hammer fest. Shorter, slower rides, sometimes with people, sometimes solo, but all a lot more pleasurable once I let go of the competitive aspect of it. Let's face it, we're not all racers and we're not all training for something, so why kill yourself pretending. It's still tough to be passed up and not want to grab a wheel and/or pass them but I'm getting better at it.
When I started cycling in my senior high school around the mid 90's, cycling is more about the ride. Dosen't really matter what level you are. if you have a road bike let us ride. When we ride mountain, you have a mountain bike let's go. Friendly competition here and there. Now it seems like there is more pissing contest and snobs cyclists. Now I just ride with a handful of friends or by my self if they are busy. Probably it's just me who see it that way.
great video, l have to totally agree with you. Cycling is about to have fun, sure everyone wants to cycle faster, but fun is ultimate goal. And about group rides where you have to wear certain level of kit, damn l am from Europe l haven`t heard abot something like that l hope this like that wil disapper soon.
Very interesting.... For me, cycling is and always has been a solo activity. Since childhood. When our kids were still kids, I used to ride somewhere with one, two or all three of them... When they were teens, I rode sometimes with one or another of them to a more distant destination. But they are family and family is family. Usually, I like to ride alone. Somehow, that is what it is about.
I wish I could find a group to ride with but up in Caribou Maine as fas as I can tell there is none. And the weather is so cold in the winter it gets to -45 at times. Summer is not all that bad. I'm working on a bicycle to ride now.
aero is based on wind speed, not your own speed, so the vast majority of the time, almost any road rider is benefiting from aero, because it's your speed plus your headwind speed
Once saw a tri race where a cyclist in a skin suit aero everything get smoked by what appeared to be a new rider on a poorly maintained hybrid. So much for aero.
As a tall and light rider, I strongly thing that aero bikes might be pretty dangerous. I used to rode a carbon frame bike (about 10 years old model kind of aero design) but almost died twice because of a strong and suddent side wind on busy road. One time my front wheel litteraly took off the ground 30cm because of a strong side wind. It was really scary! I now ride a steel bike, 22mm rim height and feel a lot safer (and far more comfy and faster as it is bespoke made and fit me perfectly). If I want to go aero, I let my body do the job as you explained. You seem to have a wonderfull community of riders! Love the channel! Greetings from Japan.
Hey Luis, that is truly a very honest and authentic video about some of the current cycling habits a rider has to deal with. Fun is the most important part of it all. Keep up doing these videos, would like to see more of it soon. - Nils
100% with you, great insights! Wildling out in sprints like you show is definitely a trend I hope dies! And absolutely crushing ourselves with huge rides and leaving with a bad taste: also a total miss. I hope folks stop thinking they need to go mega in order to be worthy.
Yes, the mass sprints are just Krazy, really hazardous to all involved. The skill level involved in a all out sprint is lacking most the time. My husband goes out with old bmxers that have very evolved bike handling skills that make sporty riding safe and fun. They as a group have nothing to prove. So don't foget about the other guys out on their trials bikes.
On the issue of clothes, the main things are being 1) comfortable and 2) safe (in terms of visibility and crash protection). You don't need the most expensive kit to achieve these. Personally I mix and match. I cheap out in the summer but go all in for good winter gear. Some of the more expensive gear only makes sense under certain circumstances. For example I would only buy photo chromatic lenses if I were riding frequently at dawn or dusk. One need not buy an expensive brand such as Oakley. As long as the glasses are made out of polycarbonate it will be just as safe in a crash.
Eu andava muito de bicicleta speed aqui no Brasil, nos anos 70 e 80 tivemos 3 fabricantes de bicicletas aqui que fabricavam as bikes speed como as chamamos aqui, a Monark a Caloi e a Peugeot, essas bicicletas eram 10 velocidades normalmente. Recentemente voltei a pedalar e estou gostando bastante, restaurei minha Monark 10 que tenho desde 1987 e uma Caloi 10 também, agora vou restaurar a Peugeot 10.... Gostei muito do vídeo, obrigado por compartilhar. PS already subscribed to your Channel! Congrats from Brasil.
You sir seem to be a leader. A person who lives for others, for a greater good, probably putting God 1st in your life. There is no shame in showing emotions when living a life for others. That is where true joy and peace is achieved! Your speed on the bike likely inspires others to push themselves into places they thought they couldn’t go before. Keep up the good work, God’s work. Leaders go first, go hard and go fast - they lead by an example worth following.
I think you have to be doing over 30mph and that’s to gain very little good position on the bike is far more efficient. Aero bikes look good but unless you are a professional in a TT don’t bother it’s just marketing
Could you tell me beyond what price range you would consider one's kit too expensive/ fancy? I saw another video in which a youtuber said beyond a certain price range, one's kit is clearly only for the purpose of "showing off". That comment made me feel guilty, as I had just purchased bike specific kit - which I had not purchased before: mountain bike pants ($135 CAN), cycling jersey ($70 CAN), cycling shoes ($240 CAN), mountain bike socks ($25 CAN). Total: $470 CAN (= $356 US). Would you opine based on how much I spent, my kit is too expensive/ fancy?
Hi Luis. I really appreciate your videos and honesty with the emotions. Nothing to apologise for. Your passion to connect people through cycling is beautiful. Keep up the good work mate.
I don't think showing tears is a "baby" at all; I think it's a human trait and many will respect you more because of it. Like you, I've learned that the connections we make with folks are always the memories that we remember. Yes. we remember that "great' day on the bike or a 'bad' day on the bike, but many other things or accomplishments on the bike get forgotten over time. The memories of meeting new people or riding partners are something that can last for a lifetime.Thanks for sharing!!
I’ve started traveling with my bike whenever I have work travel just so I can keep fitness and experience each location beyond the main metro areas and it’s been great for me. I’m with you with experiencing new destinations, cultures plus dining experiences.
Agree on the Super Long Ride, I love Audax, and I have a dream of finishing all its distances, but for now, I enjoy the 200 km Audax rides in different locations. Although for cycling gear, I love the colors and design of several cycling kits even though I can only rotate 3-4 kits.
I get your points, but part of cosmetic bike upgrades and fancy clothing is mental. When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you ride good! Also sometimes when you feel your motivation to ride trailing off sometimes a new snazzy piece of kit will get you back on the saddle and restore your motivation! Also about long rides, I think it's good for your mind, body, and soul to go out on an absolute crusher of a ride occasionally, something that you don't think you can accomplish and leaves you tired and sore for a week afterwards. It builds character and mental fortitude, and shows you that you are stronger than you think.
I have a Winspace T1500 and built it with external cable routing. The first reason is because it fits my travel bicycle box, i need to take off the handle bar from the stem. And also because it's simpler for maintenance.
You're still on internal routing, just more specifically, regular internal routing. If your shift and brake lines enter the frame at any point, it's not external routing.
@@yonglingng5640 I know, I’m a bike mechanic. Saying “external” on todays frames is not the same as few years ago on older frames. We almost should say, semi external.
I struggle a bit now were I live to find people to ride with on the right pace maybe I can find some one and have some km together but difficoult to make real connection. Quite sad…
This guy has no idea what he's talking about when it comes to nutrition. Did he really say he's gonna eat more grain and less meat? Thats backwards, grain will destroy your gut, meat won't. The biggest nutrition problem world tour cyclists face is gut distress from the insane levels of carbohydrates they intake during training and grand tour races.
@@thegoodwheel I love racing crits and pushing myself past my limit but I could never put my body under that same stress nutrition wise as those top pros. I prioritize my gut health above cycling gains because at the end of the day those gut bacteria keep you alive. I cycle to live longer not sacrifice my health for max performance.
@@thegoodwheel I think eating more cruciferous (green) veggies is a good idea but I wouldn't touch some of the more popular grains in the U.S. Even organic steel cut oats are contaminated with glyphosate (Round-Up) and contain a protein similar to gluten that can even be more damaging for some people. As far as meat, I eat a can of Wild Caught Sardines in EVOO every day for my daily fish oil to support my brain development. The quality of the meat matters.
Riding alone is sometimes the only way to enjoy, specially if you live in places where people is so race minded and go at their max full time. I think riding alone sometimes is important too
I agree with a lot of things you mentioned there certain cycling kits I think I know what you’re talking about and I’m not part of a club by my own kits , don’t like the road bike snobbery that might go on and yeah, you mentioned some good points about being fit and working on being flexible so you can get in the drops and that way you get more aero . I recommend that for everybody even reducing some weight so you don’t have to pedal the weight of the bike and ourselves. and don’t worry about getting emotional that shows that we’re human and we have a heart and not a hard heart that’s dangerous when we have a hard heart so many bad things in the world going on because of that keep up the good contacts I also live here in South Florida.😊
Luis, I just started following you and cant say enough about how happy I am that I did! This entire episode is SPOT ON.. from nutrition and kits, to biking etiguette and fellowship. Thank you!
