I have this memory from my teenage years, one that has stuck with me for a long time. Most weeks, I would go on a ride with my father and uncle. It was never anything fancy or overly serious – just a casual bike ride. We’d usually pedal for about 40 kilometres, though sometimes we’d mix it up with longer or shorter routes depending on the day and our mood.
Back then, cycling wasn’t about speed or technique – it was just about getting out there and enjoying the ride. I didn’t dive into the world of racing or training, nor did I ever worry about power meters, tracking speed, or even timing my rides. Honestly, I was just a rookie cyclist, but I loved it.
Fast forward to today, and I find myself back in the saddle. For the past few months, I’ve been aiming to ride my bike twice a week, tackling routes of 20 to 25 kilometres per ride. That’s about 40 to 45 kilometres per week, which, when I think about it, mirrors what I did as a teenager – but with the added bonus of being spread out over two rides instead of one.
This time, I’ve added a bit more tech to the mix. I use Strava and Intervals.icu to track my power and speed, but I’m still not training for anything in particular. There’s no event on the horizon, no races to prepare for – just the pure joy of riding.
Tracking my rides can be interesting, sure, and there’s definitely some value in seeing my stats. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t really change the fact that I’m still a rookie cyclist. I’m just out there, enjoying the ride, without any real pressure. And honestly, that’s enough for me.