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The thread title doesn’t sound like much but it’s a huge step for me. I’ve had Covid twice in the last 12 months and I suffered with after effects for a long time with the first bout. The second dose, caught in Feb, is proving to be the same.
I sold my MTB last year out of sheer frustration and if I’m being honest with myself it also wasn’t the right bike for me. Too new school and a bit too long, low and slack. With some of the funds I purchased a gravel bike for rides on the flat whilst I rebuilt my fitness.
A few observations from today.
It felt great to be back on a bike for the first time since October. It was even better to be able to ride more than a mile or so without serious fatigue setting in. I’m even more out of shape than I thought I was and I thought I was pretty bad.
The Fugio is indeed a lovely bike but, unfortunately, it’s not the right bike for me. Being honest with myself I don’t like drop bars and I’m a pretty rough rider.
I have a habit, somewhat related to depression and anxiety, of swapping bikes quite often. When things get too much in day to day life browsing bikes (and buying them) helps to distract me. I’m not particularly cash rich so should really stop doing this.
I regret getting rid of two bikes in the last four years. A Stif Morf and a Stooge Speedball. The former fit me like a glove for proper off road shenanigans and the latter was brilliant for cruising about and occasionally getting in trouble.
This is probably coming across as the worst stealth ad ever. The Fugio needs to go and I need to buy a bike for just cruising about on until I’m ready to tackle big hills, up and off road down, again. I thought a gravel bike would be great for linking up road with some mild to sketchy off road. I hate riding on the roads and don’t have the finesse to ride the bike off road.
Sorry for the long post. Don’t know why I’ve written it. Feel happy that I’ve managed to get out for a ride, yet equally pissed off and downbeat at how tired I am and the fact that I should just stick to a single bike. That would be a semi-aggressive HT or rigid monster truck/cruise mobile.
If you read all that then I can only apologise. Have a photo of a bike for your time!
Great that you've got the wheels turning again. Sometimes it's not about the bike, sometimes it is about the bike, but just being out there is the main thing.
Thanks for that. Going to get a shower and then have a nap. Very tired after about four miles of canal towpath, roads and around Sutton reservoir.
Love the colour of that fugio!
Sounds like a nice ride, welcome back. The Fugio looks lovely. I'm lucky enough to have a few bikes and agree that a cross/gravel bike can take a fair bit of finessing and fitness to get the most from off-road. I have a Stooge and love it for the type of riding you describe.
Maybe you could do a swap with someone.
It’s great to hear you are back on two wheels.
Chuck the leg over, turn the cranks and smile.
It’s as simple as that, anything more ( yes we all do it) simply doesn’t matter.
We are all with you, so all that’s left to say is, Happy Trails.
Maybe you could do a swap with someone
That would be ideal. Just in bed now with my three year old asleep next to me. Thanks for the replies. The Fugio is a lovely looking bike, just doesn’t feel right unfortunately. I need something that’ll make me want to ride. That’ll make the battle to get out in the first place so much easier
Crikey...sounds like a rough time. Great you’ve been out and don’t be too rough on yourself. Be in the moment and just enjoy the world moving around you on whatever bike you choose. Bikes - riding/building/buying/swapping/fixing/selling/riding are all sources of cathartic release for me...puts brain and body in a better place. For what it’s worth I’m loving my Singular Kite...it does an awful lot...and puts a smile on my face...and that’s what it’s about no matter the geometry/spec/material etc. Get well and Stay well, ride more
Where's the like button when you need it 👍welcome back.
Welcome back mate. I also went for my first ride this year although it knackered me. I caught Covid but luckily only once and it completely destroyed my stamina. I still struggle to walk more than 5 miles before being absolutely knackered.
@funkmasterp
Drop us a line. jonedwardsATelainebarberDOTplusDotcom
Messaging doesn't seem to work and you've not left an email addy anywhere...
Singletrack at its best. 👌
keep your chin up mate.
and re swapping bikes. i am all with you on that.
if it dont make you smile, sell it and buy something that does.
which is the best advice this forums most serial bike swapper can give you.
Bike rides are ace.
If it's not the right bike, sort something else.
Good news mate. It's the start of your journey back. For me, it's not all about the bike: yes, it needs to do the job, but it's a means to an end not an end in itself. It can take you to places you wouldn't reach otherwise, sort out your head, frighten you, let you connect with nature and the world around you, bring you new friends....... And so much more. The bike doesn't have to be perfect. Mine certainly isn't!
Enjoy your rides mate. You chosen the right time. Spring is oh so close now.
nice one sir 👍🚴
Thanks for that. Going to get a shower and then have a nap. Very tired after about four miles of canal towpath, roads and around Sutton reservoir.
As far as I know I haven't had Covid, just lack of exercise as a result of lockdown.
If it helps I felt the same with a couple of the rugby coaches from Sutton yesterday...
Great that you're riding again, similar experience here, back on a bike for the first time in almost a year a few weeks back.
I built up a new FlareMAX in the mean time to keep my head pointed in the right direction. Still haven't ridden it, but I will. Good luck with the recovery 🙂
Thanks for the positive posts everyone. Absolutely shot today, catching up with some bits of work and assembling some furniture. Lots of breaks and coffee in between. Idly browsing used hardtails and having thoughts that involve a steel Stooge Dirtbomb.
A sensibly light hardtail with middle of the road trail geometry sounds a good option. Something like a Vitus Sentier or Voodoo Bizango type thing....or if posher something like a Stanton Slackline / Solaris
Good to hear your on the way back - I got bad Covid (bit like bad aids) last spring and it’s damaged my lung capacity so I’ve invested in the ebike movement- started with a full fat Levo but just sold that for a Levo sl so slowly weaning my self off the assist - saying that loving the sl - you can defo get a good workout but takes some pressure off when biking with others - keep at it mate !
That looks like a great bike to get you back into riding while you build your fitness up. I’ve been considering a gravel bike for years now but I just love my old cannondale trail SL 29er HT. Fits like a glove, goes anywhere, simple coil fork set firmly just works for me. As I ride for fitness I’m not really bothered about weight yet. I have a garage full of bikes but that one especially riding from the house in lockdown is my go to and it’s 7 years old.