While listening to the (occasionally) snooty NPR, I heard an interview with a woman talking about biking in Chicago. More specifically about how bikers who don’t spend upwards of $3k on a carbon-framed road bike or refuse to ride in the rain aren’t serious about cycling.

WHATEVER. Why must I conform to your idea of what serious is to be dedicated to cycling?

My father is a wine lover and has been for quite some time. He reads up on it all, the current crops and vineyards and enjoys it daily. He notes what he likes and doesn’t like and keeps track of it all. By all accounts, my father is serious about wine. Although he has imposed a $25 a bottle cap on himself and that, if you take the snob’s definition of serious, would make him less serious about it or not even serious. Well, that’s really just some serious bullshit.

I have a sub-$1000, relatively heavy mountain bike that I ride 10+ miles on pretty much everyday. It has taken me from about 212 pounds to 197 in about three months and given me a definite need for daily physical activity. I take very good care of it, seriously good care. I wipe it down after every ride and do a pre-ride check before going out. I love my bike and my wife refers to it as “my girlfriend.”

So really, the objection here is to the word serious as it pertains to how much money I’ve spent on my bike over how much I ride it or how well I take care of it because that is, frankly, crap.

I did do a 10 mile ride in the rain and got completely soaked today though, is that serious enough for you or just half serious? I’ll see you on the trails, serious bike lady.

So for the first time in approximately 13 years, I weigh less than 200 pounds. Only 2 pounds or so less but hey, it’s a start. Everything began at the beginning of spring when I bought myself a new bike. Nothing fancy, but a new bike that made me realize how much I missed being on a bike. My last one was stolen off my deck during the night about 10 years ago but truth be told I hadn’t ridden that one in awhile anyway. I did like it very much but the new one is more comfortable. The older was a larger frame size and slightly heavier.

In addition to the exercise, I began tracking calorie intake and the combo of the two seems to be doing the trick. When I started, I was 212 and now I’m 198. My goal is around 180 but if it ends up being more or less that’s ok. I’m really just looking to lose the extra weight I gained in college (too much pizza and sugary cereal. don’t judge!) so I may continue on this earth longer and more comfortably.

While I don’t really have a tendency to do things until I’m darn good and ready (to those that love and influence me: I am sorry, but thank you) this began much later than it should have. I will give a large part of the credit to my wife for staying stunningly gorgeous all these years and getting herself back into shape after two children. She has always been an inspiration to me even thought I’ve lacked the will to act on it. Other reasons include: not wanting to be the fat guy who huffs and puffs while coaching his son’s soccer games and really just not wanting to be the fat guy who huffs and puffs ever again. And maybe an excuse to buy some new clothes.