Why Bicycling is the Queen of Sports
In My Opinion
In the Beginning
It was 1962 when I saw our neighbor, Paul, riding up the sidewalk on his two-wheeled bicycle. I begged him to show me how to ride it. 62 years later, I have not stopped riding. I remember every single one of the bicycles I’ve had the pleasure to ride, including my first, a Schwinn Stingray with banana seat and upswept handlebars. It was a sad day when I had to hand it down to my brother, Tom, who, appointed by the nobility of the bicycle itself, became “Cool McCool” riding his “Mooney-mobile” around the neighborhood.
After that, I saved up my baby-sitting and weed-picking money to purchase a Schwinn Varsity three-speed. I remember disassembling it, cleaning it, and even hanging it from from the backyard clothesline to spray-paint it blue. I rode it around campus at Michigan State during the two years I attended. When I quit college to hitchhike to San Francisco, I acquired another Schwinn to ride from the Mission District to the Financial District where I worked as a secretary.
When it wasn’t raining, I’d either ride up Mission or Market Street, just to switch things up. Yes, even back then there was a homeless problem with alcoholics leaning into the shadows of buildings in the Tenderloin District where I’d undergo their scrutiny and invitations of “Come here, baby!”
It’s only now after studying the problem of homelessness in America that I realize those guys were most likely hapless Vietnam veterans who’d returned home to ridicule. FYI nearly half the homeless population are veterans.
Down South to San Diego
After two years in San Francisco and a horrid, torrid love affair that blessedly never consummated in a marriage (or children), I moved to San Diego where I’ve lived happily for nearly fifty years.
In my first few years here, I lived at the beach and adopted roller skates instead of a bicycle. Then, when I met Mark on Valentine’s Day in 1982, he and I went backpacking down under. We rented bicycles here and there.
In 1986, we decided to sell everything or give it away. We bought a tiny camper, rented out our home, then drove around America for nearly a year.
Mountain Biking
We learned about the sport of Mountain Biking while in the Yukon, Canada. The idea of a bicycle that could roll across streams and up rocky hills was irresistible. It was Christmas time when we returned to our home base, San Diego, and mountain bikes are what “Santa” gifted us.
In those early years, we became so enamored of the sport, we got married with our mountain bikes in 1987 in the mountains. On our honeymoon, we traveled to Big Bear Lake and Mammoth Lake where we both raced. We decided to share the joy and so we interviewed the top pros of the day and made some instructional videos about the sport. Raleigh Bicycles sponsored us with bicycles for our first video,“The Great Mountain Biking Video.” After that, came “Ultimate Mountain Biking: Advanced Techniques & Winning Strategies,” and “Battle at Durango: First-Ever World Mountain Bike Championships.” Then, the lollapalooza, “Full Cycle: A World Odyssey.” In 1993 and 1994, we traveled to nine countries around the world in search of the finest singletrack trails. Klein Bicycle Corporation sponsored us, and sent us the most wondrous mountain bikes that we rode in Greece, Wales, Switzerland, Canada, Costa Rica, Tahiti, Australia, India and of course, USA. Video Alert Magazine called the video an “Endless Summer on Wheels.”
Queen of Sports
Which brings us to today. The way Mark and I stay happy and in shape is our mountain biking practice. We have also added Yoga and Meditation, and are constantly tweaking our diet: more greens, less alcohol.
Cannabis figures prominently. We are not “stoners.” We are professional entrepreneurs who understand the medicinal capabilities of the plant. How many 69-year-old women with two Total Knee Replacements do you know who can still win races and kick butt on younger men?
We go mountain biking twice a week and more, whenever we can. After nearly 40 years of riding, our technique and speed continue to improve. Nature is our salve. Trees deliver oxygen which is not easy to find in most American working environments. It’s a feeling of freedom whenever we climb aboard and take off into the wilderness.
What About You?
Not many people are up for mountain biking. Maybe you don’t live near any mountains. Maybe you think it’s too late for you to begin. I started at the age of 31. Ned Overend was 32 when he won the Cross Country event in Durango, Colorado at the First-Ever World Mountain Bike Championships. Unlike sports for young people - Gymnastics, Skateboarding or Football - Mountain Biking is a sport in which you continue to improve over the years.
Yes, there is a potential to crash. Maybe even an inevitability when you are a beginner. You can also slip on a bar of soap in your shower or trip over a crack in the sidewalk.
There are various types of cycling. A lot of people love riding on the road (I am not one of them). Some people set up a stationary cycle in their home, and watch television while spinning. Or they go to a spin class at the gym.
But there is nothing like feeling a part of Nature as you breathe deeply on a technical climb, and then sail down a singletrack flow trail that goes for miles and miles with beauty abounding all around you. It’s similar to surfing and catching a wave. But that wave peters out within seconds. You can roll on a mountain bike as long as you want. And it brings so much joy.
We highly recommend mountain biking. Remember, “The couple who play together, stay together.”
By the way, our videos are now available for viewing for free at Red Coral Universe. Check ‘em out!
May the wind be at your back,
Patty & Mark
I did Torrey Pines today. The first first time was on a Nishiki Sport ten speed in 1973. Rarely without one since though there were gaps. In 2000 got into it seriously. Somewhere between 2006 and 2015 I did a few of 10k years. Got passed by more than I used to going up the grade, but I'm still going up it.
ª my sexism discovered.. The title: "Queen..." made me read this because I knew I wanted to comment.. then... So I thought Queen was a gender, but then realized "King of sports" is just as sexist
ª what about emperor of sports?
ª I read a bit about Ned O in my day, it is why I am always looking for smaller frames when buying a new (to me mountain bike).. In an interview he talked about it being lighter...
But I discovered not only was it lighter, it was more nimble and have not gone back