Some of the most "satisfying" bike-related experience
 

Looking back over the last 30+ years of riding and "into bikes", I recalled some of the most satisfying experience I had, most, if not all, don't require having a top-end bike or high zoot gear, or loads of time or money or resources but simply living in the moment, being thankful for the "little things", spending time with someone or a group of people...

• Dad running down a hill beside me as I took off for the first time riding on my own without help. I can still hear his panting and remember the sweat on his brow
• Sneaking out the house in the middle of the night when everyone is asleep with my bike and riding around in circles in the basement parking garage or venture out into quiet of the night on the bike path by the beach, hearing the waves crashing, the smell of the park flowers

Those are just some examples. What about you?

The first time I did bar tape really well.

The first time my dog ran along side my bike for a full trip without being a goober.

The first time I trued my own wheel perfectly.

The first time I completed a century.

The first time I went faster than my dad on a ride together.

Taking three days of riding with my brother to remember and commemorate the teenage son he lost.

It has become an annual event, not only the most "satisfying" and rewarding riding of the year but what I look forward to most.

1974, riding my schwinn le tour back to my apt in college from library late at night, a coating of fresh snow on road, no traffic, and totally quiet. It was magical and I still think about that ride

First time not getting dropped on a fast group ride.
First time finish a race without getting dropped.
Being able to do a time trial (basically flat) with an average speed over 25mph.
Nailing a trackstand.

First time I jumped off a ramp when I was a kid on my Schwinn Predator. It was initiation into the neighborhood Predator club.

doing my first metric century.

Keeping up with a passing my (at the time boss) as we headed down from Camp David and hit 50+ mph. Not only did I keep up I passed him as he rode his brakes and I rode my sheer stupidity.

The first time I raced in an IF grassroots kit. I am a crappy racer, but I know I helped sell many bikes for them.

Every ride with my two best pals Mike and Darren. EVERY ride with them.

my last ride..... and always my last ride.

I'm assuming the scare quotes around "satisfying" aren't meant to indicate sarcasm or irony, so here's some earnestness:

- Going faster up difficult hills after having lost some weight.
- Stopping to take a leak on a night ride through the countryside and savouring the still quiet.
- Finishing a ride with a faster average speed than you normally would.
- Doing rides in and around Montreal, i.e. starting out on the urban bike lanes and eventually making it out to La Route Verte.
- Riding from Quebec City to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré and back along one of the oldest roads in the New World (Avenue Royale, aka "La Route de la Nouvelle-France").

Great lists.

going over Tioga Pass in Yosemite
the moment where I could tell myself, I've lived a full life!

Driving out to Cleveland with my youngest son to do the National Senior Games. He had recently gotten his license so he drove quite a bit of the way. He got to watch me win gold and bronze. Adding family to my racing was special. It can be a lonely sport.

rode Shiner Bash 3 times. 1st time, rode into rain for the first 40 miles, got to Shiner before 4pm, yea long day. 2nd, time rode into headwind first 40 miles, saw a group paceline behind a moving van that got in front of us, tale wind last 40 miles into Shiner, got there before 1pm. 3rd time, headwind all the way, some of the most funniest stories to tell as a result. got to shiner at 4pm again. sit back and smile.

As a kid:

Sitting side by side with my older sister in the burley double trailer, helmets bonking together, dad pulling us around the neighborhood.

Finding dads weird Lycra bike shorts in the garage and being totally intrigued.

Graduating from the training wheels bike to the big boy bike with 20" tires. It was black with gold handlebars, single speed with coaster brakes. I was about 5 or 6, and I wasn't tall enough to get on without the help of the curb. Getting off was accomplished by slowing to a stop on the sidewalk and falling over into the grass in the front yard.

Putting nails in a small piece of plywood and riding as fast as possible over it (sharp side down), jamming on the coaster brakes as the rear wheel was directly on top of it so we would drift and SOMETIMES... sparks!!

Building a little bike jump in the driveway and watching Mr. Button ride down the hill and launch over his handlebars. All of us kids were already cringing before he hit the jump.

As an adult:

Riding a tandem for the first time in a tiny AK town with my girlfriend who is now my wife of 6 years.

Showing by little brother (12) how to adjust the disc brakes on his MTB so they won't rub. Then having him show me around his favorite trails.

Any early morning roll out.

my last ride..... and always my last ride.
- joosttx

Any early morning roll out.
- FlashUNC