December Cycling, issues with my issues....

Going through my mail this morning, I found a bill with no return address. Not good. It was a bill form a collection agency, trying to collect for my subscription of Bicycling Magazine. I called the number, the options included immediate payment or cancellation of automatic renewal. How could this scenario be good customer service? The final result was, I canceled my subscription. Bicycling Magazine would generously allow me to keep any subscriptions which I had already received.... automated voice system banter. Thank-you.

Now for my vent about Bicycling Magazine. Bicycling is mostly gear reviews, and racing news. I would like some inspirational stories about the "rest" of the cycling community. I have no use for the Lance Armstrong updates, or the Chris Carmichael training plans. Sure these guys are great at what they do. My opinion is that they aren't cyclists though.

Cyclists are the folks you see commuting to work on a beat up old frame, with a backpack and one pannier. I like to see these guys and girls out on the street in 40 degree weather wearing a wool sweater and torn up pair of green cargo's.

Bicycling is about Bicycle Racing and Expensive Gear. My subscription came with a copy of Mountain Bike Magazine. I have no idea what Mountain Bike Magazine was about, because I used it to start my campfires. I have a lot of respect for the individuals who can pound out the miles back in the woods on single track, but for me, when I'm in the forest it is usually on horseback.

More issues about Cycling in December:

In the cold months in Ohio, I move my exercise into the gym. I have been going to spinning class. When weather permits, I ride my bike to the class. When I leave my house it's already dark at 5:45pm. It must look like I'm riding a Christmas tree, because I have 2 sets of lights on my old Trek.

I really like the spinning class instructors. They are nice folks, and good at conducting the classes. My issue with spinning class isn't the instructors, it is with me. You see, usually I ride alone or with my wife. I enjoy riding hilly terrain, but NJ prefers rolling country rides, and bike paths. Spinning is supposed to be similar to riding a bike! I have found that it is not.

Complaint number one: when I ride to the gym, I can immediately tell the difference in peddling the real bike as opposed to the spinner. The spinning trainer wheel just flies along, while the real bike offers a completely different feel carrying your body weight and the friction of the tires against the road.

I also usually like the music in the spinning class. What I don't like, I can at least tolerate. I ride with my MP3 frequently when I'm on the bike path. Still, I think there are better choices than Joe Cocker or Bruce Springsteen. I'm more of a Yes, or Satriani fan than a mainstream Blues/Rock guy.

Complaint number two: for me the irritating part of spinning, the thing that blows the whole concept, is when the leader starts the "c'mon, fast legs, you can do it, lets go!", crap. This is when I realize that this is nothing at all like riding a bike. As much as I like the leaders as individuals, I know I should never ride with them outside of the class. If I had someone barking that trainer swill at me on the road, I'd be tempted to knock them off their bike!

For now I'll just keep going to spinning class, and hope the instructors don't ask me to ride with them.