Editor's Statement

‘Tis the season to turn over the miles, or casually ride with friends. I live for long summer weekends spent riding and exploring, pedaling fast and then hanging out slow. From one adventure to another, as one ride ends the planning for another just begins. There is no end to the new places to discover and explore by bike, and an endless variety of ways to do it. No matter your flavor, there is a way to do it on bike.

Whether it’s changing interests or an injured body, when the door of one cycling discipline snaps shut, another opens. Chronic injuries have sidelined two cycling activities before I was ready, but the depth of riding possibilities make it easy to not dwell on past bad ideas. Over a decade ago observed trials begat single speed mountain bike racing; more recently bike polo has given way for a renewed focus on single track and epic miles. I may not look forward to the next injury, but I do look forward to whatever the next turn on a bike may reveal.

There is no reason to self-limit your riding to but a sliver of the ways to enjoy two wheels, and no reason to let injury be the only impetus to try new things. It is a good time to be a cyclist; the bikes themselves are fantastic pieces of tech, infrastructure and political will is moving our way. Riding can ebb and flow—last year was your first alleycat, this year is your first century. Been a long time commuter but never been on single track, or taken your first self supported overnight trip? Always wanted to try bike polo or ride a tall bike? There is no better time than the present, and no better excuse than today being that much sooner than tomorrow.

Baileyworks