Hi there!

BikeCrave is what can happen when you dream while awake. It’s a result of pedaling hard and breathing deeply. Yep, that’s how this little website came to be in a few weeks. Born on a bike. Fueled by fresh air. Nourished online.

I’m a dad, husband and cyclist who works in software by day. But when not working and tending to family, I have a few cravings. They’re tied to bikes — and specifically all that comes with cycling.

Asking around

I first posed the question about a BikeCrave website to cyclists on Twitter. Not the pros, mind you, but the everyday riders who don’t have a team soigneur, chef or bus. The riders devoted to helping grow a culture that celebrates cycling. They’re right here at home in San Diego. Chicago. Denver. St. Louis. Adelaide, Australia. Santa Rosa. Los Angeles. Seattle. Portland. Cleveland. San Francisco. Syracuse. Tampa Bay. Outside Memphis. In the great state of Vermont. East Coast. West Coast. Down Under. Over the Pond. And beyond. These are the people who look out for each other like best friends even though the majority have never ridden together. In a matter of weeks, the picture of BikeCrave sharpened.

Here’s what I scribbled down

“Cyclists desire or crave many things in the pursuit of cycling. Enjoyment. Fitness. Comraderie. Peace. Competition. Status. Belonging (group rides). Not belonging (going against the automobile grain). Exploration. Conquest. Of course, Bikes. There’s something that happens when we throw our leg over the top tube and start turning the pedals on these bikes. We can’t always articulate it. But we have the common bond. We desire/crave it, and it becomes part of our the fabric of our lives, mirroring seasons and establishing milestones. Our families and loved ones understand. They support cycling and the great things it can do — and does.”

Why do this?

If I had to tell you in one word what BikeCrave is, I’d probably pick this: Living.

To ride a bike is to be alive, to see the world in new ways, to feel exhiliration as well as challenges, and even disappointments. For these reasons (and some I can’t describe), I get on my bike, find a great road and give thanks.

As part of BikeCrave, I ask that you consider donating a “Penny per mile” for each mile that I log. It’s a small favor I’d like you to consider. Heck, even at 350 miles for a single week it works out to less than a latte at your favorite coffee shop. I collect no money through BikeCrave. The small sponsor banners that appear in the right column on BikeCrave represent companies and organizations that have my personal support. I ask that you consider supporting them with me.

I hope you find something useful, fun, and maybe even inspirational on BikeCrave. My biggest wish is that you’ll join in building a unique place where we can all learn from each other, come what may. Let’s ride. And enjoy. La vita e’ bella. Life is beautiful.

Jeff Bean // BikeCrave // San Diego, California // May 31, 2009

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