Buying a round of beers or a new bike accessory can feel like a no-brainer to celebrate a friend's cycling achievement
or
, but are these traditional gestures really hitting the mark? Or are they just scraping the surface, lacking that genuine thought and effort that true appreciation requires?
I mean, sure, a shiny new water bottle cage or a set of flashy pedals might make your buddy smile for a minute, but will it really reflect the blood, sweat, and tears they put into crushing that KOM? I think not.
So, what can we do instead? How about we start by actually paying attention to their achievements
and then tailoring our celebrations to their unique victories? For instance, if your friend just crushed a century ride, why not plan a group ride to their favorite bakery and treat them to some well-deserved carbo-loading goodness? Or, if they just nabbed a podium spot at a local race, create a personalized trophy or medal that truly commemorates their accomplishment
.
Remember, it's the thought and effort that counts, so let's ditch the clichés and start showing our fellow cyclists some truly meaningful appreciation!