General Cycling Discussion - what do you think about during your ride?

riding for me is definately an escape, and i seem to enter a very clear, sharp, creative state of mind during my rides.

often, the incessant rhythm of the peddling causes a fluid train of thought, and i begin to ponder a sort of hypnotic existential philosophy.

sometimes the act riding itself is the only thought in my mind, like i'm on some intense training ride- my mind acting as a coach, constantly telling me how i can be a more effective and efficient rider.

then sometimes all i can do is marvel at the beauty of life around me, and it feels like a dream...

i was wondering what other people are thinking about on their rides-- does your mind seem clearer while riding? are you more focused on the act of riding, or do your thoughts wonder off to something less tangible?

Things that I think about while riding:

"I wonder if that @$$hole in the truck is going to run me over??"

"Just what is that pit bull planning on doing when I pass him?"

"Why the **** doesn't somebody maintain this ****ing trail??"

"D@mn!! Another broken bottle!!"

"Does that person with the rollerblades and headphones even know I'm approaching her??"

And, of course, many other things.....

D*Alex, you must love riding to no end. :eek:

There was a similar thread to this in the commuting forum:

Ruminations from the commute (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?threadid=16121)

Originally posted by gonesh9
riding for me is definately an escape, and i seem to enter a very clear, sharp, creative state of mind during my rides.

often, the incessant rhythm of the peddling causes a fluid train of thought, and i begin to ponder a sort of hypnotic existential philosophy.

sometimes the act riding itself is the only thought in my mind, like i'm on some intense training ride- my mind acting as a coach, constantly telling me how i can be a more effective and efficient rider.

then sometimes all i can do is marvel at the beauty of life around me, and it feels like a dream...

i was wondering what other people are thinking about on their rides-- does your mind seem clearer while riding? are you more focused on the act of riding, or do your thoughts wonder off to something less tangible?


What he said

I can beat this head wind.

Umm...I forget... :confused:


Seriously, all sorts of things.
As most of my rides have been off of the street (although I plan to do some commuting to work), the ride has been more relaxing and cathartic. As such, most thoughts tend to be pleasant.

Of course, riding along the beach- on the boardwalk in the summer can keep my mind focused on other things! :blush:

Since i mostly mountain bike , i don't think much except about the task at hand..........not crashing.

If I do think, unfortunately, it's always about my work since I'm obsessive compulsive about it.

Originally posted by D*Alex
Things that I think about while riding:

"I wonder if that @$$hole in the truck is going to run me over??"

"Just what is that pit bull planning on doing when I pass him?"

"Why the **** doesn't somebody maintain this ****ing trail??"

"D@mn!! Another broken bottle!!"

"Does that person with the rollerblades and headphones even know I'm approaching her??"

And, of course, many other things.....

I'll second those and add:

"I wonder if I can catch that person way up there?"

"I wonder if anyone's behind me?"

I think mostly about the ride: where I'm going, how I'm feeling, and I try to improve my technique. I'm definitely more of a "tune-in" person than a "tune-out" person.

However, there are times I get a song stuck in my head for 30 miles straight!

the thoughts of a novice rider :rolleyes: well... me anyways...

"mustn't feel tired.... mustn't feel tired.... mustn't feel tired.... mustn't feel tired.... only been riding for 15min... mustn't feel tired.... mustn't feel tired.... mustn't feel tired.... "

cheese

I do most of whats been mentioned, whether it be a song stuck in my head for however long Im out there or I think 'keep the revs up' 'sprint to beat the light' '****ing headwind!!' 'Another cyclist, have to look good'

Originally posted by gonesh9
riding for me is definately an escape, and i seem to enter a very clear, sharp, creative state of mind during my rides.



It is definitely an escape for me. Tonight, after facing a total of 150 6th graders for 6 periods of teaching, it was so great getting on the bike at about 65F and pedaling for an hour or so.

If I had to ride where D*Alex seems to have to ride, I probably wouldn't.

I get lost in a variety of thoughts. My mind and whole body relax, and I listen to the birds and see the trees just starting to bud a bit and the water in the creek. I guess I just go into a state of blissfulness.

Originally posted by D*Alex
Things that I think about while riding:

"I wonder if that @$$hole in the truck is going to run me over??"

"Just what is that pit bull planning on doing when I pass him?"

"Why the **** doesn't somebody maintain this ****ing trail??"

"D@mn!! Another broken bottle!!"

"Does that person with the rollerblades and headphones even know I'm approaching her??"

And, of course, many other things.....

LOL do you have any POSITIVE thoughts when you ride?

I can't say that I really think at all when I ride, other than being alert and observing my environment. I love the emptying of mind that happens on my bike. And though I don't really think that much, I feel really happy inside...

Songs that I don't completely know.... the parts I know, then parts I sorta know, then it starts over. and over. and over.

Usually something along the lines of "Is there a level kilometer in anywhere in this whole damn valley?

I like to use the time to focus. I focus on problems that need solutions, and self improvement.

All sorts of things, it really depends on where I'm riding, when, what's going on around me etc etc. Last weekend I marvelled at the scenery in the Byron Hinterland, Last night I marvelled at human stupidity in Surfers Paradise, other times I think about the heat, the hills, the wind, various songs that get stuck in my head, different ways to deal with various issues in day to day life, and sometimes the taste of the passionfruit that awaits me when I get home.

A lot of my riding is done while commuting so usually there's some angry thoughts pertaining to work. Beyond that, my mind attacks me in some form or another.

Almost always positive. I do ride home after midnight shift. Being fatigued can make you somewhat less positive; but on a sunny warm day, I still feel lucky to be out there..
Commuting- do worry just a little, have to get to work on time..When riding over the freeways and looking down, I feel really lucky to not be down there in that mess.
What I like about riding, clears up the mind, makes you positive and a sense of being free and getting away from lifes many stress'.

When riding my brain shuts down and I think of absolutely nothing, completely blank from my normal daily grind. I don't think about work, money or anything that might normally occupy my mind. I just stick my head down and pedal and sometimes look up to enjoy the scenery, but usually I just focus on my riding technique and work on becoming faster. A trance like state is the best way to describe it. A bit like meditation I guess.

CHEERS.

Mark

Originally posted by Dutchy
When riding my brain shuts down and I think of absolutely nothing, completely blank from my normal daily grind. My mind usually goes blank during the daily grind. It's when I'm riding that it comes to life.

I also think about nothing. Like in the old Beavis & Butthead cartoons, the camera would pan over to Beavis and a thought balloon would appear over his head with no thoughts in it. I'm the same way when riding a bike. That's why I love to ride. It's almost as if you're in a trance. PS:I work at an all-girl's college, so at work my mind is racing! :)

Steve

MTB...No time to think.

Road Bike...I didn't know I was supposed to think..I just ride

Commute....Along the lines of D*Alex's post. I always start out in a positive, lets be friends mood, but after the first car, I'm transformed into a a finger-flipping name calling tenacious opponent on the battle field we know as the road. To Make it to my destination unscathed means I won.

The tires hissing on the pavement, the sound of the wind rushing past my ears, my heart beating, the warmth of the sun, the chill of the air, a oneness with the bicycle, the road, the earth...

Maybe I just think about Ding-Dongs (in a Zippy moment).

i was wondering what other people are thinking about on their rides-- does your mind seem clearer while riding? are you more focused on the act of riding, or do your thoughts wonder off to something less tangible?

I think about anything my mind latches onto, except work and problems (sometime the same thing). That's my rule.

Yes my mind is much clearer after riding for a while. The effect continues for a time after the ride is over.

My spirit and mood receive the most benefit. After a long ride I have a sense of contentment and "oneness" with my life. I don't know what causes it but it's great. Whenever I'm having a bad day, I can't wait to get on the bike to make it feel better. In fact, if I appear the least bit stressed out, my wife will say “Why don’t you go take a nice bike ride?” She sees the beneficial effect it has on me.

Food, music, weather, my bike, the next bike I'll build, the last bike I worked on or built for someone else, the sensuality of good corners on smooth roads with low traffic--actually does happen around here--which leads to thinking about food, music, weather, and bikes again.

Sometimes I pretend I'm a pro. When it's raining, I think I'm in Paris Nice, sometimes I pretend I'm in THE Tour. If I'm doing a lot of hills, I'm in the mountain stages of whatever European stage race suits my fancy for that day. Sometimes I think about the next girl I want to ask out. I think how cool it would be to actually sign with the local racing club. Sometimes songs just run through my head over and over. And I like to pretend I'm in the front of the peloton, and the guys behind me are attacking, so I throw the hammer down on the next big climb until my legs nearly give out. It's all a big fantasy game for me. I go into my own little world. This is how I relax. And sometimes, I do take time to just enjoy my surroundings.

I always am only concerned with where I fit in with the symphony of traffic.

All my senses come alive when I ride, it's like everything around me is a symphony. The sites and sounds speak to my mind. It sets the tone for the rest of my day or night.

When commuting I tend to vague out and let my mind wander... then all of a sudden I'm thinking "Whoa! Just how long was I not paying attention for ?" Kind of disturbing sometimes, and I'm not sure it's very safe.

Coming down some singletrack on the moutain bike it's more like "arrrgghhhh tree, whoooaaaa big rock, yikes more trees" etc.. no time for thinking :D

A good part of my time on the bike is spent commuting so i think about getting there in one peice. When I can get out to ride for fun, I think about a lot of things problems I have all the way to conducting philosophical debates with myself about politics, love, life, death, people, and so on... where I live to get to good quiet back roads requires 5 miles or more city riding so that time is occupied with wishes for weapons LOL thoughts like is it safe to take the road here or should I surrender to the brain dead masses and get on the side walk. or is that dummy paying attention when i come up alongside or when he passes? or actually yelling at stupid drivers that almost killed me :( Toward the end of any ride I am thinking where to start my sprint to build endurance with out burning out before i get there LOL. Sometimes what I want to get on bf and rant about :) (here's the soap box back. NEXT):D

Mountain single track - I am concentraiting on the next obstacle and the best line. This really takes my mind off of the daily grind. On an easy part I get a nice look at the scenery. It really clears my head.

Mountain hill climbing - (when I lived in Pasadena, no hills in Miami) It is more of an exercise in pain management. Sometimes a song comes up to get my mind off of the climbing. Or if it gets really steep I use the "imaginary bungee cord" technique. (it really works) I am always thinking push a liitle more... a little more.

Mountain coming back down - WOOOHOOO!!!!!!! then the little voice kicks in. "Do you know how bad this could be if you crash at this speed????"

Road - Faster, faster, faster. My mind sometimes wanders after I get "in the groove" for a while.

ALL RIDING - I bet I can catch that guy up there.
I bet I can break away from that guy back there.
Faster, faster, faster.

One aspect of riding, is that I notice my surroundings more so than I would in a car.. I have found more great restaurants or uniques business' that I would have never found, otherwise.
A cruise adjacent to the beach is really what a person needs to make the mind wonder.. Watching for whales, porpoises out in the current or just peole watching can reduce your average speed..

Originally posted by nemo
A good part of my time on the bike is spent commuting so i think about getting there in one peice.

Same here. It's really too bad, but I find myself having to also just think about what's moving around me and trying to get myself to work safety when I commute. I'd like to just really just enjoy the sun and wind and all. But there are too many moving motor vehicles, other cyclists, and pedestrians to do that.

Leisure rides are nicer because I can relax a little more. But still, I don't want to screw up and get in someone else's way or cause an accident myself either. Use of a public roadway/throughway = you must pay attention to what's going on around you and act accordingly. So it's never completely relaxing.

Originally posted by crucifixion12
Sometimes I pretend I'm a pro. What a silly childish thing to do. (Don't tell anyone that I do that too sometimes.)

Can't let your guard down in being aware of other moving objects; but, somewhat lucky in my area for cyclists.. Many routes I take are semi-urban with wide bike lanes.. Or else, actual bike trails..
On such roads , your mind can ramble a little more, since traffic has less volume and less threatening. Thats when cycling gets good..

You know... I was actually thinking about that earlier. My mind is so creative and tends to wander.. it gets bored easily. When I'm riding I just get in this Zen state and although I'm thinking deeply and mentally focusing on whatever I"m thinking about, I also still manage to manuever the bike and keep a good rate of speed. It really amazes me sometimes that I can do so many complicated tasks at once. Maintaining balance, traction, speed, control..... all while pondering whatever rediculously absurd thing happens to pop into my head. It's never any one specific thing, and I usually don't remember what I think about. It's almost like a dream, except I'm 100% concious. Odd.

hmm how abouty this at the beginning of the ride sometimes : oh my am I going to be able to handle another ride so soon?
then at the end: Do I have to stop now?

1) will that Ti w/ CF rear stays frame really make this experience better?
2) when did i tell my wife i'd be back?
3) where does all my money go?
4) what if everyone was a biker and cars felt intimidated on the road?
5) i'm pedalling along and there are troops fighting for me in the desert?
6) (nine months of year) why can't i live in a warmer climate?
7) no one is going to pass me....no one is going to pass me....
8) i could have done an extra loop if i wasn't on bikeforums this morning
9) can the cubs win it this year?
10) do these shorts make my butt look fat?
11) hurry up
12) slow down. don't kill yourself
13) kill yourself!!
14) trying to get the lame song that i woke up to out of my head
15) it's close.....but not better than sex.

Originally posted by gonesh9
i was wondering what other people are thinking about on their rides-- does your mind seem clearer while riding? are you more focused on the act of riding, or do your thoughts wonder off to something less tangible?

"I need to get a road bike"

"Damn, its a little chilly this morning"

"Maybe I should have rode "the other" bike"

"WEEEEEE!!!"

"I really want a road bike."

"Gotta clean the drivetrain, its been weeks now."

"Sure glad the snows almost gone."

"Nose is runny"

"My wife will flip if I buy a road bike."

"Stupid cabby/dork/dumba** motorist!"

"Doesn't Ontario have vehicle emissions laws?"

"Don't shift yet."

"I really want a road bike."

Yep that's about it.

Originally posted by RiPHRaPH

3) where does all my money go?
4) what if everyone was a biker and cars felt intimidated on the road?
10) do these shorts make my butt look fat?
14) trying to get the lame song that i woke up to out of my head
15) it's close.....but not better than sex.


All those...and then I also think of the things I have to do when I get back to the house, think about problems at work, and quite often have pleasant thoughts about the man I love.

Riding always clears my head, and I often get solutions to problems worked out by the end of a ride. And where I ride (in my 'hundred-acre-woods'), I don't have to worry about traffic or anything. The only things I have to watch out for are wild animals and poachers!

A confession: I ride twice a week to work and in the cold weather, for the first five minutes...I can't say I care for it.

Facing a longish incline, which otherwise would be gentle when I'm sufficiently warmed up instead of muzzy from just having climbed out of bed merely 45 minutes before, and having the cold slipstream punishing my fingers and nose, and with my eyes blurred with tears (not from pain or anguish, just a weird side-effect of riding in cold weather; anyone else get this?), my thoughts tend to run thusly: "I hate this. Why do I do this? My lungs feel like turnips. Oh cowboy up! Be like Lance and just pump it out, ya big baby..."

And then I crest, the road flattens, and I remember why I love to ride. My head resets and I wouldn't trade places with anyone in the world. I arrive at work in the best of moods and the glow lasts all day. Those first five minutes become a vague memory.

Until the next commute.

-Rob

I seem to wonder whether I should be trying harder to find a job than cycling all those miles oh the guilt but I love the cycling way too much!

16) how far ahead do i have to be and still beat the imaginary Lance to the stoplight.
17) i shouldn't have had that 2nd bowl of fruit loops
18) am i tired yet?
19) should i 'gear up' or should i hike the cadence
20) why did i overlayer again?
21) if i was cold-blooded i would not be sweating like this
22) i didn't change the time on my HRM. what time is it really?
23) am i better than i was at this same time last year?
24) should i shave my legs?
25) i should have started earlier

Since I´m not a fitness rider I sometimes sing loud to my self:rolleyes: Is this crazy?

Otherwize I think of the scenery passing by, or things in my life. Solving problems or just relaxing menthally and letting my thoughts wander around:)

And yes, ofcourse I look at the beauty of life in all things surrounding me:)

This ride that Im doing is making me physically fit and I'll be stronger after this

Originally posted by RobCat2002
A confession: I ride twice a week to work and in the cold weather, for the first five minutes...I can't say I care for it.

Facing a longish incline, which otherwise would be gentle when I'm sufficiently warmed up instead of muzzy from just having climbed out of bed merely 45 minutes before, and having the cold slipstream punishing my fingers and nose, and with my eyes blurred with tears (not from pain or anguish, just a weird side-effect of riding in cold weather; anyone else get this?), my thoughts tend to run thusly: "I hate this. Why do I do this? My lungs feel like turnips. Oh cowboy up! Be like Lance and just pump it out, ya big baby..."

And then I crest, the road flattens, and I remember why I love to ride. My head resets and I wouldn't trade places with anyone in the world. I arrive at work in the best of moods and the glow lasts all day. Those first five minutes become a vague memory.

Until the next commute.

-Rob

Bet those first five minutes could be crummy in a car, too, but then reaching the crest wouldn't lift your mood.

when i am riding i think about food... when i am off the bike. .. i think about going for a ride.. oh and food :)

Originally posted by Anders K
Since I´m not a fitness rider I sometimes sing loud to my self:rolleyes: Is this crazy?

No, I've done that, too. Especially on long descents when I get bored. Manic Street Preachers tunes are my current favourite.


Originally posted by juciluci
when i am riding i think about food... when i am off the bike. .. i think about going for a ride.. oh and food

I do that often as well. Grapes and passionfruit usually.

This morning's thought (at 7am as the sun literally set fire to my skin): "I though summer was over!" :mad: