General Cycling Discussion - Why Do We Ride?

Why do we ride
Exploration, Freedom, Fun, health, Excitment
It can't be the compamy becuase I can ride alone or
with a agroup.
It can't be the outdoors becuase I have a dog and we go
for long hikes.
All I know is when I get on my bike I love the excitment
of being free to explore what ever come. Even the pain in
my chest when I climb that damn hill.
I even enjoy stopping to help other riders repair their bikes.
I find the work of riding fun. And want to go farer each time I click in.
When asked why do you ride? The only thing that comes to
mind is its fun! But I know thiers more a lot more.

The rain has stop, its 35 degrees outside.

TIME TO RIDE!!!!

K

Good question. I don't know really. I guess a little has to do that when I'm on a bike, I'm taken back to my youth when the bike was my only mode of transportation. I rode my bike 8 hours a day. Things were simpler then and the bike was a big part of that memory.

Maybe it's the simplicity of it all. Two wheels a crank and your energy input. An escape from the stress and monotony of our daily lives. It a time when I can gather my thoughts or not think at all. A time to destress.

Perhaps it the feeling of freedom. The unrestraint of going wherever you want to go and knowing it's your own motivation and tenacity that will get you there. The deeply kept fantasy that, "maybe I'll just keep on going and never come back" knowing full well, that you'll return to the joys and happiness that your daily life brings you.

Perhaps is a test. A time to test yourself. Test your own strength, finding your own weaknesses and pushing your limits.

Even a race. A race against your fellow cyclist. The deep down joy of knowing, "I'm better than you are....ha,ha" A race against your own inevitable mortality. Pushing Mr. Death further away knowing you're getting healthier with every pedal stroke.

Or, maybe it's just nice to be outside, away from the TV.

Who knows? Who cares? Enjoy your bike and your ride? Forget about why! Just go riding!

I have mentioned this in another forum, but bicycling has always been my favourite sport. I enjoy repairing, upgrading, and maintaining the equipment and I enjoy retracing the historical evolution of wheels, drivetrains, frames, etc. It is great to be able to own four different mission-specific vehicles (offroad, commuting, touring, sports) without needing a four-car garage and a huge budget. I relish circumnavigating traffic jams in a pleasant, money-saving, healthful fashion. I delight in true freedom of mobility and I am proud to use the world's most energy-efficient form of human transportation. Having won several significant skirmishes, I savor the ongoing political battle to enhance safety and convenience for cyclists. The older I get (I'm 51), the more I appreciate having a "young" cardiovascular fitness level. I have also met numerous high-quality people on the road, in bike shops, and, more recently, in cyberspace. Other than that, cycling is not too important to me.

Ride bike... Go fast!

I'm curious about that pain in your chest. Have you had your heart checked lately?

I suppose that I ride for pretty much the same reason as everyone else. It's enjoyable, it's exciting, it's dangerous, it gets me where I want to go.

It's healthy. It's environmentally friendly. It's almost like flying.

I ride to work every day, and I love it every day. Rain, shine, heat, cold, headwind, tailwind, tired, peppy, fast, slow, flat tires, broken spokes, it's all good. If I feel a little tired, I just go a little slower. A bad day on the bike is better than a good day in a car or bus, though it's hard to be sure, since there haven't been any bad days yet.

I like commuting because I ride every day. Twice. Nine miles in, 13, 16, 22 miles home. No decisions. No finding time. No hesitation. Get on the bike and ride. Can there be a better way to start the day or reward at the end?

Its FUN!!!!! There is nothing boring about cycling.

Originally posted by ljbike
I'm curious about that pain in your chest. Have you had your heart checked lately?


ljbike
The pain in my chest is from that damn hill, Its a 5mile
climb where the grades get steeper very few miles
the locals call it "the seven sisters" I have yet to beat this
hill. (have to stop to get air and let my heart slow down)
this is normal Rigth??


K

I know what your talking about. I think that is.....I get a stitch in my chest on tough hills, but that is because i am out of shape..HA HA!! Is it a pinching feeling?

I have asthma, so I really know about the pain in the chest. My main frustration is that cold air triggers an asthma attack and it is cold here in Missouri. I rode the other night and halfway through I was weezing so bad I had to stop and take my inhaler about 10 times. I wear a neck gaiter, which functions like a turtleneck/scarf (without the long tails). It goes over my mouth and nose but doesn't warm the air enough. Any suggestions?

Oh and the reason I ride is the freedom, the time alone with my thoughts or non-thoughts, the feel of the breeze gently caressing my hair and face, the feeling of great accomplishment when I make that top of that huge hill, the feeling coming down the hill, the eminent danger of going too fast and hitting a pothole or loose gravel and crashing, the feeling that you can go anywhere and do it fast. I have loved it ever since I had my first tricycle. I hope I can still ride when I am 80. ;)

redhed
a scarf may have holes thats allows to much air in
try balaclava ( think thats the way its spelled).

I found the mask that you were talking about, I will try it. THANK YOU!!!!

Why do I ride, indeed? IN terms of its value outdoor activity, I was never much of an athlete- I'm not a terribly graceful person, so I never competed in that many sports, although I'm a good swimmer. Cycling is great for me because you don't have to be on-the-ground graceful. Also, it's much easier on the joints. Cycling is ideal, and it's not boring or dull in the least. You get to go places and see things- like wildlife! Here, we have such short summers and I love the warm weather, the warmer the better. This is one of the best ways to celebrate it- getting out there in the sun, feeling the warm rays and the warm wind, and getting a really stupid-looking tan! (Next year, I plan to start early by waearing shorter shorts so I don't look like a total idiot by June.)

Speaking of athsma, I saw an ad in a cycling magazine for this trip you can take- 400 km from Macchu Picchu to Lake titicaca (Peru). The money goes to some athsma foundation. It figures! I mean, it sounds great but imagine being at that altitude! GOd forbid you DO have athsma. On the other hand, at that altitude, there are no flies to deal with.

I remember reading that Santiago Botero has LOW altitude sickness- he feels crummy at low altitudes, like the netherlands. I guess he won't be heading into death Valley anytime soon. He should take that Peru trip!

It's actually something I've never really thought about. I'm basically hooked on riding, and that's pretty much it. It is clearly the best way to see the countryside of wherever you happen to be riding. Bikes can take you places that are too far to walk and cars can't/won't go.

Basically anything is better than watching television. In fact, if my TV blew up tomorrow, I don't think I'd bother replacing it.

By accident. ;)

I came to cycling about seven months ago, because in Holland you have a bike. Period. My wife liked to ride, but my last fling was 25 years ago on a ten-speed that I remember distinctly not enjoying at all.

But I got the obligatory city bike, and the rest is history. It has become a full fledged passion for me. Recently I am even toying with the idea of building one from scratch.

I am sixty, and this new passion is just what I needed. I will retire next year, and now have a brand new physical and mental interest to keep me occupied. And a goal - climb Mont Ventoux! When we move to her shadow next year, I plan to take a year to get ready, and then up I go. The easy way first, and all three if I can.

So, I ride for the healthy aspects, the beauty of being out in the countryside, and the sheer joy of propelling myself through it all. Doesn't everyone?

Cheers...Gary

My experience with riding bikes goes back to sixties, potion, exercise, socializing, competition, employment... :)

I love your introduction, Ahuman, although I’m not as optimistic as RainmanP – the bad bikedays do exist for me... I think the feeling of freedom is what is the essence of why I love biking. When I got back on the bike two months after being hit by a car, it was like – as RainmanP puts it – flying!!! I hate to be stuck somewhere without my bike. With it I’m totally independent since I know I can bike many kilometers with no problem (except from flat tires...).

A common response is the feeling of freedom. Seeing the sights. Hearing nature. Seeing sights, people you never would notice driving by at 35 mph. Cycling adjacent the cool ocean air on a warm day in the sun. Working your frustrations out with exercise. Knowing you now can cycle up a major mountain. Sharing the experience with other cyclists of what it was to ride up Mt. Ventroux or through Canyonlands National Park and forever recalling its' vivid colors up close. Being forced to cycle adjacent smelly automobiles and knowing you are not adding CO3 to the admosphere or depleting our petroleum supply; and appreciating the fact you can cycle out in the country where cars are scarce and the country-side seems to be at peace with itself.

swekarl
Sorry to hear that you where hit by a car
Glad to hear that you are riding again..
I ride in new york city a lot and I was thining about
putting a mirror on my bars but i think this would only scare
me ( seeing the car about to hit me).

cyclezealot and all you guys from Ca have it made
all year perfect cycling weather


K
:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I started riding 4 months ago to loose weight and get in shape for waterskiing. I really love the biking more and more
each day. I quite smoking, starting to feel like a athlete again, hell I even lost 40 pounds. I like the challenge of it, the way it makes me feel after I ride is awesome also. I'm
still a beginner for sure, but chasing down the person it front
me on the bike trail gives me a big thrill, I'm even starting to catch A few unsuspecting cyclists also. I like it so much I just
built my first road bike so I can go faster!!!

Regards,
BillGear
www.289mustang.com

Originally posted by cyclezealot
Cycling adjacent the cool ocean air on a warm day in the sun.

You can't imagine just how good that feels :)

Hmmm. Made me think (a rare occurance). Bottom line is it makes me feel better physically, emotionally, and also feel better about myself.

I think that possibly my favorite spin off from being an avid cyclist is the buzz i get from my weekly shopping trip to the supermarket.
I walk in feeling and knowing that i look fit and healthy ,slim and supple . I look around at all the misshapen people who have come to shop in there motor vehicles aware of their thoughts , wishing they could look so good, it almost urges me shoot out "kick your bloody car keys into touch , by a bike and ride".
willi`c

The funny thing is that a lot of the 'misshapen' people are young people. There's this whole slacker aesthetic I see these days among younger people in their twenties and some older- no exercise, slack,dumpy and pasty. They aren't into sports. They don't get any sun. The girls have shlumpy dumpy butts,the guys are shaped like Opus. Their activities include role Playing games and Sega. They don't even watch sports on tv! Any kind of physical activity is too big an effort for them. I hate to imagine them at my age!

In the meantime, a few months ago, a cyclist who used to race. I thought he was maybe in his late 40s. It turns out he was 57! The guy has the physique of a teenager. And here are all these 30 year olds who get winded if they walk a block. By the time they get to be 57 they'll be dead (does that make sense?)

I just got start a few weeks ago.. for exercise.. it is fun.. And trying to lose a few pounds.. get in better shape.. and incentive to quick smoking.. need money to buy new cycle stuff.. Almost completely quit now.. went from 2 packs a day.. (I know really bad with asthma).. to about 3 a day.. Need to completely quit... that is my goal this weekend.. no smokes ever again!!!!

Redhead.. I have asthma to.. not really bad.. I got a backlava(sp?).. I had more problems.. when it was covering my mouth.. due to it harding to breathe in air.. so started wheezing pretty badly..

Why?

Sensory stimulation (I live better)
Mental acuity (I think better)
Physical maintenance (I feel better)
Spiritual composure (I am better)

I could go on, but why preach to Biking Fundamentalists?

Eddie

Gee, thank you, Ahuman, for this thread! Hmm...

One way to look at it is this: if you are hooked on cycling, try doing without it for a while. You'll be suffering! ;)

I guess the main reason for me is this: without cycling, I start fading into a dull, ugly existance.

I begin to fear I will never return! :eek:

(Whew! That was starting to scare me!)

One last point: have you ever known anything else that was so stimulating and fantastic that not only didn't kill you, but
made you stronger and better?

I just love it when one more person says to me, "How much weight have you lost, exactly?" :D

Originally posted by wabbit
The funny thing is that a lot of the 'misshapen' people are young people. There's this whole slacker aesthetic I see these days among younger people in their twenties and some older- no exercise, slack,dumpy and pasty. They aren't into sports. They don't get any sun. The girls have shlumpy dumpy butts,the guys are shaped like Opus. Their activities include role Playing games and Sega. They don't even watch sports on tv! Any kind of physical activity is too big an effort for them. I hate to imagine them at my age!

In the meantime, a few months ago, a cyclist who used to race. I thought he was maybe in his late 40s. It turns out he was 57! The guy has the physique of a teenager. And here are all these 30 year olds who get winded if they walk a block. By the time they get to be 57 they'll be dead (does that make sense?)
Nail + head = "WHAM"

A favorite person of mine (which shows you can be out of shape and still be a good person ;) ) said, "If I'd known I was going to live so long, I'd have taken better care of myself!"

One last point: have you ever known anything else that was so stimulating and fantastic that not only didn't kill you, but made you stronger and better?

Well, yes, now that you mention it, I think that if I thought real, real hard, I might be able to come up with just one thing :rolleyes:


However, wife is not in the mood today, so I did manage a wonderful ride!!

It is really great heading down the plowed trail with snow all around, absolute silence, seeing only five riders and four joggers in 1.5 hours of riding. Leafless trees stark against the white background. The creek meandering with ice forming on the edges. My water bottle half frozen and half liquid. Bright blue sky with a blazing sun lighting up the white world. And me, going just at my own pace, really taking in the sights, going slow and then fast. Walking across the snow covered and icy bridges, but going fast where the snow has fully melted from the cement.

WOW, almost as good as the other thing!!

I like riding of course but the main reason why I cycle is that I don't want to give into cars and all they represent to my eyes (waste, consumerism, pointless luxury, pollution, extreme individualism,etc.) without putting on a really good fight. So far I am still holding on and I still resist them.

We ride to release frustration and hate, or atleast i do...

jay

why not?