General Cycling Discussion - Ascetic Life Styles?

From reading a number of posts, it seems to me that there may be a significant portion of folks on this forum (perhaps more than in the general population) who lead sort of an "ascetic" life style.

I would define this as not being married, no children, no car or at least a very minimal car which is seldom used, very simple living, likely inclined to single bike touring, and generally have a fair amount of time to devote to their biking (and perhaps other interests).

On the other hand, there are also folks like me, with rather significant family responsibilities (two profoundly handicapped children, wife, recent major medical problems) with cars, significant work responsibilities and other related baggage, who might have less time for those kind of things.

Sometimes it seems as if there is a gap between the conclusions about life, biking, cars and other areas between the disparate ends of these two groups.

Again, it is probably one of DnvrFox's far out theories for which I will get the usual amount of flak, but, then, this is only the internet, and "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words . . . ."

So, please feel free to answer the poll in any way you might. Be your own rater.

Okay, have at me. I can take it!

Oh man, you had to ask. :(

Cycling provides my escape, balance, and future. It really helps to "equalize" the stresses of life. :)

Main Entry: as·cet·ic
Pronunciation: &-'se-tik, a-
Variant(s): also as·cet·i·cal /-ti-k&l/
Function: adjective
Etymology: Greek askEtikos, literally, laborious, from askEtEs one that exercises, hermit, from askein to work, exercise
Date: 1646
1 : practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline
2 : austere in appearance, manner, or attitude

"I would define this as not being married, no children, no car or at least a very minimal car which is seldom used, very simple living, likely inclined to single bike touring, and generally have a fair amount of time to devote to their biking (and perhaps other interests)."

spiritual computer hermits on bikes?

Full time plus job. Wife and son who is now at basic training for the Navy. Since son is away, we have spent a lot of time at the house hoping for phone calls which never seem to come. Have lost all motivation to ride my bike since the last ride ended in being bitten by a dog. No harm was done to me just can't bring myself to riding on the road at this time. The plan is to go for my usual ride today and see if that brings back the old riding feeling. January of 03, one of the worst for weather, I was able to ride everyday. In December,03 have ridden 2 times both on the property. Part of the problem may be depression from only son leaving home.

Depression..Thats when you need a ride the most.

"I would define this as not being married, no children, no car or at least a very minimal car which is seldom used, very simple living, likely inclined to single bike touring, and generally have a fair amount of time to devote to their biking (and perhaps other interests)."

spiritual computer hermits on bikes?

Don't get too hung up on the word "ascetic."

My thesaurus says "austere' and "frugal."

Instead, use the definition I wrote. At the time I could think of no better word, and used the best word that came to mind.

Hopefully folks get the general idea by the definition I gave.

Full time plus job. Wife and son who is now at basic training for the Navy. Since son is away, we have spent a lot of time at the house hoping for phone calls which never seem to come. Have lost all motivation to ride my bike since the last ride ended in being bitten by a dog. No harm was done to me just can't bring myself to riding on the road at this time. The plan is to go for my usual ride today and see if that brings back the old riding feeling. January of 03, one of the worst for weather, I was able to ride everyday. In December,03 have ridden 2 times both on the property. Part of the problem may be depression from only son leaving home.

Sorry to hear about the bad times. Maybe a break from road riding isn't so bad for a while. I'm sure you'll be back on the bike when times are looking better.

To change the subject, where in SE Ohio are you riding? I lived in Huntington WV for 18 months and I think SE Ohio has got to be one of the most underrated places to ride for both road and mountain biking.

Don't get too hung up on the word "ascetic."

My thesaurus says "austere' and "frugal."

Instead, use the definition I wrote. At the time I could think of no better word, and used the best word that came to mind.

Hopefully folks get the general idea by the definition I gave.


"Sometimes it seems as if there is a gap between the conclusions about life, biking, cars and other areas between the disparate ends of these two groups."

What 2 groups? Really is it all so b\w? How about single parents?

Anyway, I had a hard time understanding the aim of your poll?
I am very glad there are different conclusions about life, bikes, ect-
I believe that's why people have dicourses, discussions- to expand our views of our world.
Perhaps some would prefer to have it all said in agreement- But then you may as well talk to yourself.

It seemed to me that your responsibilities are weighing heavily on you sir. I have a child and can only imagine the hardships two handicapped children must place on you and your wife.

Hope you find comfort in your love and a release from weight of responsibility with a good bike ride now and then.
Best to you and your family in the newyear.

I am very glad there are different conclusions about life, bikes, ect-
I believe that's why people have dicourses, discussions- to expand our views of our world.
Perhaps some would prefer to have it all said in agreement- But then you may as well talk to yourself.

Strange that you would think that by posting a poll I would somehow want there to be agreement.

Of course we have differences in opinions - isn't that great? - I am just exploring one aspect of those differences.

mtnmike

Woodsfield, Ohio which is in Monroe County. This is between Marietta,OH I-77 and St. Clairsville, OH I-70 on the Ohio River. Very little flat riding some really steep climbs. Thanks for the insight and thanks for asking. Did not get to ride today since it is the first day of deer hunting with muzzleloaders.

Will try again next week.

Yup...I lead an acerbic lifestyle

Full time job, Mid Management R&D Engineering. Wife says I'm obsessed with biking but I still love her dearly (and she me). Type A Biker - ain't no way but fast - First experience recently with a injury requiring rest and recovery- just getting over it, went out yesterday and today. I told Wife I prayed hard while riding- "Lord-give me the strength to go slow". As others state, biking is the cure for stress/depression, you can leave your problems 10 feet behind you, BUT- I have to keep going faster and faster and.........

Full time job,mon-fri.Leave at 5:15am and get home at 2:30 and change and ride.Wife is self employed and works late tue,thur,fri,sat.Off rest of days but dad is wheelchair bound and older so all doctor and teeth she does.My mon is going loony so more of my time.19 and 17 year old girls.House,two cars,dog.As the girls have gotten older,my mileage goes up.

Depression..Thats when you need a ride the most.

Amen to that.....

As someone to whom Clinical Depression has cost me a lot.

But I sha`nt bore everyone with my problems.....

No real job. Draw cartoons most of the day and teach kids and adults now and then, full time in the summer. Work on bikes, play with dog (who I found, or he found me). No kids I know about. Girlfriend moved out, so living room now has the truing stand on the table again. Sums it up.

No real job. Draw cartoons most of the day and teach kids and adults now and then, full time in the summer. Work on bikes, play with dog (who I found, or he found me). No kids I know about. Girlfriend moved out, so living room now has the truing stand on the table again. Sums it up.

Can i be you?LOL

Full-time job with a lot of travel, wife, no kids, cat, one cheap car, no mortgage and no family in this country. When not travelling, I commute to work and ride as much as I can. When travelling, I buy lots of bike stuff so I can have toys to play with when I get home again!

Elementary school media specialist and technologist, no kids, two cats, 1 significant other (who's spending Jan and Feb in Denver) 3 "old" paid for cars, no mortgage on house, just bought new mtn bike, have my applications in to retire Feb. 27th. Can life be any better?
Kathi

From reading a number of posts, it seems to me that there may be a significant portion of folks on this forum (perhaps more than in the general population) who lead sort of an "ascetic" life style.

I would define this as not being married, no children, no car or at least a very minimal car which is seldom used, very simple living, likely inclined to single bike touring, and generally have a fair amount of time to devote to their biking (and perhaps other interests).

On the other hand, there are also folks like me, with rather significant family responsibilities (two profoundly handicapped children, wife, recent major medical problems) with cars, significant work responsibilities and other related baggage, who might have less time for those kind of things.

Sometimes it seems as if there is a gap between the conclusions about life, biking, cars and other areas between the disparate ends of these two groups.

Again, it is probably one of DnvrFox's far out theories for which I will get the usual amount of flak, but, then, this is only the internet, and "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words . . . ."

So, please feel free to answer the poll in any way you might. Be your own rater.

Okay, have at me. I can take it!

The manner in which most of the members of this site obsess and analize over their frigging bikes, excludes consideration of using the word ascetic or asceticism while describing them. It might be better to rephrase this discussion in terms of those people that have lost their sense of perspective and have constructed their life around a bicycle.

The manner in which most of the members of this site obsess and analize over their frigging bikes, excludes consideration of using the word ascetic or asceticism while describing them. It might be better to rephrase this discussion in terms of those people that have lost their sense of perspective and have constructed their life around a bicycle.

Okay - you are very welcome to write your own poll. Once any poll is written it is pretty much unmodifiable.

Anyway, polls should not be taken seriously, hopefully. Just sort of a fun activity and very unscientific.

Anyway, polls should not be taken seriously, hopefully. Just sort of a fun activity and very unscientific.

Unscientific, unscientific! How could they be! Numerous members of the biking community show up here at one time or another, to discuss sleep apnea, pissing while riding, what they read, convincing their spouse to let them have their bike, politics, religion, the flu, nutrition, getting a job, TV viewing habits, internet sites, etc. :) And let us not forget UNDERWEAR! :eek:

I actually had to look up asetic see what the heck it meant. I learn something new here almost everyday. I suspect the polls are at least a little accurate considering what we all do for at least part of our time.

"It might be better to rephrase this discussion in terms of those people that have lost their sense of perspective and have constructed their life around a bicycle."

Excuse me while I try to find the meaning of life by pondering this helicomatic hub.

ooommm.....ooommmm...

Perspective is a 3-d mathematical exersize on a 2d piece of paper. No, wait, that's part of my life/job, I thought this was where I posted to talk to other hopeless bike geeks.

no, shokhead, you may not have my life. I have no idea how I got here, but here I am, and I like it.

I work in a small practice, so for us taking a vacation just means someone else has to work overtime. I'm at work 9-10 hrs a day, 5 days a week. Fortunately, our kids are grown, so it is just Dan & me at home, so much less laundry! House, lawn, garden, all consume time, but all give some satisfaction also. Dog and cats consume lots of time, but are very satisfying, and Dan is my peach. The 80-90 minutes each work day I spend on my bike are priceless, and Dan fully recognizes this. Even though it is something we don't share, he really supports me in my bike habit. I should be as supportive of his barbershop singing (but my bakesale days are done).

I have a full-time job four days a week. That gives me a three-day weekend every week. I usually ride at least two of those three days (sometimes all three) for at least 20 to 25 miles (up to 60 miles). A couple of times during the week I will put in eight to ten miles in the morning before work. I've only been seriously cycling since July. I started with a X-Mart mountain bike, then a Trek hybrid, and now an Ibex road bike.

The kids are grown but I have other irons in the fire. I play drums in an oldies band and I do income taxes on the side. Will have to see how the next couple of months work out. I might have to curtail my tax business to make time for riding. :)

I made time for riding by drastically cutting my TV time. I used to watch TV from 6 pm to 9 or 10 pm. I can't believe I was wasting my time watching Judge Judy, Divorce Court, Wheel of Fortune, and re-runs of Hawaii 5-0. That was before the 2003 TDF. In the summer I can ride until 8 at night. In the winter I go to bed at 8 pm and can get up at 3 am.

Depression...I truely believe what others have said.....cycling does wonders for it.

I have a job thats considered to be one of the most stressful in the world. At times it makes an air traffic controller look like a Sunday school teacher. When I lived up north it was easy enough to head out the door and be on a back country road pedaling away. Now I'm in the heart of the Miami congestion and its actually frustrating at times to get in a 'nice ride'. Luckily I live across the street from some absolutely killer Mtn. bike trails. Yes, there are 13 miles of them in the urban sprawl.

I am single, never been married with no kids. My car alone probably excludes me from the 'ascetic' lifestyle. Its what I use to get away from the world when I need.

This past year has been a medical disaster for me. From December of '02 through May of '03 there was no riding at all. My neurosurgeon said something about the 3.8cmX1.8cmX1.6cm tumor in my spinal column not being good for riding. Then in September I broke my thumb and was down for 2 months then in November I stabbed myself in the other hand with a broken piece of glass. Theres nothing like a drive up the coast while the suns setting.

I have a bike I'm building right now thats rideable.....I've owned it for a month now and havent put any miles on it yet.....its my second treat to myself (the car was the first for many reasons) and I'm not riding it until its 'just right'.

Enough *****ing by me....in 2 hours I'm being hooked up with PHAT Columbian girl, tomorrow morning I'm riding, and maybe in the evening there'll be roar from the thundering dual exhaust as I cruise up the coast.......

Pedal Safe.....
Jim

My SO works full time, well, he gets paid full-time. He works in the technology field about 6 hours per day, but is a salary employee. I work part time to give myself the feeling of accomplishment, but soon to go back to school. Yeah: 12 hours of school Tue and Thur 4-8. We live in a frugal apartment, and drive a truck worth maybe $500.00 with $6,000+ worth of bikes in it. We have no plans for a family. Our financial structure consists of this: basically, he pays the bills and rides bikes, and rock climbs, and I hang out, mostly ride bikes, kayak, rock climb, and generally play alot.

Kids left last year....wife and I have found each other again and.. bike, swim, walk/run as we feel like it. Usually 4 to 6 days a week. Both still working but could take retirement at any time we choose. Light mortage on house and summer home. 2 cars (04,99) 3 trucks, 2 cats, 1 lab........maybe I need to retire 01.01.04 before something happens :) Damn ain't life good

6 bikes, 2 cats, fixer upper house, no cars, no mortgage or any other debt, divorced twice, live alone. I'm liking it!

Main Entry: as·cet·ic
Pronunciation: &-'se-tik, a-
Variant(s): also as·cet·i·cal /-ti-k&l/
Function: adjective
Etymology: Greek askEtikos, literally, laborious, from askEtEs one that exercises, hermit, from askein to work, exercise
Date: 1646
1 : practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline
2 : austere in appearance, manner, or attitude

:( WHAT?!?! :rolleyes:

:( WHAT?!?! :rolleyes:
ummm. poor word usage- I pulled an online dictionary- we make our own meanings in forumspeak.

Quote-
I have some responsibilities that keep me from an aescetic life style, but I still manage a fair amount of time for biking ---entry 2.

perhaps you mean aesthetic life style? YA- I work.. sooo my PLACE (bike) is messy and poorly decorated-
works for me.

ummm. poor word usage- I pulled an online dictionary- we make our own meanings in forumspeak.

Quote-
I have some responsibilities that keep me from an aescetic life style, but I still manage a fair amount of time for biking ---entry 2.

perhaps you mean aesthetic life style? YA- I work.. sooo my PLACE (bike) is messy and poorly decorated-
works for me.

You just are not in a happy mood, are you?

How about ascetic? Just a minor typo, which should have been rather apparent.

This is supposed to be for fun.

I am not writing a doctoral dissertation here.

So, cheer up and enjoy!

My truck will be paid off in May of this year. CC debt will be gone by July. No wife / GF / kids / debt... Should be a good year for me ;)

You just are not in a happy mood, are you?

How about ascetic? Just a minor typo, which should have been rather apparent.

This is supposed to be for fun.

I am not writing a doctoral dissertation here.

So, cheer up and enjoy!

trying to be funny- I design art so I have a very aesthetic lifestyle, not aescetic- I am a single parent, sold the car-have debts, health issues and bike as much as I can. 1hr-6days per week, 2hrs-3days per week, 3+hrs-1day per week.

Of course, all of this raises the question - are we glad or sad that we chose the lifestye (or the lifestyle that chose us) where we find ourselves.

I envy those of you with no or minimal other responsibilities in a way, but there is no question in my mind that I have the style that fits me the best - wife, kids, challenges beyond measurement on a daily basis, and all the rest.

So, I will find time to ride, but I am also glad that I find time to live a full "other" life!

This thread and poll has turned out to be most interesting, with a participation and postings far beyond my expectations!

Have a great New Year!

Denver, my main goal over the next 5 years is to travel the world. I made a choice not to get into a serious relationship, or rack up thousands of dollars of college debt. So far, so good.

I am sure I will doubt some of these choices down the road, but as of now, I am enjoying my life style and life choices. Great thread, thanks :)

Only occasionally do I buy something I haven't already set money aside for. My wife and I have lived on a budget for years. At first she HATED it. Then she came to realize that with that budget we could afford most things with a little planning.
Last July, a large change in my lifestyle occured when I lost my job due to a "personality conflict" with an employee whose work habits were self centered and devisive. But she was a 8 year employee. So with a definate choice to make, I got out of management(30+ years worth). I'm now a run of the mill grunt in a large retail chain. My wife now earns more than me, but I've got so much more time to do the things I want to do. I've had to modify the budget making cash a little less, but the aggravation of trying to lead a horse to water is over for me. I never realized just how much stress and baggage I had accumalated. I'm happy where I'm at. Sure money is nice, but the cost of it was just to high.

No regrets. I'm too selfish for children anyway.

I am loaded with responsibilities (family, car, wife, etc.) but still manage a fair amount of time for biking.

I cycle together with my wife.
:love:

This spring has been a huge change for me. My wife of 9 years filed for divorce, and I'm still recovering from the gaping wound that has inflicted. (Didn't see it coming). She's asked me to move out. I've pretty much had all the things I've worked for for the last 10 years stripped away from me. My wife (whom I still love), my incredible 4 year old son (innocent victim), my dog (call her my firstborn) and my home (2400 s.f. home I remodeled) and all the joys that a family bring to a man.

I've turned to cycling (back to cycling) to deal with it. I'm now riding 4x's a week, working out and spending a lot of time with some old friends and a lot of new ones. My faith and belief in Jesus Christ help, but I still don't understand how my wife can turn her back on me and all our shared beliefs and proceed with this.

I work full time at a job I don't particularly like, but I'm paid well, so it's hard to leave. I feel kinda trapped and my performance is starting to suffer.

When I ride, I do so until I'm exhausted, then I can come home shower and fall asleep without having to think about my state of affairs.

I'm hurting, but cycling is my relief and my escape!

L8R

Trying to live the simple life, myself...somewhat out of necessity since I'm nowhere near a "career-track" job yet. Wish I could go without a car, since I only need to drive once or twice in a month, but that isn't realistic in the US. I bike, bus and walk whenever possible, and it really helps me slow down and enjoy the little things in life. The extra exercise doesn't hurt, either. ;)

This spring has been a huge change for me. My wife of 9 years filed for divorce, and I'm still recovering from the gaping wound that has inflicted. (Didn't see it coming). She's asked me to move out. I've pretty much had all the things I've worked for for the last 10 years stripped away from me. My wife (whom I still love), my incredible 4 year old son (innocent victim), my dog (call her my firstborn) and my home (2400 s.f. home I remodeled) and all the joys that a family bring to a man.

I've turned to cycling (back to cycling) to deal with it. I'm now riding 4x's a week,.

I work full time at a job I don't particularly like, but I'm paid well, so it's hard to leave. I feel kinda trapped and my performance is starting to suffer.


I'm hurting, but cycling is my relief and my escape!

L8R

Psyklnut. I can feel for you...I relate...This very same thing happened to me in my first marriage in your very own town..Lived there 9 years and a couple years in Bradenton. So glad you have found an outlet.
When it happened to me I was totally unpreparred.First 4-6 weeks was a real crisis time in my life. Could have gone on a downward spiral, if I had not found something..For my, at the time it was scuba diving and running...Ran across the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge when it opened, as I was a member of the Manasota Track Club.
Cycling really helps gets me over a different kind of stress.Not that gloomy doom of post divorce, but job kind of stress. Exercise works..
You have friends. They are there for you..Try to move on..You love cycling.Then force yourself accept what must be..How can one not love the ride up Longboat Key with the fresh air, blue sky and blue water and good friends.
Treat yourself. Go on a special bike tour with friends somewhere special. concentrate on what you like and those who share in that will help see you through it.

I spend so much time fixing bikes for others that I only ride about once a week. I run or go to the gym the rest of the time (Does not take as long). The running keeps up the lungs and the gym keeps up the "sprinter" quads (I can't really sprint :) )

The poll closed while I was in Tasmania doing the ride of my life (so far). I'm probably somewhere between categories 1 and 2 right now. Work and CPA study are taking up more of my time than I would like, plus the fact that I always seem to end up with all of my family's unwanted possessions (through no choice of my own incidentally), but that's about it. I still keep riding as a priority however, and everything else can just fit in around that or bugger off.

I'm in the 3rd "loaded" category but a short 4 mile commute to work in a bike friendly town allows me to get in regular "seat time". Psyklnut & DnvrFox: you are in my prayers. He will lift you up. Don

My theme song is the Talking Heads' "Once In A Lifetime:"

And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself-Well...How did I get here?

Plus, we've recently had twins.

So, I don't have a lot of time to waste. But, I've managed to fit my bike time in. For example, this morning I got up at 5 to change and feed the kids. Then I changed and fed myself and left the house at 6:15 to meet my buddy at the bike trail. He's also the father of young twins and we've managed to convince both our wives that it's good to have someone to talk to about fatherhood. (Actually, we usually talk about sports, movies, and politics...) And then on to work.

But then, when I met my wife I was something of a partyboy and I think she realizes that this bike addiction is a lot healthier than some of the other addictions out there.

So, for me it's about balance and fitting into your life the things that make life worth living.

ps: Hang in there, a2psyklnut. It will get better.

I'm definitely in the "I find it extremely difficult ..." category. Re-married with 2 kids from 1st marriage and 2 kids with my lovely wife. Job. Two cars (3 if you count my step-daughter's). Kid's activities. My eldest and my wife's eldest starting college next year. Other interests. With all of this it's very difficult to find time to ride.

I already get up at 5am so I can be out the door by 6am for work. I wish I could commute by bike but it's over 35 miles from home to office and I'm in no shape to ride 70-80 miles a day; so, the train is my main mode of commuting.

And the weather in Chicago doesn't always like to cooperate. For example, today I actually have a couple hours after work where I could ride but the forecast is for heavy thunderstorms. :mad: Oh, well. Maybe I'll take a ride to my LBS and buy something to cheer me up. :D

I am sure I will doubt some of these choices down the road, but as of now, I am enjoying my life style and life choices. Great thread, thanks :)

I don't think you will.

Psyklnut..Think when in a stressful situation, I would find fun rides more meaningful..Life is enough stress, ride competitively when it feels good..But, to relieve stress, to an overburden psyche, ease up for awhile...
Ride to a favorite banyan tree and enjoy a smoothie under its shade. I like to ride to a downstream park and eat a favorite snack like a cherry burritto and listen to the brook, which is actually sewage effluent, here in dry California.. Thats what I do, when I need to simmer down the the bubbling caldrion, which can be the human mind.