Hybrid Bicycles - What is the Primary task 4 your Bike

Now I commute with my bike 20 miles a day as my bikes current duty

My HYBRID :) is my everything bike. I'm not an avid rider like so many on BF but I will ride mine to work starting next month. I also use it to run light errands once in a while and for exercise/fun rides with the husband.

Between My trunk bag and my bottle cage I can carry a 12 pack of Molson Ice Bottles to my buddy's barn where the band practices and sometime's I can even manage to ride home

Fitness and stress relief!

I am a casual rider, and simply ride for exercise and fun. I hope to start doing more photographic journeys. Using my bike to wander somewhere and take pics.

I use my Hybrid for everything right now except commuting (off for the summer) Running errands,groceries, riding with with my husband all over the city, fitness and so on.

I use my hybrid for basic transportation. It's 4-6 miles to the nearest bus stop or train station, so unless I can cadge a ride from a family member in his car, I ride. I don't ride every day, as the Family Driver is pretty good about acting as chauffeur, but I like to be on my own schedule if I can, and the bike is a lifesaver when The Driver is out of town. I have biked to and from temp jobs, sometimes all the way. Other times I rode the bike to catch the bus or train.

I'm what you'd call Involuntarily Car Light. I used to live in a city, where the bus stopped on the corner near my apartment, and while I have owned cars I junked my last one years ago, rather than let it be a money pit. Eventually I let my driver's license expire, which I now regret. I used to walk or take the bus to work, occasionally rent a car, and ride my bike some. I'd happily do that now, but I've been out of work, and now live in a very car-centric area.

Once I obtain regular employment, I suppose I'll move to an apartment that's much better served by mass transit, if I can. Then I'll be able to switch back and forth between bus, train and bike, as needed.

I may need to budget for a better bike, too. I hit a bad hole in the road on my Univega Trail today and bent the rigid front fork. I got some free roadside assistance from a fellow rider, so it rolls, but I should replace it as soon as I can.

Even if my income spiked, and I could easily afford a dependable car, insurance and fuel, I'd still ride for the exercise and enjoyment. Since I started riding again I've been mentally kicking myself for the years I let my old 12-speed sit, neglected, in the basement storage locker of my old flat. The money I could have saved that I spent on bus fare, the extra pounds that wouldn't have been added to my beer gut.... ;)

Kevin

Exercise,,,,it's a good feeling when you get back from a good ride,,,,,,,,,

Fast conveyance down the uneven, and often unpaved, roads and pathways here in northern Vermont. Either for pleasure, or to do some work or photography. I love the feeling of knowing that if it's not a crazed, boulder-strewn mountain-trail - I can take my bike down whatever paths I desire. And maintain a good speed in so doing.

I ride mine mainly for exercise around the bike paths and two lane roads in the area.

Exercise ride most mornings for an hour or so, and occasional weekend or evening casual cruise with my wife.

My fixed gear hybrid is used for commuting and long distance recreational rides.

recreational first, commuter second

Exercise, and an escape to an alternate reality.

Exercise, recreation, sight seeing. Occasionally commuting, or at least to a job site.

My original intent was not to commute with my bike and when I bought it I had never even considered it. I bought it for pure pleasure. I have been into fitness pretty heavy for the last 15 years. Last year when gas went off the chart is when it 1st crossed my mind. My hours at work and the distance from my farm where the hurtles to overcome. It took some time but I figured it out. I am fortunate and run my division at work and manipulated my employees to control my hours. Then I found a place to drive part way and ride the rest. 10 miles each way currently. So now I save gas, reduce my carbon footprint, and get my aerobic workout in in 1 shot. There is always a way

The primary use of my Marin Mill Valley is as a back up to my Kona Nunu MTB which is used primarily as a short haul light freight delivery vehicle.

The Marin with a large load.
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/800x600px-LL-IMG_1658.jpg

My Cannondale H300 CAAD1 was being used to take up space and collect dust until reading this forum made me want to take it out for a ride.

"Inspiration, move me brightly..."
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/IMG_2681.jpg

I'm hoping to put it back into service, perhaps as the primary or maybe back-up hauler. The Marin then could be used for faster longer rides on the weekend. I'll probably swap the rear racks, the nice big Jandd will match the front rack on the H300, which makes a better utility bike. Smaller, lighter rack on the Marin, my sportier ride.

My hybrid is primarily used for commuting and running errands. The other 8 bikes don't get as much love.

Lose weight and have fun doing it.

commuting 26 miles round trip seasonally and long distance joy rides (50-100 miles)

The Trek 7.7FX was purchased for fitness training.

I live on a street that is designated "No Thru Traffic". The street is shaped like the letter 'P', with the loop of the 'P' measuring exactly 0.26 miles.

With only thirteen residents occupying the street vehicular traffic is minimal to non-existent depending on the length of the session.

Commuting 10 miles round trip and errands.

Pretty much everything...

Towing...

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/bikehaul5.jpg

Commuting... in every kind of weather.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/winter08-trek2.jpg

Off roading... the cross wheels are wonderful.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/trekcommute1.jpg

Touring...

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/century1.jpg

And I even used it for messenger work... although I prefer a fixed gear for that.

Four primary uses! That kinda sums up what hybrids are all about. Too bad yours is a touring bike and not a hybrid. You believe it's a hybrid and maybe that's what a hybrid really is. A bike that can do it all if the rider believes it can. Your bike is defined by what you do with it.

gmsdc15 & 65'er make me want a trailer again:) just a small one of course, at least for hauling stuff to the bottle depot.

Mmmm maybe no Xtracycle, A Pashley, and a trailer for Serenity (my hybrid) that way I can satisfy all my needs.
Wonder if I can talk hubby into this..LOL

Since I am retired, commuting is out!

But I do use it for transportation, wherever I can.

Recreational riding, intense exercise, grocery getting, errand running, and general transport, are what it shines at.

With a tail trunk, and grocery panniers, I can carry a lot (4+ large grocery bags.) And the 700 wheels, road tires, higher gearing, and lower gearing, make it all easy, fun, and possible.

Usual daily mileage is between 30 and 60 miles per day...... And, have I ever saved a lot of gasoline...

Four primary uses! That kinda sums up what hybrids are all about. Too bad yours is a touring bike and not a hybrid. You believe it's a hybrid and maybe that's what a hybrid really is. A bike that can do it all if the rider believes it can. Your bike is defined by what you do with it.

Were you traumatized by a roadie in your youth ?

Is that where your aversion to drop bars stems from ?

:lol:

I suffer from chronic back pain.

I suffer from chronic back pain.

Me too.

I use my hybridized mountain bike to commute on. Fitness was never the goal, just a benefit for me.

Mainly used as a Recreation for my wife and I, LOL, we use it more for mental health than physcial exersize! I do have a homemade trailer that I use to get foodstuffs and haul bigger items when my *** car doesn't run, (which is a LOT of the time :( )

It takes me the 22 kms round trip to/from work faster than any Car/Bus. (Live on one side of a river and work on the other...only 2 bridges...and one is currently under massive construction)

Sixty Fiver: Leduc/Edmonton, why would you ever want to go there? Far more pleasant to go WEST than NORTH from Calgary!

Sixty Fiver: Leduc/Edmonton, why would you ever want to go there? Far more pleasant to go WEST than NORTH from Calgary!

The fact I live in Edmonton probably has something to do with it.. :)

Ah, my sympathies.

From the sign, it appeared that you were from Calgary and over halfway to Edmonton.

Ah, my sympathies.

From the sign, it appeared that you were from Calgary and over halfway to Edmonton.

I was just out for a short out and back a few weeks ago... my mom and family lives in Wetaskiwin.

Edmonton is a great city for cycling... if you are ever here I'll take you for a ride through the valley which has to be one of the best cycling areas in North America.

The main purpose of my hybrid (Trek 7.7FX) is to take me to work and back every day. It does that job very well so I reward it by taking it out on weekend rides too without the trunk bag.

I was just out for a short out and back a few weeks ago... my mom and family lives in Wetaskiwin.

Edmonton is a great city for cycling... if you are ever here I'll take you for a ride through the valley which has to be one of the best cycling areas in North America.

I lived in Edmonton for 2 years (2004/05), lived on the south side of the river and worked on the north side, biking was the fastest way between the two.

Also the reason I give my sympathies. Weather sucks (still better than Winnipeg, which is where I moved after Edmonton) and the Rig Rockets are dangerous.

Perhaps perspective is different because I was commuting to get to work during rush hour whereas you are doing it for fun.

BTW, your folks are in a lot more scenic area :)