Southern California - a new breed of cyclists

these are the cyclists that will ride just to "explore"
they do not race
they do not feel the need to go faster when they get passed by a fellow cyclist along the route
the only time they will give chase, follow or attack to lose a fellow cyclist is when they feel their personal space and isolation become violated
these are the cyclists that ride for the time to contemplate
to get their heart rates up and give themselves a natural high through exercise
these are the cyclists that feel they become more enlightened with every pedal stroke
these are the cyclists that go out there just to see what is out there
these are the cyclists that prefer to be on their bicycles to enjoy the scenery rather than use gas and pollute the environment in their automobiles



this breed of cyclist is rare.



also this breed of cyclist would never be caught dead in bibs

this cyclist is out there to enjoy life

he does not care about his average mph

he does not care for his ability to punish himself on the mountains

the only time he goes fast is when he wants to FEEL what its like to go fast, as he cuts through the air and feels the molecules brush up against his skin

this cyclist enjoys the ride

and he cares not for competition against fellow man

for he sees the world to be good enough and beautiful

this cyclist, whether it be he or she

is the ultimate zen master

It may be rare but it's not new.

I don't understand why people feel the need to categorize everyone.

Are you trying to imply that this "new breed" of cyclists is superior to those who race, or wear bibs?

Much of that list can describe me at times, and other times not. I train, I race, but I'm primarily in it for the endorphins.

Sometimes I'll go hurt myself with intervals, and other times I'll just go out and enjoy nature and the ride.

Life isn't as simple as the little box you want to shove it in.

I hate life.

That's why I have a powermeter. I can track not only average mph, but WATTS! It helps me prepare for competition with fellow man, which I do because the world is terrible and ugly.

these are the cyclists that will ride just to "explore"
they do not race
they do not feel the need to go faster when they get passed by a fellow cyclist along the route
the only time they will give chase, follow or attack to lose a fellow cyclist is when they feel their personal space and isolation become violated
these are the cyclists that ride for the time to contemplate
to get their heart rates up and give themselves a natural high through exercise
these are the cyclists that feel they become more enlightened with every pedal stroke
these are the cyclists that go out there just to see what is out there
these are the cyclists that prefer to be on their bicycles to enjoy the scenery rather than use gas and pollute the environment in their automobiles



this breed of cyclist is rare.



also this breed of cyclist would never be caught dead in bibs

this cyclist is out there to enjoy life

he does not care about his average mph

he does not care for his ability to punish himself on the mountains

the only time he goes fast is when he wants to FEEL what its like to go fast, as he cuts through the air and feels the molecules brush up against his skin

this cyclist enjoys the ride

and he cares not for competition against fellow man

for he sees the world to be good enough and beautiful

this cyclist, whether it be he or she

is the ultimate zen master

I'm happy for you grasshopper.

I don't understand why people feel the need to categorize everyone.

Are you trying to imply that this "new breed" of cyclists is superior to those who race, or wear bibs?

Much of that list can describe me at times, and other times not. I train, I race, but I'm primarily in it for the endorphins.

Sometimes I'll go hurt myself with intervals, and other times I'll just go out and enjoy nature and the ride.

Life isn't as simple as the little box you want to shove it in.

+1000

I've never been in a race. And attacking--puleez. I come in last place in a century. But I do wear bibs and sometimes a skort. I like to climb because the scenery can't be matched. In other words, that new breed of cyclist is not new or rare. I see them everyday. In fact I'm one of those riders sometimes.

People can't always be put in boxes even though we'd try to.

I don't understand why people feel the need to categorize everyone.

It's the American way. Us - them, cyclists - cagers, blue - red, black - white, demacrat - republican, conservative - liberal, roadie - mountian biker, on and on adnauseam.

i thought that was most cyclists. my view of the world has been crushed. although the spandexacons sometimes seem inhuman i'm sure they aren't out there everyday kicking my ass just to kick my ass. they must get some other enjoyment out of it. i'm just happy to see people on they're bikes really. it gets so lonely in the winter.

I am with umd on this one as he describes the multidimensional cyclist that most of us are. Oh, my bibs are very comfortable during my explorations.

Another one going south.

Why do zen masters always turn out to be ********?

Why do zen masters always turn out to be ********?

Ain't that the truth!

Too much emo from the OP.

What is the point to this thread? People ride because they want to. How hard is that to understand?

People ride because they want to.Or because the big meanies at DMV took our license away after the last DUI.

I agree that isn't a *new* breed of cyclists. They always have been there, maybe since forever.

They are called "True Freds".

I've been trying to figure out why everyone has been calling me Fred on the SART when my name is Alex. Now I know.

meh...

everyone become's one of those once in a wile...

Shocking to hear such a load of crap coming from California .. oh wait.

everyone has been calling me Fred on the SART

I get the samething! :twitchy:

hipster kum-bai-ya b.s.

any philosophy that puts other people down to validate their own is not zen. It's self-righteous.

Zen Buddhism is a religion. Spiritual enlightenment through meditation.

I don't know how much meditation you can really do by a riding style that smells the roses and sweats through the climbs. Or the Zen simplicity of a multi geared bike. I have yet to see a Buddhist monk on the SART.

I too have become one of the new breed of cyclist. I achieved this not through mastering my Zen but because I have become old, fat, and slow. When I do manage to pass another rider on a climb, my inner ******* does a victory dance.

Oh - and for some reason I never liked bibs.

LOL funny stuff Bud_E :)

Zen Buddhism is a religion. Spiritual enlightenment through meditation.

I don't know how much meditation you can really do by a riding style that smells the roses and sweats through the climbs. Or the Zen simplicity of a multi geared bike. I have yet to see a Buddhist monk on the SART.

You don't remember seeing me pull away from you last week? I spit backwards and laughed as I big ringed it!
http://www.bikechina.com/images/ct/images/ct-bw-C24-12.jpg

I get the samething! :twitchy:

Ha ha...you ARE a rare True Fred...:)

Why do zen masters always turn out to be ********?
:lol: BECAUSE: Tho they walk through the valley of death, they fear no evil, for they are the baddest mofos around. :eek::D

:bike2:
I get the samething!


:bike2::bike2::bike2::bike2: :lol::50:

Zen Buddhism is a religion. Spiritual enlightenment through meditation.

I don't know how much meditation you can really do by a riding style that smells the roses and sweats through the climbs. Or the Zen simplicity of a multi geared bike. I have yet to see a Buddhist monk on the SART.


Yeah well I saw a whole bunch of them on the fuel dock at Marina Del Rey once so keep you're eyes open, they get around.

Almost everyone in the local touring club here is exactly as you described. They tend to be an older crowd, but they definitely are in it for enjoyment but aren't afraid to encourage young guns to go for it blazing while being content cruising in the back. I love doing easy rides with them - very social and cool routes that I'd never do on my typical hammerfest training rides.

I actually don't think they're rare at all - in fact, in the over 50 crowd, it's probably the norm. (Speaking as someone who's not over 50 myself...)

:bike2:


:bike2::bike2::bike2::bike2: :lol::50:

Oh man, that's the perfect crashing emoticon!:roflmao2:

Yeah well I saw a whole bunch of them on the fuel dock at Marina Del Rey once so keep you're eyes open, they get around.

I'm sure they get around, but meditating while riding? I think its not really meditating but mostly letting one's mind wander with thoughts here and there. In meditation there is actually a conscious effort to empty oneself. I cannot see how a rider can do both.

SHE (http://anunslife.org/2008/06/11/cycling-and-meditation/) might...:)

Looks like the sister is just enjoying a ride.

What is wrong with wearing bibs? I wear one every time I eat my mashed carrots and peas !

I can maybe kinda see where the OP is coming from -- look at his location. Here in Orange County I see a lot of older men and women -- 60+ years old -- riding the latest carbon bikes and racing wheels, wearing team kit so new the team hasn't been announced yet, and with Brooks saddles and about a foot of spacers under the stem. They're all going flat out, dripping sweat, and staring into their combination speedometer/odometer/heart rate monitor/power meter, regardless of how beautiful the scenery might be. I don't say anything because for all I know they are doing exactly what they want to be doing, but I can't help but wonder if maybe the local Performance is doing them a disservice.

Around here the assumption seems to be that recreational riding requires racing bikes, fancy clothing, and maximum effort at all times. So I can see how someone might feel the need to explain the options.

these are the cyclists that will ride just to "explore"
they do not race
they do not feel the need to go faster when they get passed by a fellow cyclist along the route
the only time they will give chase, follow or attack to lose a fellow cyclist is when they feel their personal space and isolation become violated
these are the cyclists that ride for the time to contemplate
to get their heart rates up and give themselves a natural high through exercise
these are the cyclists that feel they become more enlightened with every pedal stroke
these are the cyclists that go out there just to see what is out there
these are the cyclists that prefer to be on their bicycles to enjoy the scenery rather than use gas and pollute the environment in their automobiles



this breed of cyclist is rare.



also this breed of cyclist would never be caught dead in bibs

this cyclist is out there to enjoy life

he does not care about his average mph

he does not care for his ability to punish himself on the mountains

the only time he goes fast is when he wants to FEEL what its like to go fast, as he cuts through the air and feels the molecules brush up against his skin

this cyclist enjoys the ride

and he cares not for competition against fellow man

for he sees the world to be good enough and beautiful

this cyclist, whether it be he or she

is the ultimate zen master[/COLOR]

that describes me perfectly.

I can maybe kinda see where the OP is coming from -- look at his location. Here in Orange County I see a lot of older men and women -- 60+ years old -- riding the latest carbon bikes and racing wheels, wearing team kit so new the team hasn't been announced yet, and with Brooks saddles and about a foot of spacers under the stem. They're all going flat out, dripping sweat, and staring into their combination speedometer/odometer/heart rate monitor/power meter, regardless of how beautiful the scenery might be. I don't say anything because for all I know they are doing exactly what they want to be doing, but I can't help but wonder if maybe the local Performance is doing them a disservice.

Around here the assumption seems to be that recreational riding requires racing bikes, fancy clothing, and maximum effort at all times. So I can see how someone might feel the need to explain the options.

Have you ever been to those nearby Indian Casinos in the middle of nowhere like Pala? There's a lot of older people there using their money to just spend the time away at the slots. Some are even in wheelchairs with oxygen tanks.

So true.

What's funny is most of these "hammerfest" guys probably don't even compete. Which is kind of sad because they are missing a lot on their ride staring at their gps or power meters.

I think most train for distance rather than speed no? To train for speed you must be training to compete or maybe your personal best time?

So true.

What's funny is most of these "hammerfest" guys probably don't even compete. Which is kind of sad because they are missing a lot on their ride staring at their gps or power meters.

I think most train for distance rather than speed no? To train for speed you must be training to compete or maybe your personal best time?

I thought you said you were going to leave us alone for a year stumpy?

:troll:

It may be rare but it's not new.

This ^

I've ridden that way since the 1970s.

Location: Fort Worth, Texas

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Lost?

Oh, here we go again. Chill d00d. Get some zen or something.

No, not lost. I know exactly where I am.

Oh, here we go again. Chill d00d. Get some zen or something.

No, not lost. I know exactly where I am.

I'm chill d00d.

Okay then.... I was just about to say I fully agree with what you said in your first comment in this thread.

This is called the fun movement, it's open to people of all ages, from all backgrounds, and all non-cyclists as well. It's old news.

So true.

What's funny is most of these "hammerfest" guys probably don't even compete. Which is kind of sad because they are missing a lot on their ride staring at their gps or power meters.

I think most train for distance rather than speed no? To train for speed you must be training to compete or maybe your personal best time?

That's the funniest thing I've heard all day. Sounds like someone s jealous. You know they don't compete how..? As a long distance rider, I train for endurance and distance, but also climbing, because I love the mountains. I've never raced a day in my life, but make no mistake about it - I will be out on the weekends a few times a month with my club destroying myself in a "hammerfest". It's just plain fun. Besides, why does one have to compete? There a lot of us that just want to push it and see what we are capable of.

Shouldn't that be "New Breed of Cyclist"?

Anyway, nothing new about the breed. The beauty of cycling is that it's broad enough to embrace both the hammerfester and the tourfester.

<yada yada yada>

is the ultimate zen master


The essential wrongness of an "ultimate" zen master is a delicious irony! Unless your model of life is some kind of video game, I suppose.

I'd say there's at least one cyclist here who's not "Hollow" at all. Pretty full of it, actually... :thumb: