Hipcycler

While sitting on his park bench, snot running down his nose onto his laptop, our very own galen wrote something in another thread that really struck me like a snow plow on a winter snowstorm morning.
(OK, it's snowing here in Milwaukee this morning....first covering of white of the season here).

He wrote:

I think what people fail to take into account is that there is a big difference between 'training' and 'riding'.

This is from the thread:

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/155156-sheldon-brown-grant-peterson-weigh-ocp.html

But in that single line he delivered what I think is a great point and one that really pertains to me, and perhaps some of all this talk of OCP.

I don't really ride a bike?
I guess not.
Seriously, I don't.
In the five years since my hip surgery, I think I have jumped on a bike in quote, "Non-Cycling" clothes/gear all of once to go drop my truck off at the garage, then ride home. That's it. I just never really use a bike to get from point A to point B.

Instead, I use a bike to train. To complete a route in a certain fashion, (pardon the pun), be it for speed, form, miles...whatever. I don't train because I race. I train because I feel better because I do it. I train because it makes me feel better about myself, especially my waistline. Because I train my doctor tells me at my annual physical that I am a rare case for him....someone who has actually lowered all the bad things and has gotten into better overall physical shape as he has gotten older.

So I train on a bike.
And when I train I like to wear functional gear. I also like looking good at the part. I've always been this way, be it when I was a runner and raced in college, or when I played some pretty serious tennis after that, prior to my cycling days.

galen, for me anyway, you hit the proverbial nail on the head.
Riding vs. training.
Food for thought.

cuda2k

Well said. Both galen and Hipcycler.

blandin

"Instead, I use a bike to train. To complete a route in a certain fashion, (pardon the pun), be it for speed, form, miles...whatever. I don't train because I race. I train because I feel better because I do it. I train because it makes me feel better about myself, especially my waistline. Because I train my doctor tells me at my annual physical that I am a rare case for him....someone who has actually lowered all the bad things and has gotten into better overall physical shape as he has gotten older."

Hip,

Thank you for putting into words why I ride my bikes - I'm pretty sure there's a lot of us with the same point of view. I hope you get some more riding in before Milwaukee becomes an icicle, but watch out for the Knave!

CyLowe97

I think this was Sheldon's and Grant's point of view, as well. That not enough people view cycling as an everyday means of just getting around without having to change into lycra and special shoes. Too many of us (myself included) only ride when we plan ahead and hammer down the road as slaves to the cyclometer.

Just riding around the neighborhood for fun to see what's going on doesn't take expensive gear or clothing.

Going for a 30 mile ride, though, it sure enhances the experience and comfort when you've got the proper gear on. Just my couple of pennies....

High Fist Shin

I think you hit the nail on the head Hip. I feel the same way and I have a similar story.
I train, I don't really ride very often except when out for a short ride with my wife on her hybrid. At 35, I'm in the best shape of my life, diabetes is in full remission. My doctor says that if he didn't already know I was diabetic, he wouldn't be able to tell from the blood work results. Doc is very pleased with my progress.

So yes, I too train. For fitness, for fun, and for life.

Props to both of you (Hip and Galen). Another thing I love about BF; the wisdom of it's members.

Dante

Baldanzi

I currently have the good fortune of working in Monza Italy (just bought a Colnago too!)....It has been an eye opening experience for me. I view bikes in a totally different light.... Sure I see the spandex clad OCP group (of which I may be one)... I guess that falls into the training camp (or cycling for cyclings sake).
What is incredible though, and here is that part I love almost as much as the guys riding all of the fine italian road bikes, its the people that use the bike for *gasp* transportation. It is so refreshing to see 70 year old women riding a beat up single-speed to the market. Just an hour ago I saw this 70+ year old guy riding down the road with a huge sack of chestnuts thrown over his shoulder. I honestly find that cooler that those of us in full team-kit riding for the sake of riding a bike. I feel lucky that riding is recreation/training for me. However I am a bit envious of the simplicity of riding a bike to work or to the market. We tend to make things so complicated in America.

Hugh

A question to the "trainers": Do you feel superior to the "riders"? It strikes me as kind of ironic that a lot of the folks who "train" instead of "ride", seem to feel that the "riders" are an inferior bunch. On my way to work on my bike, not in cycling clothes but rather in slacks and a shirt with a collar on it, I'll wave to the few other commuters, and always get a wave, a nod or a "hi" back. But the trainers seldom seem able to even look my way.

Having seen how cycling is embraced in parts of Europe, by both riders and trainers, it's interesting to see the dichotomy here in the U.S., or at least in my town. Obviously, it's not practical for everyone to commute to work on a bike, but I think there's a sizeable number of riders who might consider it, but maybe feel the pressure from the trainers and don't. This isn't meant as a flame or criticism of anyone--it's obviously the riders' problem if they can't or won't deal with the situation. But the lack of bicycle commuters where I live, especially compared to the number of trainers, strikes me as a bit of a conundrum.

I'd be interested to hear other opinions, from folks in my town (Salt Lake City), from other places in the States and from across the pond--is the division there as well-defined as it is here? Or at least as big as I perceive it to be here?

Me, sometimes I ride, sometimes I train. Even when I'm training though, I try to wave to the riders. Interesting thread.

Cheers.

CyLowe97

So the question is...

Does "training" equate to riding for riding's sake, whether it's a solo ride for X miles, or whether it's meeting up with other roadies to ride together (a la the Orange County or Cheesehead rides) where everyone pretty much understands that cycling gear will be worn?

And does "riding" equate to just tooling around the town with the kids with no definite plans except to visit a neighbor or to pick up some take-out food or have an ice cream at a local stand?

As for me, even when I'm out on the road, waving is something that I do instinctively. It makes me feel like I'm not out there all alone. And for the times when another rider is going in the same direction, it's a good chance to have a conversation if they are willing to have one.

In any case, just getting on the bike and pedalling is a good goal, whether you are looking to break a personal best or if you are just going to casually (even lazily) spin around near your house to take in a beautiful day.

SteveAZ

That is a good analogy and I personally do both but don't dress the part as I'm not a racer, nor never really just a commuter as I always have that instinct to push a little. My attitude doesn't change but my focus does. Consequently I could see where someone that crosses my path would get a different impression depending on my purpose that day. But when training there are 2 things that would make me appear less hospitable but it's really not the case. First I'm more focused on what I'm doing so I often don't see riders on the other side of the road until the last minute. Second, the bike I ride while "training" is set up much more aggressively, naturally putting my head down more and limiting my field of view.

I guess no matter what, you're being judged, we all do it. If I see you in full team gear, you're a rabbit. Heck, what am I talking about, I don't care how you're dressed or what you're riding, I have to catch and pass you, it's just my nature. But when you look the part, it just serves as that much more incentive and makes it that much more fun Consequently I guess I don't really want to put that target on my back, although if I ever came acrossed another me, it could be interesting.

2Rodies

Allthough I 'train' most of the time I do 'ride' sometimes too. Last Saturday several of my teamates and I did a 50 mile ride out near Fredricksburg Tx. It was a near perfect day in some of the most beautiful parts of the hill country. I only got out of zone 2 once and spent 80% of the ride in zone 1. I just spun and enjoyed the day with some great friends. I also use my bike as my theropist couch, just 'riding' helps relieve the days stress. When I'm on my bike I don't have a job, a wife, kids, or a mortgage, it's just me and my bike.

lotek 

Interesting thought hip.
I ride for similiar reasons as your, however I also just ride at times.
When I do organized rides (HHH, R4R, VeloBash etc.) I just go out
and ride. One thing that helped me was that my computer crapped
out, now all I get is cadence and that's fine.
During my lunch hour rides I have a specific purpose, to do my
out and back loop in x amount of time (so I don't rush around like
a maniac getting back to desk).
When I go out on the weekend with my wife there is no specific
goal, it's more of a ride.

and sometimes its:
I ride my bike to ride my bike

marty

LA_Rider

Everybody knows trainers are more superior than riders.

Just ask ‘em.

Hipcycler

Hugh....to answer your question:

A question to the "trainers": Do you feel superior to the "riders"?

In a word-No.
I'm just out there doing MY thing.
And as Steve AZ wrote, sometimes I'm a bit more focused, depending on what type of training ride it is that day. I'f I'm pushing for speed and a higher ave. mph, then I will be down lower, more aero, and sometimes never even see another rider on the other side of the road until he's on top of me.

I always try to give a nod at the very least when I see ANYONE on a bike....riding or training.

timmhaan

i think there are a lot (commuters excluded of course) of people who "train" on the bike who don't really view the bicycle as a legitimate means of transporation. they're often the first people to grab the car keys and do the daily business and then ride outside of that to reduce stress or to get exercise.

Hugh

Thanks Hip. And again, these are just my observations, according to my perception of reality. I'm just interested in points of view among the various parties. No criticism meant.

KeithA

Right on thread, Hipcycler.

Yep, yep, and yep. No shoe size fits all. Cyclings a wildly diverse activity. It's healthy. It's fun. It can be hard core or just for doing chores around town. It can be different things for a sixteen year old and a sixty year old.

Baldanzi,
I think you're dead on target. I'd be MUCH more impressed seeing 70+'s out there still active. We can pretty safely assume they've been biking their whole lives and it truly is integrated into their lives. Those be cool people!!!

For me personally, my best rides are when I'm pushing it. The reason being that I feel on top of the world afterwards.

craign04

I "train" and "ride" and i enjoy doing both, I have as good of a time riding through the university of wisconsin arboretum with my gf on her hybrid as I do out hammering it. I don't feel superior to the people who purely "ride", however i do feel superior to the "trainers" who go out and hammer it on MUPs throughout town and act like jerka$$es to the "riders" out there who share the MUPs with them. That being said I think the thing all of us have in common, "riders" and "trainers" alike, is enjoying being outside and being on their bike.

Baldanzi

Maybe "train" is the wrong word? I cannot say what I do is training since I do not race. I do it to get faster and better - maybe that is training. I don't race and never will, to me "train" implies racing or competing? Maybe its transportation vs. cycling for cyclings sake? I love bikes, riding, "training" whatever. I just am in a position now that I don't use a bike as transportation.

Back home in the USA, I always nod to other cyclists - especially others on road bikes. I amost NEVER see anyone biking as transportation. Since I'm new to life in Italy, I'm realizing that you don't nod to others...around here there are just too many people on bikes!! Last Sunday I went for a ride - I had to meet a guy in front of "Villa Reale" in Monza. That's the local spot for congregating before a ride. It was 32 degrees - cold. Well at 9AM there were over a hundred people on bikes meeting others for rides. Bikes of all shapes and sizes. All of us were heading out just to be on a bike. Was it training? I don't think so, but whatever it was called it was amazing! Riding here is so different....you see both camps...the bikes as transport group and a HUGE number of people on bikes just to be on a bike. Its incredible. Back home (philly) When I go out for a ride by myself...I feel just that - by "myself" so when you see another cyclist - you nod/waive. Here you are always spotting (or being passed!!) by someone else out riding - just to ride. Its amazing.

timmhaan

clipless pedals are the one thing for me which makes me train vs. ride. i know it sounds silly, but once i put the cycling specific shoes on, i also feel inclined to put the padded shorts on and the jersey as well. all of a sudden, i'm dressed to ride. and because i've spent some time getting ready, i feel guilty if i don't make the most of a ride.

i just need to set up a secondary bike with some platform pedals on that i can use to peter around town on.

High Fist Shin

I have to agree with Hip also. I have never and will never turn my nose up at any rider. I always offer to help if I see a rider with a problem and I'll ride slow if my ride partners can't keep up (including the wife ).

I wear the cloths and ride a racing bike, but I started on a commuter with regular cloths and I will not forget where I came from. Today, my joy of riding comes from pushing my 35 year old body as hard as I can because I need to know what I'm capable of.

I'm not truly happy unless I'm punishing my body.

Dante

cuda2k

My Barracuda Mk.I will have a pair of Nashbar Rodeo pedals on it. Platform / SPD pedals that allow me to jump on with my regular shoes for a cruise around the neighborhood or go the clipless route for longer rides. I also have a pair of dual sided SPD's that I'll either be putting on my second roadie for the majority of my miles or just swap them onto the 'Cuda when I plan on doing major riding when the dual sided would come in handy. That bike's whole purpose for being built was to 'ride' and 'train' when and as needed. That an to Pose.

Fat Boy Biker

+1 for Hip and maybe +2 for galen

But to add to the training thing, I must confess, I'm even more intense (some would say crazy, sicko, out of whack). I never, and I repeat never, ride with out my trusty Flight Deck and Polar HRM. Ok, one time I did put the wrong Flight Deck head on (I have 3 bikes and 3 different FD heads), but after I entered all of the critical data in my Excel spreadsheet (everyone does this right?) then I reset the 2 flight decks (the one I mistakenly used, and the one I should have used) and entered in the correct numbers. (So the odometer would be accurate, of course.) Now my point to all of this, and I do have a point, is that riding for me is more than riding. It's also mechanics, knowing when to overhaul my headset. It's fitness, and improving my health and riding ability, (I could go on about average speeds, heart rate improvements, VO2 max, blah, blah, blah). And I know many people just don't care. But I do. It's fun for me. I also read Russian novels. I generally dislike SciFi. We all don't have to like the same thing, and I will try not to look down on those that think differently than I. (Although, everyone knows that any thing by William Faulkner is better than anything by Tom Clancy let's say ). Really, this can be a viewed as a math versus English argument. (Just ask MERTON in the FOO forum. He'll tell you). Some people like precision, numbers and such, and others love words, feelings, and art. And some can go either way, or both ways as it were. I'll just ramble along now.


Steve
-so many words, so little time.

Ed Holland

Good points indeed!

I ride for fitness and combine this with commuting so you could say that I train to work every morning

SteveAZ

I'm with you, that's some of the most efficient use of time I have. That's why I don't really consider myself a "commuter", as I ride harder than most commuters. But it's one of rides I enjoy the most because it's a much better way for me to start the day.

Doid23

Nicely stated, Hip, and I agree with Galen's line. I guess you could add "racing" to riding and training.