Is road cycling actually "fun" or just an accomplishment?
04-22-13, 11:47 AM
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Gaining fitness, getting outside, pushing yourself, meeting new people with similar interests, etc..
All of which gives a sense of accomplishment and is fun during the process.
All of which gives a sense of accomplishment and is fun during the process.
Last edited by danielrbaer; 04-22-13 at 11:51 AM.
04-22-13, 11:48 AM
#27
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04-22-13, 12:22 PM
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04-22-13, 12:40 PM
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I'm not trying to be a troll or anything, just interested in trying to get some input and understand something from another perspective other than my own.
Do people actually think its "fun" to go on those long road bike rides across mountain passes, or multiple states? Or is it just more of an accomplishment, so they can brag, like "I rode my bicycle across 5 states". And if it is fun, then why?
I just don't quite understand it. I see people all the time grueling up mountain passes in their granny gear going about 1mph, sometimes in the rain, or doing other similar slow speed long rides. And I just ask myself why? Isn't there something much more fun they could be doing?
I come up with the following possibilities as to why someone would like it, but can't find one thats solid.
1. Its good exercise - I'm an athletic person myself, who engages in many athletic activities, I understand the importance of exercise. However rotating your legs in circles for hours or days just seems maddening. If it was truly exercise they are after, I think there are much more fun ways to do it than leg circle rotations.
2. Scenic views - Yes, scenic views are nice. However by grueling along on a road bike, as people zip past going 65mph faster than you often just feet away seems like an inefficient way to experience them. Wouldn't it be much better by motorcycle for example? Considering many pay as much for their road bikes as what a motorcycle costs. You could see what takes you 5 days to see by bike, in half a day by motorcycle, and have all that time left over for other fun things, or seeing even more scenery. Maybe spend the hotel money from the trip on an helicopter ride instead and really see the view.
Again, not trying to troll or anything, just really wondering if anyone can explain to me why people choose to do this, and if anyone actually enjoys it, or if its just something to use for bragging rights.
Do people actually think its "fun" to go on those long road bike rides across mountain passes, or multiple states? Or is it just more of an accomplishment, so they can brag, like "I rode my bicycle across 5 states". And if it is fun, then why?
I just don't quite understand it. I see people all the time grueling up mountain passes in their granny gear going about 1mph, sometimes in the rain, or doing other similar slow speed long rides. And I just ask myself why? Isn't there something much more fun they could be doing?
I come up with the following possibilities as to why someone would like it, but can't find one thats solid.
1. Its good exercise - I'm an athletic person myself, who engages in many athletic activities, I understand the importance of exercise. However rotating your legs in circles for hours or days just seems maddening. If it was truly exercise they are after, I think there are much more fun ways to do it than leg circle rotations.
2. Scenic views - Yes, scenic views are nice. However by grueling along on a road bike, as people zip past going 65mph faster than you often just feet away seems like an inefficient way to experience them. Wouldn't it be much better by motorcycle for example? Considering many pay as much for their road bikes as what a motorcycle costs. You could see what takes you 5 days to see by bike, in half a day by motorcycle, and have all that time left over for other fun things, or seeing even more scenery. Maybe spend the hotel money from the trip on an helicopter ride instead and really see the view.
Again, not trying to troll or anything, just really wondering if anyone can explain to me why people choose to do this, and if anyone actually enjoys it, or if its just something to use for bragging rights.
04-22-13, 12:42 PM
#31
Throw the stick!!!!
I still think that what makes cycling fun is making other people miserable.
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04-22-13, 12:46 PM
#32
The Recumbent Quant
04-22-13, 01:05 PM
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I'm not trying to be a troll or anything, just interested in trying to get some input and understand something from another perspective other than my own.
Do people actually think its "fun" to go on those long road bike rides across mountain passes, or multiple states? Or is it just more of an accomplishment, so they can brag, like "I rode my bicycle across 5 states". And if it is fun, then why?
I just don't quite understand it. I see people all the time grueling up mountain passes in their granny gear going about 1mph, sometimes in the rain, or doing other similar slow speed long rides. And I just ask myself why? Isn't there something much more fun they could be doing?
I come up with the following possibilities as to why someone would like it, but can't find one thats solid.
1. Its good exercise - I'm an athletic person myself, who engages in many athletic activities, I understand the importance of exercise. However rotating your legs in circles for hours or days just seems maddening. If it was truly exercise they are after, I think there are much more fun ways to do it than leg circle rotations.
2. Scenic views - Yes, scenic views are nice. However by grueling along on a road bike, as people zip past going 65mph faster than you often just feet away seems like an inefficient way to experience them. Wouldn't it be much better by motorcycle for example? Considering many pay as much for their road bikes as what a motorcycle costs. You could see what takes you 5 days to see by bike, in half a day by motorcycle, and have all that time left over for other fun things, or seeing even more scenery. Maybe spend the hotel money from the trip on an helicopter ride instead and really see the view.
Again, not trying to troll or anything, just really wondering if anyone can explain to me why people choose to do this, and if anyone actually enjoys it, or if its just something to use for bragging rights.
Do people actually think its "fun" to go on those long road bike rides across mountain passes, or multiple states? Or is it just more of an accomplishment, so they can brag, like "I rode my bicycle across 5 states". And if it is fun, then why?
I just don't quite understand it. I see people all the time grueling up mountain passes in their granny gear going about 1mph, sometimes in the rain, or doing other similar slow speed long rides. And I just ask myself why? Isn't there something much more fun they could be doing?
I come up with the following possibilities as to why someone would like it, but can't find one thats solid.
1. Its good exercise - I'm an athletic person myself, who engages in many athletic activities, I understand the importance of exercise. However rotating your legs in circles for hours or days just seems maddening. If it was truly exercise they are after, I think there are much more fun ways to do it than leg circle rotations.
2. Scenic views - Yes, scenic views are nice. However by grueling along on a road bike, as people zip past going 65mph faster than you often just feet away seems like an inefficient way to experience them. Wouldn't it be much better by motorcycle for example? Considering many pay as much for their road bikes as what a motorcycle costs. You could see what takes you 5 days to see by bike, in half a day by motorcycle, and have all that time left over for other fun things, or seeing even more scenery. Maybe spend the hotel money from the trip on an helicopter ride instead and really see the view.
Again, not trying to troll or anything, just really wondering if anyone can explain to me why people choose to do this, and if anyone actually enjoys it, or if its just something to use for bragging rights.
Similarly one can ask, is it fun for everyone to chase after a ball (soccer, football, basketball, etc.) on the field? Can't each have one to chase instead. Never mind that's still dumb.
04-22-13, 01:11 PM
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Cycling is exercise? I did not know that. I thought it was just an excuse to get away from my family.
04-22-13, 01:18 PM
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I don't actually enjoy cycling, but who could pass up the excuse to wear lycra shorts and flourescent yellow shirts?
04-22-13, 01:20 PM
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04-22-13, 01:40 PM
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Two page thread, OP Hasn't posted anything. Just saying.
04-22-13, 01:45 PM
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04-22-13, 01:47 PM
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While I enjoy cycling, and I enjoyed running too, I despise track. If I'm gonna ride 80 miles, I'm going somewhere where I can see images like these...
04-22-13, 02:31 PM
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Yes, it is fun. What is fun for one person is not always fun for another though. Find your own fun, that is what makes life interesting.
04-22-13, 02:36 PM
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Without suffering, one never really knows what "fun" (as you put it) is. Simply put:
Going out with friends for a night of drinking, laughing, and general tomfoolery is fun.
Going out with friends for a night of drinking, laughing, and general tomfoolery after riding 100 miles is even MORE fun.
Get it?
Going out with friends for a night of drinking, laughing, and general tomfoolery is fun.
Going out with friends for a night of drinking, laughing, and general tomfoolery after riding 100 miles is even MORE fun.
Get it?
04-22-13, 02:54 PM
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I'm not trying to be a troll or anything, just interested in trying to get some input and understand something from another perspective other than my own.
Do people actually think its "fun" to go on those long road bike rides across mountain passes, or multiple states? Or is it just more of an accomplishment, so they can brag, like "I rode my bicycle across 5 states". And if it is fun, then why?
I just don't quite understand it. I see people all the time grueling up mountain passes in their granny gear going about 1mph, sometimes in the rain, or doing other similar slow speed long rides. And I just ask myself why? Isn't there something much more fun they could be doing?
I come up with the following possibilities as to why someone would like it, but can't find one thats solid.
1. Its good exercise - I'm an athletic person myself, who engages in many athletic activities, I understand the importance of exercise. However rotating your legs in circles for hours or days just seems maddening. If it was truly exercise they are after, I think there are much more fun ways to do it than leg circle rotations.
2. Scenic views - Yes, scenic views are nice. However by grueling along on a road bike, as people zip past going 65mph faster than you often just feet away seems like an inefficient way to experience them. Wouldn't it be much better by motorcycle for example? Considering many pay as much for their road bikes as what a motorcycle costs. You could see what takes you 5 days to see by bike, in half a day by motorcycle, and have all that time left over for other fun things, or seeing even more scenery. Maybe spend the hotel money from the trip on an helicopter ride instead and really see the view.
Again, not trying to troll or anything, just really wondering if anyone can explain to me why people choose to do this, and if anyone actually enjoys it, or if its just something to use for bragging rights.
Do people actually think its "fun" to go on those long road bike rides across mountain passes, or multiple states? Or is it just more of an accomplishment, so they can brag, like "I rode my bicycle across 5 states". And if it is fun, then why?
I just don't quite understand it. I see people all the time grueling up mountain passes in their granny gear going about 1mph, sometimes in the rain, or doing other similar slow speed long rides. And I just ask myself why? Isn't there something much more fun they could be doing?
I come up with the following possibilities as to why someone would like it, but can't find one thats solid.
1. Its good exercise - I'm an athletic person myself, who engages in many athletic activities, I understand the importance of exercise. However rotating your legs in circles for hours or days just seems maddening. If it was truly exercise they are after, I think there are much more fun ways to do it than leg circle rotations.
2. Scenic views - Yes, scenic views are nice. However by grueling along on a road bike, as people zip past going 65mph faster than you often just feet away seems like an inefficient way to experience them. Wouldn't it be much better by motorcycle for example? Considering many pay as much for their road bikes as what a motorcycle costs. You could see what takes you 5 days to see by bike, in half a day by motorcycle, and have all that time left over for other fun things, or seeing even more scenery. Maybe spend the hotel money from the trip on an helicopter ride instead and really see the view.
Again, not trying to troll or anything, just really wondering if anyone can explain to me why people choose to do this, and if anyone actually enjoys it, or if its just something to use for bragging rights.
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04-22-13, 02:55 PM
#47
You Know!? For Kids!
I only ride the bare minimum to meet the requirements of this forum, but I have fun getting 1.3 miles per year in.
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04-22-13, 02:57 PM
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It's also a convenient bunbury.
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04-22-13, 02:57 PM
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04-22-13, 03:02 PM
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