Reasons have changed over the years. Started to try and retain some of the fitness I still had. Could no longer run and tried cycling. Spent a couple of years trying to get bike fit and could have given up but after that two years it led onto the next stage of achievement. Started doing rides that any sane person should not have attempted unless they were in their 20's and 100% fit. May not have been as fast as others -in fact many- but finished when others gave up. That was the Fun stage when any ride- whether on or offroad could be done and still be able to breath at the end of it. Reached peak fitness in 1999 but middle of the year saw a few medical problems that should have stopped me from everything. All it did was give me the resolve to get back to my early 99 fitness but a twist had to come about. Could no longer ride offroad on my own and that meant even getting left behind so Offroad Tandem came along. You want fun- want to p*ss your mates off and get fit- then take up Tandem riding -offroad- on 100 mile Enduro's.

But Good times come to an end and in 2006 ventured into Road riding after 16 years of MTB's. I could no longer put in the training to do the enduros and road riding seemed easier. Won't say it is and won't say it is not--just different forms of riding but if you do want a workout- then get up the hills on your MTB and suffer.

Still doing the occasional long road ride but mainly ride for me now. Try for 100 miles a week and it may be a couple of long rides or just plenty of trips down to the coast for Pie. Main thing is-I ride and enjoy it.