Originally posted by bezzo
That said, when riding I'm not really sure that I think about anything. I might make a goal to try to beat my personal best before the ride, but won't really think about it during the actual ride. Seems like I just get into the zen of it and the miles just fly by.
For me, cycling is not just a physical activity but also a way to shut off the everyday stresses of life. A way refresh myself mentally and relieve some bulid up stress.
It has often happend that a little while after a ride the answer to a problem, or question, that I've been mulling will just seem to present itself to me.
I agree, you summed up most of my motivations in a nutshell, save a couple.
To me, cycling feels kind of like a race against aging and death in a way. We will all die someday, that is a given, but in a way cycling extends ones life by making the elder years more useful as if one keeps in shape, instead of going to the doctors office all the time one gets to go cycling, walking or traveling instead.
That and i'm trying to undo 15 years of smoking, oh, and reclaim my youth. I was an avid cyclist (mainly road riding, some day touring & charity rides too.) in my early teens, and doing all the cycling stuff again in a way makes me feel as if I haven't grown up.
Also, as another poster said, it just feels damn good. Both the cycling itself, and the increased lung capacity and the muscles recoverign after a hard ride and feeling stronger and more taut.
peas,
Jester