Most of mine aren't either, but I have no trouble understanding why somebody might find riding in a group of Harleys enjoyable. It's fun to interact with people who have a common interest. I imagine that's why most of us participate in these forums.

Now you're talking nonsense. Motorcycles and bikers are very cool, I wish there was more people on motorcycles and less driving in cars. Hey what about people who take their old muscle cars for joy rides ?? They pollute way more then motorcycles. Every man has their own hobbies or lifestyles that they enjoy. I bet that 90% of the people don't really have to drive on the weekends... but they do... and a lot of it is just joyrides. Talk about
unnecessary polution and traffic congestion. I agree that motorcyclists and cyclists have a lot more in common then cyclists and drivers

I don't mind the Harley riders. I just think it's amazing how they've managed to make brand loyalty into a cult-like following.

Your mission, JeremyZ, should you choose to accept it, is to go on a joyride.

This message will self-destruct when the website explodes.

No no no! He's supposed to print it off and then eat it after memorizing the orders!

:(Do bicycle commuters feel silly going for bicycle joyrides?


My cycling is almost entirely commuting, but that commute is used for training for centuries. My usual commute is 14 miles one-way (Commuter Rail home) all year round but in the nice weather I follow a ten week training schedule and lengthen the distance, taking me into premier cycling areas around Boston. Even my long weekend rides of up to 70 miles are usually to work, at my convenience.

I may sound like a hamster but I would just do my easy commute without that motivation to train and follow the schedule. I'm not a nerd, but I am a wonk, and I bar graph my miles in comparison to the schedule. This week has been pathetic. :(

+1. The social aspect is why I ride with Critical Mass every month. Some of the people who show up drink, and take a lot of joy in annoying drivers; I cringe whenever I see this. But a lot of the people just show up to ride with a bunch of like-minded people, see cool bikes, and talk to other cyclists about what routes to check out, etc.

Then again, most of my joy rides are solo. In a lot of ways, these are more enjoyable, because I set the pace, and the route. I can stop if I find especially nice scenery, and I can tackle the steepest hills as quickly or slowly as I can take them.

One restaurant in my neighborhood is pretty bike friendly. Cyclists tend to eat outside, and lock up to the fence around the outdoor tables. More often than not, somebody will approach me with "So how do you like those clipless shoes?" which, 20 minutes later, comes to "... if you're ever heading from Beacon Hill to Seward Park, you've got to check out the Chief Sealth Trail." It's like we're all in on a bunch of shared secrets.

I commute....not as much as I want....peak in summer when kid is not in school

I do training rides on weekends (gotta disqualify myself from the clyde forum)

and is do most of my little errands..... library, farmers market, video store, go to park with kid, get yogurt for wife, etc on my commuter/utility bike.... Even though these are "utility' they are really my just bike chill and have fun rides.... just the joy of it. ring the bell and wave at the old guy who sits on his porch all weekend, stop and talk with neighbors. These rides are what I think a lot of people miss out on

I don't care what the reason whenever I'm riding my bike I'm happy.

You know ever since I started to use my trike for commuting and doing errands, we don't go out on "dates" anymore.:( My fault.

It's just work, work, work. Poor thing.

"Hey you Trike! Take me to work, take me shopping, take me to church, haul those clothes to the Thrift Shop. Blah, blah, blah. If you're lucky I'll give you air, wipe the rain water from your fenders.

I miss the ride around the park, me and my trike sitting in the shade by the lake not rushing any where. I miss the love.:cry:

At first it's fun, then you start to take each other for granted. Pretty soon you'll be messing around with a little carbon number on the side. You need to bring some passion back into the relationship before it's too late.

Every ride is a joyride for me. It's soooooooo fun.

just about gave up commuting cuz joyriding makes more sense

I feel better now that I know I'm not alone. I'm so accustomed to riding with panniers; one with my work clothes and the other with repair kit, extra light battery, energy gel, rain gear, lunch, ham radio equipment, etc. that now I feel "naked" riding a bike with out a "trunk."

I recently started a new job that is a 15km (hilly) to 20 km (flat on bike path most of the way) commute, each way. I am working as a landscaper, so I am also spending most of my day doing physical work on top of that. It doesn't leave a lot of time or energy for the longer pleasure/"training" type rides I used to do more often, which is unfortunate. I am however lucky to have several route options, and once I have become a little more accustomed to the ride, I plan to start stretching out the ride home, provided I haven't had too hard a day.