I've been getting slower . . . and I like it.
 

Every now and then, one of us will post a thread saying that we are not going as fast as we used to in the summer (I've done this one), or last year, or whatever. And we typically think of this as a bad thing.

Of course, part of the reason that we ride bicycles instead of walking is that some distances are simply to far to reasonably cover without walking, and bicycles allow us to cover them faster, which is sometimes convenient in these modern times.

However, I know I'm bicycling more slowly these days. This is partly because it's winter--studded tires--and partly because I find myself riding a cargo bicycle not infrequently--although not in the last few weeks, since the studded tires are on a different bicycle. But I think it's mostly due to my attitude.

While there are times when I'm running late and need to go fast, and occasionally times when I want to go fast, on the whole, I'm feeling like going slowly, and enjoying it. When I moved to my current address about twenty months ago, I timed my new commute, and found that it took about twenty minutes on two different bicycles. Both times were in the morning, and I suspect I am often slower in the afternoon. And while I haven't timed myself recently, I'm pretty sure it takes me longer now, morning and evening, whatever bicycle I'm riding. And I'm thinking of this as a good thing, on the whole.

The fact that I'm thinking about this is partly due to a book I read recently called In Praise of Slowness, although my slowing down began before I read the book, perhaps when I bought the cargo bicycle.

I'm wondering if any of you have had similar experiences, and what your thoughts are.

I threw out my bicycling log book (described the ride, who I was with, what I saw, etc.) many years ago as I felt I was riding for that book and missing the beauty of the ride. I then threw out my yearly spreadsheet of miles ridden for the same reasons. Then I threw out my heart rate monitor as all I cared about was to be able to ride 25 or 50 miles in comfort at the drop of a hat - not drop my friends on the next hill.

Now I do as you do and simply enjoy the motion - regardless of where I'm going or how far.

Thanks for sharing - good on you!

I found myself trying to keep up with traffic and sprinting a lot... which can be fun at times but I missed out on the experiences that a more relaxed pace provides. I now make an effort to take new side streets and alleys to slow down and enjoy the ride and view. I was also impacted by a book... Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne.

BTW, I haven't used a cycle speedometer/computer in years because I'd get sucked into riding for numbers.

My wife brought that one home from the library and read my excerpts. I glanced at it, but didn't read it thoroughly.

I had a brief flirtation with slower riding several years ago. Like most things I try, I got fairly obsessive about it. I had an 8:00am start time in those days. I usually like to hit the doors about 20 minutes before that, 30 if I can, is even better. I had to go to bed an hour earlier than usual in order to make that goal because after only a couple of weeks of slower riding I had managed to add an hour to my one way commute time. My SO at the time wasn''t thrilled at the drop-off in nighttime nookie. Eventually she moved out. I started not caring so much about maintaining my 20 minute emergency cushion and had several late clock-ins when I had unexpected flats. The company I was working for seemed understanding but they were really a bunch of envious two-faces. They sacked me with no notice and that was that.

I have a new sweetie and a new job and I aim to keep both. I complete my rides, be they trips to the Winco for more Mountain Dew and pork rinds or commutes to (and from) the office to the speed I can maintain without going anaerobic. Some days will be a little slower just because, but not much slower. Some days will be faster because I get passed by another rider in more of a hurry than I was. I rectify that situation right away. Life is good.

H

I ride slower in the heat, and find I enjoy it more and end up being ready for work sooner than when I went faster (and I'm not talking about a huge increase in speed either) and had to cool off and clean up.

I tend to not think about it so much. I have a bike computer, but after the initial novelty wore off, I don't look at it much. Fast or slow depends on the mood. I have the added advantage of living just 3 miles from work - so it doesn't really make any practical difference :)

Sure. I know what you mean....

I don't pay a lot of attention to speed, really. I do pay attention to how much effort I'm putting into those pedals. Under favorable conditions (level, tailwind, etc) I'll fly along at a good pace. But I won't torture myself to keep it up in a headwind, for instance. I'm content with riding not much faster than walking when the wind or the grade are working against me.

I want exercise. (And I get it) But I don't want to be obsessive about it.

Like some have said, "Stop and smell the roses". It's good for you.

After zillions of miles Ive happily resigned myself to being a "slow" rider. Its an acquired mindset, but very liberating to me. 12-16mph -- its all good :thumb:
Makes it much easier to do all the stop and yield stuff and make safer decisions in traffic. Slow is good! :beer:

I am generally the opposite but I enjoy taking my time at times. Just as long as you enjoy it then it is all good.

Living farther from work wouldn't change that much. I live 10 miles from work. If I really bust a gut, I can average 18 mph. If I take it easy, I might average as slow as 14 mph. The difference is less than 10 minutes.

OP I think there's a lot of us that think like you. I don't think it's any better or worse than other riding styles, but riding slower and taking in the sights and just riding for the enjoyment and utility is what I enjoy. Riding fast and concentrating on speed is fine, don't get me wrong, but I enjoy not thinking about speed.

Come the spring and safe roads I'll switch to my faster bikes and push for speed. Now in -19c and ice everywhere its all you can do to maintain 20km/h on studded tires and still be safe. Gets frustrating but slow is better than crashing and not getting to your destination at all.

I had sort of the opposite experience with a similar result. I got a new bike last spring, and my cycling speed has increased a bit. Because I can get places faster, and also because I enjoy the new ride tremendously, I am riding way more and enjoying each ride a ton. I am also relishing the fact that my mileage has increase, so I will reach my 100k mile goal in fewer years, which also inspires me to ride more. Bottom line is I am riding more than ever, and enjoying riding more than ever, but for different reasons.

Once I put the studded tires on this year, I sort of stopped trying to go fast all the time. And it's been sort of enjoyable.

I remember when I used to ride crappy bikes, I never used to worry about speed. Just rode without caring, and had a good time doing it. Maybe ignorance is bliss.

My average speed has gone down from 14-11. My mileage has increased from 3k-6k per yr. I don't ride with the club anymore. I enjoy taking my bike for errands. I love my long rides. If I want to go fast I would add a motor. The beauty of cycling is you can do it any way you want.

I've always been slow. I ride a heavy bike, and I tend to do most things at a leisurely pace anyway; cycling is no exception. Also, high speeds on a bike make me nervous because there is nothing between me and the ground. If I hit a rock or a pothole at a high speed, it could end up really badly. I worry about that kind of thing, and I like to maintain a pace that I feel gives me ample time to control my bike and react to whatever is going on around me. Mostly, though, I just enjoy being able to take in the scenery while I'm traveling to my destination, and a relaxed speed is more conducive to this.

I always get slow in the winter due to the studded tires, heavier clothing, and dense air. I try to keep the best pace I can without getting winded because breathing real hard when the air is below 0 may not be too good for my lungs. My normal commute is 1 hour and in the winter it's 1 hour 15 minutes, so the difference is real but I allow more time and keep the enjoyment level of the ride up there.

On my 27.2 kms one-way commute a drop of 8-9 km/h will make a diference of about 15 min. so I ride as I feel and don't worry about the clock. But your right, slower is nice.

Some days I like to ride fast, other days slow. It's all good. I have found, however, that it's not good to ride fast every day. That's a sure way to get burned out. I usually ride at a moderate pace most commute days and kick it up a notch 1-2 days/week.

Same here. I do at times wish I could buy a simple electronic odometer so I'd have a better idea how much I've ridden, but I'm happy to be rid of the speedometer, the speed trend indicator, the ETA countdown, etc. For a while I tried loosening the clamp and riding with the cyclometer under the bars, but the temptation to roll it around and look at the numbers was too great. Far better to ride without it.

I like riding slow also. Especially on my days off. You get to see a lot of things while riding slowly vs to riding fast. Its also kind of peaceful IMO. Riding slow and enjoying the view and whats around you while biking. But riding fast can be fun too :p

One nice thing about the winter, especially dark nights is the excuse to make it a slow easy ride. But the more you go fast, the faster you go later even when you're slacking ... which is better ...

I discovered slowing down by accident. Worked a job that had a 15 mile one way commute. Didn't want to get too sweaty, so I went slower. Job became super stressful, I got slower and started to notice things and enjoy the ride in more. Helped prep my mind for the ***** storm when arrived at work.
Found a new line of work last year and have mornings free. Riding into the sunrise every am is an absolute treat and at breakneck speeds would not be enjoyable.
Slow down, enjoy the time alone and your thoughts to get the day started. Life is good if you allow yourself to enjoy it.

I also love settling into the energy of winter - slowing down, drawing things close, like the sap running to the roots.
I like this thread. :)

That's a great book! I was so taken with the description of Slow Food meals. Those Italians!

I, too, slowed down several years ago, once I started riding alone. For years, I was able to keep up with some pretty strong riders, but I found I wasn't enjoying "group" riding as much as riding by myself or with my (much slower) wife. I still ride lots of miles, but I don't rush to get anywhere anymore and I REALLY enjoy every second of every ride.