Why I ride.
07-24-19, 08:58 AM
#26
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07-24-19, 09:05 AM
#27
I'm good to go!
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07-24-19, 09:15 AM
#28
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Don’t confuse bitterness with outright anger. I worked with a woman for years who was told to stop smoking or she would lose her leg. She told them to take the leg. She was a Boomer who benefited from medical research and never had to face Polio or a host of other bacterial infections eradicated by modern medicine. She thumbed her nose at the research and paid the fiddler with a leg. She’s long gone just like the husbands of three of my sisters-in-law who are alone in their golden years. I am here for my wife because I hit the road every day and log miles on the safest roads I can find. At 72 I still get butterflies in my stomach as I prepare for the adventure ahead.
If sanctimony is your observation then acquainting yourself with reality may be a policy you should follow. I’m not the judge for these people, they are blissfully suicidal. They learned nothing from those who went before them. I follow Darwin.
If sanctimony is your observation then acquainting yourself with reality may be a policy you should follow. I’m not the judge for these people, they are blissfully suicidal. They learned nothing from those who went before them. I follow Darwin.
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07-24-19, 09:50 AM
#29
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I'm sick of going to the intensive care unit to visit friends I grew up with. I can't say anything there but I can here.
07-24-19, 10:35 AM
#30
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07-24-19, 11:40 AM
#31
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https://www.thedailyzen.org/2015/06/...de-my-bicycle/
A Zen Teacher saw five of his students return from the market, riding their bicycles. When they had dismounted, the teacher asked the students,
“Why are you riding your bicycles?”
The first student replied, “The bicycle is carrying this sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!”
The teacher praised the student, saying, “You are a smart boy. When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over, as I do.”
The second student replied, “I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path.”
The teacher commended the student, “Your eyes are open and you see the world.”
The third student replied, “When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant, nam myoho renge kyo.”
The teacher gave praise to the third student, “Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel.”
The fourth student answered, “Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all beings.”
The teacher was pleased and said, “You are riding on the golden path of non-harming.”
The fifth student replied, “I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle.”
The teacher went and sat at the feet of the fifth student, and said, “I am your disciple.”
A Zen Teacher saw five of his students return from the market, riding their bicycles. When they had dismounted, the teacher asked the students,
“Why are you riding your bicycles?”
The first student replied, “The bicycle is carrying this sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!”
The teacher praised the student, saying, “You are a smart boy. When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over, as I do.”
The second student replied, “I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path.”
The teacher commended the student, “Your eyes are open and you see the world.”
The third student replied, “When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant, nam myoho renge kyo.”
The teacher gave praise to the third student, “Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel.”
The fourth student answered, “Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all beings.”
The teacher was pleased and said, “You are riding on the golden path of non-harming.”
The fifth student replied, “I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle.”
The teacher went and sat at the feet of the fifth student, and said, “I am your disciple.”
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07-24-19, 11:46 AM
#32
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07-24-19, 12:49 PM
#33
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As a Libertarian, you should believe that everyone DOES have the right to poison themselves. But you are correct, they should have the responsibility to bear the consequences of their behavior.
07-24-19, 12:49 PM
#34
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Why I Ride
I ride to exercise.
I ride because at this moment in time I will not allow my cancer to stop me.
I ride because I enjoy doing so at any given moment even though shortly after I might hate being out riding.
I ride to accomplish a goal I put before me.
I ride 100 miles this Friday in memory of my friend Pete ---
------ Peter M. Cornell | ghost bikes
I ride to exercise.
I ride because at this moment in time I will not allow my cancer to stop me.
I ride because I enjoy doing so at any given moment even though shortly after I might hate being out riding.
I ride to accomplish a goal I put before me.
I ride 100 miles this Friday in memory of my friend Pete ---
------ Peter M. Cornell | ghost bikes
07-24-19, 01:06 PM
#35
Banned.
You sir are no libertarian. Way too judgmental!
But then again it is ironic that I am quite the libertarian except when judging you. Not giving a $hit is harder than it looks.
But then again it is ironic that I am quite the libertarian except when judging you. Not giving a $hit is harder than it looks.
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07-24-19, 03:41 PM
#36
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Why I ride.
FWIW, I have posted on several such threads:
…If I should meet my end on the highway don’t feel sorry for me because any sympathy I have for those who threw away their health by eating like pigs, smoking like chimneys and drinking like fish can be measured in microns.
…Any one of us could have get a disease or be disabled in a moment. Riding bicycles is no guarantee and the measure you give is the measure you will get
”Ever contemplate your mortality on the road?”
Actually, in one of my most serious contemplations of mortality, the Road served as a relief:
Actually, in one of my most serious contemplations of mortality, the Road served as a relief:
My magic moment when I realized what makes cycling fun (important) to me was at a lunch with two doctors about 20 years ago. We got to talking about the vicissitudes of life, like sudden death, or trivial symptoms as harbingers of a serious disease. We eventually came around to that old chestnut to live life to the fullest everyday.
As we were leaving, the surgeon, a marathon runner, said, “Well, any day with a run in it is a good day for me.” I was already an avid cyclist and cycle commuter, and that clicked with me, any day with a ride in it is a good day for me.
As we were leaving, the surgeon, a marathon runner, said, “Well, any day with a run in it is a good day for me.” I was already an avid cyclist and cycle commuter, and that clicked with me, any day with a ride in it is a good day for me.
07-24-19, 03:59 PM
#37
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A lot of people wonder why I do something every day that would kill most people if they tried it once. Because I read the warnings on cigarette packages I abstained from the habit in 1976 when the price of the lung destroyers was 35 cents a pack. Observations of friends and relatives that abused alcohol convinced me to avoid the poison and seeing the damage done to those who smoked weed and progressed to the stronger stuff alerted me to the reality that I and I alone have responsibility for my personal health.
In 1972 when I watched Frank Shorter win the Olympic Marathon I started running to stay in shape when no one else I knew was doing it. I ran for many years until my joints and ligaments began to protest and because I had saved thousands from not buying tobacco weed, or alcohol, I had the resources to purchase an expensive racing bicycle in 1983. It was the best investment of my life as nearly all of the people who were putting powder up their noses at the time are either already dead or swallowing their faces in a nursing home today.
As a libertarian I support the choices of all the corpses and institutionalized vegetables warehoused in beds across the nation enjoying the fruits of those choices. Every day at 72 I get on my bike and ride fifty miles, chasing the wind with clear lungs by choice. I know there is a risk due to traffic, driver inattention and impaired vehicle operation but it’s a risk worth taking just like the risk many others took when they voluntarily sabotaged their vital organs with chemicals.
If I should meet my end on the highway don’t feel sorry for me because any sympathy I have for those who threw away their health by eating like pigs, smoking like chimneys and drinking like fish can be measured in microns.
As a Baby boomer I got great deal. Jonas Salk and Alexander Fleming cleared the minefield of many diseases that took out depression-era citizens and my path was easier. I have a huge appreciation for those who worked so hard to make things better for me. That’s why I ride my bike; It’s good for my heart, my lungs and my mind.
You do what you want; you’re free for now. See you on the road.
In 1972 when I watched Frank Shorter win the Olympic Marathon I started running to stay in shape when no one else I knew was doing it. I ran for many years until my joints and ligaments began to protest and because I had saved thousands from not buying tobacco weed, or alcohol, I had the resources to purchase an expensive racing bicycle in 1983. It was the best investment of my life as nearly all of the people who were putting powder up their noses at the time are either already dead or swallowing their faces in a nursing home today.
As a libertarian I support the choices of all the corpses and institutionalized vegetables warehoused in beds across the nation enjoying the fruits of those choices. Every day at 72 I get on my bike and ride fifty miles, chasing the wind with clear lungs by choice. I know there is a risk due to traffic, driver inattention and impaired vehicle operation but it’s a risk worth taking just like the risk many others took when they voluntarily sabotaged their vital organs with chemicals.
If I should meet my end on the highway don’t feel sorry for me because any sympathy I have for those who threw away their health by eating like pigs, smoking like chimneys and drinking like fish can be measured in microns.
As a Baby boomer I got great deal. Jonas Salk and Alexander Fleming cleared the minefield of many diseases that took out depression-era citizens and my path was easier. I have a huge appreciation for those who worked so hard to make things better for me. That’s why I ride my bike; It’s good for my heart, my lungs and my mind.
You do what you want; you’re free for now. See you on the road.
Last edited by BKE; 07-24-19 at 04:01 PM. Reason: content
07-24-19, 04:21 PM
#38
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It is amazing how the act of riding such a simple machine as a bike can become such a complicated issue.
I like @caloso’s story, especially the ending: I ride my bike...to ride my bike.
It is what it is. Or as they say in the TdF, c’est ce que c’est.
I like @caloso’s story, especially the ending: I ride my bike...to ride my bike.
It is what it is. Or as they say in the TdF, c’est ce que c’est.
Last edited by eja_ bottecchia; 07-24-19 at 04:25 PM.
07-24-19, 05:13 PM
#39
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I ride to get to work and back and don't think about other people's choices as long as they obey traffic laws and maintain situational awareness.
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07-24-19, 06:07 PM
#40
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I ride because at the time I throw my leg over the top tube, I feel like it.
I could list a host of "reasons", but it really just comes down to I feel like going riding.
I could list a host of "reasons", but it really just comes down to I feel like going riding.
Last edited by Wileyrat; 07-24-19 at 06:20 PM.
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07-25-19, 12:02 PM
#41
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I am here for my wife because I hit the road every day and log miles on the safest roads I can find.
Actually, based on your 'logic,' my Mom is a much better case for doing the opposite of what you do. She never exercised, and she's been obese for the 75 years I've known her, and probably longer. She's in her 102nd year and still going strong, making new friends, etc..
Also, you may ride for other reasons than the ones you have stated. In fact, I'm sure of it.
Last edited by philbob57; 07-25-19 at 12:15 PM.
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07-25-19, 01:00 PM
#42
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I ride because
- I can swill beer when I want to and not get fat
- eat whatever I want just had some Tex Mex food in San Antonio
- I have more wind than most 51 year olds
- I look like I’m in my 30s because I ride
- I’m never depressed because of the endorphins
- I have a blast riding comparably to freedom
- and many more reasons I don’t feel like typing right now
07-25-19, 07:45 PM
#43
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Sanctimony is strong with this one.
People cycle for different reasons and different combinations of reasons. I read somewhere that one of the benefits of cycling is that every minute you cycle adds a minute to your life expectancy. On that basis, someone who rides strictly for longevity and finds no joy in it would appear to be making a bad bargain.
People cycle for different reasons and different combinations of reasons. I read somewhere that one of the benefits of cycling is that every minute you cycle adds a minute to your life expectancy. On that basis, someone who rides strictly for longevity and finds no joy in it would appear to be making a bad bargain.
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Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
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07-25-19, 11:46 PM
#45
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Last edited by DiabloScott; 07-25-19 at 11:54 PM.
07-26-19, 11:11 AM
#46
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One of the reasons why I ride...
Father: massive stroke, age 80
Grandfather: massive heart attack, age 45
Great-Grandfather: massive stroke, age 55
Great-Great-Grandfather, collapsed on hunting trip, probable heart attack or stroke, age 55
Me: age 60, not dead yet, and trying to stay that way for a while longer.
Father: massive stroke, age 80
Grandfather: massive heart attack, age 45
Great-Grandfather: massive stroke, age 55
Great-Great-Grandfather, collapsed on hunting trip, probable heart attack or stroke, age 55
Me: age 60, not dead yet, and trying to stay that way for a while longer.
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Ride, Rest, Repeat
Ride, Rest, Repeat
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07-26-19, 01:13 PM
#47
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07-26-19, 01:35 PM
#48
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One of the reasons why I ride...
Father: massive stroke, age 80
Grandfather: massive heart attack, age 45
Great-Grandfather: massive stroke, age 55
Great-Great-Grandfather, collapsed on hunting trip, probable heart attack or stroke, age 55
Me: age 60, not dead yet, and trying to stay that way for a while longer.
Father: massive stroke, age 80
Grandfather: massive heart attack, age 45
Great-Grandfather: massive stroke, age 55
Great-Great-Grandfather, collapsed on hunting trip, probable heart attack or stroke, age 55
Me: age 60, not dead yet, and trying to stay that way for a while longer.
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07-26-19, 02:09 PM
#49
~>~
That being said there is nothing more tedious than the smug sanctimonious humble brag inserted into a sermon on riding the bike as some sort of health panacea, sign of superior virtue, vitality and determined grit. Yawn.....
-Bandera
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07-26-19, 02:44 PM
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This thread reminded me that I need to pick up a pack of smokes after I leave work and ride to happy hour for a couple of Manhattans. My favorite bartender works tonight. She and I have know each other for more than 14 years.
OBTL
OBTL
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