What motivates you to ride?
11-18-21, 09:44 PM
#51
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Originally Posted by Riveting
Started commuting as an adult in 2013 to lose weight, and then after getting somewhat fit and losing 60 lbs, from 2014-2018 I too used to ride almost exclusively for the purpose of chasing PR's (both times and distance) and was ALWAYS trying to ascend every Strava segment leaderboard I could, on EVERY single ride, constantly pushing the limits of my new found (superhero level to me) fitness. Single, double imperial centuries, 1,000+ watt sprints, 13,500' in 111 miles (D2R2, ) 24hr rides, 400km brevets, Mt Evans, etc... all I wanted to do was get better and chase numbers. It consumed me and it felt great succeeding and becoming healthier/fitter than I ever imagined was possible.
Then incurable (but manageable) Stage 4 Lung, Lymph, Spine Cancer got me in late 2019, in the ICU with a collapsed lung due to the tumors pushing it closed, wondering if I'd even make it, let alone ride again. Luckily I had the type that was treatable with a pill, and in the Spring of 2020 I took my first rides again. PR's, speed, distance, and leaderboards were the absolute furthest thing from my mind. All I cared about was that I was BACK ON THE BIKE!!! and those first rides were so unbelievably bittersweet. That year I recovered enough to get ~3,000 miles in, including a century with my 27 yr old son, and a ride up Mt Evans from Echo Lake. Then in Jan of 2020 it decided to metastasize to the brain, which was treated in Feb, more found up there in and treated again in May, which were big setbacks in my winter/spring training, but now in 2021 I've been able to get in 2,500 miles so far (and maybe 3,000 before the years over), including a 6,500' imperial century in Denver.
Now when I go out, I'm no longer riding to chase numbers, I'm out there because I realized I just enjoy riding and challenging my current self no matter what speed I'm going, and no matter what my power meter is telling me. Just as long as I'm out there, I'm as happy as I ever was chasing numbers or leaderboards.
My motivation is simply: the more I do this thing now, the more I'll be able to do it when the **** ultimately hits the fan again.
Then incurable (but manageable) Stage 4 Lung, Lymph, Spine Cancer got me in late 2019, in the ICU with a collapsed lung due to the tumors pushing it closed, wondering if I'd even make it, let alone ride again. Luckily I had the type that was treatable with a pill, and in the Spring of 2020 I took my first rides again. PR's, speed, distance, and leaderboards were the absolute furthest thing from my mind. All I cared about was that I was BACK ON THE BIKE!!! and those first rides were so unbelievably bittersweet. That year I recovered enough to get ~3,000 miles in, including a century with my 27 yr old son, and a ride up Mt Evans from Echo Lake. Then in Jan of 2020 it decided to metastasize to the brain, which was treated in Feb, more found up there in and treated again in May, which were big setbacks in my winter/spring training, but now in 2021 I've been able to get in 2,500 miles so far (and maybe 3,000 before the years over), including a 6,500' imperial century in Denver.
Now when I go out, I'm no longer riding to chase numbers, I'm out there because I realized I just enjoy riding and challenging my current self no matter what speed I'm going, and no matter what my power meter is telling me. Just as long as I'm out there, I'm as happy as I ever was chasing numbers or leaderboards.
My motivation is simply: the more I do this thing now, the more I'll be able to do it when the **** ultimately hits the fan again.
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11-18-21, 09:52 PM
#52
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Originally Posted by OldRailfan
Same here, it's the hills that make one tough. Cycling, XC skiing or running. One day on a climb when I passed a group of ladies skating uphill and me on my classic skis.
The comment I heard: "Hey, did you see that? What's wrong with this picture?"
Sure put a big smile on this geezer's face.
PS still looking for the perfect T-shirt that says "Old guys rule".
The comment I heard: "Hey, did you see that? What's wrong with this picture?"
Sure put a big smile on this geezer's face.
PS still looking for the perfect T-shirt that says "Old guys rule".
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11-18-21, 11:30 PM
#53
Old enough, hmmm?
Yeah there is a nice selection of those, but ..... the "old guys rule" sounds more generally applicable.
11-19-21, 07:39 AM
#54
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I've always liked "Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance" from David Mamet.
11-19-21, 07:58 AM
#55
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Ohhh yeah = the jersey(s)
?How could I forget the jerseys?
?How could I forget the jerseys?
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11-19-21, 08:07 AM
#56
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I want to dance at her wedding.
11-19-21, 05:41 PM
#57
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AWESOME REPLIES
I'm a simple guy who finds motivation in strange places. Was out this morning at 4:03AM for the peak of the longest Lunar Eclipse in 580 years? About ready to head out tonight to ride a Full Moon 100% illumination ride? Gonna try for a segmented 100 miler 'cause the minor Rotator Cuff tear from my July 4th crash at 100 mile mark of my 102 miler begins hurting after 15 miles of riding. I just can't do those no stopping/unclipping 100 miler anymore. Also trying to keep the body in motion more so now since I had the boys removed due to Prostate Cancer diagnosis in 2015 and even with fake T the muscles keep disappearing making it harder.
edit: Had to stop at 57.75 miles. Too much wind thus effort thus pain.
I'm a simple guy who finds motivation in strange places. Was out this morning at 4:03AM for the peak of the longest Lunar Eclipse in 580 years? About ready to head out tonight to ride a Full Moon 100% illumination ride? Gonna try for a segmented 100 miler 'cause the minor Rotator Cuff tear from my July 4th crash at 100 mile mark of my 102 miler begins hurting after 15 miles of riding. I just can't do those no stopping/unclipping 100 miler anymore. Also trying to keep the body in motion more so now since I had the boys removed due to Prostate Cancer diagnosis in 2015 and even with fake T the muscles keep disappearing making it harder.
edit: Had to stop at 57.75 miles. Too much wind thus effort thus pain.
Last edited by OldTryGuy; 11-20-21 at 05:07 AM.
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11-19-21, 05:57 PM
#58
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I live in a beautiful place to ride, both road and MTB: That certainly helps.
But mainly I think it's Inertia: I went on my first 50 mile ride at the age of 13 in 1965. I've been riding consistently ever since. Perhaps I lack imagination, but I've found something I love to do and I just keep doing it.
Mixing it up also helps. I ride the tandem a couple days a week with my wife. I've been riding MTB on Sundays with a small group of friends for the last 25 years. I usually get in one long solo ride a week, either on the road or gravel. I race cyclocross in the season. I ride into town a couple times a week to get the mail.
Like @Wildwood I have a variety of bicycles, which is another way of mixing it up. I also enjoy tinkering on them.
Brent
But mainly I think it's Inertia: I went on my first 50 mile ride at the age of 13 in 1965. I've been riding consistently ever since. Perhaps I lack imagination, but I've found something I love to do and I just keep doing it.
Mixing it up also helps. I ride the tandem a couple days a week with my wife. I've been riding MTB on Sundays with a small group of friends for the last 25 years. I usually get in one long solo ride a week, either on the road or gravel. I race cyclocross in the season. I ride into town a couple times a week to get the mail.
Like @Wildwood I have a variety of bicycles, which is another way of mixing it up. I also enjoy tinkering on them.
Brent
11-20-21, 11:00 AM
#59
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I don't know if it's motivation or addiction but I miss it if I don't ride.
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11-20-21, 11:54 AM
#60
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My doctor said I needed more exercise, even though I told him I work part time at home depot. there have been days where I average 3-4 miles walking depending on my shift hours.
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11-20-21, 01:19 PM
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Yesterday I crashed on a wet road with loose gravel over asphalt. Slid out and got serious road rash on my left shoulder and banged up my right knee pretty good. Helmet is history. Bike is salvageable. Couldn't wait to get back out there this morning simply cause the sun is shining. I'll put the crashed bike back to sorts after lunch haha. Had a wonderful, brisk ride!
I should add that the worse thing is it tore up my winter riding gear pretty bad, but I would have been much worse off if I were still wearing summer gear which is much lighter.
I should add that the worse thing is it tore up my winter riding gear pretty bad, but I would have been much worse off if I were still wearing summer gear which is much lighter.
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11-20-21, 04:57 PM
#62
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Originally Posted by obrentharris
I live in a beautiful place to ride, both road and MTB: That certainly helps.
But mainly I think it's Inertia: I went on my first 50 mile ride at the age of 13 in 1965. I've been riding consistently ever since. Perhaps I lack imagination, but I've found something I love to do and I just keep doing it.
Mixing it up also helps. I ride the tandem a couple days a week with my wife. I've been riding MTB on Sundays with a small group of friends for the last 25 years. I usually get in one long solo ride a week, either on the road or gravel. I race cyclocross in the season. I ride into town a couple times a week to get the mail.
Like @Wildwood I have a variety of bicycles, which is another way of mixing it up. I also enjoy tinkering on them.
Brent
But mainly I think it's Inertia: I went on my first 50 mile ride at the age of 13 in 1965. I've been riding consistently ever since. Perhaps I lack imagination, but I've found something I love to do and I just keep doing it.
Mixing it up also helps. I ride the tandem a couple days a week with my wife. I've been riding MTB on Sundays with a small group of friends for the last 25 years. I usually get in one long solo ride a week, either on the road or gravel. I race cyclocross in the season. I ride into town a couple times a week to get the mail.
Like @Wildwood I have a variety of bicycles, which is another way of mixing it up. I also enjoy tinkering on them.
Brent
Do you happen to know if there are any quality golf courses in your vicinity?
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11-20-21, 06:16 PM
#63
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Originally Posted by jppe
Brent if I lived where there’s as scenic an area as yours I’d be out there a LOT. Incredible! I totally agree and appreciate the variety as well. I have to travel to enjoy gravel roads but it’s a nice change. We have several MTB options close by which my friends enjoy but it’s just not my thing.
Do you happen to know if there are any quality golf courses in your vicinity?
Do you happen to know if there are any quality golf courses in your vicinity?
Brent
11-20-21, 10:37 PM
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The joy, time alone to think, drinking in fresh air, the pain, blue skies, pushing myself....
Oh, and these beauties get lonely if I don't play with one of them each day.
Oh, and these beauties get lonely if I don't play with one of them each day.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
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11-20-21, 11:00 PM
#66
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The other day on my down hill run I felt a bug hitting me in the teeth... Happy Happy... Joy Joy...
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11-21-21, 06:42 AM
#68
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Originally Posted by SpedFast
Yesterday I crashed on a wet road with loose gravel over asphalt. Slid out and got serious road rash on my left shoulder and banged up my right knee pretty good. Helmet is history. Bike is salvageable. Couldn't wait to get back out there this morning simply cause the sun is shining. I'll put the crashed bike back to sorts after lunch haha. Had a wonderful, brisk ride!
I should add that the worse thing is it tore up my winter riding gear pretty bad, but I would have been much worse off if I were still wearing summer gear which is much lighter.
I should add that the worse thing is it tore up my winter riding gear pretty bad, but I would have been much worse off if I were still wearing summer gear which is much lighter.
11-21-21, 10:34 AM
#69
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
your resilience is admirable. for the clothing, have you heard of tenacious tape? I've used it on torn cycling pants at the knee, a glove seam, toe bumper on my Daughter's hiking shoe & around a tearing section of a rubber covering on a bike rack accessory tension bar adapter (or whatever you call those things). but buying new stuff is good too!
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11-21-21, 10:50 AM
#70
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Welcome to my world. I have been riding this way since I was eight years old.
In the past few years, though, I've come to accept that others are allowed to have their own ideas about cycling, too. To me, it appears that many cyclists who are much faster, ride longer distances, and have cooler gear have too much stress to enjoy biking as much as I do, but I've been proven wrong more than once. It doesn't matter what I perceive to be true, anyway.
To me, sights, scents, sounds, and emotions are what bicycling is about. The slower I ride and the longer it takes me to reach my destination, the more I get to experience these things.
In the past few years, though, I've come to accept that others are allowed to have their own ideas about cycling, too. To me, it appears that many cyclists who are much faster, ride longer distances, and have cooler gear have too much stress to enjoy biking as much as I do, but I've been proven wrong more than once. It doesn't matter what I perceive to be true, anyway.
To me, sights, scents, sounds, and emotions are what bicycling is about. The slower I ride and the longer it takes me to reach my destination, the more I get to experience these things.
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11-21-21, 03:05 PM
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Originally Posted by SpedFast
Riding is like a miracle drug!!! And we're just a bunch of addicts.
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11-22-21, 07:35 AM
#73
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Originally Posted by jamesdak
The joy, time alone to think, drinking in fresh air, the pain, blue skies, pushing myself....
Oh, and these beauties get lonely if I don't play with one of them each day.
Oh, and these beauties get lonely if I don't play with one of them each day.
Amazing collection.
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11-22-21, 03:06 PM
#74
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Originally Posted by jamesdak
The joy, time alone to think, drinking in fresh air, the pain, blue skies, pushing myself....
Oh, and these beauties get lonely if I don't play with one of them each day.
Oh, and these beauties get lonely if I don't play with one of them each day.
11-22-21, 09:53 PM
#75
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Why do I ride? Probably am borderline obsessed or addicted.
If I am feeling blue or down, a ride picks me right up. Am riding on average 6.5 days a week
I typically plan the next day’s ride in advance or when awake in the middle of the night
Am in a climbing challenge for November - not the right month for this
The Mrs is upset I am spending too much time on the challenge and feels neglected - but it will be over in just a few days and no more challenges. A package arrived today with a cold weather vest, chain cleaning tools and some misc bike stuff which didn’t ingratiate myself. On the bright side I’m not at the bars, chasing women or have a substance abuse problem.
Told her I would back off the challenge since our marriage is more important. Will work on backing off a bit but that should be easy with December and the winter months upon us. But still have a new warm cycling rain coat on order….
If I am feeling blue or down, a ride picks me right up. Am riding on average 6.5 days a week
I typically plan the next day’s ride in advance or when awake in the middle of the night
Am in a climbing challenge for November - not the right month for this
The Mrs is upset I am spending too much time on the challenge and feels neglected - but it will be over in just a few days and no more challenges. A package arrived today with a cold weather vest, chain cleaning tools and some misc bike stuff which didn’t ingratiate myself. On the bright side I’m not at the bars, chasing women or have a substance abuse problem.
Told her I would back off the challenge since our marriage is more important. Will work on backing off a bit but that should be easy with December and the winter months upon us. But still have a new warm cycling rain coat on order….
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