canklecat

For the pure pleasure of moving smoothly under my own steam, without jostling my neck and back like running did.

For transportation.

For the camaraderie of local casual group rides.

I don't set many goals. Often I set out to ride only a couple of miles for an errand or to check adjustments to the brakes, derailers, etc., and end up riding 20-30 miles just because I didn't want to stop once I got going. Did that three times this week, riding 20-40 miles, just because I'd set out to adjust the cantilever brakes jussst so.

Those goals I do set are within reach for my fitness at that time: 10 miles at this time last year, when I resumed cycling after 30 years away -- took weeks to get fit enough to ride those 10 miles; 58 miles a few weeks ago on the first anniversary of resuming cycling -- the only goal, to ride my age. Did 63 miles that day. I plan to ride 100 miles by the end of the year, once I sort out the bike fit, saddle, handlebar height, etc. Getting pretty close to accomplishing that.

I don't worry about speed. I'm a solid 12 mph loafer. Suits me. For now.

Maybe once a week I'll tackle a nearby moderately hilly and often windy route just for the physical challenge, although the rural roadside view is pleasant. Most of my rides are leisurely, and gradually getting longer.

idiotekniQues

Just like some people like speed when it comes to cars and get a high, I get the high from bike speed. Sometimes I ride for that. Other times I ride to go to work gigs, run errands or just visit friends, because it's far more convenient than taking my car - traffic, parking, etc.....

Scarbo

I pedal, therefore I am.

Lakerat

This reminds me of when I used to compete in water skiing. I had big goals one season and committed about as fully to training as possible. Right before an important event to me, I had a confidence diminishing performance and kind of wigged out. I completed my goals at that competition but it caused me to evaluate what it meant for me to compete. What I concluded is the difference between me and an a pro athlete. They have to perform whether they want to or not. I have and enjoy my ability to make the choice to bail if I want to. I don't have to practice when I don't want and have no commitment to anyone to compete other than to me. It has shaped my participation and increased my enjoyment over the years. I feel lucky to have this freedom that pro athletes don't.

birru

The reason why I bought my first new bike as an adult a couple of years ago was to cross-train and mix things up when I need a break from running.

It turns out the actual reasons I ride are because I love exploring at around 15MPH and covering greater distances under my own power than I can on just my two feet. While I enjoy improving my cycling fitness, it turns out I get more out of riding than just trying to ride hard. I really enjoy having my bike be useful, whether it's commuting to work and avoiding DC's worthless rail system (it's being overhauled now with heavy delays), running errands without worrying about parking and gas, or visiting friends. And like my running, I find it to be quiet and contemplative.

one4smoke

jade408

Great question.

So like many people I loved riding my bike as a kid. I was always trying to set new speed records on my dad's bike with a cyclecomputer.

And in adulthood I ditched biking for many reasons.

And when I started thinking about it for many reasons, I got an assist from the universe and won a bike in a raffle.

I wanted to drive less. Biking looked convenient and it gives you what I am calling "free exercise." You get to where you are going, and you burn some calories on the way.

The one thing I have learned, with many stops and starts with exercise, is that I hate the gym. Don't get me wrong there are some things I kinda like: weight lifting, intervals. But it is just really hard to fit in visits, there are so many other things I'd rather be doing. I have tried very hard to make tennis my sport, but none of my friends play, and it is hard to schedule matches with an unpredictable schedule.

Last year I biked more because I was able to put a little bit in my commute.

This year bike commuting is a bit impractical mostly because the train is very unpleasant. The bus is nicer and quicker.

I made it a goal to ride a little further.

And I knew this fall was going to be pretty stressful.

Biking lets me combine my errands with exercise. And It helps clear my head of all the stress. And it let's me explore new parts of town.

My next goal is to take more photos of the city as I ride! And get up to 30 miles in a single ride. Lots to see in 30 miles!

amusa

Used to ride when I was a kid I had a Redlion BMX & Green Freestyle can't remember the brand but I think it was OP. Then I got a Diamond mountain bike in my teens then that one got stolen ever since that I stop riding for over 20 years till my wife wanted a bike. That's how I got back into it.

artmcclure

In 2007, I moved to Florida, sold my car, and used my bikes for daily living. I went from 235 lbs. to 180 lbs. I have ridden almost every day since then. My doctor says I no longer have diabetes. I am 67 years old and take NO medications at all. No cholesterol pills, no blood pressure medications, no Metformin, nothing. Doc says that I am his healthiest patient. But the best thing to happen to me, is I now have the libido of a 17 year old. I just wish that I looked 17. Can't have everything!

rydabent

First and foremost cycling is just plain fun. When you are out on your bike you are free to think your thots, get exercise, and see the sights.

But then--------------if you are old like I am --78-- if you dont keep active, just sit around all day, you are on the slippery slope to the old dirt bed. If you sit you rust. As I have posted many times, I am 78, ride about 30 miles every other day, and have never been in a hospital. I am of the opinion that bikes are the fountain of youth machine.

Maelochs

Because pushing the bike just seems silly as an alternative.

jefnvk

Originally because I refurbished my middle school MTB when some friends wanted to go biking on Mackinac Island, and it seemed a waste to just let it sit there after putting the work into it.

Then I met the now-fiancee, and she enjoyed bike riding, so it just became something we did together.

Then I got a job next to a trail that ran to a couple breweries I frequented anyways, and it seemed silly to not get some exercise out of the trips!

It just kinda spiraled out of control from there...

Cyclist0084

I ride for fun and health. It's helped me to drop some weight, so that's a good thing. Just getting on my bike and riding around my neighborhood or around town suits me just fine. I'm slower than a drunk turtle in mud, so racing has never crossed my mind. Strava? Nah, I'm only "competing" with myself. Hope to do a century someday, but I'll start with the metric variety first.



Goodness, I have trouble remembering what I did last week, let alone something so long ago. LOL!! I started riding well over 40 years ago, when I was just 9 or 10. Perhaps it was to keep up with my older brother and his friends. Maybe even as a wee lad, I knew the "love of the ride." Whatever reason(s) got me in cycling, it's been an almost lifelong love affair.

I hope to be able to keep riding for well over 40 more years.

indyfabz

I ride for transportation.


I ride for travel.


I ride for weight maintenance.


I ride for fitness.


I ride for the enjoyment that comes from all of the above.

Jaxjag

OldTryGuy

My wife bought me a $5,000 bike so I have to ride or she WILL kill me.

You are a fortunate individual, for sure. Keep on biking and enjoy the FL. living.

Leebo

It's cheaper than therapy?
It's good therapy.
More enjoyable than sitting in my car for commuting.
A fix for the adrenaline junkie in me.
Mountain biking is a great way to enjoy the woods and outdoors.
A great way to burn all those meat and beer calories.
I get to ride all those great mt bike trails I have built, walking would take forever.
Bike touring and bike packing combine 2 of my favorite things, biking and camping.
Biking is a great way to see, smell and experience the countryside.
I get awesome legs?

Phil_gretz

My paternal grandfather died at 63. My maternal grandfather at ~70. My dad at 69. My older brother at 59.


I'm 57...


Plus, it's my transportation to and from work. I ride because I choose not to drive. We moved to enable me to ride during my last decade of working full time. So, to me bike riding matches my lifestyle.


Plus, I look really great in bike specific clothing. But that's for another thread...

jorglueke

It's fun
It's good exercise that doesn't injure me like running
It's good exercise that's easier to do than swimming outside of Winter
It's fun, it's fun to ride, it's fun to maintain, it's fun to repair bikes.
They don't use gas.

Jadesfire 

A couple of years ago I hiked the Inca Trail in Peru with my brother. This was a bucket list adventure for me, and I trained for it as much as I could with a full-time job and graduate studies on top of that. Turned out that I found out how out of shape I really was on that trip, how much I wanted to have more adventure in my life, and how much I could accomplish when I set my mind to it. It has been a challenge trying to find ways to work exercise into my daily life as I detest working out in a gym- I am not a hamster on a wheel. Cycling provides this, along with the opportunities to enjoy nature and have some quiet time to myself. And as it turns out, I also like learning about the mechanics of it all and working on my own equipment- that exercises another part of my brain, if that makes sense? It's the first hobby I've found for myself since horse-back riding in my teens that I am really excited about (and it's a heck of a lot cheaper than that, too!).

Thanks for this thread- good topic to read!

OmegaWolf

I started riding after college to strengthen my bad knees. I ride mostly for fun and health. I've been doing a few organized rides each year for the last 8 years. I keep trying to get myself to start bike commuting again, but I always seem to need that extra half hour of sleep.

Rollfast

It takes forever to walk. I'm not a fashion horse, the bike is.

Scarbo

I'm a drug addict. I do it for the endorphins.

As well as for all of the other great reasons already mentioned.

immortal216

I ride to try and lose weight and to get out of the house. I sit in a office job all night. 7PM-7AM so i need to move around.

It's also fun.....when on flat land which is not very often haha

TGT1

I'm old

It's not a bike it's an inline wheelchair.

(fast one though)

You want some perspective, check out these girls.

Iran: Brave women protest cycling ban amid Ayatollah Khamenei fatwa