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what do you think about during your ride?

Old 04-10-03, 02:08 PM
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what do you think about during your ride?

riding for me is definately an escape, and i seem to enter a very clear, sharp, creative state of mind during my rides.

often, the incessant rhythm of the peddling causes a fluid train of thought, and i begin to ponder a sort of hypnotic existential philosophy.

sometimes the act riding itself is the only thought in my mind, like i'm on some intense training ride- my mind acting as a coach, constantly telling me how i can be a more effective and efficient rider.

then sometimes all i can do is marvel at the beauty of life around me, and it feels like a dream...

i was wondering what other people are thinking about on their rides-- does your mind seem clearer while riding? are you more focused on the act of riding, or do your thoughts wonder off to something less tangible?
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Old 04-10-03, 02:16 PM
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Things that I think about while riding:

"I wonder if that @$$hole in the truck is going to run me over??"

"Just what is that pit bull planning on doing when I pass him?"

"Why the **** doesn't somebody maintain this ****ing trail??"

"D@mn!! Another broken bottle!!"

"Does that person with the rollerblades and headphones even know I'm approaching her??"

And, of course, many other things.....
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Old 04-10-03, 02:24 PM
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D*Alex, you must love riding to no end.

There was a similar thread to this in the commuting forum:

Ruminations from the commute
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Old 04-10-03, 02:30 PM
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Originally posted by gonesh9
riding for me is definately an escape, and i seem to enter a very clear, sharp, creative state of mind during my rides.

often, the incessant rhythm of the peddling causes a fluid train of thought, and i begin to ponder a sort of hypnotic existential philosophy.

sometimes the act riding itself is the only thought in my mind, like i'm on some intense training ride- my mind acting as a coach, constantly telling me how i can be a more effective and efficient rider.

then sometimes all i can do is marvel at the beauty of life around me, and it feels like a dream...

i was wondering what other people are thinking about on their rides-- does your mind seem clearer while riding? are you more focused on the act of riding, or do your thoughts wonder off to something less tangible?

What he said
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Old 04-10-03, 02:32 PM
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I can beat this head wind.
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Old 04-10-03, 02:38 PM
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Umm...I forget... :confused:


Seriously, all sorts of things.
As most of my rides have been off of the street (although I plan to do some commuting to work), the ride has been more relaxing and cathartic. As such, most thoughts tend to be pleasant.

Of course, riding along the beach- on the boardwalk in the summer can keep my mind focused on other things! :blush:
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Old 04-10-03, 02:40 PM
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Since i mostly mountain bike , i don't think much except about the task at hand..........not crashing.

If I do think, unfortunately, it's always about my work since I'm obsessive compulsive about it.
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Old 04-10-03, 02:57 PM
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Originally posted by D*Alex
Things that I think about while riding:

"I wonder if that @$$hole in the truck is going to run me over??"

"Just what is that pit bull planning on doing when I pass him?"

"Why the **** doesn't somebody maintain this ****ing trail??"

"D@mn!! Another broken bottle!!"

"Does that person with the rollerblades and headphones even know I'm approaching her??"

And, of course, many other things.....
I'll second those and add:

"I wonder if I can catch that person way up there?"

"I wonder if anyone's behind me?"
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Old 04-10-03, 03:52 PM
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I think mostly about the ride: where I'm going, how I'm feeling, and I try to improve my technique. I'm definitely more of a "tune-in" person than a "tune-out" person.

However, there are times I get a song stuck in my head for 30 miles straight!
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Old 04-10-03, 04:11 PM
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the thoughts of a novice rider well... me anyways...

"mustn't feel tired.... mustn't feel tired.... mustn't feel tired.... mustn't feel tired.... only been riding for 15min... mustn't feel tired.... mustn't feel tired.... mustn't feel tired.... "
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Old 04-10-03, 04:23 PM
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Old 04-10-03, 07:36 PM
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I do most of whats been mentioned, whether it be a song stuck in my head for however long Im out there or I think 'keep the revs up' 'sprint to beat the light' '****ing headwind!!' 'Another cyclist, have to look good'
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Old 04-10-03, 07:46 PM
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Originally posted by gonesh9
riding for me is definately an escape, and i seem to enter a very clear, sharp, creative state of mind during my rides.

It is definitely an escape for me. Tonight, after facing a total of 150 6th graders for 6 periods of teaching, it was so great getting on the bike at about 65F and pedaling for an hour or so.

If I had to ride where D*Alex seems to have to ride, I probably wouldn't.

I get lost in a variety of thoughts. My mind and whole body relax, and I listen to the birds and see the trees just starting to bud a bit and the water in the creek. I guess I just go into a state of blissfulness.
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Old 04-10-03, 08:21 PM
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Originally posted by D*Alex
Things that I think about while riding:

"I wonder if that @$$hole in the truck is going to run me over??"

"Just what is that pit bull planning on doing when I pass him?"

"Why the **** doesn't somebody maintain this ****ing trail??"

"D@mn!! Another broken bottle!!"

"Does that person with the rollerblades and headphones even know I'm approaching her??"

And, of course, many other things.....
LOL do you have any POSITIVE thoughts when you ride?

I can't say that I really think at all when I ride, other than being alert and observing my environment. I love the emptying of mind that happens on my bike. And though I don't really think that much, I feel really happy inside...
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Old 04-10-03, 08:53 PM
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Songs that I don't completely know.... the parts I know, then parts I sorta know, then it starts over. and over. and over.
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Old 04-10-03, 08:58 PM
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Usually something along the lines of "Is there a level kilometer in anywhere in this whole damn valley?
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Old 04-10-03, 09:03 PM
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I like to use the time to focus. I focus on problems that need solutions, and self improvement.
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Old 04-10-03, 09:04 PM
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All sorts of things, it really depends on where I'm riding, when, what's going on around me etc etc. Last weekend I marvelled at the scenery in the Byron Hinterland, Last night I marvelled at human stupidity in Surfers Paradise, other times I think about the heat, the hills, the wind, various songs that get stuck in my head, different ways to deal with various issues in day to day life, and sometimes the taste of the passionfruit that awaits me when I get home.
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Old 04-10-03, 09:53 PM
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A lot of my riding is done while commuting so usually there's some angry thoughts pertaining to work. Beyond that, my mind attacks me in some form or another.
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Old 04-10-03, 10:01 PM
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Almost always positive. I do ride home after midnight shift. Being fatigued can make you somewhat less positive; but on a sunny warm day, I still feel lucky to be out there..
Commuting- do worry just a little, have to get to work on time..When riding over the freeways and looking down, I feel really lucky to not be down there in that mess.
What I like about riding, clears up the mind, makes you positive and a sense of being free and getting away from lifes many stress'.
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Old 04-11-03, 12:40 AM
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When riding my brain shuts down and I think of absolutely nothing, completely blank from my normal daily grind. I don't think about work, money or anything that might normally occupy my mind. I just stick my head down and pedal and sometimes look up to enjoy the scenery, but usually I just focus on my riding technique and work on becoming faster. A trance like state is the best way to describe it. A bit like meditation I guess.

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Old 04-11-03, 12:50 AM
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Originally posted by Dutchy
When riding my brain shuts down and I think of absolutely nothing, completely blank from my normal daily grind.
My mind usually goes blank during the daily grind. It's when I'm riding that it comes to life.
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Old 04-11-03, 01:31 AM
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I also think about nothing. Like in the old Beavis & Butthead cartoons, the camera would pan over to Beavis and a thought balloon would appear over his head with no thoughts in it. I'm the same way when riding a bike. That's why I love to ride. It's almost as if you're in a trance. PS:I work at an all-girl's college, so at work my mind is racing!

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Old 04-11-03, 06:28 AM
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MTB...No time to think.

Road Bike...I didn't know I was supposed to think..I just ride

Commute....Along the lines of D*Alex's post. I always start out in a positive, lets be friends mood, but after the first car, I'm transformed into a a finger-flipping name calling tenacious opponent on the battle field we know as the road. To Make it to my destination unscathed means I won.
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Old 04-11-03, 06:57 AM
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The tires hissing on the pavement, the sound of the wind rushing past my ears, my heart beating, the warmth of the sun, the chill of the air, a oneness with the bicycle, the road, the earth...

Maybe I just think about Ding-Dongs (in a Zippy moment).
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