DnvrFox

From reading a number of posts, it seems to me that there may be a significant portion of folks on this forum (perhaps more than in the general population) who lead sort of an "ascetic" life style.

I would define this as not being married, no children, no car or at least a very minimal car which is seldom used, very simple living, likely inclined to single bike touring, and generally have a fair amount of time to devote to their biking (and perhaps other interests).

On the other hand, there are also folks like me, with rather significant family responsibilities (two profoundly handicapped children, wife, recent major medical problems) with cars, significant work responsibilities and other related baggage, who might have less time for those kind of things.

Sometimes it seems as if there is a gap between the conclusions about life, biking, cars and other areas between the disparate ends of these two groups.

Again, it is probably one of DnvrFox's far out theories for which I will get the usual amount of flak, but, then, this is only the internet, and "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words . . . ."

So, please feel free to answer the poll in any way you might. Be your own rater.

Okay, have at me. I can take it!

Zin

Oh man, you had to ask.

Cycling provides my escape, balance, and future. It really helps to "equalize" the stresses of life.

jeff williams

Main Entry: as·cet·ic
Pronunciation: &-'se-tik, a-
Variant(s): also as·cet·i·cal /-ti-k&l/
Function: adjective
Etymology: Greek askEtikos, literally, laborious, from askEtEs one that exercises, hermit, from askein to work, exercise
Date: 1646
1 : practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline
2 : austere in appearance, manner, or attitude

"I would define this as not being married, no children, no car or at least a very minimal car which is seldom used, very simple living, likely inclined to single bike touring, and generally have a fair amount of time to devote to their biking (and perhaps other interests)."

spiritual computer hermits on bikes?

detrieux

Full time plus job. Wife and son who is now at basic training for the Navy. Since son is away, we have spent a lot of time at the house hoping for phone calls which never seem to come. Have lost all motivation to ride my bike since the last ride ended in being bitten by a dog. No harm was done to me just can't bring myself to riding on the road at this time. The plan is to go for my usual ride today and see if that brings back the old riding feeling. January of 03, one of the worst for weather, I was able to ride everyday. In December,03 have ridden 2 times both on the property. Part of the problem may be depression from only son leaving home.

cyclezealot

Depression..Thats when you need a ride the most.

DnvrFox

Don't get too hung up on the word "ascetic."

My thesaurus says "austere' and "frugal."

Instead, use the definition I wrote. At the time I could think of no better word, and used the best word that came to mind.

Hopefully folks get the general idea by the definition I gave.

Mtn Mike

Sorry to hear about the bad times. Maybe a break from road riding isn't so bad for a while. I'm sure you'll be back on the bike when times are looking better.

To change the subject, where in SE Ohio are you riding? I lived in Huntington WV for 18 months and I think SE Ohio has got to be one of the most underrated places to ride for both road and mountain biking.

jeff williams

"Sometimes it seems as if there is a gap between the conclusions about life, biking, cars and other areas between the disparate ends of these two groups."

What 2 groups? Really is it all so b\w? How about single parents?

Anyway, I had a hard time understanding the aim of your poll?
I am very glad there are different conclusions about life, bikes, ect-
I believe that's why people have dicourses, discussions- to expand our views of our world.
Perhaps some would prefer to have it all said in agreement- But then you may as well talk to yourself.

It seemed to me that your responsibilities are weighing heavily on you sir. I have a child and can only imagine the hardships two handicapped children must place on you and your wife.

Hope you find comfort in your love and a release from weight of responsibility with a good bike ride now and then.
Best to you and your family in the newyear.

DnvrFox

Strange that you would think that by posting a poll I would somehow want there to be agreement.

Of course we have differences in opinions - isn't that great? - I am just exploring one aspect of those differences.

detrieux

mtnmike

Woodsfield, Ohio which is in Monroe County. This is between Marietta,OH I-77 and St. Clairsville, OH I-70 on the Ohio River. Very little flat riding some really steep climbs. Thanks for the insight and thanks for asking. Did not get to ride today since it is the first day of deer hunting with muzzleloaders.

Will try again next week.

pitboss

Yup...I lead an acerbic lifestyle

Red Baron

Full time job, Mid Management R&D Engineering. Wife says I'm obsessed with biking but I still love her dearly (and she me). Type A Biker - ain't no way but fast - First experience recently with a injury requiring rest and recovery- just getting over it, went out yesterday and today. I told Wife I prayed hard while riding- "Lord-give me the strength to go slow". As others state, biking is the cure for stress/depression, you can leave your problems 10 feet behind you, BUT- I have to keep going faster and faster and.........

shokhead

Full time job,mon-fri.Leave at 5:15am and get home at 2:30 and change and ride.Wife is self employed and works late tue,thur,fri,sat.Off rest of days but dad is wheelchair bound and older so all doctor and teeth she does.My mon is going loony so more of my time.19 and 17 year old girls.House,two cars,dog.As the girls have gotten older,my mileage goes up.

willic

Amen to that.....

As someone to whom Clinical Depression has cost me a lot.

But I sha`nt bore everyone with my problems.....

Poguemahone

No real job. Draw cartoons most of the day and teach kids and adults now and then, full time in the summer. Work on bikes, play with dog (who I found, or he found me). No kids I know about. Girlfriend moved out, so living room now has the truing stand on the table again. Sums it up.

shokhead

Can i be you?LOL

Stubacca

Full-time job with a lot of travel, wife, no kids, cat, one cheap car, no mortgage and no family in this country. When not travelling, I commute to work and ride as much as I can. When travelling, I buy lots of bike stuff so I can have toys to play with when I get home again!

lovemyswift

Elementary school media specialist and technologist, no kids, two cats, 1 significant other (who's spending Jan and Feb in Denver) 3 "old" paid for cars, no mortgage on house, just bought new mtn bike, have my applications in to retire Feb. 27th. Can life be any better?
Kathi

Don Cook

The manner in which most of the members of this site obsess and analize over their frigging bikes, excludes consideration of using the word ascetic or asceticism while describing them. It might be better to rephrase this discussion in terms of those people that have lost their sense of perspective and have constructed their life around a bicycle.

DnvrFox

Okay - you are very welcome to write your own poll. Once any poll is written it is pretty much unmodifiable.

Anyway, polls should not be taken seriously, hopefully. Just sort of a fun activity and very unscientific.

megaman

Unscientific, unscientific! How could they be! Numerous members of the biking community show up here at one time or another, to discuss sleep apnea, pissing while riding, what they read, convincing their spouse to let them have their bike, politics, religion, the flu, nutrition, getting a job, TV viewing habits, internet sites, etc. And let us not forget UNDERWEAR!

I actually had to look up asetic see what the heck it meant. I learn something new here almost everyday. I suspect the polls are at least a little accurate considering what we all do for at least part of our time.

Poguemahone

"It might be better to rephrase this discussion in terms of those people that have lost their sense of perspective and have constructed their life around a bicycle."

Excuse me while I try to find the meaning of life by pondering this helicomatic hub.

ooommm.....ooommmm...

Perspective is a 3-d mathematical exersize on a 2d piece of paper. No, wait, that's part of my life/job, I thought this was where I posted to talk to other hopeless bike geeks.

no, shokhead, you may not have my life. I have no idea how I got here, but here I am, and I like it.

Jean Beetham Smith 

I work in a small practice, so for us taking a vacation just means someone else has to work overtime. I'm at work 9-10 hrs a day, 5 days a week. Fortunately, our kids are grown, so it is just Dan & me at home, so much less laundry! House, lawn, garden, all consume time, but all give some satisfaction also. Dog and cats consume lots of time, but are very satisfying, and Dan is my peach. The 80-90 minutes each work day I spend on my bike are priceless, and Dan fully recognizes this. Even though it is something we don't share, he really supports me in my bike habit. I should be as supportive of his barbershop singing (but my bakesale days are done).

lsits

I have a full-time job four days a week. That gives me a three-day weekend every week. I usually ride at least two of those three days (sometimes all three) for at least 20 to 25 miles (up to 60 miles). A couple of times during the week I will put in eight to ten miles in the morning before work. I've only been seriously cycling since July. I started with a X-Mart mountain bike, then a Trek hybrid, and now an Ibex road bike.

The kids are grown but I have other irons in the fire. I play drums in an oldies band and I do income taxes on the side. Will have to see how the next couple of months work out. I might have to curtail my tax business to make time for riding.

I made time for riding by drastically cutting my TV time. I used to watch TV from 6 pm to 9 or 10 pm. I can't believe I was wasting my time watching Judge Judy, Divorce Court, Wheel of Fortune, and re-runs of Hawaii 5-0. That was before the 2003 TDF. In the summer I can ride until 8 at night. In the winter I go to bed at 8 pm and can get up at 3 am.

miamijim

Depression...I truely believe what others have said.....cycling does wonders for it.

I have a job thats considered to be one of the most stressful in the world. At times it makes an air traffic controller look like a Sunday school teacher. When I lived up north it was easy enough to head out the door and be on a back country road pedaling away. Now I'm in the heart of the Miami congestion and its actually frustrating at times to get in a 'nice ride'. Luckily I live across the street from some absolutely killer Mtn. bike trails. Yes, there are 13 miles of them in the urban sprawl.

I am single, never been married with no kids. My car alone probably excludes me from the 'ascetic' lifestyle. Its what I use to get away from the world when I need.

This past year has been a medical disaster for me. From December of '02 through May of '03 there was no riding at all. My neurosurgeon said something about the 3.8cmX1.8cmX1.6cm tumor in my spinal column not being good for riding. Then in September I broke my thumb and was down for 2 months then in November I stabbed myself in the other hand with a broken piece of glass. Theres nothing like a drive up the coast while the suns setting.

I have a bike I'm building right now thats rideable.....I've owned it for a month now and havent put any miles on it yet.....its my second treat to myself (the car was the first for many reasons) and I'm not riding it until its 'just right'.

Enough *****ing by me....in 2 hours I'm being hooked up with PHAT Columbian girl, tomorrow morning I'm riding, and maybe in the evening there'll be roar from the thundering dual exhaust as I cruise up the coast.......

Pedal Safe.....
Jim