gtmandsager

I just finished 5 straight minutes on my rollers for the first time ever. I originally purchased them mostly due to the discussions on this forum, and was especially interested in improving my bike handling skills. I had tried them a bunch of times in the past few weeks since they arrived, setting up bar stools on either side for support. Before tonight, I always had to keep one hand on a stool, and couldn't take it off for more than 5 seconds before I began to swerve, even crashing once. I was getting so frustrated, and had considered sending them back. But a few days ago I finally learned how to ride no-handed (another milestone, stemming from childhood), so I decided to try again. It started shaky, like before, but I got fed up and decided to let go and see what happened, and before I knew it, I was up and stable! I recognize it's not much an event, but it was so satisfying to conquer that fear, I wanted to share. I only stopped b/c it's late in NY and I was concerned about the noise transmitting through the floor to the apartment below.

I've only been riding seriously for about a year now, but am absolutely hooked. Since the Spring I've probably put about 1k miles on, and can't wait to increase my weekly mileage. I was a competitive swimmer for most of my life, but I never remember having this much fun swimming. I can't adequately describe the experience, but I can look forward to riding 50 miles all alone, hammering up hills, but also learning how to ride in groups and pushing the pace. I love seeing improvements week by week, learning new riding techniques, and getting to know the ins and outs of my bike and maintaining it.

I would post pics but I want this thread to be about how much people love to ride, not about a manufacturer who sells bikes on a certain website about whom there are probably several threads/week.

I was so happy with this new experience, it inspired me to ask: Why do you ride?

cyclezealot

The biggest reasons, getting outside and exploring, exercise, and just traveling under my own power. As Einstein and DaVinchi inferred just the act of riding a bike is one of the worlds greatest pleasures.
Was not a high point of growing up. Riding a bike at something like 5-6 and getting a drivers license at about 16. To me, riding the bike was the greater thrill.

jjmolyet

It is OK to love your bike, It is not OK to LOVE your Bike