MrCrassic 

After trying out some time in the racing scene, I came to the same conclusion that you did. I hated having to ride my bike to inconvenient levels (i.e. canceling other things for my training ride), just so I can get up ungodly early in the morning on a weekend to ride around in circles repeatedly. It didn't help that almost all of the training rides started only slightly later than the races did. Also didn't help that I, pretty much, could not have a life throughout that whole process...

Some people love the rush from racing and crushing souls; I did not. However, I did love the pain and suffering that came from trying to keep up with people, or just going hard on your own for a while. I still care about my weight and diet, and I will not stop talking as soon as someone starts talking about road bikes.

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CyLowe97

It's like the board doesn't even know you anymore.

TMonk

Get out of here with that deep enlightened kind of thinking this is BF!!!!

JK....



While it is important to retain a healthy mentality, the best feelings i've had on a bike have been after overcoming some serious mental turmoil and physical pain. Seriousness has it's payoff from time to time.

Seriousness and non seriousness are both parts to the whole. If you view either with aversion than you are missing out on all that life has to offer.

botto 

excuse me?

Dion Rides

I have the same experience from racing motorcycles. A practice day costs upward near $800 (track time, tires, maintenance, lodging, travel, etc.) and when you are a privateer, that's a big hunk 'o money. I started to not have fun. It was like, "Hey man... we're going to go out tonight, what's up?" "Oh, I have a race tommorrow". Sometimes I really didn't want to race.

The worst was when I was a competetive bodybuilder back in the 90's. "Hey man, let's go grab some Mexican food." *fast forward to the Mexican restaurant* "Yes, I'll take the shredded chicken ONLY, no sauce, please. And can I have a tall glass of ice water?"

But, like you said, I still watch what I eat and excercise everyday, but I do it because I enjoy it, not because I'm aiming to hang a piece of plastic gold in my office. If you're into that, that's cool! But, I just don't have that "killer instinct" for competition anymore.

I'd rather eat burritos and chase ducks on my bike.

When I say serious, I mean to the levels of some people's armchair racing stories on BF. I don't maintain an average speed of 25MPH because I just don't find it necessary for my enjoyment. Nor do I like to drop other riders, or have crazy stories about me being in a business suit on a 3 speed and dropping a Fred on his Cervelo. I do like to tackle hills and I especially love sprinting - but I also like to chill out. That's what I meant. I seems people have tall goals when it comes to cycling, and I just don't have that. My only goal is to have fun - and while having fun, ALL the health/athletic benefits come along with it. I think my work life is hectic enough, I don't want to make my recreational life hectic by stirring in too much seriousness.

notbuilt4speed

I'm new to biking and BF. I bought my bike at the beginning of the month and have enjoyed reading about all the hardcore gear and riders out there. My interests in cycling are more towards cross-training for long distance running and, maybe some duathlons if I get fast enough. I never expect to win a race, or even place, just consistently improve my cardio and PR's.

Since I started, I've improved my avg speed on the same 12 mile route from 12.5mph to 15.5mph, not sure 20's are in my future, but I can see how people get hooked on the speed. It's similar to distance running, run 3 miles you want to run 5, run 5 you strive for 10, and so on til you're running marathons.

Watching the TDF I can appreciate the amazing conditioning these riders have to keep up that level of exertion for 21 days. Maybe one day I'll want to trade in my hybrid for one of those faster road bikes but for now I'm just enjoying riding.

guadzilla

+1 (although I do admit I get a kick out of trying to beat my previous speeds)

V.

MrCrassic 

And so long as you feel that way, I think you've got the right idea.

Hammer on!

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Matt Gaunt

Me too.

Machka 

I suspect that you're a whole lot more serious than most of the people here.

sneekyjesus

Who let all these hippies out of the mountain biking forum?

roadiejorge 

Slacker. I go to sleep on my bike and more often than not wake up pedaling; I've logged 3,000 sleeping miles on my trainer this year.

EventServices

I sleep on my side. It's not an efficient pedal stroke.

thirdin77

We Freds are many, and we haven't learned to loathe ourselves as the elitist weenies feel we ought to. Fredness is bliss?

JimF22003

https://www.amazon.com/Roadie-Misunde.../dp/1934030171

Just requested a Kindle version

Dion Rides

- You got that right!

The best/craziest vibe I ever got from cyclists was when I was a volunteer for my brother's race team at 24 Hours of Adrenaline. It was a pretty nasty 11 mi. course through Laguna Seca and they had a 4 man team. I was logging times for all the racers as they went in through the check point.

My brother's team is called "On The Couch" or "OTC" and their other team is "On The Couch II" or "OTCII". Of course, their pit area resembles a living room: sofa, coffee table, candles, etc. It was awesome.

The night before was insanity. The area across from us was throwing a HUGE party and some serious alcohol and loud music. Everybody was dressed like old Western days and the women were looking HAWT. We all went over to check it out, then my brother and I came back. I was, like, "They're going to RACE tomorrow after all the drinking?" and my brother answered "Carb loading, dude."

The next morning - everybody was up and chipper! They were all geared up and ready to go. Their times didn't reflect the craziness from the night before, either - not to say they would do better if they didn't party. About 16 hours into the race, all the OTC teamates, although looking very promising in the final standings STOPPED RACING. This was the last ride for one of their guys before he had to move away for work reasons. They ungeared, kicked up their feet and drank and partied the rest of the night with a DNF.

They do these crazy birthday rides with 2000 ft. of climbing and a rider rides up the day before to hide a 12-pack in the cold creek to wait for them at the top . They also do this crazy downhill run in winter storms where the requirement is one-speed coaster brake beach cruisers. No MTB's and lot's of beer. These guys are no slouches, though - they've all been racing since the 80's. Did I mention this was my OLDER brother?

I'm an occasional MTB'er, but my immediate surroundings suck for MTB'ing so I have to wait for the winter before the ground is nice. But my experience with MTB'ers was definitely interesting and taught me a lot that their is a lot more important things in life - like good friends.

DataJunkie

2000 ft of climbing is a bit on the flat side unless the route was something like 8 miles or so.
Sounds like a fun group.

Dion Rides

Well, I have no idea I was just guessing. It's WAY the fuq up there, though.

DataJunkie

I would inflate that a bit.

Dion Rides

Oh yeah, this is BF.

border reiver

IMHO your post reveals that you're actually a very serious rider who takes himself very seriously and wants to make a serious point to roadies about why you're better/cooler/more at one with your inner biking self than they are. Thanks for sharing.

Dion Rides

You got me!

I'm being serious.

border reiver

lol

prxmid

You can always tell real roadies. They are on the Bataan Death March. No smiles, no waves, all business. No Thanks

TMonk

Actually, you are being serious about non-seriousness.

You gotta be serious about something!

If it's not the actual riding, then your attitude towards other people riding works just fine, like in your case .