Kapusta

Seeing my enemies driven before me.

And snacks afterwards.

SeniorCanadian

It may sound corny but the best part is riding with my wife. I used to be the leader but I found myself constantly turning to check on her. I changed and became a follower and now I just relax behind her and enjoy the view. She looks great and keeps a really good pace. From time to time I will pull up beside her to have a conversation but when necessary I am the one to fall behind.

We have ridden centuries together and just this year rode the virtual Seattle to Portland. I am now 73 and still loving every opportunity to ride.

GlennR

Quality time with my son.


He's the taller one


And being disconnected from the internet and connected to nature. It clears my head and fills my soul.

rsbob 

Out two days ago, I realized that riding temporarily erases my age and makes me feel like I am in my 30s. It’s like a two wheel time machine, except on super steep climbs, then my age comes roaring back. Need to stay away from those climbs.

NoWhammies

The clothes.

ChicagoWandrer

The feeling of freedom on those first few pedals of every ride.... it never gets old. I feel grounded, connected to the earth, and that I can go anywhere.

WheelsDoHeal

Just as cyclerlover and ChicagoWanderer says:
FREEDOM..
...and...
physique, fun, fantasy, feelings of ecstasy, fulfilling, fatigue, freakdom, fanciful, and last but not at all least, Farting ! Yeah !

rydabent

Im sure as usual I will get push back, but in answer to what you said, if you ride a trike there is virtually no discomfort and a very small chance of crashing. And for myself not being into the no pain no gain nonsense, riding my trike is pure pleasure. Every street, and every park is at my beck and call. I love riding in the sections of town that has the huge turn of the last century houses. Their non cookie cutter architecture fascinate me for instance. Then riding some usual routes, you get to see new buildings go up. Yes cycling can just be plain fun and enjoyable.

rsbob 

You certainly won’t get any pushback from me. Actually I envy your, just go out and enjoy ethos. I grew up in an environment where competition, even against oneself, was not only encouraged, but expected. Hopefully some day I will calm down and follow your lead.

Clyde1820

Good way to describe it.

It's why I prefer to walk, run, bike, ride a motorcycle ... rather than the faster/blinder (car, train, plane) modes of travel. As you say, preferring to be in the scene, part of it, experiencing it, instead of merely whizzing by separate from it. Helps me feel "grounded" and "connected." Much the same as, for example, taking a hike into the wilds. Being just another animal out there, one becomes part of the environment ... and, at some point in the day, the other animals simply cease taking notice of little old me sitting there or walking along.

A good bike ride, above and beyond whatever exercise value it might have, helps "feed the soul" (for lack of a better phrase).

rydabent

Remember the freedom you felt when you got your your first bike, you were mobile and could go anywhere. When I go for a ride, I still feel the same way.

Wildwood 

Do you mean... the physicality of it? Maggie B style?

Kapusta

I was think more Conan style:

rsbob 

LOL. Think I have spent 1 G this year on saddles. I could open a saddle store.

I find that cycling is like a like a time machine transporting me back to my 30s when I first discovered cycling in earnest. I lose my age. As I grow stronger and cycle farther the satisfaction just increases. On the rare occasion I out climb someone younger by a decade or two (mostly inexperienced) I smile to myself.

mdarnton

1/ the feeling of getting somewhere fast with minimum effort and expense
2/ saving two bucks on the bus each way--$4 a day, $20 a week. . . $80+ a month!! $1000 a year!!!

In Covid times:
Being a tourist in a city I've lived in for 35 years, going out every day for an hour or two to discover some place near me that I've never had a reason to drive through and never knew existed. It's like a long bike tour through strange lands, an hour at a time!

rsbob 

When we had our initial “lock down” in Wa state, the roads were deserted. I was able to ride major roads again after 15 years that weren’t clogged with 60 MPH semis and dump trucks. One of my favorite roads, about 3 miles long, called Paradise Lake Rd, was again rideable since it was no longer a major route for dump and gravel trucks which was absolutely frightening when I made the mistake pre-COVID of riding it after a 10 year hiatus. It was like the old days.

Since it appears we are heading that way again, the roads will be clear for a few more relaxing rides.

Gundo

The solitude

10 Wheels

The Wind in my Face

Wildwood 

not really, but funny

ncyue

Rediscovered biking this year just before COVID hit and loving it. Beautiful countryside, freedom, wind in my face, exercise, built in social distancing. It's brought me much happiness in a tough time.