Hey all,

(I'm doing research for a grad thesis project; looking for common themes in the experiences of the expert user. If you have a second to give some thought to, and answer the following question, it would be much appreciated!)

We generally don’t think much about something we do every day. Yet if we stop and analyze the experience, there are complex and remarkable things going on that we don’t even notice anymore. I’m asking you to think critically about something you consider routine, to evaluate the experience as if it were the first time.

So, the next time you’re on a bike, examine the experience of going for a ride. Think of what motivates you, the common themes across the different disciplines of riding and racing; and how your experience as a cyclist has affected the rest of your life. If you want, focus on one aspect of the ride; break down the process of cornering; how do you handle traffic, etc.

In short, why do you ride?

women

Why do I ride? That's like asking "Why do I breathe?"

i ride cuz i like the feeling of floating on air while going at 20mph dancing on my toe cage wearing tennis shorts and tank top riding on a bike that most considered to be frown down upon by other more fitted cyclist..

i ride cuz just for that brief moment in time it makes me feel like i'm able to escape from reality that this world is not a messed up as it seems.

is that ok?

I think sense of accomplishment is the major reason. It is something that is challenging and even better as challenging as I want it to be. I love to see how far I can go or fast or long and fast. It is a lot of fun in general. But like just this weekend I was out at my GF and went up to a town she did not know existed, and she has lived in the general area her whole life. That makes you feel good. Also the look on peoples faces when you tell them you went out for 50 miles or something. I think that is why I ride. And to get in shape and health benifit and all that.

Because when I ride, I act like the person I am the rest of the time...

I ride to outrun the voices.

I ride because it makes me feel like I'm connected to the planet. I can feel the sun or wind, smell the dry grass, whatever.

When I'm in a car the journey is nothing-- the destination is the only goal. On a bike the opposite is often true.

Also I have finally reached a point where my cadence is generally higher than my heart rate!

a.c.

I ride in short because the long pant get caught in the chain.



Seriously, though, I ride for the scenery and for the challenge of accomplishing tough rides. It also keeps me sane.

I ride for the health of it. and to bring back childhood memories of the freedom a bike gave me

As long as you ride a bike, some part of you always remains a kid.

I ride because riding allows me to escape from everyday life for the time I am out. I am in total control: speed, direction, pedal, coast, etc. I can make it as challenging as I want or take an easy spin. And no matter what I do, I have done something that will improve my health. After riding, I always feel good and feel good about myself.

Can you tell I just got done riding!!

I ride to get somewhere or I ride to get back to where I started. I ride a short distance to see how fast I can do it or I ride a long distance to see how far I can go. I ride to escape the cruelties of the real world and think about nothing but my line, speed, corners, gears, braking, or destination. I ride to endure the suffering of physical fatigue for the sake of enduring less fatigue on the next ride on which I'm sure to endure through more fatigue. I ride for myself and nobody else.

Why do I ride? I don't know, I just get on and ride.

I started riding in college to get to class. Then I joined a cycling club, then a racing team. I like the challenge. I like that when I get home after a long weekend ride or a race I feel like I accomplished something. I am physically exhausted, but mentally refreshed. Riding for me is meditation. At this point I've been riding for so long that I couldn't stop even if I wanted to - asking me to stop riding would be like asking me to stop eating, or stop breathing. Riding is no longer a part of my life. It is my life.

I think about what I do everyday all the time.
Pushing yourself to new limits isnt considered routine.
Were I to evaluate riding like it was my first time, I would have a two word answer, SORE BUTT.
New limits. Riding or racing has always been a quest to a new personal best. Whether that was met by measuring time, percieved strength, emotional satisfaction, peer recognition etc it all comes down to challenging myself.

WERD LIFE! i like that!

.......cos i did the adjustment on my pedals to tight & haven't been able to clip out for 5 years....so it's keep pedalling or fall off!......sure am getting tired though..............

Hitchy

I have the usual excuses.... Exercise, gadgetry, transportation


But why I ride rather than use alternatives for the above?

I am a flaneur at heart and I like to explore and experience places from the seat of a bicycle. If you like to wander, the bicycle is the ultimate tool.

that says it all you. you must be some kina artist huh pedal?

I'll take that as a compliment, so thank you. No, I'm not an artist.

What motivates me is speed...driving, running, riding...I like to go fast...so I'm always pushing my limits...better on a bike than on a car

I havent raced yet, so i cannot honestly answer this one...maybe in a year.

My experience has shown me how easy it is to get exercise while doing mundane things (groceries, commute to work, etc), it has also shown me that I am capable of far more than I imagined...I never htought I would be capable of the speeds or sprint power I have at my weight. I may not be competition grade, but man I can cook.. It's affected the rest of my life be showing me how needlessly dependant on cars I was, and that exercise doesnt have to be a chore.


Night riding tip: Bright lights are more important than number of lights. Get the brightest rear lamp you can afford. Also invest in a strong front headlamp, since you will not only need to see the road, but let motorists see you coming form a distance...this helps avoid having them jump out of a driveway right in your path and other such problems.

For the way I feel at the end of the ride....exhausted, accomplished, fatigued....which is basically the way I feel every day after work, but at least after riding I have an logical explanation for why I feel that way.

Must be ready for Marine Corps.

G'day,

I don't necessarily agree with this. There are 2 distinct types of lighting for night riding.Those that allow others to see you & those that allow you to see others. If you are riding under street lights, the primary objective of your lights should be for others to see you....in this case, strobes are more effective than 'static' lights as the eye is drawn towards the flashing movement of the strobe. 'static lights tend to just 'melt' into all the other lights around. 'static' bright lights, are however much better for riding where other lighting is minimal & you need a bright light to avoid obstacles. When io commute, I start under street lights & end up 'in the bush'...so i take both & use each one in the area they work best.

cheers,

Hitchy

I ride because
a. It's good excercise
b. It's fun
c. It's relaxing when I want it to be
d. Or if I want I can push myself
e. Club riding is a great social activity.
f. It's really adictive
seriously the list goes on and on and on....