Why do you ride?

I couldn't have said it any better. It's the melding of man and machine. When I ride (4:30 am or so), it's just me and the bike. It's a completely serene experience. The click of gear changes, the slight creak when I lay on the power, the road hum, I wouldn't miss it for anything. I like to ride in groups also, but I have to say my early morning rides are my favorites, as it seems the entire world belongs to me and my trusty 2-wheeled companion.

soonerschwinn said:

Wind in my face, whining of the tires against the pavement, "whirring" sound the chain makes, etc. = freedom, sights, smells, peace, serenity, stress relief, being out in and part of Gods great creation. I love it, always have always will.

SS

It's practical exercise I mean you can't swim to work and walking takes to long so it fits in with my schedule and builds an endurance base.

...nick said:

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?

G'day, Deep stuff? It's very simple, you don't have to be mad to ride a bike, but it sure does help?

The real reason is, it's better than walking?

The phylosophy behind all this is,

Why "STAND" when you can "SIT"

Why "SIT" when you can "LAY"

Why "WALK" when you can "RIDE"

Don't think about it, just do it?

Keep the wheels in motion, and don't look back unless it's to see who you dropped on the last climb? TBC

Why do I ride?

Well, I didn't for over thirty years (I'm pushin' 50 so hard it's startin' to complain). For the last three years, I spent a lot of time riding motorcycles, and I still love 'em... but I had to give 'em up. The hazards are simply too uncontrollable (including my right wrist; it has a tendency to drop...), and after I had my second accident in less than eighteen months, my wife cried for a week (I figured I couldn't keep doing stuff like that to her - after all, I married her because I like her).

I started riding to have something to do to replace the motorcycling. Bicycles have some of the same attractions: speed, mechanics, silly outfits that you can't use for anything else. But I found with the bicycle that a couple of things happened:

1. When I fell off, my wife laughed, instead of crying (I had an inability to "clip-out' reliably when I first started, and wound up with a matching pair of skinned knees for a while - the first I've had in over forty years!);
   
2. I lost a bunch of weight, felt great, and got into the best physical shape I've ever been in my life;
   
3. I really like to ride.
   

It helps that I work with a fellow who has been riding bicycles for years, and who could answer a bunch of my nagging newbie questions (and, bless him, he had the patience to do so!). While his riding capability is far beyond mine (I only got my recent bicycle three months ago; I've only got about 600 miles on it - it's hard to find time to ride in late fall and winter in Central Jersey), I've been able to set goals for myself that are both achievable and enjoyable.

I'll be attending a "how to maintain your bicycle" class next month, and I might do the Park Tool School if that takes (after all, with what's happening to social Security in the US, I'll probably have to have a retirement job when my current company puts me out to pasture!)

See youse on the roads, all!

Lots of guys ask me this and it is so hard to explain. The enorphines yes, the feeling of accomplishment, the feel of the bike and body working as one, the struggle to get up the hill, the burn after a long push on the flats, the exhileration of doing the posted speed limit with your own horsepower, the wind in your face, the freedom, the people you meet, the ability to forget everything else, the sound of a well paced group all with well maintained bikes I can't explain the sound but I love it. So take your pick plus add so many more things it's a great sport most people can do well into their later years.

It has become a part of my life and a part of my very existence. For me it has become as much of an involuntary action as breathing is.

I started cycling to rehab a knee. I kept at it because I like it when my friends say, "Holy [censored], you rode how many miles?"

Beyond to the cycling i love to play my guitar!!But the cycling is irreplaceable or no???Then we young Italian ciclisti are the more strongest in the world!!!😄 ahahahahahah...

Exused i have mistaken where to put the partecipation😕

I do it because I hate to run or walk (too hard on the knees, too slow) and I got tired of the "lifting" routine.

I like the feeling that comes with logging the miles and max/avg speed. I like the self sufficiency (for the most part) in maintaining the bike.

Even though I really don't use the bike for errands around town, I like the idea that if I really needed to do so, I could.

I like the "moving meditation" of cycling while at the same time you have to focus on whats happening on the road and anticipate problems.

I like the surprise of my co-workers on the amount of miles I have covered on the bike.

I like the social aspect of the easy "group ride" that I go on each saturday morning...

Because its my passion, it comes natural.

This one's easy.

I got on a bicycle, and the bike bug bit me good.

The end.

I rode my bike as a kid, like most. I didn't get serious about it until I started dating this guy who was really crazy about cycling and was involved in regional racing. He convinced me that I should ride with him and get a "real" bike. One thing led to another and basically I ditched the boyfriend but kept the bike! 😉 Now cycling is one of my top hobbies. It's the best thing tht came out of that relationship.

For moments like this!

So many reasons...
to keep my car's gas tank needle on "Full" for as long as possible
because there's this hill near my house that I try to kill every time I climb it (and tries to kill me every time I descend it)
because I first saw Lance ride while I was recuperating from cancer surgery
because I don't look half-bad in bike shorts
because dodging suicidal chipmunks is less lethal than in the car (for them)
more later...

It's my pro-health/anti-aging medication. Trouble is it takes over an hour to get it down and then I have to take a shower. (Come to think of it, the same description applies to my sex life. Give or take 59 minutes.)

The thrill of the challenge to better myself... the natural high of endorphines(spellchckk??) when I'm done and to be different from the typical american male who is sitting in front of the tv while I'm sweating my socks off.

...nick said:

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?

Because it's fun, and keeps be from being fat and unsightly.

...nick said:

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!)
.
.
.
In short, why do you ride?

I'm an alcoholic and started riding when my car broke down and I was too broke to get it fixed. I've gotten so hooked on it(lost 40 pounds, 11 months sober, look/feel 10x better) that even with enough dough to buy another car, I continue to ride everywhere.

The coming winter will certainly change that and I will once again be on 4 wheels. I just hope I continue the 2 wheeled riding as well. Time will tell.

...nick said:

In short, why do you ride?

It's more fun than running, and it doesn't mess up my hip. And I like to fiddle with the equipment.