What is it that cycling does for you?

Dannyboy95

What is cycling for you?
Im interested in finding out what cycling is for you and why you do it. For me cycling is about taking it easy not caning it because i have no reason too. i take it easy set off early on a Sunday morning in all weathers at all times of the year riding for 15 or so miles and stopping of at some rural hidden gem of pub and having a pint or 2 and cycling back. for me its getting out of the house, its riding my bike and having a pint or two along the way. Thats why i ride going out to enjoy myself stopping off with riding buddies and having a pint and something to eat and having a good old chin wag. So what motivates you to ride why do you bother what is it that cycling offers you?

rockmonkeysc

Its many thing for me. I like the sense of adventure from getting out in the hills with just an os map and a vague idea of 30 miles. The sense of achievement from getting up a nasty climb. The peace and beautiful places my bike takes me to. The huge adrenaline rush of hitting a big gap jump and the frustration of of making a mistake in a downhill race.
Mostly it's just about having fun shredding trails with mates. Doing daft things. Taking risks and tricking jumps and laughing like an idiot.

Dannyboy95

Great stuff is there no room for a pint in that statement lol

rockmonkeysc

There's alway room for a pint of Cheddar Valley.

cooldad

I like riding bikes.
Cars scare me.
So I stay off road as much as possible.

KevChallis

For me, a few things, I love cycling with my 6 year old son, for the last 3 months or so we have been out nearly every weekend and we both love it!!

But at the same time, it keeps me fit, and let's me have time out! Everybody needs time out, and after a good session riding, I'm completely chilled

mcnultycop

I used to be incredibly fat. I cycle. I'm now just fat. Result.

I like getting out in the fresh air and stuff and pushing myself on the downhills too.

lawman

Its fun and freedom thing for me. I get a serious kick of being out and leaving the rest of the world behind for a few hours, having fun, laughing and trying to become a better rider. As much as I like an easy going ride, I'm competitive at heart, so I'm always looking to get better and further or faster. In all honesty I think for many mountain biking isn't just hobby it's a lifestyle choice. It can open up so many opportunities, visiting new places, meeting new people and for me at least working opportunities that just sum up why I love riding bikes, it's the whole package, the riding, the banter, the techy stuff, shiny new kit, the lot. It's just a brilliant, brilliant way of enjoying yourself and that for me is why I love it so much.

taffygriffiths

its about climbing horrible welsh hills, beers in the pub, and getting down some gnarly natural trails the other side of said hills....

with plenty of crashes and laughs along the way!

paulneenan76

Lifestyle choice - if I don't get out at least once a week, even for a quick ride with the dog, I get a bit antsy. It's been a great way to meet like minded people, improve fitness, state of mind and general well being. Visit new places across the uk and on my doorstep, visit great pubs and enjoy different ales, are also what it's all about for me. Adrenaline like nothing else, even when falling off. Being a part of something that's good for the soul.

Bit hippy'ish but some once told me that for them, mountainbiking was as close as it gets to surfing - without the water and sharks of course. Spiritual, not sure, but it's a necessary fun for me.

Oh, and it's cheaper than golf man.

paul.skibum

Its my summer equivalent of skiing - gets me outdoors, gives me adventure and adrenaline, has similar skills and focus as skiing if I am feeling technical and looking to work on something, keeps me fit and gives me a chance to feel like a kid again.

rgliniany

clearing my head..... and the peace and quiet of it all.......

bennett_346

I don't know any more, i think i'm bored of it. I barely ride any more.

cooldad

bennett_346 wrote:

I don't know any more, i think i'm bored of it. I barely ride any more.

Said in best emo voice.

ps even we could have beaten Hull.

bennett_346

cooldad wrote:

bennett_346 wrote:

I don't know any more, i think i'm bored of it. I barely ride any more.

Said in best emo voice.

ps even we could have beaten Hull.

I'm almost glad, means I don't have to complain about the weather as much anymore

ps could you do it without a formal written warning though?

poah

cycliong has emptied by bank balance

BigAl

cooldad wrote:

I like riding bikes.
Cars scare me.
So I stay off road as much as possible.

This is a pretty good summary.

I used to road ride a lot even competitively. But now the roads terrify me.

Unfortunately I'm a much better roadie than MTBer - but I figure if I injure myself off-road it'll likely be my own fault.

I do like to stop off for a pint or two on a weekend ride though

batmo

Like most others, a few reasons.
It's something I enjoy doing with the missus and we both enjoy riding with other mates, I enjoy being outside, I like travelling faster than walking or running without an engine, it usually requires enough concentration that I can't think about work and if it weren't for cycling I wouldn't get much exercise.

snowster

Peace and quiet and less earache than being at home with her indoors...

stubs

Puts a grin on my face that almost touches at the back.

Angus Young

Good thread, lots of interesting answers. And I like the fact that it's lots of things for each person.

I love being out in the wilds or up a mountain. Always have done. And I love being there alone - I never ride with anyone. I never take a phone. That's part of the adventure: self reliance. If something goes wrong, I'm going to have to deal with it myself.

I love just tearing along. I love speed. I love tearing along hard to ride stuff (all relative, of course) and making it to the other end. I love climbing, technical or slog, until I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack, my head's going to explode and my thighs feel like they're about to burst into flames. I love riding so hard that I, literally, buzz for the rest of the day.

I love the number of people who've commented on how slim I'm looking in just over six months of riding (Jeez! How fat was I?!).

And I love when I ride with my 8 year old (I know, I said I never ride with anyone. She doesn't count and she's only there sometimes). Now, I'd guess that every parent will say that, but for me there's more. 2 years ago she had major surgery on her hip, 8 hours during which they sawed through her left femur and took a wedge out to correct the angle of the head then sawed her pelvis in two so they could tip the socket over. She then spent six months in a cast from her ankles to her armpits. And that was the second time she'd been through all that! I can't begin to describe how much joy it brings me to ride behind her and watch her tear through the woods, standing up on the pedals and giving it welly.

The Northern Monkey

Tis the reward of feeling on the limit on a superb descent for me.

Recently realised that I have no interest in xc, but at the same time find uplifts boring.
I love that riding the Canyon up is a massive effort and other people I meet out and about think I'm a bit mad riding a single ring, 38lb 180mm travel bike up trail (and I hate pushing so I damn well ride where I can!), but it doesnt half get you fit!!

VWsurfbum

I love being able to switch off, Riding just gets you out! no phones, computers or bosses!
I have raced, I have pootlled, I enjoy it all inbetween. I enjoy the technical side of building a bike, making changes and seeing how different it feels when i've made changes.
I get a bit of stick for changing bits/bikes all the time, but for me thats a big part of my hobby.

A weekend away in the mountains riding with the lads is as about as good as it gets, throw in some good food and a few beers and you have a happy Surfbum.

Wife asks "Why you driving all that way just to ride your bike?" if you have to ask, you'll never know.

Now give me some dry weather!!!

BigAl

VWsurfbum wrote:

I love being able to switch off, Riding just gets you out! no phones, computers or bosses!
I have raced, I have pootlled, I enjoy it all inbetween. I enjoy the technical side of building a bike, making changes and seeing how different it feels when i've made changes.
I get a bit of stick for changing bits/bikes all the time, but for me thats a big part of my hobby.

A weekend away in the mountains riding with the lads is as about as good as it gets, throw in some good food and a few beers and you have a happy Surfbum.

Wife asks "Why you driving all that way just to ride your bike?" if you have to ask, you'll never know.

Now give me some dry weather!!!

Amen to all of that

paulbox

I love being outside, wearing the right gear (to keep me comfortable) relaxing and having fun. I'm a big lump so I'm never going to be quick on the climbs, but when fit I do enjoy a bit of climbing. I'm a bit of a scaredy cat so I'm never going to be the quickest downhill, but I do enjoy a bit of an adrenalin rush. Basically, whether up or down, I like doing it at my own pace.

I like riding on my own and with groups of friends. I like the diversity of people that I meet through riding. I like helping others and being offered help when knelt over a bike on the side of the trail.

I like my bikes, when they are all clean and shiney I sometimes just stick my head in the garage just for a look at them. I enjoy the countryside and I love finding new places to ride (note to self, get the map out and look for some new places to ride!).

I like a pint too, but I'm trying to reduce intake at the moment to decrease lumpiness and improve climbing...

mike hunts alpine

Used to have a very bad drug problem been off them for years now and mtbing gives me the same adrenaline rush and sense of freedom as they once did. Plus as far as habits go mtbing is good for you. So its a habit I won't ever kick.

Festerfeet

Getting out of the city and off my backside, sharing a laugh with mates.
Exploring beautiful mountains that never been ridden.
Finding or cutting new trails.
Meeting the locals who live a simple, hard but happy life in the rugged mountains of Sichuan.
Acting like my shoe size not my age.

Kowalski675

It's fun (off road), the exercise makes me feel good (endorphins are nature's own antidepressants, without the side effects), I like the countryside and you can't lose your driving licence or go to jail for riding like a tw*t or doing crap wheelies.

Herdwick29.

If you want to ride you exercise, one more reason to avoid sweaty people at the gym.
I used to do offroading with mates, I owned landrovers and suzukis over the years and mountain biking is the closest and cheap alternative to offroading to suit me. Not everybody followed, but whoever did, cycling is part of our routine now. cooldad you would't be so safe if we lived close! Fortunately for me, I live in Cyprus, plenty of trails and no wet weather!!! I quit smoking, lost a few kg's, my wallet is slightly heavier and more important is fun like hell!!!
What else should you ask?

Dannyboy95

Excellent stuff glad so many people took the time to write something, Its good to see that people ride for different reasons all great stuff keep then coming!

Soggz

snowster wrote:

Peace and quiet and less earache than being at home with her indoors...

HAHAHA!