Why do you do it?

2»

Comments

  • VmanF3
    VmanF3 Posts: 240
    Because I hate football.

    None of my friends do it.

    Gives me a reason to get off the ship in port.

    Always done it.

    TDF inspires me every year.

    Recently hitting Strava challenges.

    Keeps me fit.

    I like the solitude.

    Fresh air, lots of it.

    See more places than I would if I just took the shuttle bus into the nearest town.

    Hills.

    Not having to spend anything doing it.

    The buzz after a good ride.
    Big Red, Blue, Pete, Bill & Doug
  • Miles253
    Miles253 Posts: 535
    Clearing the head, fitness, fun and above all freedom
    Canyon Roadlite AL-Shamal Wheels-Centaur/Veloce Group
    Canyon Ult CF SL- Spin Koppenberg-Ultegra group
  • damocles10
    damocles10 Posts: 340
    Navrig2 wrote:
    Endorphins

    +1 there is nothing like a good ride to get that natural high and it clears the mind - I am addicted to endorphins, even discussed this with my doctor and her response was 'of all things you could be addicted to, endorphins is not bad'.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    Reading some of the responses on here I can't help but think that those who are doing it to "get away from it" could achieve exactly the same feeling through any other sport - sailing, golf, tennis, squash.

    I've found sailing to be very therapeutic after a stressy day at work - well, it's dinghy racing - so more than just a pootle around the pond - but it gives you something else to concentrate on allowing you to forget (briefly) the problems in your life. I think cycling does the same - if you make it hard(er) - concentrating on anything else other than what caused the stress to start with... but it's also pleasant to be out and about having been stuck in an office all day - or at the weekend it's a nice activity to do with friends/family.
  • navrig2
    navrig2 Posts: 1,851
    damocles10 wrote:
    Navrig2 wrote:
    Endorphins

    +1 there is nothing like a good ride to get that natural high and it clears the mind - I am addicted to endorphins, even discussed this with my doctor and her response was 'of all things you could be addicted to, endorphins is not bad'.

    My mother-in-law has been known to say that I am much less grumpy on a Saturday lunchtime (after the weekend ride).

    Wish she would take up cycling!! :lol:
  • philbar72
    philbar72 Posts: 2,229
    Since restarting in 2012, improved fitness, weight loss and a bit of freedom from the daily grind.

    the negatives for me are the amount of money i've spent on it. bloody ridiculous.
  • damocles10
    damocles10 Posts: 340
    philbar72 wrote:
    Since restarting in 2012, improved fitness, weight loss and a bit of freedom from the daily grind.

    the negatives for me are the amount of money i've spent on it. bloody ridiculous.

    Cycling can be expensive, but, it's worth every penny in my opinion....Just came back from a 3 hour ride, Garmin 800 was clocking 16 degrees which is really good for March....such a nice day to be out on the bike with no arm or leg warmers. :)

    Tested the 80mm Campag bullet wheels with little wind.....very nice.
  • Rivers_Nick
    Rivers_Nick Posts: 15
    Sometimes I ask myself that question, mostly when going into a headwind / snow / sleet / hail-stones. But I know that when I get home and dry off and warm up I'll look back on what i did and be chuffed to bits with myself for doing it.

    When the weather's decent enough to not have to worry about the above... there's nothing like it for rediscovering the freedom offered to us as kids, riding around miles away from home, scrumping food out of orchards (or allotments :? ), drinking out of streams and feeling free for the 1st time. The only difference now being that I take food and a drink with me on rides!

    And then there are days like today, when everything just falls into place, the legs feel strong, the bike like silk, the roads not so pot-holed, the sun's shining, drivers being courteous :D , and hills flattening out. It's for days like this that I ride my bike.
  • damocles10
    damocles10 Posts: 340
    Rivers_Nick wrote:
    Sometimes I ask myself that question, mostly when going into a headwind / snow / sleet / hail-stones. But I know that when I get home and dry off and warm up I'll look back on what i did and be chuffed to bits with myself for doing it.

    When the weather's decent enough to not have to worry about the above... there's nothing like it for rediscovering the freedom offered to us as kids, riding around miles away from home, scrumping food out of orchards (or allotments :? ), drinking out of streams and feeling free for the 1st time. The only difference now being that I take food and a drink with me on rides!

    And then there are days like today, when everything just falls into place, the legs feel strong, the bike like silk, the roads not so pot-holed, the sun's shining, drivers being courteous :D , and hills flattening out. It's for days like this that I ride my bike.

    Totally agree with you, the only time riding is a challenge is in snow and sleet. Not being able to feel fingers, face and personal/private attachments is not good in my opinion.
  • Mikey23
    Mikey23 Posts: 5,306
    Because I'm 62 and I still can...
  • crumbschief
    crumbschief Posts: 3,399
    keef66 wrote:
    Keeping the weight down and maintaining some cardiovascular fitness are really side effects for me. The main reason I ride is for my mental health.

    Recurrent bouts of depression, medication giving only temporary relief, often the world is a bewildering, daunting, lonely place.

    Until I get on the bike. Then I am in complete control of what I do, where I go, what happens. The feeling of speeding along as a result of my own efforts is just so fulfilling; that of riding out in the cold, wind and rain so empowering.

    Without it I'd be in a room with no shoelaces and no sharp corners.

    Good words mate,no sharp corners here either,i'm also a fan of the wall of death and trying to stay up.
    We peddle in hope :)
  • johngti
    johngti Posts: 2,508
    It's the here and now; the feeling of being completely in the moment when there's no traffic and the only noises around you are the wind, the sounds of the countryside and the noise the frame makes as it vibrates in time with the work you're putting in. It's the fact that you're in tune with your bike and the feeling of being unstoppable; it's just like being a kid again.
  • Doony
    Doony Posts: 46
    johngti wrote:
    It's the here and now; the feeling of being completely in the moment when there's no traffic and the only noises around you are the wind, the sounds of the countryside and the noise the frame makes as it vibrates in time with the work you're putting in. It's the fact that you're in tune with your bike and the feeling of being unstoppable; it's just like being a kid again.

    Exactly this, I love the sense of freedom out on the roads, especially early Sunday mornings when noones around. I also love the feeling of satisfaction when you know you're on a good run, av speed is up, so you push that little harder.. and I can veg on the sofa guilt free.

    Also, it's the knowing nod you get from every cyclist you pass.. I don't think ever passed another cyclist and not got a wave or a nod, there's a certain comradery, like on a 110 mile charity ride I did last year in 40mph head winds, we were all in it together, and everyone cheered the other on as we crossed the line.

    I also love wasting copious amounts of time window shopping for new bling, gadgets, upgrades and shiny new shorts...none of it will really makes us go all that much faster if at all.. but we must have it regardless.
    2013 Felt F3 Di2
    2011 Cube Attempt
  • Bucksspeedyboy
    Bucksspeedyboy Posts: 59
    I have a pretty boring job now which I hate. I sit at a desk all day looking at a screen.

    The other night I went out for a ride round the lanes in the dark. As I usually do on my short mid-week rides I thrashed it round going as fast as I could- which always seems faster in the dark ( I did of course have lights!). For the first time for ages it wasn't cold, wet or windy, so I really pushed it. When I got home I felt on such a high, the first time I have felt that way for months...that's why I ride.
  • bmxboy10
    bmxboy10 Posts: 1,958
    I am 40 this week and have always had bikes since I was about three. I think its fair to say I am obsessed with bikes and my whole childhood seemed to have revolved around bikes and playing football. I ride my bike now for different reasons compared to when I was younger, mainly for mental health reasons. If I don't ride I find my anxiety gets worse and that's not good for me or my family. Trouble is I also feel cycling is a bit of a selfish pastime as I constantly feel guilty if I am out riding on a sunny Sunday afternoon knowing my two kids are at home and I am not with them - like all things in life its a trade off but the truth is I do it as much for them as I do it for me.

    For me you just cant beat that sound a bike makes on a sunny day down a quite surrey country lane - its about the only time that I am truly at peace with myself and like others have said you think only of riding the bike.
  • JackPozzi
    JackPozzi Posts: 1,191
    I've got a fetish for wearing lycra and being insulted by chavs. Cycling was the obvious choice...
  • rayjay
    rayjay Posts: 1,384
    I AM FABIAN CANCELLERA

Categories