Cycling addictive?

Gary Fritz said:

While I generally enjoy riding, it has never gotten anywhere close to the
"addictive" stage. With my time limited (work, kids, etc) it seems like
I'm lucky to get on the bike once every week or two.

Maybe try and make cycling more a part of your everyday activities,
where you do Useful Stuff on the bike as well as recreational riding.

For example, take the kids to school on a bike, pick up groceries etc.

Quoted message said:

More exercise would be a Good Thing for me. I'm nearly 50 and I would
benefit from it. But instead of taking any excuse to go for a ride, I'm
more likely to make excuses to NOT ride: I have work to do, it's windy,
it's cold, it's hot, there's always something.

The more you ride the more you know the excuses don't really matter.
It's cold... cycling is a great way to generate heat. It's hot... then
you should be outside with the wind in your hair (if you have any!) and
so on.

Quoted message said:

Seems like there are at
least as many not-fun moments (fighting a dusty headwind, climbing a
nasty hill, risking my life alongside psychotic drivers, whatever) as
there are fun moments, so I seem to have no shortage of excuses.

Every uphill generally has a linked downhill. Adversity overcome is a
feelgood.

Quoted message said:

So how can I enjoy this elusive "biking high" that has so many of you
hooked?

The more you ride, the better it feels. It feeds itself, but the
problem is getting to the point where the feedback cycle cuts in.
Before you get there you don't ride because it's a chore, and it's a
chore because you don't ride... By building cycling in to the way you
do Useful Stuff you get some of the miles in without having to go out of
your way so much.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Gary Fritz said:

In the 'question of values' thread said:

Cycling is an addictive activity. I would prefer to ride as well.

This raises an interesting question. I think probably most of the people
who follow this group would agree with Ken -- that's why they enjoy
cycling so much and are willing to spend $$$ on expensive bikes.

My question is: how can I MAKE cycling more addictive?

While I generally enjoy riding, it has never gotten anywhere close to the
"addictive" stage. With my time limited (work, kids, etc) it seems like
I'm lucky to get on the bike once every week or two. Things would of
course be very different if I couldn't wait for my next ride, and stole
every opportunity to sneak away on my bike. But I can't even seem to
motivate myself to hop on my recumbent exercycle while I watch a movie in
my home theater.

I am not sure how cycling becomes addictive. I personally think it is a
personal trait rather than a cycling thing. If i didn't cycle as much as
I do, I would probably have some other activity that would fill the void.

Quoted message said:

More exercise would be a Good Thing for me. I'm nearly 50 and I would
benefit from it. But instead of taking any excuse to go for a ride, I'm
more likely to make excuses to NOT ride: I have work to do, it's windy,
it's cold, it's hot, there's always something. Seems like there are at
least as many not-fun moments (fighting a dusty headwind, climbing a
nasty hill, risking my life alongside psychotic drivers, whatever) as
there are fun moments, so I seem to have no shortage of excuses.

I think some of what makes ridning addictive for me is the feeling that
I get while riding, the release of the endorphines that the body creates
and releases during exercise. It's almost like a natural high.

Quoted message said:

Getting my 'bent (2000 V-Rex) got rid of a bunch of excuses not to ride,
but once the novelty wore off, I found myself riding almost as little as
I did with the uncomfortable upright.

So how can I enjoy this elusive "biking high" that has so many of you
hooked?

Gary

Make it a habit. Ride more. At every opportunity. Take the V-Rex to the
grocery store instead of the car. Commute to work(if possible or
practical). Steal an hour after dinner for a quick ride. Etc. Etc. Etc.
You may eventually become addicted.

Ken
--
New cycling jersey: $49
new cycling shorts: $39
Not being a slave to the petrol pump: priceless.

quote='Ken C. M.'Gary Fritz said:

My question is: how can I MAKE cycling more addictive?

While I generally enjoy riding, it has never gotten anywhere close to the
"addictive" stage. With my time limited (work, kids, etc) it seems like
I'm lucky to get on the bike once every week or two. Things would of
course be very different if I couldn't wait for my next ride, and stole
every opportunity to sneak away on my bike. But I can't even seem to
motivate myself to hop on my recumbent exercycle while I watch a movie in
my home theater.

[/QUOTE]
We got hooked from frustration at not having the legs to keep up and enjoy on group rides. We set a goal of three rides per week, ~25 miles each ride. Between all the distractions we are able to do 2 and sometimes all 3. Lots of suggestions that we need to log 2,000 miles to really develop our legs. At over 500 I can state that the change is already very gratifying.

At around 350 miles on the training runs our legs really started to let us know when we missed a ride.

Now, it's not just the legs, our psych wants the release too.

So, set a realistic goal and pursue it. The body will soon adjust and the mind will follow. Peters' suggestions above are good if you can do them. Where I live the "in town" drivers scare me in my old pickup, no way am I getting out with them on a bike. Out on the rural roads is a different thing. Have yet to have a negative comment or anything, except the top to a bikini, thrown at me.

That top kind of changed my mind about what certain people think about bent riders. The power of a big smile I suppose.

Ken C. M. said:

I am not sure how cycling becomes addictive. I personally think it is
a personal trait rather than a cycling thing. If i didn't cycle as
much as I do, I would probably have some other activity that would
fill the void.

I've wondered about that. Not being a real energetic or obsessive type,
it's real easy for me to slide into inactivity. I have to flog myself to
do any kind of exercise. (Fortunately I stay slim and pretty fit even
with very little exercise -- 6'4", 175lbs.)

Is cycling-addiction just a specific form of exercise-addiction for
people who are already addicted (or prone to addiction) to vigorous
exercise of ANY type? And is that enjoyable addiction even possible for
people who are NOT prone to it?

Quoted message said:

I think some of what makes ridning addictive for me is the feeling
that I get while riding, the release of the endorphines that the body
creates and releases during exercise. It's almost like a natural high.

Sounds great. I've never experienced it, with cycling, hiking, running
(very little of that), or any other steady form of exercise. Closest
thing I can think of is the high I used to get downhill skiing. Bashing
down the steepest mogul runs for 6-7 hours gets you plenty of exercise,
but the rush is probably more adrenaline than endorphins. And it's not
the sort of thing you can do very often.

Quoted message said:

Make it a habit. Ride more. At every opportunity. Take the V-Rex to
the grocery store instead of the car.

Shopping for a family of 4 isn't very practical on a bike. I sold the
Burley a few years ago.

Quoted message said:

Commute to work(if possible or practical).

My V-Rex doesn't handle stairs well. (I work in my basement office. :-)

Quoted message said:

Steal an hour after dinner for a quick ride. Etc. Etc.
Etc. You may eventually become addicted.

Maybe. Maybe it's just a matter of doing it until you can't stand to not
do it. Or maybe that only works if you're already the exercise-addicted
type.

I've never gotten there but maybe I've just never ridden enough. I think
about 5-600 miles in one season is about the most I've ever ridden. But
at my typical poky pace (average maybe 13mph over the long run) that's a
whole lot of rides, about a 2 hour ride every week for 5 months.

If I rode 2-3 times a week for an hour or two, then after a few months
maybe I'd start to get that enjoyable "high." Or maybe I'd find I'd
spent dozens of hours away from my family doing something that wasn't all
that much fun, without any of the longer-term benefits. If it never
really starts to be enjoyable, then eventually I'll backslide into the
"almost never riding" mode I'm already in.

I'm just reluctant to accept the "keep cycling until it feels good" idea
because I've done it before (though maybe not enough) and it didn't work
then. And it's a very big commitment of time and energy to give it
another shot and see if it works any better this time. I guess I'm
trying to find out is if "keep it up until it feels good" really DOES
work for everybody, or only people with certain physical or mental
characteristics.

Gary

Gary Fritz said:

Ken C. M. said:

I am not sure how cycling becomes addictive. I personally think it is
a personal trait rather than a cycling thing. If i didn't cycle as
much as I do, I would probably have some other activity that would
fill the void.

I've wondered about that. Not being a real energetic or obsessive type,
it's real easy for me to slide into inactivity. I have to flog myself to
do any kind of exercise. (Fortunately I stay slim and pretty fit even
with very little exercise -- 6'4", 175lbs.)

Is cycling-addiction just a specific form of exercise-addiction for
people who are already addicted (or prone to addiction) to vigorous
exercise of ANY type? And is that enjoyable addiction even possible for
people who are NOT prone to it?

Quoted message said:

I think some of what makes ridning addictive for me is the feeling
that I get while riding, the release of the endorphines that the body
creates and releases during exercise. It's almost like a natural high.

Sounds great. I've never experienced it, with cycling, hiking, running
(very little of that), or any other steady form of exercise. Closest
thing I can think of is the high I used to get downhill skiing. Bashing
down the steepest mogul runs for 6-7 hours gets you plenty of exercise,
but the rush is probably more adrenaline than endorphins. And it's not
the sort of thing you can do very often.

Quoted message said:

Make it a habit. Ride more. At every opportunity. Take the V-Rex to
the grocery store instead of the car.

Shopping for a family of 4 isn't very practical on a bike. I sold the
Burley a few years ago.

Quoted message said:

Commute to work(if possible or practical).

My V-Rex doesn't handle stairs well. (I work in my basement office. :-)

Quoted message said:

Steal an hour after dinner for a quick ride. Etc. Etc.
Etc. You may eventually become addicted.

Maybe. Maybe it's just a matter of doing it until you can't stand to not
do it. Or maybe that only works if you're already the exercise-addicted
type.

I've never gotten there but maybe I've just never ridden enough. I think
about 5-600 miles in one season is about the most I've ever ridden. But
at my typical poky pace (average maybe 13mph over the long run) that's a
whole lot of rides, about a 2 hour ride every week for 5 months.

If I rode 2-3 times a week for an hour or two, then after a few months
maybe I'd start to get that enjoyable "high." Or maybe I'd find I'd
spent dozens of hours away from my family doing something that wasn't all
that much fun, without any of the longer-term benefits. If it never
really starts to be enjoyable, then eventually I'll backslide into the
"almost never riding" mode I'm already in.

I'm just reluctant to accept the "keep cycling until it feels good" idea
because I've done it before (though maybe not enough) and it didn't work
then. And it's a very big commitment of time and energy to give it
another shot and see if it works any better this time. I guess I'm
trying to find out is if "keep it up until it feels good" really DOES
work for everybody, or only people with certain physical or mental
characteristics.

Gary

Hi Gary,
I think you are thinking too much. It's just a bike! If you don't want
to ride, don't. If you can work some rides into your daily routine,
hey, that's great. Can you ride with your family? Riding to the store
will just take more trips, or just pick up some milk and bread (or
whatever.) Just an excuse to get out that is also usefull.

But it is just one form of excercise - which you said you need. Find a
type of exercise that you find enjoyable. Go for a walk or a jog.
(Running won't take as long to get your few km in.) Try a few types of
sports. Join a club for support and company. (ie: Running Room stores
have group runs Wednesdays and Sundays.)

If you'll permit a wild idea: cancel your cable (at least for the nice
summer months.) You may get out and do more things? How much time do
you spend watching TV per day? It will free you up to do other things.
Colin

Gary Fritz <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

My question is: how can I MAKE cycling more addictive?

I am addicted to mountain biking, the concentration required, the quiet of
no cars roaring by, lots of things. I'm not able to mountain bike as often
as I would like though so I ride to work 2 days a week to keep my legs up.
I have to admit I don't enjoy road riding anywhere as much as on trails but
every mile I grind away to work is that much stronger I'll be off road.

Like others said try a bunch of stuff, walking, roller blading, running,
swimming. Anything to get the old heart pumping. After a while it's less
like work and just enjoyable outdoor activity. Good Luck.

Kirk.

Hull 697 said:

We got hooked from frustration at not having the legs to keep up and
enjoy on group rides. We set a goal of three rides per week, ~25 miles
each ride. Between all the distractions we are able to do 2 and
sometimes all 3. Lots of suggestions that we need to log 2,000 miles
to really develop our legs. At over 500 I can state that the change is
already very gratifying.

At around 350 miles on the training runs our legs really started to let
us know when we missed a ride.

Now, it's not just the legs, our psych wants the release too.

So, set a realistic goal and pursue it. The body will soon adjust and
the mind will follow. Peters' suggestions above are good if you can do
them. Where I live the "in town" drivers scare me in my old pickup, no
way am I getting out with them on a bike. Out on the rural roads is a
different thing. Have yet to have a negative comment or anything,
except the top to a bikini, thrown at me.

I have never had any female clothing thrown at me, but I did get flashed
by two 20 something girls once. That made my whole ride.

Ken
--
New cycling jersey: $49
new cycling shorts: $39
Not being a slave to the petrol pump: priceless.

Gary Fritz said:

I've wondered about that. Not being a real energetic or obsessive type,
it's real easy for me to slide into inactivity. I have to flog myself to
do any kind of exercise. (Fortunately I stay slim and pretty fit even
with very little exercise -- 6'4", 175lbs.)

Is cycling-addiction just a specific form of exercise-addiction for
people who are already addicted (or prone to addiction) to vigorous
exercise of ANY type? And is that enjoyable addiction even possible for
people who are NOT prone to it?

It's possible that I just have the addiction gene, it does run in the
family. However I have managed to channel it into something not-so
destructive as others in my family have.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I think some of what makes ridning addictive for me is the feeling
that I get while riding, the release of the endorphines that the body
creates and releases during exercise. It's almost like a natural high.

Sounds great. I've never experienced it, with cycling, hiking, running
(very little of that), or any other steady form of exercise. Closest
thing I can think of is the high I used to get downhill skiing. Bashing
down the steepest mogul runs for 6-7 hours gets you plenty of exercise,
but the rush is probably more adrenaline than endorphins. And it's not
the sort of thing you can do very often.

Yeah that would probably be the same feeling. Of course I am an
adventure junkie. Another goal of mine is the hike the Appalachian trail.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Steal an hour after dinner for a quick ride. Etc. Etc.
Etc. You may eventually become addicted.

Maybe. Maybe it's just a matter of doing it until you can't stand to not
do it. Or maybe that only works if you're already the exercise-addicted
type.

I've never gotten there but maybe I've just never ridden enough. I think
about 5-600 miles in one season is about the most I've ever ridden. But
at my typical poky pace (average maybe 13mph over the long run) that's a
whole lot of rides, about a 2 hour ride every week for 5 months.

Thats not that bad. I'd just try to increase the time on the bike and
not worry about speed or distance.

Quoted message said:

If I rode 2-3 times a week for an hour or two, then after a few months
maybe I'd start to get that enjoyable "high." Or maybe I'd find I'd
spent dozens of hours away from my family doing something that wasn't all
that much fun, without any of the longer-term benefits. If it never
really starts to be enjoyable, then eventually I'll backslide into the
"almost never riding" mode I'm already in.

Maybe you can get the family to go with you on some of the rides. That
way you'll be with them and they may find that they like riding, and
that may help to make it a fun family activity.

Quoted message said:

I'm just reluctant to accept the "keep cycling until it feels good" idea
because I've done it before (though maybe not enough) and it didn't work
then. And it's a very big commitment of time and energy to give it
another shot and see if it works any better this time. I guess I'm
trying to find out is if "keep it up until it feels good" really DOES
work for everybody, or only people with certain physical or mental
characteristics.

Gary

I think the "keep riding till it feels good" probably only works for
some people. But I say keep trying.

Ken
--
New cycling jersey: $49
new cycling shorts: $39
Not being a slave to the petrol pump: priceless.

Quoted message said:

I think you are thinking too much.

Very possible. :-)

Quoted message said:

Can you ride with your family?

My wife refuses to get on a bike. My kids are 9 and 11 and I've been
trying to get them to ride with me for years. When they go, they want to
go on short slow rides -- nice time spent with them, but no exercise for
me. Some year...

Quoted message said:

If you'll permit a wild idea: cancel your cable (at least for the nice
summer months.) You may get out and do more things? How much time do
you spend watching TV per day? It will free you up to do other things.

I haven't watched a program consistently since Babylon 5 went off the air,
almost 8 years ago. I almost never watch anything on TV. I watch maybe 1-
2 movies a week. But most of my movie-watching time is either pretty good
quality time with my kids and/or during winter or after dark (not good
riding time). And sometimes I ride the exercycle while I watch.

Now if I cut out all email, forums, and newsgroups, that would have an
impact.... :-)

Gary