Road Cycling · Public discussion

Why do we ride?

Started by gs12 · · Last activity · 27 posts · 1,789 views

← Back to Road Cycling

This thread is locked and is currently read-only.

Thread navigation

Jump through the discussion

Go to the original post, the replies on this page, or the latest preserved contribution.

01 / Original postWhy do we ride?gs12 · 12 Aug 2013 02 / This pagePosts 1–20Page 1 of 2 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #27Corzhens · 7 Aug 2015

Thread details

What we know about this thread

Original section
Road Cycling
Published
12 August 2013
Last activity
7 August 2015
Original author
gs12
Posts
27
Discussion status
Public discussion
Total views
1,789
Views / 30 days
4
Topics
Urban ridingTouring

The navigation and discussion metadata provide context. Posts remain in their original chronological order.

Showing posts 1–20 of 27
Posts remain in their original chronological order.

Text size
  1. Original post
    gs12
    Archived post
    #1

    I've thought about this a lot, why do we ride? Obviously, we love it...or at least like it a lot. But there has got to be a deeper reason, a reason we are motivated to suffer up long climbs, on hot days, deal with injuries et al.

    For me, i think it's boiled down to simply this. I like the person I am when i ride. It's not that i don't like myself, or love being a father etc. But, the sense of feeling strong, young (again), and challenging myself - i think that's why i ride. Plus, the thrill of the breeze in your face on a ascent, or sense of acomplishment when done.

    Why do you ride?

    Report
  2. Wyley
    Archived post
    #2

    I completely relate to what you said about the sense of feeling strong, young and being challenged. To push your body to limits it may not have felt before. To know when you feel like you have nothing left to give, and 3 miles left on the ride, that somehow you do it. I love the exhausted feeling at the end of the ride. And I love that it's just me I rely on to get me to the finish, no one else. It's a whole new level of independence. And of course, the breeze on the downhill run is awesome, as is riding around with no hands like I was a kid again. 😉

    Report
  3. jdritzer
    Archived post
    #3

    I think pushing ourselves to our limits is what makes us really feel alive.

    Report
  4. alienator
    Archived post
    #4

    I don't know that the reasons for riding are or can be the same every day.

    Report
  5. Volnix
    Archived post
    #5

    Ok I thought about it a bit too... [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG] Basically, I think that for me its a "physics & engineering acid trip" [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG].

    I dont mind the exercise either, I sleep much better on cycling days... (If I stay away from beer after lololol).

    Plus its really fun to be able to go places with a simple, fast and fun way. [IMG]files.cyclingforums.comsmile.png[/IMG]

    A bit of adventure there as well. [IMG]files.cyclingforums.comsmile.png[/IMG]

    I really like this "Alber Einstein" quote about the bicycle. I think it was something like:

    "The bicycle for walking, is what the computer is for thinking". Or something like that. [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG]

    Report
  6. leroy1010
    Archived post
    #6

    Just becaues i like riding.Follow my heart.

    Report
  7. jkash
    Archived post
    #7

    I started riding a bicycle again about a year ago after many years of not touching one. I loved it instantly. It was the first time I had ridden a bike because I wanted and not had to since I was very young. After a short time with my Big 5 special, I got a much better bike at a local bike store. I simply love the feeling I have when I am riding the bike. It is so freeing; kind of like flying. I ride about nine miles a day before school and a little more on the weekend. This is plenty for me to get a good amount of exercise, which is another reason I ride.

    Report
  8. jkash
    Archived post
    #8

    [IMG]cyclingforums.com1000[/IMG]

    Albert on his bike.

    Report
  9. gs12
    Archived post
    #9

    Physics and Engineering Acid Trip? I want to ride with you man!

    lol

    Report
  10. jkash
    Archived post
    #10
    Quoted post said:

    Originally Posted by gs12 [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

    Physics and Engineering Acid Trip? I want to ride with you man!

    lol


    [IMG]cyclingforums.com700[/IMG]

    Report
  11. Volnix
    Archived post
    #11
    Quoted post said:

    Originally Posted by gs12 [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

    Physics and Engineering Acid Trip? I want to ride with you man!

    lol

    haha! 🙂 On your next visit to Europe send me a message. [IMG]files.cyclingforums.comsmile.png[/IMG]

    I know some very good descents [IMG]files.cyclingforums.comsmile.png[/IMG]

    I wanna go again to this place I was once in Austria. They had a lift to get you all the way to the top of this hill-mountain thing. There was a cafe there... and then was a crazy descent... [IMG]files.cyclingforums.comsmile.png[/IMG]

    Report
  12. CAMPYBOB
    Archived post
    #12

    Come to Arizona and do the downhill run from Flagstaff to Sedona thru the Coconino (or on down to Cottonwood). Ignore the dirty hippies and Crystal Worshippers in Sedona and wait for the NAU truck to haul you back up to Flag.

    Of course, while you're there, you'll have to go meet alien. Wait. Maybe Greece ain't so bad, after all...

    Report
  13. Volnix
    Archived post
    #13
    Quoted post said:

    Originally Posted by CAMPYBOB [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

    Come to Arizona and do the downhill run from Flagstaff to Sedona thru the Coconino (or on down to Cottonwood). Ignore the dirty hippies and Crystal Worshippers in Sedona and wait for the NAU truck to haul you back up to Flag.

    Of course, while you're there, you'll have to go meet alien. Wait. Maybe Greece ain't so bad, after all...

    Hmmm I wanna go to all these places but unfortunately still job-less... Hopefully I will find something from September...

    Ah no... I am not "qualified" to meet Aliens... I should have a "qualification" that starts with the word "Psych-" to meet him! [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG]

    Greece aint bad at all... If I was rich I would live in Greece too! [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG] One of the best places to spend your money... If you have any! [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG] Making some money... Not as good... [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG]

    Thats a nice place: [IMG]files.cyclingforums.comwink.png[/IMG]

    [IMG]cyclingforums.com1000[/IMG]

    [IMG]cyclingforums.com1000[/IMG]

    [IMG]cyclingforums.com1000[/IMG]

    [IMG]cyclingforums.com1000[/IMG]

    Report
  14. gs12
    Archived post
    #14

    Beautiful pics....count me in on a ride;-)

    And if i get to Europe again, besides Amsterdam;-), i look you up!

    Report
  15. Volnix
    Archived post
    #15
    Quoted post said:

    Originally Posted by gs12 [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

    Beautiful pics....count me in on a ride;-)

    And if i get to Europe again, besides Amsterdam;-), i look you up!

    Amsterdam??? Amsterdam is full of crazies... Especially near the station...

    If you start going "old" [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG] like me try this place:

    Its called "Kinderdyke" or something...

    [IMG]cyclingforums.com1000[/IMG]

    ...and this city is not bad at all either:

    Its called Dortrecht, I think its the oldest city in the Netherlands

    [IMG]cyclingforums.com1000[/IMG]

    [IMG]cyclingforums.com1000[/IMG]
    [IMG]cyclingforums.com1000[/IMG]

    They are both near Rotterdam.

    Ofcourse if you miss having crazed up people screaming "Craaaack and Heeeeeeeeeroin, I am selling Craaaaaaaaaack and Heeeeeeeeeeeroin" underneath your hotel window and being uneasy when walking certain streets at night with the fear of getting "jacked" you can always catch a train to amsterdam. [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG] But you dont have to -live- there...[IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.png[/IMG]

    Report
  16. gs12
    Archived post
    #16

    Rotterdam looks amazing, would love to do a bike tour in europe someday, on the bucket list..

    Report
  17. Volnix
    Archived post
    #17
    Quoted post said:

    Originally Posted by gs12 [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

    Rotterdam looks amazing, would love to do a bike tour in europe someday, on the bucket list..

    Rotterdam is good... far far away from the station... They built all the ugly glass and metal structures around there... But about 15min walk away from the station its a normal city again...

    Report
  18. schmeg
    Archived post
    #18

    I ride to work every day (140 miles a week) because at 52 years old I was heading for a heart attack and needed to get control of my health.
    Now riding is becoming an obsession. It is a lifestyle change to a degree, Unfortunately here in the states, biking is nowhere near as popular as
    it is in Europe, so our road system and auto driver mentality isn't as friendly.

    Report
  19. gs12
    Archived post
    #19

    I noticed that as well, everybody rides a bike in Europe (or at least, the places i've been).

    Like you, biking has become an obsession for me as well. I also think there is something about the zen like quality of biking on an early morning, when all you are focusing on is shifting-breathing-road. It simplifies things, and cuts down all the daily 'noise'.

    Enjoy!

    Report
  20. schmeg
    Archived post
    #20

    Well said.

    Report

Related discussions

Closely matching published threads from Road Cycling.

01Who is your all-time favorite rider in the Critérium du Dauphiné and why? 10 replies · 135 views02Who is your all-time favorite Spring Classics rider and why? 8 replies · 95 views03What is the most iconic climb in the Tour de France, and why is it feared by riders? 19 replies · 477 views04Which Spring Classic do you think is the most challenging for the riders and why? 14 replies · 388 views05What is the most challenging climb in the Tour de France, and why is it feared by riders? 10 replies · 324 views06Which week-long stage race do you think is the most challenging for the riders and why? 9 replies · 387 views

Keep exploring

Browse the sectionRoad Cycling Return to CyclingForumsStart at the home page Search discussionsFind another thread

Active in the last 60 minutes

Active in this thread

0 users · 0 guests ·0 bots ·0 total

No signed-in users are active right now.

No known search crawlers active right now.