Do you always ride flat out ?

[Mr Pig]

I used to push myself all the time. I'd do the same routes and try to beat my last time and push harder towards the end so that I collapsed at the back door! The guy I went out with was very competitive, it was always a race.

I never do that now. The guys I ride with now are much less competitive, no one keeps track of miles or times, so it's much more relaxed. Having said that they're terrible for 'let's just add this extra bit' so you plan on twenty-miles and end up doing thirty but we're all getting on a bit so need to take it easy ;0)

 

[Toshiba Boy]

Have always been guilty of pushing, further, faster etc.

But have ridden for past 3 years sans computer, and just listen to what my body is saying (slow down you fool).

Still catch myself pushing it too much sometimes + as a previous poster mentioned, it is also damned hilly round these parts (Quantocks/Exmoor), but on the whole, more laid back nowadays (I even stop occasionally now)

 

[paddy01]

99% of my riding is done solo, and so I tend to push on a bit, especially as for me the act of cycling itself is what I find relaxing as much as the scenery I'm in.

Quite happy to wind off the gas though like yesterday, 36 miles into my ride met up with a couple of mates out for a bimble. Had a very nice hour and half with them doing something like 11 or 12mph as opposed to my usual solo of 16.

Just bumbling along the lanes of Devon, chatting and giving encouragement to one of the guys as he'd just started cycling.

 

[Panter]

When I go out, I push myself every time, wish I didn't but hey ho.

I am not very good though, so probably that is why I am hard on myself

I find it easy to cruise and take in the sights until someone overtakes, then there is only one option!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

However most of my rides are for a reason, get to work, catch a ferry, make a distance, make an average, etc. so mostly I'm pushing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

+1 on both counts.

I have tried to kick back and take in the sights but I just can't do it, not solo anyway.

Thing is, my average speed is so pathetically low that if I went any slower intentionally I'd never get anywhere

 

[mr Mag00]

no

 

[gbb]

I ALWAYS used to push myself...flat out (and still do 80% of the time).
I worked on the principle you would never get fitter if you didnt....and conversely, if you start to relax too often, you'll lose some of the fitness you've worked so hard to build up.
Then you'll naturally go into another state of mind...fkit, enjoy the ride....and that's fine too.
If you want to hammer it...do so.
If you want to take it easy...do so. However you feel at the time.

I'd also say, some say 'take it easy and enjoy the ride'...when i hammered myself, i still enjoyed it, just in a different way. The buzz of knocking X time off a circuit, or upping your MPH average was very very enjoyable.

Neither way's wrong, neither way's right.

Going back to the losing fitness if you take it steady....2 years ago i was hammering myself, i had noticeably larger thighs. Over the last two years, i still go for it, but not quite as hard or often....i sat in the bath last night and looked at my thighs...

 

[peanut]

no

NO no..no..no..no..no. Yes

 

[Jane Smart]

NO no..no..no..no..no. Yes

hahahaha!!

 

[Gerry Attrick]

It depends upon the bike I ride. If on my tourer, there is nothing which will make me rush about, even though it is a light (audax) type. However, if I am riding my road bike, try as I might, I cannot take my time and have to push every inch. God knows why!

 

[TVC]

For me it's about the pain - I like the pain.

 

[3-IN-One]

Flat out every time,I,ve got to the nite before I had far to much beer.

 

[dodgy]

I'm always going faster than I'd feel completely comfortable at. For me, I get pleasure from being out on the bike and that feeling of post hard bike ride contentment you get when you've pushed yourself. I don't not see the scenery just because I'm riding fast.
If you want to pootle, go right ahead, but I want to get fitter and faster

 

[galaxy1]

When I'm commuting ( or cycling in general ) by myself I just tend to daydream a bit and just pootle along .If I'm riding with somebody I tend to go much faster but it is nice just to not be in a rush and take in the sight,sounds and smells.Just watching the world go by..

 

[addictfreak]

Depends what im doing and on which bike. Short distance on my roadie (10-15 miles) then its head down and go for it. But if im out for the day its about keeping something in the tank for climbs etc.
MTB wise, for me it all about a nice scenic route at a moderate pace so I can enjoy the view.

 

[Sittingduck]

Commuting I pretty much always push it. Seems like I should put in as much effort as I can muster because of the fairly short distance. Weekend rides are more about distance or duration if solo and a lot slower and social if in a group.