Do you always ride flat out ?

[peanut]

I've noticed a trend in 'your ride today ' its like a pi**ing contest to see who does the most miles or who rides at the highest average speed.

Doesn't anybody just ride for pleasure any more ? just to see the sights and hear the sounds and smell the air and feel the wind in your face and the sun on your back .

I've become aware that I'm going out flat out myself lately like it mattered. Sure speed is exhilerating but I never seem to just go out and pootle anymore. Stop to look at a view or take a picture , I've decided to leave my computer at home for a few weeks and see what happens.

 

[ComedyPilot]

There is ALWAYS someone faster, longer, with more climbing. Leave them to it.

 

[HLaB]

There is ALWAYS someone faster, longer, with more climbing. Leave them to it.

+1 I tend to ride how I feel.

 

[marinyork]

No, basically. It's why I invariably post where I've been or distance rather than speed.

 

[Young Un]

yes, for me only a couple of rides a fortnight drop under 18 mph average.

 

[Jane Smart]

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

 

[PK99]

Absolutely!

The craik is as important as the cycling!

 

[Joe24]

Last year, most of my rides would be mid 18mph at least, which soon got to 19mph.
Now, however, ive changed slightly. I can go out on nice evenings/afternoons and just cruise along.
You need to do it every so often, or cycling just seems to turn into something you take too serious, and everytime you go for your bike, you just go out and do the same thing.
Ill either go out on the yellow fixed, or my normal fixed for a nice cruise along, or nip to the shops, and just have some fun

 

[Medic6666]

its how you feel

For me its all about how I feel..some rides I just want to enjoy the view and ride, othertimes (which is mainly) i am all out lets see if I can make it back home before I die.

Not conviced its good for me...but once I stop seeing black dots and can breath again I do feel good and the last 6months have done wonders to my recovery rate

I've always worked on the principle do what you enjoy.

 

[Keith Oates]

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[zimzum42]

I sometimes set out with the intention of cruising, but I just can't do it! I don't know why, I just end up nailing it...

The only exception was riding to work the other night when I really didn't want to be sweaty, but even then I ended up pushing it a little through some fun corners....

 

[lukesdad]

I try to have at least one ride a week where I can just cruise along taking in the lovely scenery where I live (usually my recovery ride) TROUBLE IS ITS SO DAMNED HILLY.

 

[beanzontoast]

To me, the whole point of cycling is not to be in the rush that the rest of the world seems to be in. Yes, there are times when I want to be at a place by a certain time and maintain a particular pace to do it, but in the main I don't like rushing; especially on my commute with the roads really busy, cycling flat out is a no-no for me.

 

[tordis]

To me, the whole point of cycling is not to be in the rush that the rest of the world seems to be in.

I'll second that. All you need to do not to be in a rush is just leave home at the right time. This is something that depends solely on your decision, while when you take the public transport, you never know what's going to happen. Even on my daily commute, which is not very scenic, I sometimes like to slow down and just enjoy the ride

 

[asterix]

I've noticed a trend in 'your ride today ' its like a pi**ing contest to see who does the most miles or who rides at the highest average speed..

.., I've decided to leave my computer at home for a few weeks and see what happens.

It was over 2 years ago that I left my cycle computer at home when the battery died. Next year I'll need to get a new one for when I do the Raid Pyrenean again. The 100 hour version this time.

The most useful feature is the gradient indicator:

20% rather steep
11% steep
7% nearly flat