What is cycling for?

[HJ]

Couldn't decide where to put this question, the Café seams as good a place as any.

So what is cycling for?

Reading some of the advice given in this forum it is very easy to get the impression that if you don't ride a road bike, wear lycra and a lid in a vain attempt to emulate a Pro Tour rider then you are not a real cyclist. Now I am not suggesting that there isn't a place for cycling as a sport, but it isn't the be all and end all of cycling. Surely there is a place leisure cycling and touring, or cycling in its purest form, as means of transport?

 

[Rhythm Thief]

The only real cyclists are those that use a bike as transport. Everyone else is a leisure cyclist.




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[Chrisz]

Of course there is - ergo the sections for touring & camping, commuting, MTBing etc.

To say that it's easy to get the impression that this forum is all about road cycling is (IMHO) displaying a certain lack of observation.

In fact, i usually find that the majority of the posts (New Posts) tend to be in categories other than road cycling!!

 

[John the Monkey]

1) Having fun
2) Getting to places
3) Getting fitter
4) Being able to eat what you like without worrying whether you'll still fit into your work trousers
5) Seeing places at a more human pace

That's what cycling's for for me, at least.

 

[tyred]

The only real cyclists are those that use a bike as transport. Everyone else is a leisure cyclist.




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I which case, I am a leisure cyclist.

 

[ianrauk]

spot on and would also like to add
6: Meeting a whole bunch of new friends

1) Having fun
2) Getting to places
3) Getting fitter
4) Being able to eat what you like without worrying whether you'll still fit into your work trousers
5) Seeing places at a more human pace

That's what cycling's for for me, at least.

 

[Chamfus Flange]

One thing I had forget from my school commuting (restarted in 2003 after 16 year gap) was, unlike most forms of motor transport you can chat to people along the way.



.

 

[John the Monkey]

spot and would also like to add
6: Meeting a whole bunch of new friends

7) And getting them to tell you how to set up your brakes properly/recommend 14 different tyres, when you only had a shortlist of two/convince you that you really NEED another bike...

 

[Arch]

Couldn't decide where to put this question, the Café seams as good a place as any.

So what is cycling for?

Reading some of the advice given in this forum it is very easy to get the impression that if you don't ride a road bike, wear lycra and a lid in a vain attempt to emulate a Pro Tour rider then you are not a real cyclist. Now I am not suggesting that there isn't a place for cycling as a sport, but it isn't the be all and end all of cycling. Surely there is a place leisure cycling and touring, or cycling in its purest form, as means of transport?

I don't think that's true. And if it is, it's because the gobbiest, loudest-shouting people on here happen to be the ones who think that's so... Maybe.

I don't think it is true anyway. As for cycling as a means of transport, what do you think Commuting is all about?

For me, cycling is getting about first, and then leisure. Sport doesn't figure at all - I rarely even watch it if I happen across it on telly...

 

[Noodley]

I don't think that's true....

I'd agree with that. I can't think of many posts where 'road riding lycra wearing pretend racers' try to put forward an elitist view. There are some parts of the forum where 'sport' figures but I'd say they were in the minority and most of the posts are sensible. There will of course be exceptions, but on the whole there is not an elitist feel to any part of the forum - apart from Commuters

Anyway, shouldn't this thread be in Racing or something?

 

[Landslide]

In no particular order...

• Feeling connected
• Freedom
• Experiencing our environment
• Polo
• Friends
• Fettling, creating
• Speed, thrills, exhilaration
• Exertion, satisfaction
• Staying fit
• Serotonins
• n+1
• Aesthetics vs practicality (a fine balance indeed)
• Fun
• Sanity

 

[Dayvo]

Mostly, for me, the three ´Fs´!

Fun
Freedom
Fitness

 

[TVC]

Cycling isn't a race, unless you want it to be.

 

[TheDoctor]

Sanity
Amity
Calamity!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Life