What is cycling to you?

[fossyant]

A number of my wife's friends (her swimming bunch) asked if 'he' is going to give it up... I've had some big accidents.

My wife now understands. She's picked up the bug for wild swimming/dipping (not for me though) and she said to the various groups she 'dips' with, that it's just like us being told we can't go swimming. Then it clicked. Many see cycling as extreme - it's not, but sometimes you get a very bad injury.

We now go camping and stuff with one of the swimming groups regular. Two of the husbands come, and we have a good laugh. Lots of varied backgrounds but one goal to enjoy outdoors. We've got a good group of folk we love to catch up with. I'm the only cyclist, I'll dip if it's summer, one bloke tinkers with fixing others bikes but doesn't ride, but will swim, the other bloke doesn't do either, but he's a great laugh. Ages are 50-70. The main 'link' is liking the outdoors. That's it.

 

[matticus]

I used to cycle 12 miles to work, 30 odd at work, and 12 home, day after day, month after month. The Inspector, a Sandhurst graduate, used to say, "Good show!"

He sounds like a top chap!

 

[simongt]

People are amazed if you’ve cycled 10 miles.

Some years ago when I was a warehouse person and cycled the couple3 of miles to work, I was asked If I'd be happy doing a secondment at another of the firm's warehouses on the other side of the city; about five miles from home.
Yup I said, nae bother, then the manager looked at me and in all seriousness said 'You cycle to work, will the extra distance be an issue - ?'
Yew wot - ? I thought - !
Ten years later I was doing the 25 mile round trip to another of the firm's warehouses for ten years until I 'moved on'- !
Yup, I cycle to work - !

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Yup I said, nae bother, then the manager looked at me and in all seriousness

You do wonder if they need assistance getting to their car in the car park. It shocking what being “able“ means to many. A very low bar when they say “some one is fit and able”.

 

[VinSumRox]

Some years ago when I was a warehouse person and cycled the couple3 of miles to work, I was asked If I'd be happy doing a secondment at another of the firm's warehouses on the other side of the city; about five miles from home.
Yup I said, nae bother, then the manager looked at me and in all seriousness said 'You cycle to work, will the extra distance be an issue - ?'
Yew wot - ? I thought - !
Ten years later I was doing the 25 mile round trip to another of the firm's warehouses for ten years until I 'moved on'- !
Yup, I cycle to work - !

Everybody needs non cycling friends who are amazed at cycling anything over 10miles!

 

[ianrauk]

Everybody needs non cycling friends who are amazed at cycling anything over 10miles!

10 MILES!?..Heavens above.

 

[VinSumRox]

10 MILES!?..Heavens above.

Exactly

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

10 MILES!?..Heavens above.

Yup - that's what people say to me
I have lied to some people and not mentioned by normal loop is 20+ miles just to spare them the heart strain of thinking about it

Good job they didn;t ask me how far I went when I was teenager!!

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

10 MILES!?..Heavens above.

I have to cycle close to that to get to the top of my closest cat 4 hill (263+ feet at 3%+ average), Beeches Hill in Bishop's Waltham!

 

[PaulSB]

Throughout my twenties and thirties and into my forties, club cycling was my whole life. Which is why, in my sixties, I find it so disappointing that clubs have no place for the likes of me now.

While I wouldn't say it was my whole life much of my riding between age 40 - 62 (when I retired) was club riding. In retirement I have increasingly ridden with a close group of friends during the week. We dip in and out of our club's weekend rides.

I find my club doesn't really have a place for me these days. Yes, there are rides to join but often the ride doesn't match the advertised pace etc. In the last five years much of the etiquette of club riding has disappeared, many newer members simply don't understand the disciplines of club riding. Whenever this is raised riders claim to observe the basics, then I watch them ride.

One response is "we always wait for people." Two things about this phrase; it's deeply offensive towards the individual and, if the group rode correctly, wouldn't be necessary.

When we join a club ride it's for one of two reasons; the mid-week rides didn't happen or out of sheer devilment..........just to prove that in our late 60s/early 70s we can still hack it with riders 15 - 20 years younger..........if we feel like doing it.

The harsh reality of my club though is it has changed from being known for its friendly inclusiveness to being a "fast" club. That's bad news.

 

[Drago]

I dont ride in a group simply as its too dangerous. Being trained to a professional standard at group riding it sets my teeth on edge, and BC and CUKold group leaders are so far up their own arses in their ignorance im surprised they dont turn inside out.

Its safer when I've only myself to worry about.

Even with friends, unless theyre similarly trained (I occasionally ride with two that are) I prefer to ride alone and meet up at the bacon roll stop.

 

[mikeIow]

Thank you.

Also sorry to hear of the no-mojo there. No idea of a “solution”, other than finding ways to be happier doing other things 🤷‍♂️
Not sure what part of the world you’re in. Mostly Midlands (Leics) cycling for me, not seen any awful driving behaviours to put me off, some nice backroads & plenty of off roads. I sometimes use cycle.travel to plan a route - you can pop in your address and let it suggest a ride for a distance you define: I bet it would find a nice road/track you’ve never been on 💪

I am very much a fair weather cyclist. Weather here can also be gorgeous….just rarely this time of year 🤣

Heading out in wild winds or drizzly rain doesn’t fill me with enthusiasm. Never joined any clubs or pedal with big groups. Happy on my own, or with some friends if it is a shorter local ride. And a cafe, or pub near the end: makes it all worthwhile 👍

Good luck 🙏

 

[Gwylan]

I dont ride in a group simply as its too dangerous. Being trained to a professional standard at group riding it sets my teeth on edge, and BC and CUKold group leaders are so far up their own arses in their ignorance im surprised they dont turn inside out.

Its safer when I've only myself to worry about.

Even with friends, unless theyre similarly trained (I occasionally ride with two that are) I prefer to ride alone and meet up at the bacon roll stop.

I do wonder if I'm as spacially unaware as some the few people I cycle with.
One, a long term friend I've also skied with is totally unaware. Wanders across the road, changes speed or stops spontaneously, doesn't read the traffic. Requires hydration and then disposal.
I've learned to keep about 10m space at least. Leading or following there is no better safe zone.
On the other hand I am a paragon of cycling virtue. I suppose my example is too hard for normal humans to follow.

 

[lazybloke]

One response is "we always wait for people." Two things about this phrase; it's deeply offensive towards the individual and, if the group rode correctly, wouldn't be necessary.

Deeply offensive?

 

[PaulSB]

Deeply offensive?

Yes, that's right. If someone says to me "Don't worry we'll wait for you" it implies I'm not good enough, fast enough to keep up and that the group is going to show no consideration for others on the ride.

I know my level, I don't join rides in which I can't hold my own. So to effectively tell me I'm not good enough really pisses me off.

lazybloke "can I join your ride?"
Paul "no, you're not good enough"

That's effectively what "we'll wait for you" means.