What is cycling to you?

[Gwylan]

When I rocked up at Port Eynon hostel, the warden was so chuffed to hear that I'd cycled all the way down from Essex she went and fetched her mate to come and have a chat too.
When I rang to book a bed at Newcastle YHA the warden asked if I wanted the postcode for the GPS:
"No thanks, I'm cycling"
"Oh, well done!"

I used to work on the fourth floor, and people thought I was crackers because I always ran up the stairs instead of waiting for the lift.

Port Eynon was a beach I went to as a very young person. About 1950. Before Gower was discovered.
It was just a poverty ridden, happy place with a thriving alternative economy, place then.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I used to work on the fourth floor, and people thought I was crackers because I always ran up the stairs instead of waiting for the lift.

In that particular case I think they may have had a point

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

In that particular case I think they may have had a point

For many years I worked on the first floor

I was always amazed at people I worked with using the lift!!

Before that I worked on the 13th floor - they always moved us as we had the lowest number of Union members - but the highest move cosst due to having more computers

anyway - worked on the 13th - but there was a machine that stocked scones on the 9th
I had a rule that if I was going to have a scone I walked down and walked back up
I was younger then!!

 

[VinSumRox]

For many years I worked on the first floor

I was always amazed at people I worked with using the lift!!

Before that I worked on the 13th floor - they always moved us as we had the lowest number of Union members - but the highest move cosst due to having more computers

anyway - worked on the 13th - but there was a machine that stocked scones on the 9th
I had a rule that if I was going to have a scone I walked down and walked back up
I was younger then!!

I always used the stairs at work, had a trainee who was overweight but said he played rugby, he nearly died walking up to the 8th floor with me!

 

[simongt]

cycling anything over 10miles!

Yew wot - ?
Most of my non cycling aquaintances are staggered at anything over two miles - !

 

[travellingwest]

I genuinely don't get the tearing along hell for leather thing. The whole point of cycling as a form of transport is leisurely rides out seeing stuff, shopping and adventure, not recreating the Tour de France dressed in team colours. For me at least anyway.

I have a colleague who does exactly that when he rides out - recreating (or attempting to ) the TdeF. He doesn't see the point of a ride otherwise. I asked him about slowing down/stopping to admire the scenery, having a cuppa, deep breathe the fresh air etc. No. For him, a ride is all about speed, distance and elevation (he used to live in the mountains), nothing else.

I know I've only just started cycling again but for me it's the freedom or feeling of freedom you get being on a bike, not encased in metal. The ability to stop when something catches your eye on a known route that you've never seen from the car. And saying you've cycled x miles or for x amount of time is far more noteworthy than any distance in a car.

 

[Oldhippy]

@travellingwest I really don't get that mentality. As you say, it's all about the pleasure and not how quick you can get from A to B.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I have a colleague who does exactly that when he rides out - recreating (or attempting to ) the TdeF. He doesn't see the point of a ride otherwise. I asked him about slowing down/stopping to admire the scenery, having a cuppa, deep breathe the fresh air etc. No. For him, a ride is all about speed, distance and elevation (he used to live in the mountains), nothing else.

I know I've only just started cycling again but for me it's the freedom or feeling of freedom you get being on a bike, not encased in metal. The ability to stop when something catches your eye on a known route that you've never seen from the car. And saying you've cycled x miles or for x amount of time is far more noteworthy than any distance in a car.

Might as well just ride on a stationary bike in that case
then you can programme the number of "hills" that you need

 

[Dogtrousers]

@travellingwest I really don't get that mentality. As you say, it's all about the pleasure and not how quick you can get from A to B.

You don't have to get it.

Do your own thing, let others do theirs.

 

[Oldhippy]

Indeed.

 

[Webbo2]

Might as well just ride on a stationary bike in that case
then you can programme the number of "hills" that you need

I’m sorry but that’s bollocks. Riding a turbo is at best a mediocre substitute for the real thing. I have ridden hills not trying to break any records but it’s taken all my concentration just to get up the thing.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

It was lovely out today. Sun was shining, ice had melted. Winds light. No more was needed.

 

[lazybloke]

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.

So this isn't a problem of your performance, just a case of toxic ****holes in that group. Do yourself a favour and steer clear of them; your life will be better for it.

Personally, I ride with a club that promotes a conversational pace; I love it. My solo rides are faster.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I’m sorry but that’s bollocks. Riding a turbo is at best a mediocre substitute for the real thing. I have ridden hills not trying to break any records but it’s taken all my concentration just to get up the thing.

What!!! - Me Talking bollox!!!
surely not

anyway - you might be right - I have never tried a proper turbo thing

I just assume that going up a 10% hill for x hundred yards should be very similar on a bike to a good turbo

and if you take zero notice of the scenery and smell and sounds then it might be the same in some ways
not enough ways for me
but some people might look at it that way

like I say - I know nothing

 

[Gillstay]

One of my friends used to push people to ride further and faster and now looking back is deeply ashamed of it as he took pleasure away from people.
Another chum when touring on motorbike with a fast chum used to get lost in the traffic at every town. Or that's what he told his mate when they caught up. He actually found a nice little cafe and had a coffee for a bit. .