What is cycling to you?

[Webbo2]

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

Have you also tried riding a hill or two that are on the limit of your ability to ride. You will be aware of things round you and sometimes because you are trying so hard they really irritate you. Such as I wish that bloody rook would shut up, why has that fing farmer chose today to muck spread.😉

 

[ianrauk]

sometimes because you are trying so hard they really irritate you

This is so very true.

Why has someone thrown that fluffy toy in to the verge. Look at that sad looking moo cow.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

This is so very true.

Why has someone thrown that fluffy toy in to the verge. Look at that sad looking moo cow.

Why don't the council fix the pothole in the road so I can concentrate on getting up the damn hill and not have to weave around craters at the same time!!

 

[Katana]

If I was to sum it up in one word…”Sanity”. I got hooked up on cycling during Covid and as they say rest is history. I was more into running and participated in several marathons over the years. I didn’t thought much about cycling or anything else all those years. However once I started cycling I just got hooked on it. I feel that my days of running marathons are over as London Marathon 2025 being my last one. The thing I enjoy the most about cycling is that it provides me with both physical and mental wellbeing. My only regret is that I should have given it a go long time ago but hey it’s never too late. Hope to have many joyous years of cycling ahead for myself and for all the cyclists out there😊

 

[VinSumRox]

Have you also tried riding a hill or two that are on the limit of your ability to ride. You will be aware of things round you and sometimes because you are trying so hard they really irritate you. Such as I wish that bloody rook would shut up, why has that fing farmer chose today to muck spread.😉

Why have they put this road up this stupid hill?

 

[Oldhippy]

@Katana wait until you go cycle touring it is fabulous.

 

[Alex321]

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.

But that is not normally what is said. It is not specific to anybody, rather "we'll wait for people" as a generic thing. Or more commonly "no drop" or "Nobody left behind".

And whether you "belong" in that group or not, when you hit a hill, people are always going to be going up at different speeds, it is normal on any group ride I have been on, for those who reach the top first to wait until everybody is there (and only move on when everybody is ready to).

 

[Alex321]

The road is not a place for racing.

Open roads, agreed. Closed roads, such as happens for elite level racing, roads are fine.

 

[Drago]

Technically is ceases to be a road for the purposes of both the highways act and road traffic act when subject to a lawful closure, but I catch your meaning.

 

[Katana]

@Katana wait until you go cycle touring it is fabulous.

Hopefully one day 😊

 

[Pblakeney]

Fitness, health, an escape from the travails of life, seeing scenery and wildlife, an excuse for coffee and cake, an excuse for a post cycle beer in a hot day.
That’s just the initial thoughts off the top of my head. 😉

 

[VinSumRox]

Fitness, health, an escape from the travails of life, seeing scenery and wildlife, an excuse for coffee and cake, an excuse for a post cycle beer in a hot day.
That’s just the initial thoughts off the top of my head. 😉

Same here but including a blether with pals.

 

[Pblakeney]

Same here but including a blether with pals.

Oh, I like to escape from them too in occasion! 🤣

 

[PaulSB]

But that is not normally what is said. It is not specific to anybody, rather "we'll wait for people" as a generic thing. Or more commonly "no drop" or "Nobody left behind".

And whether you "belong" in that group or not, when you hit a hill, people are always going to be going up at different speeds, it is normal on any group ride I have been on, for those who reach the top first to wait until everybody is there (and only move on when everybody is ready to).

I disagree with you on this. Yes, I know these words are said generally by many clubs, no drop etc etc. These though are broad website statements. My own club has them.

I've heard "we'll wait for you" or "we always wait for people" said directly to individuals and had it said to me when I've declined joining a ride that I know will put me on or above my limit for much of it.

Regarding hills, yes, that's the way its been on any club ride I've joined. That or at the next junction, usually after the descent. This is what I would expect.

It isn't, IMO, a question of belonging, as I said I wouldn't join a ride in which I can't hold my own. Indicating a group will wait demonstrates those riders don't understand the fundamentals of group riding and does nothing for the self-esteem of the individual.

 

[Alex321]

I disagree with you on this. Yes, I know these words are said generally by many clubs, no drop etc etc. These though are broad website statements. My own club has them.

I've heard "we'll wait for you" or "we always wait for people" said directly to individuals and had it said to me when I've declined joining a ride that I know will put me on or above my limit for much of it.

Regarding hills, yes, that's the way its been on any club ride I've joined. That or at the next junction, usually after the descent. This is what I would expect.

It isn't, IMO, a question of belonging, as I said I wouldn't join a ride in which I can't hold my own. Indicating a group will wait demonstrates those riders don't understand the fundamentals of group riding and does nothing for the self-esteem of the individual.

I understand your feelings here in that case.

Though I suspect the people saying it are just trying to encourage you to join them if you have just said you wouldn't because it sounds to much for you.