Why do "YOU" cycle ??

[Dave7]

Over the years I have cycled for various reasons.....................
As a kid........for pleasure.
As a young adult...........to get to work & back
Now...........for pleasure, fitness, and a distance goal.
As I go through some beautiful countryside and "stop to smell the roses" I see some people-head down- 30 mph-and I wonder why?.........not why in a derogatory way........just a genuine why?
I assume they are training/reaching targets or goals and that must give them pleasure but I wonder..........do they actually enjoy the cycling part.
I emphasise..........this is not "having a go".......just genuinely interested.

 

[flyingfish]

I cycle for fun & fitness. I too smell the roses & am happy to complete a ride. Speed is very much secondary

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

Personally I like to give my best on every ride I do. I go on a lot of rides with riders that are slower than me and I normally just hit the hills hard and wait at the top. For the rest of the ride I normally sit at the back and encourage the slower riders, knowing if there is a problem I should have the pace to get tp the front and let them know, but I enjoy the head down, arse up, max effort stuff the most. Not that I am very quick, I just like to do the best I can.

 

[mythste]

The bitches.

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

All of the above, but probably purely pleasure now. The countryside although beautiful can get a little samey sometimes and there's, another green tree or there's another field or valley but I am always in awe of this wonderful planet we have especially with the seasons changing. Even commuting was a pleasure watching people wasting there time in traffic.

 

[MontyVeda]

to get around.... it's just transport to me.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Smelling the roses and all that good stuff. Also pushing myself to do longer distances and harder rides and the satisfaction that this brings. And the empty-headedness of it - just riding along thinking of nothing more important than my latest stupid ear-worm.

As to "why" the head-down speedsters do it - well for the same reasons. There are times that I blast along "fast" (for me, which isn't 30mph!) and I get a kick out of pushing myself to ride fast. It means that I may miss the scent the of the odd rose, but it's an end in itself.

And then some quicker riders overtake me and burst my bubble.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

It is the respect and kudos I get from friends, colleagues and fellow road users.

But seriously...


I enjoy being part of the world I'm travelling through, not coccooned away from it.

it allows me to drink beer and eat mars bars without getting to be a proper fat git or having to submit to the hell of a gym to exercise my body.

I can set the world to rights on a ride or put the crap of the working day to bed on my commute and get back home far happier and more chilled for my family.

It is just fun and it gives me a reason to come on here and talk to you tiny people living in my internet.

 

[Brian Stacks]

I love cycling and I love nature. Having been a car driver for all of my adult life it is so different and special to take a slower pace and absorb everything. Although I still try to enjoy it at a faster pace as I am only competing with myself. I believe speed is in the head and that unless it hurts we r not achieving anything.

 

[rdfcyclist]

I have always been a commuter cyclist however in the last few months I've been using my latest bike for adventures/exploration as well. Only today I decided to extend my commute by an extra few miles just to enjoy the speed I had going. Tomorrow I'll add an extra 8 for a new, longer route to/from work. My priorities are getting to/from work, enjoying my speed/pace and general exercise I guess

 

[LCpl Boiled Egg]

Primarily it helps me get to and from work without having to sit on my backside in a queue of traffic.

 

[winjim]

All of the above really. I just love cycling. I like being able to get out into the countryside. I like the challenge of getting up difficult climbs, chasing Strava segments and long distances. I love riding in traffic, with all the concentration and roadcraft it involves. I love the feeling of rain on my face as everyone else in tucked up away from the weather, or the snow and ice under my winter tyres as everyone else is stuck in a jam. I love the isolation of a night ride with just me, my headlight and the stars. I love tinkering with mechanics and building things. I love optimising my bike so it rides just nicely. I love building a bike that nobody else on Earth will own.

And I use it to get to work.

 

[Mrs M]

I enjoy getting out and about to places I see, rather than just zooming by in the car. Also visiting me wee pony pals, admiring the scenery, wildlife and fresh air.
I usually just have fun but sometimes set myself a small challenge, like going a bit further or cycling for a bit longer but mostly just have fun.
Fitness and health benefits (esp blubber zapping) are a welcome, added bonus.

 

[midlife]

I like the way it gets quieter when you turn your head to the side.......it reminds me I am still moving

Shaun

 

[Dec66]

To get to work and back, without being stuck on a train with my face jammed in somebody's armpit, and without catching their stinking colds all winter.

At weekends, to take in some of the lovely scenery on the North Downs, and continue my love affair with Sundridge Hill *ahem*.

To be able to buy Fred Perry shirts in size "S" from the clearance racks.