Why do "YOU" cycle ??

[IDMark2]

I just cycle because it's a pleasure to be here to do so, became my only way of getting about outside when I wasn't able to drive and gave me the chance to imbibe the world and all its sensual joys in a new way - although I had cycled before, a lot of life had happened in the interim period.

It was hard work getting to a stage where I could cycle at all after my stroke left me paralysed down my right side, nearly a year of turbo-training only in a draughty and leaky shed gradually regained all my brain-to-muscle command connections, including training to be able to look backwards over my shoulder and strengthening my right arm by doing intervals with that hand only on the bars supporting me. Although I still can't do some movements, like unscrewing a lid or shaking a bottle or hammering with my right hand, I'm otherwise OK.

Perversely I am fitter now than I ever have been. To start with I measured that fitness like some others do, with segments and climbing speed etc, now the fitness is at a level I'm happy with it has become just for the pleasure, no qualms about stopping during a 'segment' if the view is good, no hurry any more at all really. The joy of discovering that I could ride no-handed one day was worth a hatful of KOM's to me. I already raced with the rats, they almost got me.

 

[BrumJim]

For commuting? Because I can't handle the endorphins cold turkey.

For pleasure? OK, I have been guilty of hammering it down country lanes with little apparent appreciation of the sounds, smells and sights, but since I started on the bigger distances, I have been curious as to just what this previously under-utilised and underestimated body can actually do. Both in terms of distance and also speed. Its fascinating.
Sometimes I ride distances to help friends see just what is possible, to help them achieve targets. Sometimes its to build up fitness for the year, either generally, or for a specific aim. But whatever it is, with senses on high alert and nothing between me and the countryside, I still get a lot of pleasure from seeing, smelling and listening to what is going on around me.

 

[palinurus]

The main reason for my continuing to cycle is efficiency, I like that a bike weighs less than it's cargo and that most of the little bit of energy I expend goes into moving me and my luggage.

 

[MontyVeda]

Wakes me up in the morning , helps me forget work in the evening,gets me out at weekends.ITS GREAT

unfortunately my current commute is only ten minutes; 1/3rd down hill, 2/3rds flat... so i get to work feeling exactly the same as when i'd set off. I much preferred my previous commute; 30 mins, mostly uphill... i always arrived awake and nicely warmed up.

 

[Arjimlad]

unfortunately my current commute is only ten minutes; 1/3rd down hill, 2/3rds flat... so i get to work feeling exactly the same as when i'd set off. I much preferred my previous commute; 30 mins, mostly uphill... i always arrived awake and nicely warmed up.

Can you not look for a longer route ? I work just 3.5 miles away from home but rode 10 miles in today along lovely country lanes. I have a 6, 12, 14 and 20 mile routes I sometimes take, too.

 

[Dogtrousers]

The main reason for my continuing to cycle is efficiency, I like that a bike weighs less than it's cargo and that most of the little bit of energy I expend goes into moving me and my luggage.

That's a really interesting approach, one I'd never thought of before. The ratio of the unladen vehicle weight to all up laden weight. What can compete with a bicycle? Shoes can, if you accept them as a vehicle. Maybe a supertanker could as it carries such vast quantities (I don't know) and the cargo load of, say, a coal train must be massive. Most normal forms of transport (car, train, horse, plane, ferry) can't even come close.

 

[MontyVeda]

Can you not look for a longer route ? I work just 3.5 miles away from home but rode 10 miles in today along lovely country lanes. I have a 6, 12, 14 and 20 mile routes I sometimes take, too.

I could, but that'd mean setting my alarm for 4am instead of 4.30am.

 

[cd365]

Cause I was fat

 

[Lonestar]

Also like doing my own maintenance/mods,something I could probably never do with a car.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Can't afford to restore cars, bikes very much so.

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

To remind myself that I'm not yet dead.

 

[Dave7]

My answer to the "head down question" will sound like an insult but like you, it's a genuine view.

It's simply that, when you find you CAN ride at a terrific pace, drafting with mates to achieve average numbers that surprise even you and can feel the road purring away under you as you fly along....is greatly rewarding.

I have different mates who ride in different ways and I honestly enjoy all of them. Sometimes we bimble along side by side,chatting and taking photos for miles and miles, other times we scream along at 27-30 miles an hour, calling out the mileage countdown to the next stop as we gather pace. Sometimes it's something in between.

But having to ability to choose each type of ride is really an enjoyable part, for me.

I really can understand that and absolutely do not find it insulting.
Sometimes I reach the exciting speeds of 24/26 mph. At that point I think........."what if I hit a pothole"........then the breaks come on.

 

[Paul.G.]

No joking whats a FAT BIKE?

Have a look on YouTube

 

[classic33]

Because I want to.
I'm unable to drive, never will be. Told that I'd never be able to cycle either. When it was realised I was doing, it was changed to I'll never get very far. Well I've got from West Yorkshire to the West Coast of Ireland, via North Wales and back more than once. Doing the trip each way in a day.

I guess I'm giving the two finger salute to those experts who said I'd never do it. It also fun.

 

[classic33]

Have a look on YouTube

Something like this?