Why must I ride hard?

[Crankarm]

Leave 15 minutes earlier, pedal at 50% power and arrive 5 minutes earlier.

I lost my cycling computer a couple of weeks ago which was really annoying at first and pi55ed me off no end, but I haven't really missed it save for knowing what the time is. I just ride at a comfortable pace concentrating on technique, doing my own thing, rather than clock watching or racing other cyclists.

 

[johnnyh]

Leave 15 minutes earlier, pedal at 50% power and arrive 5 minutes earlier.

sounds ghastly

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

Are you all beemer drivers?

 

[helston90]

I had this yesterday and the same train of thought. I knew I would only get in 2 x 5 mile rides (there and back) so went like the clappers both way and was pretty much dead when i got home- my wife then claimed to be fitter than me as she 'wasnt like that when she last did the route', I pointed out I did a 5 mile sprint in 15 minutes which on a hyrbid was very happy with.

So no you're very normal and there's nothing you can- apart from join in!

 

[jonny jeez]

Harder. Faster. Better. Stronger.


View: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3ic27_daft-punk-harder-better-faster-stro_news

I thought this vid was initially pointless but then it just becomes really clever...how long must that have taken to rehearse?

Back to the OP,

There are two types of riding I like.

Ecclesiastical and full on.

Ecclesiastical allows time to pootle with the kids or in a suit to the shops, just mooch along and work up no sweat whilst still shifting faster than a peron can run. its a joyous way to travel when you have nothing but time.

full on allows me to cruise, comfortably with a good head of momentum and pace, makes me feel fantastic when i stop and sets me up for the day (ps my commute is also a 40 miler).

anything in between feels like really hard work to me.

 

[Edwards80]

Heh, the number of times I've said "easy ride home tonight" only to be gasping 10mins later after sprinting through a Strava segment.

Don't worry about it The same folks at the office who will say "You must be mad doing that every morning/evening" are the same folks who then drive home, get changed and drive out to the gym to run on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike

We're not mad, we're enlightened

 

[Kiwiavenger]

i go flat out all the time!!! lol. my commute is only 5 ish miles but sometimes i can taste my own lungs (just under 400 ft of climing and a 17 minute 5 miler will do that to some people )

 

[I like Skol]

I went to a garden party/BBQ a few months ago and because I had to continue straight on to work afterwards while my wife drove back home with the kids I decided cycling was the answer. I was given STRICT instructions not to arrive at the party a sweating mess! Damn, it was the hardest 15 miles I have ever ridden............. yeah baby, here we go....... Oh, woah, no take it easy big fella........... Ooh, I can catch this guy....... Slow down, what the hell do you think you are doing.... etc, etc

 

[byegad]

I commuted at a fairly steady pace, for me, slow for most of you race wannabes. OK I used to get to Stockton on Tees, 16 miles away and at sea level in 1h3m fairly regularly but I live at 103m above sea level so it was mostly downhill. Most of my rides home were direct, and took around 1h20m wind permitting. But sometimes I would take the scenic route and potter at my more normal 10mph for 20 or 30 miles. Working mornings only had its advantages!

In traffic I think speed records are liable to get you into more trouble than they're worth so my built up area riding was always more circumspect.

 

[Cyclopathic]

Just the way it goes! Often I tell myself "Just going to rest the legs today, take it easy." Now I fully intend to do just this. Unfortunately it never happens. Maybe the thought of breakfast/dinner acting as the proverbial (and almost literal) carrot on a stick.

Perhaps it would be possible to rest one leg at a time. Really go for it with the left leg and just use th right for balance and symetry. To make sure one isn't tempted to cheat botox could be injected up and down one leg to keep it flacid.

 

[defy-one]

Don't worry about it The same folks at the office who will say "You must be mad doing that every morning/evening" are the same folks who then drive home, get changed and drive out to the gym to run on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike

This is so true of friends, and i'm the crazy one???????

 

[Moodyman]

Anything short of full effort feels slow and wrong. I only pootle if running errands or riding with the kids.

 

[BrumJim]

Fastest time ever on my semi-fast route on Thursday, and second fastest time ever on my fast route on Friday.

Incurable.

 

[Cheshire Celt]

So glad this thread is her I find my self doing this all the time lol

 

[defy-one]

This is my new Mantra come Tuesday - no computer, ride slow, enjoy!!!