How important is bicycling to you?
#1
bragi
Thread Starter
How important is bicycling to you?
All of us, presumably, have an opinion about the role of bicycles in our lives. Here's my view:
My attitude towards bicycling has kind of evolved in the last couple of years. I initially bicycled to save money and to save the world (yes, I'm that important). Then it became a lifestyle. Then I did it to stay in shape. Now I do it merely as one way to go places. It does save money, but it's not going to save the world. It's way better exercise than driving, but if you want to be really fit, you're going to have to do other stuff, too. It's a very practical way to travel in the city, especially if parking is scarce, but it's not really a great option if you have to show up someplace formal, wearing a suit when it's warm outside. I love cycling as much as ever, but have come to the understanding that it's a means, not an end. Your destination, and what you do once you arrive, is a lot more important than how you get there. It's just a machine.
My attitude towards bicycling has kind of evolved in the last couple of years. I initially bicycled to save money and to save the world (yes, I'm that important). Then it became a lifestyle. Then I did it to stay in shape. Now I do it merely as one way to go places. It does save money, but it's not going to save the world. It's way better exercise than driving, but if you want to be really fit, you're going to have to do other stuff, too. It's a very practical way to travel in the city, especially if parking is scarce, but it's not really a great option if you have to show up someplace formal, wearing a suit when it's warm outside. I love cycling as much as ever, but have come to the understanding that it's a means, not an end. Your destination, and what you do once you arrive, is a lot more important than how you get there. It's just a machine.
Likes For bragi:
#2
Senior Member
I ride because I love to ride. The most obvious benefits — saving money, going green, keeping in shape — matter far less than the pleasure I get from a good ride. It's a special experience on a hot summer day, in spring or fall and on a snowy road in winter.
If the love of cycling ever goes away, it's time to put away the bike and find another way of getting around. But I don't see that happening.
If the love of cycling ever goes away, it's time to put away the bike and find another way of getting around. But I don't see that happening.
#4
Pedaled too far.
It's absolutely the most important thing, but as the zen monks say, nothing special. It's the most natural way to travel, and I need to ride daily. But after all of these years, my ego is rarely involved, so it's not like I need to do a 50 mile ride to prove something, and riding for that long means that I cannot do other things with the time. So my rides are all utility rides except when they are for pleasure.
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
#5
LET'S ROLL
It gets me to work, keeps me fit, saves me money, go on
organized rides and have fun; so I would say it's very
importatnt to me
organized rides and have fun; so I would say it's very
importatnt to me
__________________
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
#6
Sophomoric Member
This is the exact opposite of my philosophy. My maxim is that the journey is greater than the arrival. Every ride is an adventure--even if I'm only going to the drugstore for a bar of soap.
__________________
"Think Outside the Cage"
Likes For Roody:
#7
Sophomoric Member
It's absolutely the most important thing, but as the zen monks say, nothing special. It's the most natural way to travel, and I need to ride daily. But after all of these years, my ego is rarely involved, so it's not like I need to do a 50 mile ride to prove something, and riding for that long means that I cannot do other things with the time. So my rides are all utility rides except when they are for pleasure.
__________________
"Think Outside the Cage"
#8
Live Deliberately.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 735
Bikes: CETMA Cargo, Surly Big Dummy, Surly Straggler, Rocky Mountain Blizzard
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,680
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Liked 3,710 Times
in
2,397 Posts
for a long time, a couple years ago it was all I had keeping me together. unfortunately, it wasn't enough when the bottom really dropped out. then everything fell apart. as I peice things back together, I'm adding more cycling back in.
#10
Senior Member
There are days when I wish I could drive again. I read a link on this site that said the average car owner shells out $9,900 a year to own a car. If I'm correct I read this in a link in the utility forum. As someone that gets $11,488 a year to live on car ownership is out of my reach. However I hope to pass the medical tests this winter and be cleared to drive again. If that happens I will carefully analyze the cost of a scooter (highway speed) or a motorcycle. For now bicycling is very important to me because it's the only thing that enables me to have independance. Tomorrow I have to go on a 16 mile round trip to run an important errand. It will make me tired but it's necessary. While I'm getting healthier and stronger there are days where I'm just plain whipped. If I didn't have a bicycle I would have to take cabs, bus, or walk.
Likes For iheartbacon:
#11
Sophomoric Member
The aboove two posts show us how important a bike can be for people who have real problems, not just the first world problems that most of us have. My son also used a bike as therapy (physical and mental) as he slowly recovered from severe injuries in a car accident.
rumrunn6 and iheart bacon--congratulations and keep up the good work!
rumrunn6 and iheart bacon--congratulations and keep up the good work!
__________________
"Think Outside the Cage"
Likes For Roody:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Manchester UK
Posts: 638
Bikes: Apollo Revival Mountain Bike
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My bike is important to me as it also gives me independence as I dont often have the bus fare or tram fare to get to places.
It also getting me fit (er) and I just enjoy riding it in the fresh air.
It has been really wet today and i was in two minds whethere to get the bus instead.
But I had to go to my partner's workplace to pick up something sent for him and then to a doctor's appointment.
It would have meant waiting for a bus, paying for a day rider ticket, then getting off at the doctor's then waiting for another bus to the workplace and then waiting for another bus home.
But the weather dried up enough so I cycled and only had to stop twice.
Took a quarter of the time and saved me £4:20 which may not seem a lot but its very steep for the distance and its too painful for me to walk that distance so my bike is a lifeline for me now.
It also getting me fit (er) and I just enjoy riding it in the fresh air.
It has been really wet today and i was in two minds whethere to get the bus instead.
But I had to go to my partner's workplace to pick up something sent for him and then to a doctor's appointment.
It would have meant waiting for a bus, paying for a day rider ticket, then getting off at the doctor's then waiting for another bus to the workplace and then waiting for another bus home.
But the weather dried up enough so I cycled and only had to stop twice.
Took a quarter of the time and saved me £4:20 which may not seem a lot but its very steep for the distance and its too painful for me to walk that distance so my bike is a lifeline for me now.
Likes For iheartbacon:
#14
In the right lane
It's absolutely the most important thing, but as the zen monks say, nothing special. It's the most natural way to travel, and I need to ride daily. But after all of these years, my ego is rarely involved, so it's not like I need to do a 50 mile ride to prove something, and riding for that long means that I cannot do other things with the time. So my rides are all utility rides except when they are for pleasure.
I also like Bragi's evolution. It's sort of like the Basho quotation I heard years ago. A young man wants to paint bamboo, so he works hard for many years to learn bamboo painting. Then he becomes a bamboo. Then he forgets about bamboo.
I think that was it anyway.
#15
cycleobsidian
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Getting on my bike on these chilly fall mornings, with the sun not yet risen as I ride to work, I feel like an adventure awaits; I am instantly put in a good mood. I feel the wind on my skin and feel my lungs fill with fresh air. To some, it's a boring old ride to work but for me it's the best, most free part of my day.
When winter comes, I'll put the bike away (I'm not that adventurous,) so I am sure enjoying it now while I can.
Bicycling is very important to me.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: I'm in Helena Montana again.
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Bicycling is very important to me because it gets me everywhere I need to go. If I had the extra money for a car I would own one or perhaps own a scooter if I lived in a warmer climate. My bicycles are tools. The good thing about them is that when I'm using them I also get to experience my environment in person instead of through a windshield.
I do like cars. I just don't use them anymore. When I did own one it wasn't used very often.
I do like cars. I just don't use them anymore. When I did own one it wasn't used very often.
#17
Sophomoric Member
The way I look at it, our modern world is so safe....if you want to live an honest life that is. There is very little out in the world for a middle aged lady like myself that fills me with joy and giddiness. My work is a challenge at times but that's a mental challenge.
Getting on my bike on these chilly fall mornings, with the sun not yet risen as I ride to work, I feel like an adventure awaits; I am instantly put in a good mood. I feel the wind on my skin and feel my lungs fill with fresh air. To some, it's a boring old ride to work but for me it's the best, most free part of my day.
When winter comes, I'll put the bike away (I'm not that adventurous,) so I am sure enjoying it now while I can.
Bicycling is very important to me.
Getting on my bike on these chilly fall mornings, with the sun not yet risen as I ride to work, I feel like an adventure awaits; I am instantly put in a good mood. I feel the wind on my skin and feel my lungs fill with fresh air. To some, it's a boring old ride to work but for me it's the best, most free part of my day.
When winter comes, I'll put the bike away (I'm not that adventurous,) so I am sure enjoying it now while I can.
Bicycling is very important to me.
__________________
"Think Outside the Cage"
#18
Senior Member
Getting on my bike on these chilly fall mornings, with the sun not yet risen as I ride to work, I feel like an adventure awaits; I am instantly put in a good mood. I feel the wind on my skin and feel my lungs fill with fresh air. To some, it's a boring old ride to work but for me it's the best, most free part of my day.
When winter comes, I'll put the bike away (I'm not that adventurous,) so I am sure enjoying it now while I can.
When winter comes, I'll put the bike away (I'm not that adventurous,) so I am sure enjoying it now while I can.
#19
bragi
Thread Starter
It's absolutely the most important thing, but as the zen monks say, nothing special. It's the most natural way to travel, and I need to ride daily. But after all of these years, my ego is rarely involved, so it's not like I need to do a 50 mile ride to prove something, and riding for that long means that I cannot do other things with the time. So my rides are all utility rides except when they are for pleasure.
#20
bragi
Thread Starter
#21
cycleobsidian
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I am a bit of a klutz.
#22
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
15 Posts
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#23
Sophomoric Member
However, you might find that riding a bike (with studded tires) is easier than walking when it's slick--especially if you're a klutz.
__________________
"Think Outside the Cage"
#24
Sophomoric Member
Best bike I have found for winter riding is a 20" wheel with studded tires. I used to laugh at my buddy with the BMX bike but he can get a foot down a lot quicker than I can. I currently have a Raleigh Twenty, but don't worry about winter riding here in the Deep South. If it snows I stay off the roads and let the gene pool reduce itself.
Aaron
Aaron
__________________
"Think Outside the Cage"
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Colorado Springs, CO.
Posts: 2,116
Bikes: 2011 ICE Sprint Special Edition
Liked 102 Times
in
66 Posts
We can't afford a car, it just put's too much stress on our meger budget, I have two very mean forms of arthritis and it makes walking a chore. Although it still hurts to ride a bicycle, I can actually get somewhere at a distance in a decent time frame and I REALLY do not like riding the city bus due to bladder control problems in my being 50+. I totally MISS owing a motorcycle so we could do "longer distance touring" in a much shorter time span than trying to do it via bicycles. Motorcycles are VERY expensive, upkeep wise, tire's are insanely priced for the few miles you get out them, maint. shop time is close to $100 an hour, nowadays and accessiories are even more expensive. The bicycle is the ONLY "moving vechical" that works for us, we can get to work, get food, haul stuff, ride across town in a fairly short time. Without the bicycle I'd have to walk to the store, haul the food in a two wheeled cart, hassle getting that kinda load on a city bus, we'd be STUCK to this area only for recreation, ect. My bicycles are extremly important to ME!
__________________
Take Care, Ride Safe, have FUN! :)
Jo: 2009 ICE Trice T
BJ: 2011 ICE Sprint Special Edition
Take Care, Ride Safe, have FUN! :)
Jo: 2009 ICE Trice T
BJ: 2011 ICE Sprint Special Edition