Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Fifty Plus (50+)
Reload this Page >

what makes cycling so much fun?

Notices
Fifty Plus (50+) Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling.

what makes cycling so much fun?

Old 09-03-14, 08:51 PM
  #1  
Insidious C. 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: PNW
Posts: 1,598

Bikes: One of everything and three of everything French

Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 457 Post(s)
Liked 329 Times in 207 Posts
what makes cycling so much fun?

It seems such a simple activity. Repetitive even. But every ride puts a big smile on my face. Doesn't matter where I'm going. Why is this? A perplexing question well suited for the wise who inhabit Fifty Plus.
__________________
I.C.
Insidious C. is offline  
Old 09-03-14, 09:02 PM
  #2  
mcmoose
Senior Member
 
mcmoose's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Transplanted to PDX area
Posts: 480

Bikes: Trek Silque S, Bianchi Aria e-Road

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 9 Posts
I make no claim to be wise, but I'll toss out two possible smile-inducing aspects:

1) Mechanical Advantage -- bicycles are wonderful machines that magically increase the output of our physical efforts. There are a few elite humans who can run 15 mph... most of us can ride along at that speed (or much higher). There's an inherent pleasure in having that level of physical efficacy.

2) Near-Perfect Optic Flow Rate -- we are visual critters, and there's an intrinsic joy in watching the world flow by. But driving in a car is really too fast to appreciate the world around you (although there's another kind of fun in honing in on the road in a speeding car), and walking is too slow to be that visually interesting (unless you're surrounded by visual wonders). But biking -- that's pretty much a perfect pace.
mcmoose is offline  
Old 09-03-14, 09:08 PM
  #3  
JohnJ80
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 4,671

Bikes: N+1=5

Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 875 Post(s)
Liked 243 Times in 180 Posts
Originally Posted by mcmoose
I make no claim to be wise, but I'll toss out two possible smile-inducing aspects:

1) Mechanical Advantage -- bicycles are wonderful machines that magically increase the output of our physical efforts. There are a few elite humans who can run 15 mph... most of us can ride along at that speed (or much higher). There's an inherent pleasure in having that level of physical efficacy.

2) Near-Perfect Optic Flow Rate -- we are visual critters, and there's an intrinsic joy in watching the world flow by. But driving in a car is really too fast to appreciate the world around you (although there's another kind of fun in honing in on the road in a speeding car), and walking is too slow to be that visually interesting (unless you're surrounded by visual wonders). But biking -- that's pretty much a perfect pace.

all that, but the real reason is endorphin release.

J.
JohnJ80 is offline  
Old 09-03-14, 09:20 PM
  #4  
Zinger
Trek 500 Kid
 
Zinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 2,565

Bikes: '83 Trek 970 road --- '86 Trek 500 road

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2904 Post(s)
Liked 380 Times in 305 Posts
The chance to get outside and enjoy the scenery close up. And yeah, Mechanical Advantage, Optic Flow and endorphins, lol.
Zinger is offline  
Old 09-03-14, 10:00 PM
  #5  
Cognitive
Senior Member
 
Cognitive's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 102

Bikes: Specialized Expedition

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
As a new cyclist of mediocre abilities (20 miles at 10-12 mph on MUP's) the best reason is mind cleansing.

Those of you who have been on a saddle for a while can do this automatically, much like we do driving. But cycling is not quite automatic for me yet, so there are lots of small tasks that need to be done, need to pay attention to the path (evil squirrels almost took out my wife last week), traffic, weather, hydration, and a zillion other things.

In other words, take your mind out of work, family, money, or the Chicago Cubs and focus it all on getting there and back. Amazing!
Cognitive is offline  
Old 09-03-14, 10:18 PM
  #6  
qcpmsame 
Semper Fi
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,942
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1172 Post(s)
Liked 358 Times in 241 Posts
Its what has saved me from poor health and an unsatisfactory life style, I get out in the world, get to breath freely and benefit from that, its all in the win column for me with cycling.

Bill
__________________
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977

I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13


qcpmsame is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 04:38 AM
  #7  
OldsCOOL
Senior Member
 
OldsCOOL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,317

Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times in 313 Posts
The faster you pedal, the faster you go.
OldsCOOL is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 04:39 AM
  #8  
OldsCOOL
Senior Member
 
OldsCOOL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,317

Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times in 313 Posts
Originally Posted by qcpmsame
Its what has saved me from poor health and an unsatisfactory life style, I get out in the world, get to breath freely and benefit from that, its all in the win column for me with cycling.

Bill
This.
OldsCOOL is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 05:25 AM
  #9  
irwin7638
Senior Member
 
irwin7638's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Kalamazoo, Mi.
Posts: 3,097

Bikes: Sam, The Hunq and that Old Guy, Soma Buena Vista, Giant Talon 2, Brompton

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 101 Post(s)
Liked 103 Times in 47 Posts
It's a complicated question, but...
Attached Images
irwin7638 is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 06:12 AM
  #10  
qcpmsame 
Semper Fi
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,942
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1172 Post(s)
Liked 358 Times in 241 Posts
^^^ FTW , great pic Marc!!!
__________________
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977

I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13


qcpmsame is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 06:18 AM
  #11  
modelmartin
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Minneapols, Minnesota
Posts: 538

Bikes: 89 Raleigh Technium PRE, 92 SP 1000 ti, '09 Team Pro, 72 International, 63 Hercules 3-spd, '81 Vitus 979, 2 Kabuki Submariners, 2 C. Itoh Submariners, Gary Fisher Big Sur, Skyway 3-spd, Robin Hood w/ S-A IGH 5 speed.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Freedom.
modelmartin is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 06:21 AM
  #12  
jon c. 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 4,812
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,015 Times in 570 Posts
I don't really know, but it works for me.
jon c. is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 06:42 AM
  #13  
GlennR
On Your Left
 
GlennR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373

Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303

Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times in 1,187 Posts
Originally Posted by modelmartin
Freedom.
From all the daily pressures of life, work and family.
GlennR is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 06:47 AM
  #14  
donheff
Senior Member
 
donheff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
Posts: 1,503

Bikes: Specialized Tricross Comp, Custom Steel Sport Touring, Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 SL

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 59 Post(s)
Liked 40 Times in 27 Posts
I think there is a touch of meditation going on. The scenery and the need to control the bike pull your mind away from whatever ruminations may be occupying your mind and drop you back in the moment.
donheff is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 07:28 AM
  #15  
BlazingPedals
Senior Member
 
BlazingPedals's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Middle of da Mitten
Posts: 12,474

Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Catrike Speed

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1511 Post(s)
Liked 733 Times in 454 Posts
It's fun because it's fun. Why look any further?
BlazingPedals is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 07:34 AM
  #16  
leob1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Middle of the road, NJ
Posts: 3,137
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 292 Post(s)
Liked 106 Times in 69 Posts
When you loose yourself and find yourself at the same moment.
leob1 is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 07:48 AM
  #17  
jjankie
Member
 
jjankie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Twin Cities MN
Posts: 47

Bikes: NOW: Trek Checkpoint ARL 4; PAST: Trek Boone 5 - stolen Nov 2019; Bianchi Volpe lost in MN River July 2014

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 8 Posts
Originally Posted by leob1
When you loose yourself and find yourself at the same moment.
Well put!
jjankie is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 08:38 AM
  #18  
JohnJ80
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 4,671

Bikes: N+1=5

Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 875 Post(s)
Liked 243 Times in 180 Posts
Originally Posted by leob1
When you loose yourself and find yourself at the same moment.
that sounds like an old GPS I once had.

J.
JohnJ80 is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 08:51 AM
  #19  
wphamilton
Senior Member
 
wphamilton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280

Bikes: Nashbar Road

Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times in 228 Posts
Beats the heck out of me. I know what I like about cycling but not what makes it fun. Just the thrills and the feeling of freedom is all I can come up with.
wphamilton is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 09:33 AM
  #20  
Biker395 
Seat Sniffer
 
Biker395's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,615

Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 937 Post(s)
Liked 1,966 Times in 561 Posts
I've asked myself that question again and again.

I've had a lot of loves. Skiing, surfing, basketball, backpacking ... all kinds of stuff. But none has held my attention as closely or as long as cycling. Why?

I've come to the conclusion that it isn't for any one of the reasons mentioned above ... it's because it combines all of them together.

It's the ultimate road trip.
It's the camaraderie.
It's elemental transportation.
It's keeping me in reasonable shape.

At any one time, it's one or more of all those things.
__________________
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...

Biker395 is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 10:21 AM
  #21  
nuke_diver
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 314

Bikes: early 80's steel 12speed, CAAD10-3 2013

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
It's fun because it's fun. Why look any further?
/thread
nuke_diver is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 10:32 AM
  #22  
Looigi
Senior Member
 
Looigi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,951
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times in 12 Posts
Whatever it is, it's probably related to what makes hamsters like to run in wheels.
Looigi is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 11:25 AM
  #23  
SA_Brak
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 54

Bikes: 2015 Specialized Roubaix SL4 Expert, 2019 Specialized Diverge Sport

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
This:

Originally Posted by Robin Williams
the closest you can get to flying
SA_Brak is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 11:50 AM
  #24  
dbg
Si Senior
 
dbg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Naperville, Illinois
Posts: 2,669

Bikes: Too Numerous (not)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 8 Posts
1. Increased speed from mechanical advantage
2. Increased optic flow rate (from the increased speed)

plus:

3. Increased emphasis on balance --similar to dancing
4. Increased fitness from aerobic demands
5. Increased range of travel (self contained)

personals:

6. something to work on with my hands
7. something to use in groups - socialize
8. something to use alone - meditate
9. something for artistic expression

10. Everything seems better when you worked hard to experience it.

Last edited by dbg; 09-04-14 at 11:54 AM.
dbg is offline  
Old 09-04-14, 12:20 PM
  #25  
on the path
Señor Blues
 
on the path's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: upstate NY
Posts: 1,598

Bikes: Cannondale CAAD 10, Breezer Venturi Custom Build, IRO Singlespeed

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 127 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
Cycling helps me maximize the moment and minimize all else. And it's usually a great moment.
on the path is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.