triplering

For the cyclists that have been riding for years, what keeps you going time and time again? What's the thing you like most about cycling?

powerhouse

Exercise, good health, a good way to travel, and a great form of recreation. While I'm out riding, I'm able to put aside other thoughts that bother me and I feel free.

San Rensho 

Going fast, especially around corners. Even riding my 3 spd to the store, I try to move.

mlts22 

Females in Lycra?

wahoonc

Just being out riding. I raced back in the mid 70's, toured heavily in the late 70's, commuted from around 1976 until 1996. Now my job doesn't work with cycle commuting so I ride when I can, whether it is riding a mile or so to the grocery store, taking a MTB for a spin around the farm, or taking a bike down to the local R to T for an hour or two. I just enjoy riding. I am not in a hurry to get anywhere, just rambling along enjoying the scenery and the weather and the ride.

Aaron

cantdrv55

Fresh air, freedom, exercise, knowing that most of the population is just lounging. I'm goal oriented and cycling allows me more goals to set and meet.

dcon

When I ride, the only thing on my mind is the ride. I focus on each pedal stroke, my breathing, the scenes around me. It's like a form of meditation. Of all the great things about cycling, that's my favorite.

cyccommute 

I'm just the opposite. When I ride I think about all kinds of things. It's my most creative time. Ideas for articles for my club's e-mail newsletter pop into my head. Ideas for new stuff at work -processes, methods, solutions to problems, etc. - bubble to the surface. When I tour, I think about what I want to write...much of the stupid stuff I write comes while riding on the bike.

...And whether or not I can catch and pass that guy in front of me without hacking out a lung in the process

dcon

It's many things to many people

donnamb 

Of all the wonderful things I can think of, I'd say the best is truly feeling like a part of where I am biking. In a car, I'm just passing through with very little connection to the places and people around me. Very sad.

fat_bike_nut

Which is why the OP started this thread (EDIT-response to dcon's post). Wants to know what keeps us going. Me? It has definitely given me a brighter outlook on my mental health. As for physical health, well...6 weeks of daily riding made me lose 11 lbs. Unfortunately, I regained those pounds after my bike was destroyed (depression can do that methinks), and I don't have enough money for a new one

What keeps me still wanting to cycle after all this time off the bike is just that it's fun. Plain and simple. It's one of those "exercises that don't feel like exercise." By that, I mean...have you ever done an exercise that you absolutely hated? I hate (no...more like DETEST) running, some people hate swimming...like an exercise that you absolutely dread doing, or find incredibly boring? Bicycling is definitely not one of those types of exercises

Cycling is great for fresh air, enjoying the scenery outside, and the feeling of speed is just incredible when you're not trapped inside a cage...erh, I mean car.

Nicodemus

I love the connection I have with the world around me. Every pedal stroke, every bit of energy I pump out goes directly from me to the ground through those two wheels. The feeling of speed and control and symbiosis I have with my machine and the work we do together for our enjoyment - there's nothing like the thrill of speed on my own power.

The sheer enjoyment of freedom that cycling gives me is great, and the exercise makes me feel alive.

Nicodemus

+1

v1k1ng1001

it's easy on my knees and fun to go fast

cyclezealot

just getting out and exploring the road up close enough to smell the fresh air. Next, the physical exercise. Third, just moving under one's own power and not dependent upon imported oil. Cycling past the gridlock and thinking what a foolish system of getting about.

Oden

This is a big one for me, as well. Plus, cycling just makes me feel awesome.

Ken B.

No flourescent lighting.
No stale endlessly recycled and reconditioned air.
No spiritless gray partitions stretching to the horizon in every direction.
No one saying "whatever you're doing stop doing it and do this instead."
No telephones.

Fresh air, sun, wind, rain, hot or cold, all of it is good.
Meditative, almost hypnotic pedaling, endless road ahead and behind.
The complexity of the world reduces to riding one mile after another.
The simplicity and efficiency of the perfect human-powered vehicle.
Friends to ride with, and cheeseburgers and beer at the end of a good ride.

CdCf

Cycling is freedom, meditation, exercise, pleasure and (often) transportation all rolled into one activity!

bike4life

+1

aikigreg

I like getting somewhere under my own power.
I like the looks on people's faces when I tell them I'm doing a 100 mile ride in one day.
I like saving gas by biking to work
I like going over 30mph on the flats and passing cars.
I like beating the shot out of pacelines when I am riding solo.
I like that I am doing all these things and getting into better shape at the same time.
I like how great my bike makes me feel - even without the sex (wait, what was the question again?)
And yes, girls in lycra.

caloso

It's not about the bike.

Nermal

Good days. You know, you're crusing up a familiar grade and suddenly notice you're making better time on the way up than down. Your legs aren't burning, and your lungs aren't bursting. They're rare, but I had one today.

edp773

And it keeps me healthier.

cyclezealot

riding somewhere on my bike that If I were to have to drive- I would not go. Driving would be a drag. Cycling fun.

TLN

My favorite part of riding is "that" feeling. Its the same feeling I got when I was a kid. Most riders know what the feeling is. I went from just riding, to fixing and building bikes. Im like a herion addict when it comes to bikes!