Is your cycling a sport or pastime?
06-12-16, 09:57 AM
#26
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Recreation and a pastime. It's a recreational activity with a fitness benifit. It's also a pastime while I'm aquiring, restoring and maintaining my collection.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
06-12-16, 01:00 PM
#28
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Transportation and recreation.
Not interested in the sports aspect anymore. Got that out of my system decades ago.
Not interested in the sports aspect anymore. Got that out of my system decades ago.
06-12-16, 01:11 PM
#29
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If you have a computer and track your stats, then it's a sport.
If you want to ride with her, it's a ........ hobby.
Golf:
If you drive a cart, it's a game.
If you carry your bag and walk, it's a sport.
If you want to ride with her, it's a ........ hobby.
Golf:
If you drive a cart, it's a game.
If you carry your bag and walk, it's a sport.
06-12-16, 01:33 PM
#30
Squirrel
Wait... why would I want to ride with her? Who is she? I like the bike!
I want to say hobby, but actually considering the amount I've been riding I would say it should really be classified as a daydream.
I want to say hobby, but actually considering the amount I've been riding I would say it should really be classified as a daydream.
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06-12-16, 02:27 PM
#31
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sport/utility
I ride to maintain not to train. No racing but riding with the group is usually intense so I would consider the riding to be sport. Utility riding would be on my hybrid for food shopping, doctor/blood work visits, home improvement supplies.....anytime I can use the bike instead of the minivan.
Excellent high tops and matching socks!!!!
I ride to maintain not to train. No racing but riding with the group is usually intense so I would consider the riding to be sport. Utility riding would be on my hybrid for food shopping, doctor/blood work visits, home improvement supplies.....anytime I can use the bike instead of the minivan.
Excellent high tops and matching socks!!!!
06-12-16, 03:34 PM
#32
Senior Member
Definitely neither. I've never been able to think of cycling as a sport. I also think that operating any sort of machine on public roads requires a more serious attitude than "pastime."
It's always been transportation for me. That does not keep it from being fun, but it is still transportation, and I give it the same care that I bring to driving or flying.
It's always been transportation for me. That does not keep it from being fun, but it is still transportation, and I give it the same care that I bring to driving or flying.
06-12-16, 03:39 PM
#33
Senior Member
Great question and obviously we each have different takes Guess many things to me.
First a fitness activity to increase longevity, brain work, weight, stamina etc.
Second a sport in getting right pedal strokes, cadence, body position, breathing, nutrition to compete against other riders in your group, yourself or yourself via strava. Strava offers for example: despite being 71 for 50+ segments, I'm at 67th percentile for everyone and 62nd percentile for those over 65; and just below 50th percentile for my group who are from 24 to 72 years old with about age 50 average. Yes happy with these results.
Third it's a social activity riding with nice people and then Starbucking it before the end of each ride to be together; also we get together for birthdays and the like.
First a fitness activity to increase longevity, brain work, weight, stamina etc.
Second a sport in getting right pedal strokes, cadence, body position, breathing, nutrition to compete against other riders in your group, yourself or yourself via strava. Strava offers for example: despite being 71 for 50+ segments, I'm at 67th percentile for everyone and 62nd percentile for those over 65; and just below 50th percentile for my group who are from 24 to 72 years old with about age 50 average. Yes happy with these results.
Third it's a social activity riding with nice people and then Starbucking it before the end of each ride to be together; also we get together for birthdays and the like.
06-12-16, 03:56 PM
#34
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Great question and obviously we each have different takes Guess many things to me.
First a fitness activity to increase longevity, brain work, weight, stamina etc.
Second a sport in getting right pedal strokes, cadence, body position, breathing, nutrition to compete against other riders in your group, yourself or yourself via strava. Strava offers for example: despite being 71 for 50+ segments, I'm at 67th percentile for everyone and 62nd percentile for those over 65; and just below 50th percentile for my group who are from 24 to 72 years old with about age 50 average. Yes happy with these results.
Third it's a social activity riding with nice people and then Starbucking it before the end of each ride to be together; also we get together for birthdays and the like.
First a fitness activity to increase longevity, brain work, weight, stamina etc.
Second a sport in getting right pedal strokes, cadence, body position, breathing, nutrition to compete against other riders in your group, yourself or yourself via strava. Strava offers for example: despite being 71 for 50+ segments, I'm at 67th percentile for everyone and 62nd percentile for those over 65; and just below 50th percentile for my group who are from 24 to 72 years old with about age 50 average. Yes happy with these results.
Third it's a social activity riding with nice people and then Starbucking it before the end of each ride to be together; also we get together for birthdays and the like.
06-12-16, 04:20 PM
#35
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I haven't given it that much thought. Depends on the day, how I feel, If I turn on the Garmin or not, and how hard I ride, that day. I do a mix of recreational cruising, and training a bit. No races or anything like that. I almost always ride solo, so fellow riders don't dictate that I push it, or just cruise at my own pace. I don't keep records, I just do what I feel on any given day, so I suppose it's a pastime.
06-12-16, 04:54 PM
#36
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Headwinds. When the wind is blowing hard do you take a training ride straight into it knowing your times are going to stink? You just might be riding for sport.
06-12-16, 05:00 PM
#37
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Sport and pastime (or recreation) aren't really mutually exclusive. When I play golf, it is a sporting activity, but it is also recreation and certainly is a pastime.
As another poster noted, "sport" classically involves some level of competition or uncertainty of outcome. Bicycling certainly can be a sport, but when I go out for a ride in the country that doesn't really meet the traditional definition. Being an athletic activity doesn't automatically make it sporting.
As another poster noted, "sport" classically involves some level of competition or uncertainty of outcome. Bicycling certainly can be a sport, but when I go out for a ride in the country that doesn't really meet the traditional definition. Being an athletic activity doesn't automatically make it sporting.
06-12-16, 05:16 PM
#38
Squirrel
I wonder if it has to be defined as anything... I like kayaks better than jet skis, dogsleds better than snowmobiles, and bikes better than cars. Seems more like a preference than a sport or hobby. I'll bet the commuters and car-free are like that, too. And I'll bet you'd have to add in art appreciation for the C&V crowd. And the something different for the touring folk.
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06-12-16, 05:29 PM
#39
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Then sometimes I ride events which are timed (which would make it a sport) but I don't try to win or even place well so it's accurately more of a pastime . . . at least for me.
When I first saw the question I wondered "What does it matter?" but then I got to thinking that maybe to some riders it really might matter.
Big picture, for me, whether it's a timed event or not it's a good fun time with probably some health benefits (given that I don't crash!) plus a fun social time with friends who share the same experience. So yes, I consider it all good and each of you is welcome to put upon it any label you like!
Rick / OCRR
06-12-16, 06:39 PM
#42
Senior Member
At age 55, I guess it can be an addicting sport just like golf.
Not to be crude, but I have been teased and called a "fart in the wind" as I'm over here doing this, I'm over there, I'm always running around with boundless energy.
I don't have a carbon frame racing bicycle and don't wear a full kit either. I have no intentions of racing or doing time trials. I just want to get some exercise, build up endurance, and enjoy the scenery as I pass by.
Bicycling
Golf
Jogging
Dog Walking (um, I mean - the dogs take ME for a walk! ha ha...)
Not to be crude, but I have been teased and called a "fart in the wind" as I'm over here doing this, I'm over there, I'm always running around with boundless energy.
I don't have a carbon frame racing bicycle and don't wear a full kit either. I have no intentions of racing or doing time trials. I just want to get some exercise, build up endurance, and enjoy the scenery as I pass by.
Bicycling
Golf
Jogging
Dog Walking (um, I mean - the dogs take ME for a walk! ha ha...)
06-12-16, 09:36 PM
#43
Made it to 84 WHOOPIE
Upper 70's. Combine trail bicycling, mtn/single track, swimming, resistance training, stretching, walking for fitness. Never ever considered myself an "athlete" but neighbors seem to think I am a bit different!! My riding is recreational and "howdy" types of rides. Certainly not a sport for me.
06-13-16, 03:36 AM
#44
Senior Member
I would select fitness and pastime not sport. To me sport involves competition with others or yourself. I don't race, I don't train. I ride for pleasure - typically 25-30 miles - and on short route days will throw in a handful of brief all-out sprints for fitness. I also take an overseas biking trip every year but those are, again, for pleasure and do not involve highly challenging. competitive rides.
06-13-16, 07:35 AM
#45
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sport/utility
I ride to maintain not to train. No racing but riding with the group is usually intense so I would consider the riding to be sport. Utility riding would be on my hybrid for food shopping, doctor/blood work visits, home improvement supplies.....anytime I can use the bike instead of the minivan.
Excellent high tops and matching socks!!!!
I ride to maintain not to train. No racing but riding with the group is usually intense so I would consider the riding to be sport. Utility riding would be on my hybrid for food shopping, doctor/blood work visits, home improvement supplies.....anytime I can use the bike instead of the minivan.
Excellent high tops and matching socks!!!!
06-13-16, 07:42 AM
#46
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Transportation first. I mostly bike commute. Then recreational sport or pastime. Whichever word floats your boat.
Speaking of which. I would love to ride with her. Doubt she would want to ride with me. Nice pic tho.
Speaking of which. I would love to ride with her. Doubt she would want to ride with me. Nice pic tho.
06-13-16, 07:47 AM
#47
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Yes, I consider cycling a sport and pastime. Group rides generally end up being competitive a few times every ride and the rest is for fitness/enjoyment. I'd also consider playing recreational ice hockey a sport and the intensity of competition is similar.
06-13-16, 08:06 AM
#48
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My wife and kids would say that it's my obsession. I'd say it's my way of life.
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06-13-16, 09:57 AM
#50
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All of the above. It's definitely a fitness activity when I ride hills. But the scenery is gorgeous, and being out in the wild is exhilarating. I will race to keep up with faster riders, so there's some sport going on. I use a bike for transportation, like when I ride to the gym. But when the weather's nice, half the time I get to the gym and keep riding. :-)