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Happy place?

Old 12-29-19, 08:48 PM
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davethelefty
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Happy place?

A friend recently told me that her happy place was Disney World. Now I'm a central Floridian and I couldn't think of a worse place to spend my time, but hey, to each his own.

Then I got to thinking about it, and decided that I have a very scenic ride I take right on a road along side a river, with a canopy of old live oaks and palm trees, and best of all, very little car traffic and a 15 mph speed limit (which I break!!!). I think riding on that road on a sunny, not-too-hot day with the river nice and glassy beside me -- that's my happy place. My other happy place is on that river, in a kayak.

Is your happy place tied to a bike trail or a bike ride of some kind?
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Old 12-29-19, 09:31 PM
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I'm in Eastern Carolina, near the water. It's flat, which isn't a positive attribute, but I can ride from my driveway into very light traffic. My happy place is along the rural roads where I lose track of where I am.
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Old 12-30-19, 12:53 AM
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I have three. One is riding when it is clear and all the snowy mountains are out and on display. Another is when all the flowers are blooming in the spring. And the last is with the sun setting over the Pacific.
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Old 12-30-19, 06:54 AM
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Originally Posted by FloridaDave
A friend recently told me that her happy place was Disney World. Now I'm a central Floridian and I couldn't think of a worse place to spend my time, but hey, to each his own.....................?
SW FL since 1986 with WDW being a Happy Place since 1979. Just there 2 weeks ago and didn't even go to the Parks, just hung out in the RV at Fort Wilderness. Back again in Feb.

My riding "Happy Place" is anywhere on the bikes.
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Old 12-30-19, 07:45 AM
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My happy place is anywhere away from the hordes of people. If I leave the house early enough on my bicycle, that is my happy place.
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Old 12-30-19, 07:47 AM
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Papa Tom
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Originally Posted by FloridaDave
Is your happy place tied to a bike trail or a bike ride of some kind?
Yes. It's the route of my annual overnight ride from Long Island, NY to Mystic, CT. At no other time in my day-to-day life am I as relaxed and content as when I am riding this part-road, part-path, part-dirt trail mini-tour.
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Old 12-30-19, 08:01 AM
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When I lived near the area, I'd often ride the mtn.bike trails around Lake Redman/Lake Williams, just outside of Shrewsbury PA. Rocky Ridge, near York PA isn't too shabby for mtn.biking, either. Lived near and rode often on the NCR rail-trail (think it was renamed the York Heritage Trail) Have even given thought to moving back to that area, drawn by the many rail-trails and mtn.biking trails. Beautiful scenery around there also.
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Old 12-30-19, 09:24 AM
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Touring quiet, scenic roads in Montana.
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Old 12-30-19, 01:29 PM
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The moments when I'm alone, no attractions/distractions (cars/peds/etc) and I can hear the derailleurs shifting in perfection.... This is.my "zone"
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Old 12-30-19, 01:46 PM
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After a trip to the local pizzeria, a friend of mine quipped:

"Chuck E. Cheese is living proof that one person's heaven can be another person's hell."

So it is with Disney World. I know many who love it, and I can see the reason why. Going with small children is another matter (seeing their joy is itself enjoyable) but personally, I'd rather have hot sticks poked in my eyes.

I have many happy places, but most of them are happy as much because of who I'm with as where I am. But there are those occasional soulful places where being alone is where it's at. That would be the Eastern Sierra, witnessing another sunrise or sunset.
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Old 12-30-19, 02:34 PM
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in our house, we have a spot, we affectionately call, "the spot". it's a corner of our sectional, in our living room. it's a sanctuary of sorts. for example, when a kid comes home & they have no plans for a cpl days, they get the spot. our Daughter usually takes it, but I fear those days are dwindling. there's a new "fella" in the picture. Wifey likes it at night a cpl hrs before bed. I rarely get it, but that's OK, cuz I guess, I'm happiest outside, during a blizzard
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Old 12-30-19, 05:01 PM
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Happy Place - get the concept but the specifics are a little dreamy.
My local apothecary can put you in a happy place!


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Old 12-31-19, 03:26 AM
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One is a location in northern Tasmania where there aren't very many people and where there are some decent, empty roads to ride on. Away from people is key!
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Old 12-31-19, 08:29 PM
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My happy place is on a bike and it takes me to all other happy places.

This is the time of year when driving local roads on routes often rode in the warm summer sun that I can recall specific rides, speeds, gearing, I can almost feel the notch click and shift change.

For now, memories will have to do.
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Old 12-31-19, 11:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Machka
One is a location in northern Tasmania where there aren't very many people and where there are some decent, empty roads to ride on. Away from people is key!
That United Airlines 787 that flies directly over my house coming and going from Houston to Sydney and vice versa teasing me to visit Australia one of these days. I would love to cruise through the outback away from the tourist places. That would be a happy place for me and it’s on my bucket list.
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Old 01-01-20, 01:24 AM
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Jim from Boston
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Happy place?
Originally Posted by FloridaDave
A friend recently told me that her happy place was Disney World. Now I'm a central Floridian and I couldn't think of a worse place to spend my time, but hey, to each his own.

Then I got to thinking about it, and decided that I have a very scenic ride I take right on a road along side a river, with a canopy of old live oaks and palm trees, and best of all, very little car traffic and a 15 mph speed limit (which I break!!!). I think riding on that road on a sunny, not-too-hot day with the river nice and glassy beside me -- that's my happy place. My other happy place is on that river, in a kayak.

Is your happy place tied to a bike trail or a bike ride of some kind?
Originally Posted by OldsCOOL
My happy place is on a bike and it takes me to all other happy places.

This is the time of year when driving local roads on routes often rode in the warm summer sun that I can recall specific rides, speeds, gearing, I can almost feel the notch click and shift change.

For now, memories will have to do.
Indeed a (specific) "happy place” is hard to pinpoint, especially after a decades-long cycling lifestyle, e.g.
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
"What Is One Of Your Most Memorable Days On Your Bike?"

@jppe , that question is a bit like, "Who’s your favorite child?" Nearly all my most memorable days on a bike had been in the context of tours:...
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
"Favorite route, loop or out/back ?"

…Other than my weekday one-way commute (usually take a train home), often my long Saturday ride is a lengthened route to work (at my convenience, for a few hours), then ride home…

Last summer I met a weekend cycling companion, and we decided we would agree on a meeting spot, and then do a loop to return to our cars (which I do not think is a “loop/out-and back” in the sense of this thread}…

When I might have about two hours to ride from home, I do have several routes, but a favorite, with the least amount of traffic, I call the training loop.…

I have very nice options…
As to a specific environment, similar to the OP, I have posted a few times:
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
"Enjoying a nice little back road."

... I have described probably similar “nice little ("enchanted") back roads,” akin to a classic “nice little black dress” in the fashion world. :
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
All my cycling as a decades-long, year-round commuter and occasional centurian in Metro Boston ranges from dense urban, to suburban, to exurban, but no rural. I'm goal-oriented, be it miles or destinations, so I take the Road as it comes, to satisfy my Goal.

Over the years, I have described roads, so for this post I compiled my descriptions in order of cycling pleasure (paved roads only):

  • Enchanted
    Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
    ...There are certain roads I have discovered, unfortunately usually short, that I describe as “intimate,” or “enchanted”; so serene and peaceful, shady, lightly traveled, and without shoulders...
    Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

Last edited by Jim from Boston; 01-01-20 at 02:22 AM.
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