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Old 01-24-18, 02:25 PM
  #1  
Flip Flop Rider
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Would you still ride if...

your body was the exact way that you want it (size, weight, muscularity)? So, no trying to lose weight, or tone up

those people who do nothing and look fantastic, pretend you're one of them. Would you still ride your bike?

I know some will say yes because I commute, or don't own a vehicle, but primarily am looking for opinions from pleasure riders
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Old 01-24-18, 02:27 PM
  #2  
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Yes.

I don't ride for exercise.

I ride because I enjoy it.

The fact that I get exercise from biking which prevents me from having to do other exercise that I hate is just an awesome side effect.
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Old 01-24-18, 02:29 PM
  #3  
jimmie65
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I ride to commute and I ride to stay fit.
But I mainly ride because I love riding.
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Old 01-24-18, 02:37 PM
  #4  
superdex
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well, yeah. Otherwise I woulda bought a treadmill.
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Old 01-24-18, 02:38 PM
  #5  
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you're asking if someone who rides for pleasure would continue to ride for pleasure even if they dropped the 20 lbs their doc suggested they drop? seems like you might be answering your own question but just in case, yeah I would
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Old 01-24-18, 02:39 PM
  #6  
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Yes. I would ride, because I enjoy the experience. Now I'm trying to lose weight and gain fitness too, and it's because I enjoy cycling that I choose cycling as a primary fitness activity. I also walk and cross-country ski, but cycling is what I enjoy the most.
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Old 01-24-18, 02:47 PM
  #7  
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Yes. My quiet, low-traffic, low-stress bike commute is much nicer than my crowded, noisy stressful drive. Aside from the physical benefits there is still immediate physical pleasure in riding a bike. And other than size, weight and muscularity there are other health benefits to riding, like cardio vascular health, physical stress management, mental health.

Then there is the appreciation of well-crafted machines which extends to using them.

People love and drive cars and cars don't do anything for your size, weight and muscularity.
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Old 01-24-18, 02:47 PM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by Flip Flop Rider
your body was the exact way that you want it (size, weight, muscularity)? So, no trying to lose weight, or tone up

those people who do nothing and look fantastic, pretend you're one of them. Would you still ride your bike?

I know some will say yes because I commute, or don't own a vehicle, but primarily am looking for opinions from pleasure riders
Yes, of course. The fitter I am, the more fun it is to ride.
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Old 01-24-18, 02:50 PM
  #9  
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Yes.
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Old 01-24-18, 02:50 PM
  #10  
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Of course. In fact I'd probably keep riding some even if it was bad for my health.
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Old 01-24-18, 02:54 PM
  #11  
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Definitely. I not only ride for exercise but for the enjoyment, and having the body I want means I'd have less weight to lug up hills.
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Old 01-24-18, 03:00 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by Reynolds
Of course. In fact I'd probably keep riding some even if it was bad for my health.


Best answer yet.

I just turned 57. I've been riding avidly since I was 14 years old, so that's 43 years. I haven't been fitness oriented except in the last two or three years. I've ridden because I enjoy it, and I was happy that fitness was a consequence. But now I'm taking charge of my health, so I'm working on strength and endurance.

I am at my ideal weight. I'm lucky that I have a built-in calorie meter, and I stop eating when I've had enough.
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Old 01-24-18, 03:10 PM
  #13  
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You still have to maintain your perfect body in your hypothetical, so yes.
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Old 01-24-18, 03:19 PM
  #14  
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Absolutely! I'd be out there wearing out tires!
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Old 01-24-18, 03:22 PM
  #15  
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Yes, I love riding, getting fit/less fat is just an added bonus!
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Old 01-24-18, 03:40 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by rollagain
Absolutely! I'd be out there wearing out tires!
I love watching my tires wear out and seeing the tread start to wear down to nothing.

Makes me feel like I accomplished something!
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Old 01-24-18, 03:46 PM
  #17  
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My body is where I want it to be - slim and proportioned. That's because I'm very careful about what and how much I eat, and I exercise a lot. And since I rIde primarily for the workout, of course I'd keep riding. Because you have to maintain your physique, or you'll age poorly.
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Old 01-24-18, 03:48 PM
  #18  
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I'm relatively new to cycling, but I'm finding it a great way to get out and see things. I'm definitely more of a stop and smell the roses kind of rider. I wish I had more time to get out out there, but my job keeps me away from home most of the time and it's just not practical to bring my bike.
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Old 01-24-18, 03:57 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by Flip Flop Rider
your body was the exact way that you want it (size, weight, muscularity)?
Yes. It was awesome levitating up mountains at 5'10" and 136 pounds with a 3.5W/kg FTP.
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Old 01-24-18, 03:57 PM
  #20  
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If my body was exactly the way I wanted it I would be riding so much more, so much further! My interest in cycling has little to do with getting in shape. Heck if things were perfect I would possibly consider racing, not that I have a huge interest now.
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Old 01-24-18, 04:04 PM
  #21  
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Oh yes

Bicycling is a joy in and of itself.
My favorite ride is a Sunday morning spin in a nature preserve.
No infernal combustion machines allowed. I pedal slowly around,
enjoying the sights saying hello to everyone I meet.
I hope to get a Wynter bike and do all that in the Wynter on a limited scale.

Ride on brother,ride on.
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Old 01-24-18, 04:06 PM
  #22  
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I've been there, I still rode.

I'll get there again, I'll still ride.
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Old 01-24-18, 05:40 PM
  #23  
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I ride not because I have to, but because I want to.
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Old 01-24-18, 05:45 PM
  #24  
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I'm not sure my body would stay perfectly toned if I couldn't make it to the grocery store by bike.
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Old 01-24-18, 05:54 PM
  #25  
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yes. how else would I get a vacation away from the house?
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