Biker395 

So the subject came up among us endurance cyclists after our windy double last weekend ... why do you ride? I'm sure this has been touched on before, but I couldn't find the thread. And there are several new members here. So I thought I'd open (or reopen) that discussion.

One opined that the reason was the suffering.

Not for me. For me, lives are measured in adventures, not years. And endurance cycling is always some kind of adventure. Sometimes, the adventure includes a healthy side order of suffering (windy doubles qualify for me), but suffering is not my raison d'etre.

Cycle commuting is a different story ... I think I do that for three reasons (1) I hate traffic (2) I want to stay in shape (among other things, for the endurance cycling) and (3) it's just fun to ride a bike.

Et toi?

rumrunn6

for the new members, by "double" I take to mean double century, as-in 200 miles in one day. correct? impressive, I could never. but I'm willing to dedicate a full day to cycling & cycling related activities. for me, it fills my empty days

Biker395 

In a way, I think what qualifies as "endurance" depends on the rider.

A new rider or someone with physical disabilities might consider a 20 mile ride to be an endurance ride, because that distance requires them to push themselves beyond their comfort zone.

Empty days? Damn ... that is an alien concept to me. At this point in my life, I have so many competing interests and demands, I have to block out time for things I want to do, or time goes sailing by.

John_V 

It started out as a way to lose weight and improve my cardio system but it quickly turned into an addiction. I get very cranky if I can't do my daily, 40-60 mile rides. Just ask my wife!

rumrunn6

yeah, turning into one of those old guys that trolls home depot cuz I miss having projects. guess I need a girlfriend

Rick@OCRR

Vic, I am so glad I didn't try the Southern Inyo Double~! Peg Miller said she was going to do it but advised me against it. So glad she did! And while Peg did finish this year she said she'd never ride it again.

I didn't enter into your discussion on facebook but yes, I ride double centuries for fun (mostly) and for the challenge of it, but also enjoy meeting (riding with) other riders in the double-century community we have here in California.

Rick / OCRR

Clyde1820

Sounds trite, perhaps, but for me me it's about the journey. I get to be outside, see the sights, be a parcipant (to a degree) intead of merely a passerby. I get to experience the journey instead of only the destination. It's simpler, though perhaps somewhat riskier. It takes less planning. It's lower-impact. It's less-costly. Presuming I have the time and the route warrants, I generally much prefer taking the road less traveled ...

ClydeTim

#1. I ride for fun as I have always been an active guy.

#2. I like to do any kind of sport keeping strong and healthy.

#3. I have participated in many sports. Always done well. Being a big guy, I also did well with the iron. But I took up cycling because it was a sport that many said, and figuring it was against my advantages. I an' count the times I have heard other cyclists say, "you're too big to ride, you're to big to climb, you're too big to do a century, you're too big to keep up with me!".

So it was a challenge for me to conquer centuries with 12,000 ft of gain. And those cyclists have a difference outlook on us big guys now.

I like to work against my advantages. My doing these centuries is like a 130 pound guy looking to put on 50 pounds of muscle. Some have the guts and some don't. Most will go with their advantages but I like to break the mold!

gobicycling

Why ride?

Why not?

indyfabz

One reason is that I like to travel by bike. I try to take at least one week+, fully self contained tour in the west every year. Heading to Montana and Idaho this June.

az_cyclist

I just enjoy cycling, much more so than running. The past 7 years I have gotten more interested in long distance cycling, and thru those rides (the California Triple Crown series) I have been fortunate to meet Rick@OCRR and Biker395, as well as others riding those doubles. They have been a new challenge for me, one that I hope I continue after my long distance mentor (Jim) cuts back. I also enjoy the companionship on local club rides.

wthensler 

Cycling is a one of a kind experience for me. The sights, sounds, smells, everything about it. And of course the human condition....sweat, toil, cadence, tempo, etc.

rando_couche

Yep.


I ride my bike to ride my bike.

mpath

Simply, I love riding, and will ride as long as time and weather allows. But I'm also a gear junkie and like high quality (read: expensive) gear. And I can only justify acquiring it if I'm going to actually use it and not just as wall or garage art.

Wildwood 

I have a bunch of bikes, and they all need occasional exercise?


Often enough i get tired of my other outdoor hobbies, cycling fills the need?


When tired of wrenching (that's easy), i ride?

Loose Chain

Because I am here and I need to be there.

J

stardognine

It's a great way to get out and get some fresh air & excercise. And see things, like birds & critters. 🙂 I've only done one century, unplanned, and it nearly killed me. 😉 I don't really pay attention to mileage, like a lot of you, I'm too old now to get in any kind of hurry.

OldsCOOL

Adventure. Challenge. Freedom. Cameraderie. Fun.

MBurke

This is what happened to me. I don't get to ride 40-60 miles a day but try not to get to grumpy if I don't get my mileage in (20 mile mornings, longer on weekends) rides

The sights , sounds and smells when out on the open roads of the Iowa country side are Awesome.
Especially in the fall . Seeing the sun rise's in the spring and summer are pretty cool.

The daunting feeling of being 30 (or more) miles from home and all you have is your bike.....that's awesome. And then the feeling I get when I pull in my driveway after one of those rides.....knowing where I've been and what I just accomplished...

Do I have to go on

good4u

I ride for fitness now but also for the pleasure of it. I work at riding these days so I can keep up with my son: It is something we can do together that we both enjoy.

MinnMan

Because it's my bliss

2manybikes

I ride 2 far, therefor I am.

Machka 

Why ride?

Because I can't imagine life without bicycles. I've never known life without bicycles.

canklecat

Bicycling is the only activity I enjoy that some folks mistake for "exercise". It's that too, but if it were only exercise I probably wouldn't do it.

Ditto, the adventure and camaraderie.

Gresp15C

I'm a musician, and after a spectacularly bad gig, I was describing it to my spouse. She asked: "Why do you do it, if it's such a drag?"

It's just something that I have to do, even if I know it's going to be bad. Cycling is kind of the same way.