Do you sometimes feel like you hate your bike?
11-10-18, 06:56 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Do you sometimes feel like you hate your bike?
Ok, maybe "hate" is not the right word, but there's been times when I've been out on a long ride, and I ask myself, "Why am I out here doing this?" Your muscles hurt, you are hot or cold. There's other things you need to be doing.
Ever what to throw your bike into the ditch?
But I think cycling may be my medicine. It calms much of what bothers me. But like a drug, it's effect is short lived, and I need more in a day or two. Once a long ride is over, I feel refreshed all over. Much of my body aches and pains seem to subside. My mind feels fresher, more clear, more positive, more excited about what I've just accomplished.
I may have met someone that day on a rest stop, or stopped to visit with someone along the road that was a pleasant experience.
But I don't intend to imply that the cycling experience is drudgery. There are times when you are pedaling, a gentle breeze blows in your face and all is well with the world. The endorphins kick in and you have peace in your mind. But often time, the hardest part of the ride is just getting motivated, to get from the couch to the bike. Once there, all is well.
Most of the time, I do enjoy my bike rides. But the biggest joy comes from the over all feeling I have, once the ride is over. I've biked border-to-border across a state 4 times. I can recall a few times on those rides, when I thought about throwing in the towel. But what wonderful memories I have of those efforts!
Anyone else relate?
Ever what to throw your bike into the ditch?
But I think cycling may be my medicine. It calms much of what bothers me. But like a drug, it's effect is short lived, and I need more in a day or two. Once a long ride is over, I feel refreshed all over. Much of my body aches and pains seem to subside. My mind feels fresher, more clear, more positive, more excited about what I've just accomplished.
I may have met someone that day on a rest stop, or stopped to visit with someone along the road that was a pleasant experience.
But I don't intend to imply that the cycling experience is drudgery. There are times when you are pedaling, a gentle breeze blows in your face and all is well with the world. The endorphins kick in and you have peace in your mind. But often time, the hardest part of the ride is just getting motivated, to get from the couch to the bike. Once there, all is well.
Most of the time, I do enjoy my bike rides. But the biggest joy comes from the over all feeling I have, once the ride is over. I've biked border-to-border across a state 4 times. I can recall a few times on those rides, when I thought about throwing in the towel. But what wonderful memories I have of those efforts!
Anyone else relate?
11-10-18, 07:17 PM
#2
Senior Member
Ok, maybe "hate" is not the right word, but there's been times when I've been out on a long ride, and I ask myself, "Why am I out here doing this?" Your muscles hurt, you are hot or cold. There's other things you need to be doing.
Ever what to throw your bike into the ditch?
But I think cycling may be my medicine. It calms much of what bothers me. But like a drug, it's effect is short lived, and I need more in a day or two. Once a long ride is over, I feel refreshed all over. Much of my body aches and pains seem to subside. My mind feels fresher, more clear, more positive, more excited about what I've just accomplished.
I may have met someone that day on a rest stop, or stopped to visit with someone along the road that was a pleasant experience.
But I don't intend to imply that the cycling experience is drudgery. There are times when you are pedaling, a gentle breeze blows in your face and all is well with the world. The endorphins kick in and you have peace in your mind. But often time, the hardest part of the ride is just getting motivated, to get from the couch to the bike. Once there, all is well.
Most of the time, I do enjoy my bike rides. But the biggest joy comes from the over all feeling I have, once the ride is over. I've biked border-to-border across a state 4 times. I can recall a few times on those rides, when I thought about throwing in the towel. But what wonderful memories I have of those efforts!
Anyone else relate?
Ever what to throw your bike into the ditch?
But I think cycling may be my medicine. It calms much of what bothers me. But like a drug, it's effect is short lived, and I need more in a day or two. Once a long ride is over, I feel refreshed all over. Much of my body aches and pains seem to subside. My mind feels fresher, more clear, more positive, more excited about what I've just accomplished.
I may have met someone that day on a rest stop, or stopped to visit with someone along the road that was a pleasant experience.
But I don't intend to imply that the cycling experience is drudgery. There are times when you are pedaling, a gentle breeze blows in your face and all is well with the world. The endorphins kick in and you have peace in your mind. But often time, the hardest part of the ride is just getting motivated, to get from the couch to the bike. Once there, all is well.
Most of the time, I do enjoy my bike rides. But the biggest joy comes from the over all feeling I have, once the ride is over. I've biked border-to-border across a state 4 times. I can recall a few times on those rides, when I thought about throwing in the towel. But what wonderful memories I have of those efforts!
Anyone else relate?
I would say of the total overall experience, 5 percent of it is a negative, in my head.
11-10-18, 07:20 PM
#3
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sometimes I get bored with a bike so then I get another. I try to sell as I buy but sometimes there's some lag time until my selling catches up with my buying. the other parts about enjoying riding, well yeah
11-10-18, 07:51 PM
#4
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I hated my Roubaix for the chattering chain, intermittent skipping gears, no matter how much I adjusted it after installing a new chain and cassette. Turns out I had the chain mis-routed outside the little bent tab on the lower cage. I rode it quite a way like that, including a rainy half century. I re-routed the chain properly and its all good now. The Roubaix is smooth, and and a pleasure to ride now. I don't hate the bike anymore, but sometimes I hate the stupid mechanic - me. 🤨
11-10-18, 08:09 PM
#6
Interocitor Command
Not at all. Sometimes I even go out into the garage and look at my bikes adoringly. If I find myself riding so much that it feels like an obligation rather than something I look forward to I back off for a while. I'm not on any kind of schedule or set in stone training plan. Occasionally near the end of a riding season I'll be looking forward to a break, but that's about the extent of it.
11-10-18, 10:18 PM
#7
Bicyclerider4life
Hate my bike? Never!
However, I do hate the goatsheads/sandburrs, and broken glass that make me have to walk.
However, I do hate the goatsheads/sandburrs, and broken glass that make me have to walk.
11-10-18, 11:33 PM
#8
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There's certainly times when I'm out there, in the middle of some steep hill in the middle of nowhere, sweating or freezing or cussing the wind, wondering what on earth made me think this was a good idea. But it usually is a good idea, and it's rare that I've regretted going for a ride.
My first century was simultaneously one of the most awful and most amazing experiences. Since then, everything else has just been chasing the dragon. I have yet to catch the dragon.
11-11-18, 01:06 AM
#10
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"Feed me Seymour"
...this ditch bank plant on my everyday route always reminds me of the Little Shop of Horrors plant. I can relate somewhat on really long distance rides where everything starts hurting. I had the same feelings in a 4-5 hour round of golf where I start getting bored with how much of the day I'm devoting to this activity. I've found my sweet spot on bike riding is between 25 to 40 miles.
...this ditch bank plant on my everyday route always reminds me of the Little Shop of Horrors plant. I can relate somewhat on really long distance rides where everything starts hurting. I had the same feelings in a 4-5 hour round of golf where I start getting bored with how much of the day I'm devoting to this activity. I've found my sweet spot on bike riding is between 25 to 40 miles.
Last edited by Deal4Fuji; 11-11-18 at 06:49 AM.
11-11-18, 01:10 AM
#11
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Yes. Mostly it seems like there is a cause for the feeling which I can eventually identify.
First big thing I figured out, at about age 48, was asthma. Had it all my life and didn’t know it. I thought it was my fitness, or lack of mental fortitude. No, I just wasn’t getting air into my blood.
Another was that I was always really uncomfortable on the bike. Butt, hands, legs. Thought that if I just rode more, I would get tougher. No, I am a big guy, 6’6”, riding tiny little tires on an overly rigid bike with a series of crappy seats and bars.
Then, especially as I got a little older, my legs would blow far too soon. Again, if I could just ride more, get stronger. No, my cranks were way too short. I put on longer cranks, and suddenly I was coming home from long rides with fresh legs.
Finally, I always dreamed of epic rides, 3 days non-stop, like Randonneurs. But no, I am not built for that.
I do exceed my comfort zone now and then. It is easier to be stoic and finish a ride without some of these problems hitting me like a ton of bricks. And understanding the feeling when it hits, like an old friend I don’t really like, I can get through it.
First big thing I figured out, at about age 48, was asthma. Had it all my life and didn’t know it. I thought it was my fitness, or lack of mental fortitude. No, I just wasn’t getting air into my blood.
Another was that I was always really uncomfortable on the bike. Butt, hands, legs. Thought that if I just rode more, I would get tougher. No, I am a big guy, 6’6”, riding tiny little tires on an overly rigid bike with a series of crappy seats and bars.
Then, especially as I got a little older, my legs would blow far too soon. Again, if I could just ride more, get stronger. No, my cranks were way too short. I put on longer cranks, and suddenly I was coming home from long rides with fresh legs.
Finally, I always dreamed of epic rides, 3 days non-stop, like Randonneurs. But no, I am not built for that.
I do exceed my comfort zone now and then. It is easier to be stoic and finish a ride without some of these problems hitting me like a ton of bricks. And understanding the feeling when it hits, like an old friend I don’t really like, I can get through it.
11-11-18, 01:41 AM
#12
Newbie
We have a love/hate relationship though I only really hate it when something isn't working as it should! It drives my OCD nuts until I eventually track down the annoyance and fix it!
11-11-18, 01:56 AM
#13
☢
Your post reads like a paradox full of contradictions. It also recognizable since I've been there many times. My conclusion is its not about the bike but the journey. Sometimes its a pleasant one, sometimes it isn't.To make sure my cycling is always a pleasant experience I make sure (as best I can) the benefits outweigh the negatives.
For instance, I know I don't tolerate cooler temperature so if the temp. is going to drop below my tolerance I won't go out. There's also roads, days and time of day that I try to avoid. To put it simply you may just be bored and need a change of environment, or may just need to take a break.
For instance, I know I don't tolerate cooler temperature so if the temp. is going to drop below my tolerance I won't go out. There's also roads, days and time of day that I try to avoid. To put it simply you may just be bored and need a change of environment, or may just need to take a break.
11-11-18, 02:53 AM
#14
Senior Member
In general I love all my bikes as I only ride for leisure so each ride is usually very enjoyable - I avoid bad weather.
However, when I had a brake issue with my new CrossTrail, I actually hated the bike for a while. I spent weeks trying to resolve the brake issue by myself and then managed to strip the threads in the rear brake calliper. I had no option but to hand it in to my Specialized shop who sorted out the brake issue for me. Now all is well. I'm a bit of a perfectionist so any imperfections on my bikes tend to play on my mind.
However, when I had a brake issue with my new CrossTrail, I actually hated the bike for a while. I spent weeks trying to resolve the brake issue by myself and then managed to strip the threads in the rear brake calliper. I had no option but to hand it in to my Specialized shop who sorted out the brake issue for me. Now all is well. I'm a bit of a perfectionist so any imperfections on my bikes tend to play on my mind.
11-11-18, 05:41 AM
#15
Junior Member
I could no more "hate" my bike than "hate" my dog
I see your point, but look at it differently. If having a bad ride I blame it on weather, traffic, roads, route planning, personal conditioning, etc. If the bike is not riding right, I blame myself for neglecting to maintain it.
11-11-18, 07:54 AM
#16
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In my mountain biking days I can remember pushing my bike up some single track hill and thinking "This would be a pleasant hike if I wasn't pushing this **** bike."
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11-11-18, 08:54 AM
#17
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I did a trip on the C&O canal in June of this year, it was the trip from hades. My brooks saddle of many years had now become an instrument of torture I was short of breath and tired the whole trip, a storm came through knocking down many trees across the trail, we spent 3 hours going about as many miles to get through them. At the end of the trip I thought about selling my bike that I had built from a frame and really like for 25 dollars. I since resolved all the issues causing me problems, my beloved brooks saddle now resides in my box of saddles and another with a generous cut out takes it’s place. The shortness of breath and tiredness was a new reaction I was having to long term meds I was taking. Went on another tour this fall and all is well with the universe and I love my bike again. So yep love of your bike has limits.
11-11-18, 09:00 AM
#18
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Never. I love my bike. I may hate the fact that I didn't get enough sleep, or the weather sucks, and my ride is especially difficult. But I always love the machine.
11-11-18, 09:12 AM
#19
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This summer I did a 70 mile ride, half on gravel, about 6000' of climbing. It had the potential to be nearly perfect. The last 12 miles ended up against a gale force wind, into the rain, and of course uphill.
I think it took nearly 2 hours to ride what normally would have been 35 minutes. I might have hated my bike a little bit then. The feeling faded quickly though.
I think it took nearly 2 hours to ride what normally would have been 35 minutes. I might have hated my bike a little bit then. The feeling faded quickly though.
11-11-18, 09:24 AM
#20
Senior Member
Hate my bike? Never. Hate the conditions (road or weather)? Definitely!
I always feel better after a ride -- sometimes for days. I don't think of it as endorphins kicking in - I attribute it to the good aerobic exercise burning all of the nasty toxins from my body. Back when I was a young foolish lad in college and drank too much, I'd get up at first light, assemble the bike and go out for a 40-60 mile ride. I'd come back two- to three hours later as my roommates were just waking up nursing their hangovers, and I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!
I always feel better after a ride -- sometimes for days. I don't think of it as endorphins kicking in - I attribute it to the good aerobic exercise burning all of the nasty toxins from my body. Back when I was a young foolish lad in college and drank too much, I'd get up at first light, assemble the bike and go out for a 40-60 mile ride. I'd come back two- to three hours later as my roommates were just waking up nursing their hangovers, and I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!
11-11-18, 06:44 PM
#21
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Never ever ever. All my rides are good some are better and some are great. I have several types of things I like to do but cycling is my favorite thing in the world.
11-11-18, 06:59 PM
#23
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Hate no, but I’ve fallen out of love with bikes for various reasons. The disc brakes I thought I wanted I soon hated. The delicate lightweight vertically compliant laterally stiff carbon race frame the industry told me I needed yet was outdated 11 months later soon became something that always needed attention.
11-12-18, 08:46 AM
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Sounds like something that lady I ride with on occasion would say. She says, "You have to ride to get the crud out of your body".
11-12-18, 08:47 AM
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
