What Do You Value Most About Touring?
03-30-16, 08:37 PM
#2
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I get to ride my bike and see sights I may never have seen.
Often I get a chance to enjoy the companionship of good friends
And finally it's a way of simplifying one's life, since all I generally think about is how far are we going to ride, where is my next meal coming from and where will I sleep that night.
Often I get a chance to enjoy the companionship of good friends
And finally it's a way of simplifying one's life, since all I generally think about is how far are we going to ride, where is my next meal coming from and where will I sleep that night.
03-30-16, 08:48 PM
#3
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I tour for two basic reasons.
Sometimes it's about the place and getting a sense of it, and a feel for how people live(d) there. That's especially true when the places themselves have significance, ie Historic sites in Europe, or the Grand Canyon.
Otherwise, it's about the people I meet along the way.
Then, of course, there's the ride itself. Touring by bicycle is very different than travel by car or other means. It's a much more immersive (as close a word as I can come up with) experience. Cars drive to or through places, but bicycles make you part of them.
Sometimes it's about the place and getting a sense of it, and a feel for how people live(d) there. That's especially true when the places themselves have significance, ie Historic sites in Europe, or the Grand Canyon.
Otherwise, it's about the people I meet along the way.
Then, of course, there's the ride itself. Touring by bicycle is very different than travel by car or other means. It's a much more immersive (as close a word as I can come up with) experience. Cars drive to or through places, but bicycles make you part of them.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
03-30-16, 09:12 PM
#4
Clark W. Griswold
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I like just getting out there and riding and camping and being somewhat separate from the rest of the world. You can see stuff and do things you won't see or do most any other time. It is freedom you aren't going to find in a car or train or aero-plane.
However I do love the fun aspect of planning my trip and getting things ready. Lewis Black I think hit the nail on the head:
(you can start at :57 to get to the point)
However I do love the fun aspect of planning my trip and getting things ready. Lewis Black I think hit the nail on the head:
03-30-16, 09:14 PM
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I like the independence and the sense of adventure. I like seeing the world up-close, and I like that I only have to worry about a couple things: enough to eat and a warm place to sleep. I like that I don't have to answer to anyone.
Also, I like riding my bike.
Also, I like riding my bike.
03-30-16, 09:25 PM
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I get to ride my bike and see sights I may never have seen.
Often I get a chance to enjoy the companionship of good friends
And finally it's a way of simplifying one's life, since all I generally think about is how far are we going to ride, where is my next meal coming from and where will I sleep that night.
Often I get a chance to enjoy the companionship of good friends
And finally it's a way of simplifying one's life, since all I generally think about is how far are we going to ride, where is my next meal coming from and where will I sleep that night.
03-30-16, 10:30 PM
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I am doing training rides 2-3 times a week until August with a large group of teenagers training for RAGBRAI. Working with them to create goals, plan, train, and learn has been and will continue to be a blast.
03-30-16, 10:39 PM
#11
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i prefer to travel independently, not on an organized tour,
and not tethered to bus/train schedules.
i want to see the places i think are interesting, rather than
following the standard list in the guidebooks.
if i see a fork in the road, i'll take it.
and not tethered to bus/train schedules.
i want to see the places i think are interesting, rather than
following the standard list in the guidebooks.
if i see a fork in the road, i'll take it.
03-30-16, 11:26 PM
#12
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The ability to see the world. The small town hold on to the countries unique ways longer than the cities.
I also like camping and riding my bike.
I also like camping and riding my bike.
03-30-16, 11:52 PM
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I like getting away from the everyday hassles & out into the fresh air of the countryside, plus the physical & logistical challenges. Bike touring can be very relaxing even with some occasional aches & pains. The rapid training effect can be quite amazing too. If the sights & folks are nice that's a plus. In Europe I've only car-toured; while zooming down the Autobahns can be fun, overall driving in Europe can be a hassle. Next trip there will be a bike tour for sure.
03-31-16, 12:23 AM
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For some clearly irrational reason, travelling by bike gives me a greater sense of independence and freedom than driving. And the pace of the journey is perfect for me, covering a lot of ground while not missing anything along the way.
And it's meditative. The physical rhythms of being on the bike keep me in the moment, connected to my immediate environment. @FBinNY, "immersive" is an excellent word for this.
And it's meditative. The physical rhythms of being on the bike keep me in the moment, connected to my immediate environment. @FBinNY, "immersive" is an excellent word for this.
03-31-16, 03:53 AM
#15
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03-31-16, 04:42 AM
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In the words of Mel Gibson as William Wallace
"FREEEEEDOOOOOMMM!!!"
Being able to ride where I want, how I want, and camp when and where I want, stop for breaks as I want to, and not have any household chores or work todo.
"FREEEEEDOOOOOMMM!!!"
Being able to ride where I want, how I want, and camp when and where I want, stop for breaks as I want to, and not have any household chores or work todo.
03-31-16, 05:27 AM
#17
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Looking and feeling like a badass. 
03-31-16, 06:43 AM
#19
bicycle tourist
The blending of type-A goal driven and type-B relaxed experiences:
Type-A: planning, organization, sense of accomplishment, miles
Type-B: taking things as they come, having to react to whatever comes up, sharing smiles
Type-A: planning, organization, sense of accomplishment, miles
Type-B: taking things as they come, having to react to whatever comes up, sharing smiles
03-31-16, 11:12 AM
#21
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03-31-16, 11:48 AM
#23
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Sharpens the focus to the immediate task at hand. Cheaper than therapy. A great way to see the countryside, up close and slow. Sights and smells are good too. Biking+camping+large amounts of food+beers at the end of the day. All good. Visiting new areas too.
03-31-16, 11:55 AM
#24
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+1 to everything mentioned here. I don't have time to take long tours at this stage of my life, but the few overnight rides I take every year represent the only times I am able to let myself live absolutely in the moment.
03-31-16, 01:58 PM
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