Would you still ride if...
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: South Carolina Upstate
Posts: 2,105
Bikes: 2010 Fuji Absolute 3.0 1994 Trek 850
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 762 Post(s)
Liked 555 Times
in
322 Posts
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
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
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Mid Atlantic / USA
Posts: 2,115
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Crosstrail / 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite
Mentioned: 43 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1002 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
155 Posts
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.
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.
#3
Proud hobo biker
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Schertz - New Braunfels area
Posts: 804
Bikes: 2019 Surly Ogre, 2016 Giant Anyroad 2, Lightspeed Roadrunner trike, SE Tripel (in process)
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 202 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I ride to commute and I ride to stay fit.
But I mainly ride because I love riding.
But I mainly ride because I love riding.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
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
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Munising, Michigan, USA
Posts: 4,131
Bikes: Priority 600, Priority Continuum, Devinci Dexter
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 685 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times
in
37 Posts
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.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,971
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1364 Post(s)
Liked 1,677 Times
in
827 Posts
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.
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.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
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
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
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,229
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18409 Post(s)
Liked 15,518 Times
in
7,324 Posts
Yes.
#10
Passista
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,597
Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaña pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 866 Post(s)
Liked 721 Times
in
396 Posts
Of course. In fact I'd probably keep riding some even if it was bad for my health.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,947
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2281 Post(s)
Liked 1,710 Times
in
936 Posts
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.
#12
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,460 Times
in
1,432 Posts
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.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#14
Lopsided biped
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 737
Bikes: 2017 Day 6 Cyclone (the Buick); 2015 Simcoe Deluxe (the Xebec); Street Strider 3i (the not-a-bike); GreenSpeed Anura (the Black Swan)
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 316 Post(s)
Liked 160 Times
in
97 Posts
Absolutely! I'd be out there wearing out tires!
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Richmond VA area
Posts: 2,618
Bikes: '00 Koga Miyata Full Pro Oval Road bike.
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 475 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
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.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Easton, MA
Posts: 632
Bikes: Specialized Ruby Sport
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 318 Post(s)
Liked 314 Times
in
165 Posts
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.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Posts: 6,341
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 550 Post(s)
Liked 325 Times
in
226 Posts
#20
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,493
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4342 Post(s)
Liked 3,978 Times
in
2,659 Posts
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.
#21
Senior Member
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.
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.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18369 Post(s)
Liked 4,507 Times
in
3,350 Posts
I'm not sure my body would stay perfectly toned if I couldn't make it to the grocery store by bike.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,371
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,963 Times
in
1,913 Posts
yes. how else would I get a vacation away from the house?
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!