It's not really what you'd call 'fun' is it?

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buggi

Bird Saviour
Location
Solihull
i'm not sure fun or enjoyable cut it. i think it's because you get a sense of freedom, away from the rat race (even on the commute), a chance to clear your mind and awaken your senses with sight, sound and smells and, as said, the unconscious memories outweigh those painful ones.

I still remember the sunset i saw coming out of Meriden one day. I was already really enjoying my ride (commute home), it was cold on my face but i was snug in my thermals, it was late autumn and the sun was setting and i was feeling very "at one with nature". As i came out of Meriden and down the hill, what i saw was such a fantastic sight I actually stopped the bike to take it in. Swirly oranges, reds and yellows filled the sky like the swirls of icecream you see on the Walls' advert (the sun had just set behind Birmingham city, you couldn't actually see it). Leaves on trees were burnt orange, brown and red, green fields and city lights far off in the distance looked like sprinkled glitter. Not only that, but there was a smell of bonfires and barbeques in the air. The whole package took my breath away. i never thought i'd look at towards Birmingham City Centre and see something so beautiful (most the way the sky was and the glitter effect) and i hope i see again one day, but unlikely that all those factors will come together just as i ride over the hill... but if i do ever see again i hope i have a camera on me.
 
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yello

Guest
Fun is a bit of a thin, underweight word.

I don't personally think so. The word 'fun' has its place, I think there are many things it describes well... but I would agree that cycling more than x miles is perhaps not one of them! Which was, in fairness, the point of my post! I did say it wasn't fun! (And people do things to have fun. Or, stated the other way around, would they do something if they knew it wasn't going to be fun?) But let's not get hung up on a word.

I think people well know what I mean. There are occasions when you do wonder why you're doing it. There are occasions when it's not even enjoyable. I'm even wondering if that's part of the deal. Do the paybacks outweigh the discomforts? Personal call I suspect. I enjoy many of the aspects that people have touched on already (and vorsprung mentions in the blog) and I love the headspace of being on the road alone - but I think they are plus factors, added benefits if you like. They are not the reason why. Not for me anyway. I think I ride because it's what I do.
 

Seamab

Senior Member
Location
Dollar
I think people well know what I mean. There are occasions when you do wonder why you're doing it. There are occasions when it's not even enjoyable. I'm even wondering if that's part of the deal. Do the paybacks outweigh the discomforts?

I can't recall an Audax or Sportive i've done in the past where at some point the "Why" question has not arisen. It's usually because of poor preparation and thus not having the fitness to keep up the pace i'd like to achieve or brought on by poor ride management (eating, drinking).

Usually however you are miles from anywhere and to get home you have to finish so there is always that incentive to keep going and the hope of a downhill section or second wind or a cafe stop that will come to our aid and see us home.

After it's all over there is the satisfaction of completion and the swapping of stories about how hard it was, that within a day or three, you are entered for the next "challenge", although in reality you have that slight sense of dreadful anticipation about it.

Funnily enough, i've not yet entered for any long distance events this year (yet).
 
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