What do you actually get out of cycling............?

[Mark White]

I'm 46 and work from home too, and have done for the last 7 years or so. Which has been the case since the birth of my son, and I've pretty much dedicated myself during that time to providing a secure future for him and my wife. Zero socialising, no splashing out on luxuries for myself - just banking everything.

That's been fine, but I realised that if I continued with the sedentary and stressful lifestyle I was leading, I'd probably be reducing the amount of time I get to spend with my family before I die. I'd enjoyed swimming in the past, but a trip to the local pool would take a couple of hours to get an hour of exercise, so with my son going out on his bike with his friends I got thinking that cycling might give me the exercise I needed, and a bit of time to myself away from the computer, and to be able to do as little or as much as I want at a moments notice. So I bought my first bike for 20odd years.

It's working, and I enjoy it. And for now, that's good enough for me

 

[_aD]

I don't own a car, and never have. Cycling is my primary mode of transport come rain or shine. I ride a mountain bike that looks like something Quinton Blake might ride, as it's a utility bike for all sorts of shenanigans, so it's far from the lightest. It was pretty cheap and is not a fashion or vanity item. I run a computer services business so I use the bike to get to/from customers as well as for personal rides. Unless the weather is grotty I'll almost always take a route that is not the quickest, nor shortest, but one that is enjoyable. It might take me down a little back lane I haven't ridden for a while, or on a bridleway or other off-road track. I love cycling whether I need to - because I have to get somewhere - or because I want to...because a 30 mile detour to the beach is an option :-D

I don't ride to keep fit or because I'm some sort of "eco-warrior", I ride because I love it. I'm glad that cycling is sustainable at a fundamental level, that it is not bad for our environment, and that it keeps me fit, strong and healthy. These are all benefits, but I'm definitely not the sort who gets up early to time trail a route! I don't care about people drafting me or having to wait in a queue. I'm too laid back for all that bother.

I don't know what gear ratios I have and I don't know how big my wheels are. I just love to ride my bike.

 

[_aD]

Endorphins

Nothing quite like getting back and feeling like you're the king of your own body.

 

[_aD]

@WozzaTT: my tip for continuing to cycle through the Winter months is simple: just dress for the weather. With the right choice of clothing

And learn to check weather forecasts and get the hang of your area's weather patterns. I find it fairly trivial to plan my week ahead around the weather and don't often get caught out.

 

[_aD]

Although my preference is fair-weather riding I do ride through the winter, mainly because I start to feel stir crazy if I haven't been on the bike for a few days. The winter just gone was difficult and I got wet a fair few times, but still enjoyed the rides.

When you get home a bit wet, with sopping waterproofs and a dripping bicycle, sometimes you wonder how it was you had a massive grin on your face the whole ride home!

 

[_aD]

So to recap, what I get out of cycling is: Nice legs, some time to myself, a better feeling of self worth as I am getting fitter and slimmer and a freaking awesome tan.

If your cycling tan looks anything like mine, you have a weird sense of "freaking awesome". Have you seen the tan on your legs when there's nothing on them? I'll wait here until I hear the screams.

 

[Saluki]

If your cycling tan looks anything like mine, you have a weird sense of "freaking awesome". Have you seen the tan on your legs when there's nothing on them? I'll wait here until I hear the screams.

Nothing wrong with stripey arms and legs. It's not like I wear a dress ever. I am either in shorts or jeans, nobody gets to see the 'reflector legs' where they are bright white.

 

[_aD]

"Reflector legs" - love it!

 

[WozzaTT]

Wow - so many replies! Thank you very much . I won't clog the thread up by replying to everyone individually but each and every comment and welcome is greatly appreciated.

You've all convinced me but I'm slightly crest-fallen in that I'd decided on a bike - the Boardman Road Sport Limited Edition 2014 (yeah, I know you have to deal with Halfords but I'll risk it) but of course they're out of stock in all frame sizes except one. I just like the look of this bike and from what I've learned so far it's a pretty decent entry level road bike, especially considering it's available for not much over £400 with a couple of discounts applied. So I need to find out if they will be having more in stock and if so, when.

If they're not I'm back to square one but I may start a new thread in the 'What bike' forum to hopefully find a bike as good as the Boardman for comparable money. There is a LBS nearby (Red Kite Cycles) but I'll need to know more before I venture in there, as I don't recognise any of the brands on their website and I'm sure they'll be pretty expensive anyway.

Thanks again for all the 'what do you get out of cycling' comments, which I've really enjoyed reading - keep 'em coming and enjoy your evenings .

 

[huwsparky]

I don't even have a bike yet after being out of the sport for about 5 years but Reading this thread has made me want to get back on a bike more than ever!

 

[WozzaTT]

I don't even have a bike yet after being out of the sport for about 5 years but Reading this thread has made me want to get back on a bike more than ever!

Nice - do it!

 

[BrynCP]

I started in order to lose weight last November. To date I have lost 4 stone. I started with a few miles, and now regularly achieve around 150 miles a week.

Regarding winter, I started in winter, and my first post on this forum was regarding people's opinions on beginning in winter. They said go for it, they were right. With some base layers, I never felt cold on the bike and I never got really wet. I got a wet back quite a bit, but it didn't bother me! I've already started looking at what lights I can buy for winter to keep up my longer rides on unlit roads.

I never have to force myself out, sometimes I have to force myself not to thought! Some of what I get out of it:

• After a stressful day, I can ride it all away easily. WIthin just a few miles there is some great scenery that I would never see watching TV or playing computer games or whatever else I used to do after work.
• Continued weight loss, I feel so much better for it
• Seeing progress: the hills I once couldn't climb, the 3 hour rides that are now 2.5 hour rides etc.
• The great feeling that comes from just cycling down country lanes, with nothing around for miles

 

[snorri]

What do I get out of cycling?

I get to post on CycleChat without feeling like some sort of alien, or traveller in a land where everyone speaks a foreign language.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

If your cycling tan looks anything like mine, you have a weird sense of "freaking awesome". Have you seen the tan on your legs when there's nothing on them? I'll wait here until I hear the screams.

My youngest lad calls me a freak when he sees my tan lines

 

[ianrauk]

My youngest lad calls me a freak when he sees my tan lines

I'll call you a freak and I haven't seen your tan lines