Why i enjoy cycling

[johnnyb47]

Cycling has to be one of the best forms of exercise out there. It's a pass time that all the family can do together and it can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. You also get to see the countryside close up as you ride through it as opposed to being stuck low down in a tin box called the car. Watching your fitness increase is also another rewarding experience and on the wet days you feel drawn into fettling around with the bike keeping it in good order. It doesn't matter what level of fitness you are either to participate. If you can only manage 30mins each day or 3 hrs a day your fitness will improve with each ride out. When out and about you notice how friendly fellow cyclist are. Every body going the opposite way will smile , nod to you ( just like motorcyclists do ). Each time you cycle further or beat an old average speed you feel like you've achieved another great milestone. Another great thing about cycling is that you don't really overheat like you do when running because you've always got a nice cool breeze passing over you so even in the hot summer weather it's comfortable to go out in. There's nothing better than sitting down in the evening with aching legs feeling tired with a cold beer reminiscing about the fantastic ride out you've had today. It's also such a stress reliever. It really does clear your mind of all your stresses you may have going on in your life. It's the freedom of being out there in the middle of nowhere and rolling along under your own steam that does it for me. This week I've manage to do around 80 miles and although I'm feeling it in my legs a little ,the views , sense of achievement , and friendly people I've met has been well worth it. I suppose your all wondering what the point of this post is all about but to any newbies reading this I hope it will inspire you into taking up this activity and enjoy your rides out.
Johnny

 

[JtB]

In a car you just watch the countryside go by, on a bike you enjoy the countryside.

 

[steve50]

Yeah, that about covers it, I concur with all of the above.

 

[Mandragora]

I was clearing out a cupboard the other day and came across a little log book I'd kept when I first got back into cycling about 3 years ago. I'd been driven to it because I was angry with myself for being about the heaviest I'd ever been, and knackered knees meant I couldn't run any more. I vowed to ride 'round the block' once a day for a month. That block is only 5.5 miles but includes the hill I call 'the b****rd hill'.

After a month, I decided to to another month and then another one. By the next Spring I'd forgotten about losing weight, and was doing it just because I loved it.

The logbook showed that first ride round the block took me 45 minutes, and that I had to get off and walk a third of the way up the hill. Today I weigh a stone and a half less (which is what I weighed at 18. I am 57). I did that route again yesterday, admittedly on a different bike. My time was 25 minutes. I no longer walk up that hill.

And here's a photo from the 50 mile, 3350 ft climb ride that I did on Saturday. Nuff said.

 

[johnnyb47]

That's was fantastic story to read. Thanks for sharing :-)

 

[united4ever]

I am a bit of a pragmatist and the bike is a real box ticker for me: Once you have the bike its more or less free, great exercise, as fast as car on my urban commute, if i go to the shops i can fill my panniers and save the long arms, fresh air and vitamin D helps me sleep well at night, its fun:-)

 

[united4ever]

I was clearing out a cupboard the other day and came across a little log book I'd kept when I first got back into cycling about 3 years ago. I'd been driven to it because I was angry with myself for being about the heaviest I'd ever been, and knackered knees meant I couldn't run any more. I vowed to ride 'round the block' once a day for a month. That block is only 5.5 miles but includes the hill I call 'the b****rd hill'.

After a month, I decided to to another month and then another one. By the next Spring I'd forgotten about losing weight, and was doing it just because I loved it.

The logbook showed that first ride round the block took me 45 minutes, and that I had to get off and walk a third of the way up the hill. Today I weigh a stone and a half less (which is what I weighed at 18. I am 57). I did that route again yesterday, admittedly on a different bike. My time was 25 minutes. I no longer walk up that hill.

And here's a photo from the 50 mile, 3350 ft climb ride that I did on Saturday. Nuff said.

View attachment 138404

Well done Mandragora! What a great outcome.

 

[User32269]

Apart from the actual riding, Im a bit obsessed with bikes themselves. Love taking them apart, rebuilding knowing that everything is working the best it can.
Transport and food for my inner geek; win win!

 

[macp]

Apart from the part about fellow cyclists greeting you (yeah right) I agree with everything else. Sorry I think its my time of month

 

[numbnuts]

It's the lycra don't you know

 

[galaxy]

I've always been into cycling. Gone away, come back etc. My latest return was due type 2 diabetes through self abuse. Helps control it a treat.
Cycling always puts a smile on my face.

 

[The Mighty News]

I've got back into cycling this year as my kids are a little older now and I can afford a few hours out every other day or so now. I previously only went out with fellow riders but now I love getting out by myself, challenging myself and having my thoughts to occupy me as well as the awesome north east countryside.

My wife has recently arrived to cycling too and has got the bug.

Ive never been this fit since I was a younger man playing football every night of the week.

 

[galaxy]

I'm just happy to get out. Sometimes I don't push bey hard at all
The tea and cake that goes with cycling is also a plus. Lol

 

[Wolf616]

I love cycling so much that I spend all day at work dreaming of the commute home. I bet not many people can honestly say that!

 

[lutonloony]

Hit the "sweet spot" today. Slight tail breeze, and everything on the bike was right. All I could really hear was the tyres on the road (and)