Why do you cycle?

[colker]

Commuting and fitness.

[ibis]

Everything I do (cycling, surfing, snowboarding, hiking, etc...), I do for fun. The benefits I receive from each of them is just a bonus. The people met doing these activities are an added bonus.

[Powerful Pete]

What many others have said in this thread already about fitness, freedom, being outside and the like.

But to add, and without trying to sound epic or arrogant, I come from a family of cyclists - my grandfather raced, as did my dad. It was always assumed I would ride - I am physically inept and was always rather awful at team sports - I started riding as a wee young lad to please my dad and found, much to my surprise, I was good at it, could be competitive and enjoyed it.

I've been occasionally cycling and spending lots of money on riding since.

[clyde the point]

When I was a little kid the bike represented freedom and I could get away from mommy. As I grew older I loved the feeling of speed and the rush from turning the cranks. A little later it became more of a transportation thing and maybe that was caused by a DUI and losing a license I dunno.

Mid twenties it was bike shop time then move to CA to get into the biz then I really got a look at top notch equipment. I Martin Imports was a fast track to the upper end of bike junque.

Nowadays, especially after just retuning from 11 miles of singletrack with my hounds, it is a combination of smelling the outdoors, inner peace seeking, and tonnage control. The thrill of speed and the rush of turning the cranks to see the sights keeps me coming back. And it reminds me of my youth, without the bitterness.

I ride my bike to work each shift, rain or shine. It's a stress reliever and the parking garage at work sux a big one.

[biker72]

I cycle because it's fun.
I've cycled to places in Dallas I never knew existed.

Cycling to Minneapolis, Bentonville, Denver and Milwaukee have been great fun along with checking out the local brewerys.

Cycling helps with weight, blood pressure and cholesterol problems.

Thanks to generally mild winters I can cycle to work most days.

[flying]

Because for all of my life cycling has always put a smile on my face...literally

Decades ago while cycling I wondered to myself if I were a rich man what would I be doing? I laughed out loud when I thought to myself....."This"

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

The recent Paceline "weight loss" thread is really interesting. As a personal trainer, I have a keen interest in why people to chose to move (or not). One of the things I've always maintained is that "reframing" the idea of exercise is imperative for long-term success.

I'm curious where people would rank fitness and/or fat loss in their motivations for cycling.

Here's my top reasons for cycling:

1) Clears my head/makes me feel good. This is far and away the main reason.
2) Cycling is a "passport" to new and interesting sights and great vistas.
3) Cycling is a great way to maintain friendships. (Although I really enjoy riding solo)
4) Cycling helps keep me fit.

Others?

Yours and the following in no definite order:
To be outdoors
Freedom
Sense of movement (like flying without leaving the ground)

[flying]

Originally Posted by Black Dog

Sense of movement (like flying without leaving the ground)

That is exactly how I got my online name decades ago

I would hear the sound of the tubulars & feel the wind on my face & think it is like I'm Flying

[mcteague]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

42.

So long and thanks for all the fish!

Tim

[Black Dog]

Hey, has anyone seen my towel?

[FlashUNC]

Originally Posted by Black Dog

Hey, has anyone seen my towel?

Shame. Shouldn't lose your towel. You'll need that later.

[mbrtool]

XX
Items 1,2 and 4 apply for me but #1 is hard physical play. As I've gotten older cycling is the best way or last option for #1.

Ray

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by clyde the point

When I was a little kid the bike represented freedom and I could get away from mommy. As I grew older I loved the feeling of speed and the rush from turning the cranks. A little later it became more of a transportation thing and maybe that was caused by a DUI and losing a license I dunno.

Mid twenties it was bike shop time then move to CA to get into the biz then I really got a look at top notch equipment. I Martin Imports was a fast track to the upper end of bike junque.

Nowadays, especially after just retuning from 11 miles of singletrack with my hounds, it is a combination of smelling the outdoors, inner peace seeking, and tonnage control. The thrill of speed and the rush of turning the cranks to see the sights keeps me coming back. And it reminds me of my youth, without the bitterness.

I ride my bike to work each shift, rain or shine. It's a stress reliever and the parking garage at work sux a big one.

Thanks for all the cool and interesting responses. I've noticed very few people have mentioned "fat loss" high on the list, which is pretty telling.

[chuckroast]

I do my best thinking on the bike.

Also, I like peanut butter cups....

[Clean39T]

To experience poetry in motion.

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