Roadie or Mountain biker?

[Adventure Girl]

April 2003 there was a poll asking what type of cyclist you are. The results were 16 roadies and 13 mountain bikers. There's a lot more traffic on the boards these days, so let's see what the mix is now.
I also added choices of both (mostly roadie) and both (mostly mountain biker) and just for the fun of it other.

[spokes]

what would 'other' be? vertical cliff-face biker? urban highrise stairwell biker? :p i like that you put it in though, it's a good laugh. :D

[betagirl]

Definitely a Roadie :D

[Kpicha]

Definitely a mountain biker :D ALthough, I could see myself road riding to get my need for speed fulfilled :D

[trekchic]

I am new to riding, mind you...

But, I've heard of very, very few roadies who also mountain bike on a regular basis. The only time it comes up is in the winter when it's too slick to ride on "slicks" or on a special occassion.

That goes for MB'er's, as well. Very, very few of them in the club I ride with ever express the desire to ride on the road. They say it's boring! OK...most of them say..."...roadies stink!" haha!

What do you guys find in your circle of cycling friends?

Kim in TN

[JanT]

My mountain biking friends say that road riding is boring, no "whoop de doo's." A friend who rides the road thinks mountain biking is insane. Each thinks the other is more dangerous. Personally, I think I'm more likely to get a minor injury (scrapes, cuts, bruises) on the trail, but if I get hit by a car, well, that could be serious. I believe mountain biking is more exciting and emotionally challenging--overcoming fears and self-doubt, but road biking is more calming, almost a meditation, and a mental challenge. Now that I have a bike for each occasion, I can enjoy the best of both worlds. They both have a place in my life. When I get more comfortable on the road bike, I hope to join in some club rides and learn to ride with a group. That is one big difference I've found between the two kinds of riding: single track doesn't allow for much conversation, except at breaks. On the road, you can socialize more. Maybe that's why I see a number of recreational road bike clubs, but few (if any) mountain bike clubs that are not involved in racing.

[fultzie]

a lot of the guys in the club/team actually do ride both... when we were voting for officers a few weeks ago, it came up that one of the guys running for prez. didn't own a mtn bike, and perhaps he wasn't as dedicated to the club as the other candidate? :p he assured us that he was planning on buying one, and he was elected prez.
maybe the difference is the collegiate "seasons"... if you road ride, you're not going to get to race August-November, but if you just mtn, you'll be sitting spring out. about 1/2 of the team dabbles in both equally, but the majority of group rides are road, simply because that's what we have around here. to get to any decent, marked singletrack (i say marked because there is a local loop that you can go get completely lost on) you have to drive about an hour.

[Veronica]

The group I ride with at the local club tends to mix it. Regular mountain biking seems to have done great things for power level on the road. I forgot to shift on a hill that when I first started riding I needed to be in the small chainring and now usually do in the middle. It was cool to be able to power up that sucker in my big ring. I won't do it that way all the time - don't want to encourage knee problems.

V.

[betagirl]

Jan - I agree with what you said about road biking being calming, almost like meditation. I know my mind is clear after a nice long ride. I also get what I'd equate to a runners high with it. Maybe that's why I'm addicted to it? :)

[massbikebabe]

Count me in with the roadies...


although lately when I go into my LBS I am drawn to the
Specialized Mountain Bikes...would love to give it a try!!!

karen

[Irulan]

funny, I think of my trail riding as a meditation, even when it's technical. The whole idea is just to do, or to be one with the bike, and not think about it too much

just remember, it's all good.

penny

[pedalfaster]

I too find mtbing more calming and meditative.
Something about the woods and streams and ferns....

When I am on the road it is usually about climbing hard and going fast.

Either fat or skinny...a ride beats a day at the office for sure!

:)

[spokes]

funny, I think of my trail riding as a meditation, even when it's technical.

i read something about the need in modern society for what this guy (whose name i can't remember) called 'flow'. it's when we stop thinking about the mundane stuff, like bills and work and chores and all that junk, and just think about what we're doing. according to what'shisface, many things qualify as 'flow,' like gardening, some chores even (!), and most forms of excercise. i think that's what i like about cycling, it allows me to focus and 'get away' for a minute, even if i'm negotiating traffic, working my butt off, etc. so, i guess what this long rant means, is 'i agree!' when i bike, it's like an active meditation. :) i imagine i would love mtn biking-- someday i will try it. :D

[MM_QFC!]

It's no wonder that his name slipped your memory, as it's a mouthful - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and you're totally right re: the flow aspect of riding...it's play therapy at it's best...just have to take care not to get too out of it while riding and not stay aware and safe...
Also, I voted same as last year: roadie - to the core here!
Mary

[ragbrai40]

Count me in as a roadie. I've never tried mtn biking - so other than being scared of crashing - I'm not too coordinated - I can't say whether I like it or not. But......I do love riding the road, letting go of all the stress and just get "into the zone" and spin for miles. What a great release!

[bounceswoosh]

spokes:

maybe "other" is spinning or triathalon training?

I definitely have to "live in the now" on my mtb -- whenever I get away from that, a large rock sets me straight!

Because of my background, the activity I really associate with "being here now" is martial arts. Over the years, I've developed the ability to shed the outside world as soon as I step into the dojang. It's really nice to have a slice of time dedicated to your own personal improvement. There are days when I can't get into the flow doing MA, but they're few and far between.

I would imagine that riding without obstacles or scary cars would encourage me to "be somewhere else now" -- to allow my thoughts to wander and flow where they will, freeform. That's also an important part of my sanity, but I have trouble taking the time to do it.

[Susan126]

I own a a road bike and a mountain bike and I love riding them equally! Each has something special and unique to offer. My mountain bike takes me to some of the most beautiful places. I love zipping down a fast single track, zig-zagging through tight twists and turns, jumping over logs, getting mud on my arms, legs, and face, seeing the sun through the trees, or a deer off the trail, keeping up with the guys! Those are some special mountain biking moments. I also love . . . pedaling constantly at 80-90 rpm, trying to keep up with my husband, doing 25 mph on a flat section of road, doing 47 miles an hour down a long steep hill (nothing boring there! Kind of exhilerating in fact and what a rush!) Riding for 8 to 10 hours at a stretch and EATING. Finishing a century! And those are just a few of the special things I love about my road bike. I wouldn't give up either. I love them both. Joe and I alternate road and mountain during the weekdays. Mondays and Wednesdays we usually do fast short road rides after work. On Tuesdays and Thursdays we meet up with friends and ride our mountain bikes on some of our favorite trails. And Tuesdays are even extra special because we start riding later (7 pm) the last half of the ride turning into a night ride! Weekends are equally split. One day is a mountain bike ride and the other weekend day is our long road ride for the week.
Happy owner of two bikes!
Sue :)

[pedalfaster]

Originally posted by bounceswoosh
maybe "other" is spinning or triathalon training?



Or track or bmx or 'cross. What about hybrids and cruisers and touring bikes (although these are usually ridden on the road)?

So many bikes, so little time :D

[grannydea]

Roadie at heart. I love the serenity of just me and the bike out on the road working on cadence heart rate TITS is what its all about not having to think aobut anything but what is right there in front of me. But I did buy a new MTB this last week. Moving to a place where road riding might be more of a challenge than my hubby would like it to be (he dosn't ride just worries when I do especially with all the accidents happening around the country) so bought a new Fuel 90 and will give MTBing a go when we get settled in. (Any and all advice excepted.) Will be off line for about a month two maybe. I will be stuck behind the counter of the store we bought. Hopefully I will get some ride time in before and after the store opens and closes.
Dea
Happy riding all. Have a great summer.
No STP for me this year bummer. :(

[ausgirl]

I'm a roadie to the bone!!! Never tried mountain biking. Have tried track and its just not for me. Having said that I have the greatest respect for track cyclists and in particular the Australian men's team time trial team - World Champions and world record holders! And of course ANNA MEARES - WORLD CHAMPION in 500m time trial as of 30th May 2004 and a member of our club!