Does anyone JUST ride for fun (and some exercise)?

Maybe I'm alone here, but I find having all those nerdly metrics from my Garmin (HR, speed, distance, the whole she-bang) part of my fun. BikeJournal (primarily by signing up for different "groups" like the Commuter Century) gives me the incentive to do more, to improve, to challenge myself.
Fast rides with the club are a hoot.
Slow rides with friends for sight-seeing and lunch are fun, too.
It's all good. Why on earth would I be a regular bike rider if it weren't fun?? It's not like I get paid to do this. ;)

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Originally Posted by 7rider

Maybe I'm alone here, but I find having all those nerdly metrics from my Garmin (HR, speed, distance, the whole she-bang) part of my fun. BikeJournal (primarily by signing up for different "groups" like the Commuter Century) gives me the incentive to do more, to improve, to challenge myself.
Fast rides with the club are a hoot.
Slow rides with friends for sight-seeing and lunch are fun, too.
It's all good. Why on earth would I be a regular bike rider if it weren't fun?? It's not like I get paid to do this. ;)

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I agree. I enjoy all aspects of riding. I like challenging myself to ride faster and better. I enjoy the feeling I get of being a part of a team on group rides. But I also love just taking a little cruise around the neighborhood.

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Originally Posted by 7rider

Maybe I'm alone here, but I find having all those nerdly metrics from my Garmin (HR, speed, distance, the whole she-bang) part of my fun. BikeJournal (primarily by signing up for different "groups" like the Commuter Century) gives me the incentive to do more, to improve, to challenge myself.
Fast rides with the club are a hoot.
Slow rides with friends for sight-seeing and lunch are fun, too.
It's all good. Why on earth would I be a regular bike rider if it weren't fun?? It's not like I get paid to do this. ;)

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:D:D You're not alone!!

And---I like to stop, get off, look at something, have something to eat. With me a 60 mile ride can take all day, and that's when it's the most fun.

Another rider for fun.

And for mental health, which is quite a bit more fun than mental illness.

And for physical health which is also more fun than all the chronic not-feeling-good stuff that seems to show up more if I don't ride.

+1 on riding for fun. I probably wouldn't do it if it wasn't.:o The fact that I'm getting exercise, calming my inner maniac, and driving less (I detest driving!) are side benefits.

I like sharing my bike ride with my girls. They make it fun as we swing by to see the horsey neighbors, watch the deer in the field, and pass by the crane wading into the pond. We might ride 45-50 minutes daily and it's just right for all of us.

Why would anyone ride if it wasn't fun?

My husband is VERY competitive but before we got the tandem he would ride with me (but not like it very much). I think he feels everyone should keep their heart rate up to make sure they are getting enough exercise.

After we got the tandem, it took about 2 months to figure out that we ride at my pace or he rides it alone. He admits that at first he figured we could "race" on the tandem (not my idea of a good time). It has taken me years to actually feel comfortable enough on the tandem to get up a little more speed. Our rides on the tandem now are "fun rides", to go out to lunch or just cruise around.

When I was working, I would take my single bike to work and keep it in the warehouse during the week so I could ride on my lunch hour. To many people at work always "needed" something from me and would interrupt my lunch. I figured if I was out on my bike, they couldn't find me to bother me. It felt like a mini vacation and I really enjoyed it.

I think I have seen more of San Diego since I have been riding my bike then the entire time I have lived here (all my life).

My bike can be my "escape" from the realities of life that get to be to much sometimes. My bike is my friend and therapist.

I still keep a journal of all my rides, but that lets me see how much my confidence has improved over the years.

Being able to just have fun on my bike is probably what I enjoy the most.

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Originally Posted by Aint Doody

And---I like to stop, get off, look at something, have something to eat. With me a 60 mile ride can take all day, and that's when it's the most fun.

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Oh, me too! I love the organized rides that have a start window of a couple of hours. No one to keep up with, stop and take pictures when I want. I'm not in a hurry and I want to SEE new places, not rush through them.

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Originally Posted by MyLitespeed

My bike can be my "escape" from the realities of life that get to be to much sometimes. My bike is my friend and therapist.

I still keep a journal of all my rides, but that lets me see how much my confidence has improved over the years.

Being able to just have fun on my bike is probably what I enjoy the most.

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That just about sums it up for me too.

I have been riding 8 years and the fun is still there. I have made a part it of my daily life, so long as I can do a minimum of 5 miles per day before work, or better still 10 then I am a very happy bunny. BTW I don't start work until 12.30 lunch time but I still have to try and cram in all the boring housework, shopping etc before I go out.

I enjoy riding alone, deep down it brings out that 'being a child again'..........as I love riding through puddles! :rolleyes:

I keep my daily riding log, very basic but I also have fun doing this, the excitement sometimes when I have not been well and then manage to do a good time for me.

I only make a note of how many miles, time taken, conditions and where I went.

So, one simple answer to Does anyone JUST ride for fun (and some exercise)? Yes.

Clock

I ride for fun too, but due to the perseverance of my Husband, I found out after doing 2 century rides last year, that I can challenge myself. Because of my speed(or lack there-of) we have always finished last, but it wasn't a race, just a ride. I just wanted to get to the end sooner to eat lots of food!

+1 riding for fun & fitness ++++mental health. I'm slow, usually 11-15 mph, but I don't care. Depends on how I feel, who I'm with, the weather, the wind, it doesn't matter. I would like to get a heart rate monitor.

I ride for fun but I think because I am a former college basketball player and a former competitive distance runner, I am always challenging myself on the bike. Although I haven't yet raced on the bike (and I may never race), I am always pushing myself and I guess you could say I compete against myself. I usually average about 18 mph during most rides and I've done some sprints getting up to 25 mph. When I commute to work, I "fly" in the morning trying to get to work on time and I "fly" home in the evening so I can get home to my kids to make them dinner. I should probably back off some day so I can enjoy the scenery!:)

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Originally Posted by uforgot

I'm not in a hurry and I want to SEE new places, not rush through them.

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And really, isn't that what life's all about? :)