Newbie's question: What are you riding for?

[bcipam]

Mmmmm, I started riding so long ago... even as a little kid, I rode my bike around the neighborhood and beyond. Then as with now, I enjoyed the feeling of freedom. Over the years I've been serious and less than serious. Recently serious again more so for fitness than anything else. I guess I also got into cycling for the personal contact. My best friends right now all cycle, either road or mountain. I've decided since it is so important to me it has to be important to my friends as well. Our adventures are all cycling adventures (although I do get out and hike once in a while). Being actively involved with several cycling groups has help me make many new friends and contacts.

[CorsairMac]

I've been on and off the bike since I was old enough to ride. As kids we rode everywhere coz that was the only way to Get anywhere, as a teenager I rode to get me out of the house, as an adult I rode coz my ex-hubby did but he was a jackazz about riding (which you wonderful TE ladies with your wonderful DHs and SOs have now shown me tyvm! ), so I was off the bike for close to 6 yrs. I took it back up again when my current job moved to offices right off the bike trail. I Love riding, the rush of flying through traffic, the walkers on the bike path every morning on my way to work, even the hills in my city which reward my climb by giving me an Awesome descent usually at speeds over 30 mph! Oh Yeah!! (no speed junkie here! ) I've ridden through snow, hail, rain, high winds, and days so gorgeous they almost make me cry. I've seen the moutains covered in snow, green when there's enough rain, sunlight and the gorgeous red they turn when the sun sets just right. I've done my first and second century this year and can't wait to do more. I'm participating in a virtual "Ride Across America" with 12 other people and am having a blast as I attempt to complete 3052 miles by the end of the year! (yup...I'll make it) I resent any time spent driving anymore and have worked out pretty much how to get anywhere in this city on my bike and want it that way.
What am I riding for?? Freedom!

[nuthatch]

I started riding to get healthy and kept riding because as soon as I click into those pedals, I decide where I'm going, how fast or slow it will be, which birds and animals I will be talking to, what songs I will sing - in brief, an interlude of sanity. No obligations, no duties, no chores. So, yes, SadieKate, psychiatric benefits and yes, Corsair, freedom. Every time I get on that bike, I'm dumbstruck anew just how much it means to me, how much I love it.

[Veronica]

Ice Cream.

V.

[Biking Chick]

I ride because it's one of my passions.

It's what helps keep me strong and focused. I take pride in taking care of myself which relates to respect and honoring the real me.

Oh yeah ... and then there's always the ice cream