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

[OakLeaf]

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.

You're not alone!!

[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.

[malkin]

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.

[sgtiger]

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

[sundial]

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.

[breezer]

Why would anyone ride if it wasn't fun?

[MyLitespeed]

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.

[uforgot]

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.

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.

[sundial]

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

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