Why I ride

[Trek420]

Thanks for the reminder, well put, well said. I needed that

I was just thinking about this on the walk (yeah, I walked) to work with all the different motivations, spiritual, physical, goals, feeling better, getting stronger...are most of us tree-huggy people?

Concern for the enviornment is part of why I ride but mostly just a happy accident, there's all this other stuff: meeting people, feeling better and the great cycling community (including TE).

Gotta get to work so don't have time to phrase the question more articulately than that but good thread...why do we ride?

[Veronica]

...why do we ride?

Mostly because it's fun. I just like the feeling of being on a bike. That's why I commute to work - now that I have a trailer, I can even haul some of my big stuff to work. Fewer driving days. Yippeee!!!

I like that I can eat what I want and still stay a healthy weight. I can see, feel, smell so much more on the bike. Most of it good.

Fast is fun!

I like the challenge of training for longer, harder rides. It suits my goal oriented, competitive nature, without turning me into too much of a nut. Although I keep bringing up PBP.

But really... because it's fun.

V.

[Trek420]

did we mention it's fun?

[pooks]

I agree with the fun part -- and it creates its own breeze (unlike walking, which just gets deathly in the heat and muggy weather).

[Trek420]

pooks "I agree with the fun part -- and it creates its own breeze (unlike walking, which just gets deathly in the heat and muggy weather)"

it's cooler than driving. Yesterday I drove to the Pet Club for bribes uh treats for the dog. My dog trainer said that was crazy.

Hey, get into the hot car drive 2 blocks to the store the AC will never work. Hop on the bike, nice cool breeze.

did I mention it was fun?

[Crankin]

Patty, I totally agree with you. I have been an exercise addict (is there a 12 step rpogram for this?) for most of my adult life. I loved aerobics so much, i started teaching classes. Guess what? It became a job, even though it wasn't my "main" job. I stopped teaching after 10 years and loved being a "consumer' again. A few years after that, i couldn't stand going to the gym. i put no effort into any of the actual things I was doing there. I started gaining weight. Then my husband, who had been a couch potato started cycling. At first, he went out when I went to the gym. After about 2 years, he said, " I'm getting you on a bike." Well, so it started. First me poking along on a mtb with slicks. After a year of that, I got a road bike. Up went my speed and my distances. Then we joined AMC. I saw that i rode better than a lot of people. I got a better bike. I started doing 50-60 mile rides. I found cycling friends. All of our vacations revolve around cycling. I love being outdoors here in New England, too. But, I can't get into the "club" scene with riding. I am a little competitive, but if I start riding just to get better, I will start hating it. Every year around the end of August, I feel burned out. I take a week off. I guess this is why I haven't done anything like PMC. I do want to stop and smell the roses and I feel good that i have achieved so much in five years, but I do this for fun. By fun, i mean I'm outside, getting fit, burning calories so I can eat, and being with friends. It does not mean "Oh, gee, I'm going to have fun by climbing Mt. Wachusett." That would just be painful. Sure, I could do it, but what would it prove? I know that I do more than 95% of the people out there. Remember that. Don't compare yourself with the small select group who do double centuries or more. I used to compare my body to the other instructors at the gym. Now that was a skewed comparison, since they were all 15 years younger than me! You are raising money for a good cause, so remember that.

[jobob]

Although I keep bringing up PBP

Excellent !!! I'll stand by the side of the road and hand you a crossaint as you whiz by.

jo looking for an excuse to go to France, this is good as any and better than most bob

[Veronica]

Excellent !!! I'll stand by the side of the road and hand you a crossaint as you whiz by.

jo looking for an excuse to go to France, this is good as any and better than most bob

You know we could just go and do our own tour. I've got a book...

V.