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? i like that you put it in though, it's a good laugh.

[betagirl]

Definitely a Roadie

[Kpicha]

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

[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? 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.

[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!