Why I ride

[PAP103]

I am in training for the Pan Mass Challenge. I have a beautiful new bike and proper cycling clothes. I ride with wonderful people and a great club. I ride regularly building up my speed and miles. Faster, faster! more miles, more miles! I started training in February at the gym and finally got outside for rides in April. Its all great!!

So, why do I hate it? Not long ago, I couldn't wait to get out on my bike. Why is it that now I have to drag myself out the door with little motivation?

Last night I went out for a ride by myself in my own town. I live in one of the most beautiful places in the country - New England. My ride follows the coastline along sandy beaches and rocky shores. I stopped at the lighthouse for a short break and enjoyed the sight of the harbor sparkling in the sunshine and the cool breeze on my face. I could smell the salt air and hear the gulls screeching on the beach. Then I got back on my bike and headed around the back shore where the waves crash over the rocks and the ocean goes on forever. I rode slow to take in the scenery and found myself smiling at joggers and walkers with their dogs. Everything seemed to have a new perspective. I rode on up the hill and around to stop again at Good Harbor Beach. I sat by the bridge and watched kids swimming in the creek, dogs frollicking along the sand and couples walking hand in hand at the edge of the water. The sun was starting to set so I headed back along the backshore enjoying that famous ocean view from the opposite direction. The wind was in my face and I was loving it. I stopped again (yes 3 times!) at Niles Beach and enjoyed a long cool drink and a small snack. I spoke to the mothers and their children as the walked past me toward the water. I watched at the sun slowly turned to orange and lowered itself toward the horizon - this was my cue to head home. I rode only 15 miles and enjoyed every one of them. Now I remember why I ride.

I had been so caught up in training that cycling became more miles, faster and faster. The only scenery I saw was the rider in front of me and my only thrill was being able to keep up.

So, slow down a bit and enjoy your ride. Its OK to stop 3 times on a 15 mile ride. Its OK to ride slow and take in the scenery!

God grant me the serenity to accept the gifts that you have given me and the presence of mind to enjoy them.

Happy riding to you all,
Patty

[mimitabby]

Nice post.

[bouncybouncy]

Thank You

[Grog]

Thanks for this charming reminder...

[pooks]

This is actually why I want to ride!

The idea of races and long distances doesn't do anything for me. But the idea of touring on vacation, of taking beautiful rides, does.

I guess it's the story of my life, though. I hate "walking for exercise" since I get antsy about seeing the same scenery all the time, get hot and tired and just want to take a shortcut home. But get me on a hiking trail and I can go for hours!

Thanks for the great post. You're lucky to live in such a place.

[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]

Great post! I was reading it to Thom and he replied, "Remember this on your tour."

I'm always trying to limit my time at rest stops. I need to be out of that mindset for the next three weeks.

V.

[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).

[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.

[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?

[Denise223]

Hi Patty!

It is beautiful out here in New England... I agree .

Thank you for your post.

Pooks, I agree with you too -- regarding the "breeze"... During our rides last week (when it was hot & muggy), it was lovely feeling the wind. It was soooooo much cooler than if we had been walking, that's for sure !!

It IS fun

Denise

[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.