A lot of people don’t get it. Why would a grown man want to wear funny looking clothes and ride a bicycle through the woods? In the heat of summer, cold of winter, and the darkness of night? Sometimes all day long. Why would anyone who works 40+ hrs a week be up, dressed, and out the door before dawn on the weekends, just to ride a bicycle? We all have our own reasons. Here are some of the reasons why I ride.
Because it’s fun.
Because its hard.
Because its hard.
Because it’s quiet.
Because running sucks.
Because it’s a thrill.
Because it helps me relax.
Because it can be exhausting.
Because it can rejuvenate me.
Because I aint going to a gym.
Because cool people ride bikes.
Because it’s a chance to dig deep.
Because its not in front of a computer.
Because it shows me things I wouldn’t see otherwise.
Because watching other people play sports is boring.
Because it’s an escape from the stresses of everyday life.
Because it’s outdoors, in the weather, whatever that may be.
Because it’s a great way to experience the change of seasons firsthand.
I ride because it soothes my soul, and fires me up. It’s a part of who I am, and has been since before I can even remember.
Your turn: Why do you ride? Tell us in the comments below.
24 Comments
Dec 13, 2012
Very nice!
Dec 13, 2012
-George Mallory
And partly because I like good tasting food and beer, which gives me extra calories to burn.
I like seeing new things.
Challenging myself.
Feeling out of breath at the top of a hill.
Hearing the wind whip passed my ears on the other side of the hill.
For the feeling of tired legs, worked muscles, and a healthier heart.
Seeing the miles increase, the time drop, and the average speed increase.
To get some time when I can attempt to turn my brain off, think of nothing other than the next turn, the next hill, the next drop, and the miles to come.
dgaddis, awesome write-up. \m/
Dec 13, 2012
I ride because I love to challenge, and best, myself.
I ride because it's my bike and I and nature, and each ride will be what I make of it.
I ride because it's fun, it makes me happy, and it makes me healthy.
I ride because bikes bring me to a happy place.
I ride because cold beer tastes best after 2 hours of sweating.
I ride because chicks dig flat stomachs.
But mostly, I ride because I don't know how NOT to ride.
Dec 13, 2012
Dec 13, 2012
I'd also add that I love to experience new places, new landscapes and new ecosystems (or even just different landscapes, not necessarily new ones, that I've never been to before). IMO, a bicycle is the best way to see and experience the geography and the flora and fauna of a place. Hiking or backpacking is just too slow--you can only cover so much ground in one day. Anything with a motor is too fast, and it doesn't require you to experience the topography by paying the toll in sweat and pain to get to the tops of the mountains. The bicycle is the perfect medium--and when you're off the pavement (which is where I'd rather be because there you can find solitude), the MOUNTAIN bike reigns supreme!
Great post!
Dec 14, 2012
If I have a choice between "watch" and "do," I'll always choose "do." It's better for me and, by extension, those around me.
Dec 13, 2012
To me, riding a bike is so much fun that it does not even feel like excercise most of the time. I look forward to it so much that sometimes it consumes a good chunk of my time during my working hours.
Now that is what I call being passionate about doing something fun and healthy in my life...
Dec 14, 2012
I ride to get away from life.
Dec 14, 2012
Live to Ride.
No getting away!
Dec 13, 2012
Dec 13, 2012
Dec 13, 2012
Dec 13, 2012
Dec 13, 2012
Dec 13, 2012
Dec 13, 2012
Dec 13, 2012
Dec 13, 2012
Dec 13, 2012
Dec 14, 2012
It is very hard to explain to people that do not participate in the activities I mentioned but it cleanses the soul, recharges the spirit, and refreshes the body.
Dec 13, 2012
"Dirt: the final frontier. The mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new trails and new singletracks, to boldly ride where no man has ridden before."
I am pretty sure Capt. Kirk said this anyway.
Dec 13, 2012
Dec 13, 2012
Dec 13, 2012