Zephyr Posted September 8, 2014 Share #1 Posted September 8, 2014 I am relatively new to the road bike world.., where up until this summer I did all my rides on my commuter bike.I have always ridden solo and when I head out for a 80-100km (50-60 miles) ride the normal practice is head down, hammer away for 3-3 1/2 hours until I am back. This weekend I took only two water bottles where normally I carry four so I don't have to stop, so when I got to the halfway I stopped at a little store, bought some water and a Snickers bar, sat under a tree and topped up my bottle then sat there drinking the remaining water and taking in the sights. It was kinda nice but I sort of felt like I was cheating by resting.Then I see beautiful pics from rides posted here, and I was thinking I have never stopped for a picture. So I have several questions..Am I missing the true joy of riding?Am I normal or the odd one?Am I actually allowed to ask cycling questions in the Cafe?Where do babies come from?Why does it hurt when I pee? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted September 8, 2014 Share #2 Posted September 8, 2014 Am I missing the true joy of riding? I don't think so, riding hard is one of the joys. Am I normal or the odd one? Yes. Am I actually allowed to ask cycling questions in the Cafe? Sadly, yes. There are many other sections, but people hardly use them. Where do babies come from? UPS? Amazon? Why does it hurt when I pee? Ask jsharr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySTL ★ Posted September 8, 2014 Share #3 Posted September 8, 2014 Sometimes you should stop and smell the roses. Other times you should crash into them at 20 mph to get thorns into your skin and tires. "Why does it hurt when I pee? " You're doing it wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted September 8, 2014 Share #4 Posted September 8, 2014 RR should answer this. He better tell you to get your head, look around, enjoy the scenery and WATCH OUT FOR GATES!!!!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentonMakes Posted September 8, 2014 Share #5 Posted September 8, 2014 I ride because I want to get myself into shape, but I also ride because I think it's the best way to get out and see the world. You don't see it in a car like you can from a bike, and you can't cover enough ground on foot. (well, I can't) If I stop to catch my breath, wait for the light to change, or take a picture, it just means I can ride a little harder when I resume. It doesn't take long to pull out the phone and take a snapshot or two (I'm not "composing a scene"). On rides of about 30 miles or more I need to stop for water at some point. I enjoy those breaks (though yesterday I'm not sure how happy the cashier at Rite Aid was to accept my sweaty $5.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted September 8, 2014 Share #6 Posted September 8, 2014 You are asking us if you are weird or normal? How the heck would we know? Do you see anyone here you would call normal? Haha, I answered your question with three questions. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted September 8, 2014 Share #7 Posted September 8, 2014 I think you can ride fairly fast and still enjoy the scenery. Just don't keep your head down. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopped Liver Posted September 8, 2014 Share #8 Posted September 8, 2014 We're all weird here...that's what makes this place great. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted September 8, 2014 Share #9 Posted September 8, 2014 You are sorta kinda weird if you ask me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted September 8, 2014 Share #10 Posted September 8, 2014 You are sorta kinda weird if you ask me. Jsharr giving opinions on sorta, kinda normal. Let me mark this on my calendar. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted September 8, 2014 Share #11 Posted September 8, 2014 Jsharr giving opinions on sorta, kinda normal. Let me mark this on my calendar. Under the category "Best Things Ever!"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted September 8, 2014 Share #12 Posted September 8, 2014 We're all weird here...that's what makes this place great. So you're saying that weird is normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted September 8, 2014 Share #13 Posted September 8, 2014 Under the category "Best Things Ever!"? Right! You just keep thinking that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Kosciuszko Posted September 9, 2014 Share #14 Posted September 9, 2014 1. Am I missing the true joy of riding? 2. Am I normal or the odd one? 3. Am I actually allowed to ask cycling questions in the Cafe? 1. You may not be missing the true joy of riding, but I suggest you are missing one of them. 2. Oh for goodness sake! You signed up for this place and agreed to the terms of use, didn't you? After you've participated for some time you will realize that I am the only normal person here. 3. You are, indeed, actually allowed to ask cycling questions in the Cafe. Do not hold any expectations of receiving a truly helpful or enlightening answer in return for your efforts. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted September 9, 2014 Share #15 Posted September 9, 2014 As you may have noticed, I liked this thread. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoneWolf Posted September 9, 2014 Share #16 Posted September 9, 2014 Am I weird or sorta kinda normal? You mean, on this forum, or in real life? I'm sure here, you're way more normal than most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destination Posted September 10, 2014 Share #17 Posted September 10, 2014 I have always ridden solo and when I head out for a 80-100km (50-60 miles) ride the normal practice is head down, hammer away for 3-3 1/2 hours until I am back. This weekend I took only two water bottles where normally I carry four so I don't have to stop, so when I got to the halfway I stopped at a little store, bought some water and a Snickers bar, sat under a tree and topped up my bottle then sat there drinking the remaining water and taking in the sights. It was kinda nice but I sort of felt like I was cheating by resting. Then I see beautiful pics from rides posted here, and I was thinking I have never stopped for a picture. So I have several questions.. Am I missing the true joy of riding? Am I normal or the odd one? If you were to ask everyone on this forum how and why they ride, you'd get slightly different answers from all of us. You'd encounter everything from extremely competitive or performance-based cyclists to commuters to casual recreational riders who believe a coffee or an ice cream at the half-way point is the best part of the ride. You'd encounter those who believe a bike ride is a sacred, spiritual experience and those who believe rides are for training and fitness. There is no one right way to ride. There is no one way to experience the true joy of riding. Do what works for you, but feel free to change it up from time to time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now