Any Cyclists out there?????

Also a cyclist.

Currently organising a 110 mile cycle from Belfast to Dublin for Marie Curie Cancer

Excellent cause, good luck with that

Used to be a cyclist...

now I'm a fat bloke that rides bikes a bit, but I'm working on getting back to being a cyclist again...

What's the difference? Serious question. I don't know the difference between biking and cycling and at what point somebody becomes a cyclist rather than (in my case) a fat woman who occasionally does a few miles on a bike. I don't know if I'd ever be a cyclist regardless of weight and ability because I'm a wuss about cycling on actual roads (rather than cycle tracks), but I just wondered.

Used to be a cyclist...

now I'm a fat bloke that rides bikes a bit, but I'm working on getting back to being a cyclist again...

haha he's just been modest! He rides more than I do and I call myself a cyclist! :-)

I think to be a cyclist you have to ride your bike because you enjoy riding your bike, not just because you have to ride to work or the shops or your mates house.

I'll not take kindly to people looking down on me, Just because I ride to work, rather than one day a week if it is sunny, and not too windy. I ride to work whatever the weather, and aim to do 70+ miles a week, at 17 to 20mph average over each and every mile. I don't have to ride to work, but I do because I love cycling. On my holiday I often got for a longer rides just because the road is calling to me.

Cyclist since I was a kid, avid cyclist the last 5 years or so (up to 906 miles for the season so far, including the 180-mile "Trek Across Maine" charity ride). I bicycle back and forth to work (14 miles each way on the road, lots of crunchy hills) frequently.

As to the ongoing discussion about "bike rider" versus "cyclist", a recent argument started over "jogger" versus "runner".

My definition of a "jogger" is a "runner with self-esteem issues". Similarly, if you get on a bicycle and ride it with any regularity, you are a cyclist. I consider the guy who gets on a mountain bike and rides a paved trail 5 miles a week every bit as much a "cyclist" as I am, riding my $400 hybrid to work 28 miles a day on the road, and I consider myself as qualified to the name as the college kids on their $4,000 carbon fiber roadies out doing a century ride for fun who blow by me every day like I'm standing still.

But I also hate using names as some sort of elitist snobbery. If you get on a bike, you're a cyclist. Welcome, and enjoy!

My definition of a "jogger" is a "runner with self-esteem issues". Similarly, if you get on a bicycle and ride it with any regularity, you are a cyclist. I consider the guy who gets on a mountain bike and rides a paved trail 5 miles a week every bit as much a "cyclist" as I am, riding my $400 hybrid to work 28 miles a day on the road, and I consider myself as qualified to the name as the college kids on their $4,000 carbon fiber roadies out doing a century ride for fun who blow by me every day like I'm standing still.

But I also hate using names as some sort of elitist snobbery. If you get on a bike, you're a cyclist. Welcome, and enjoy!

I agree 100% with this, everyone is an experiment of one, I know of at least one fat bloke who struggles to ride 10 miles each day who is more of a cyclist than a few of the semi pros who ride their £7000 all carbon giants with electronic gear selection and support cars. And truth be known he has dozens of pro-riders who call him both equal and friend.

Hi MFP's!!! I am sooooo Excited! I just got a road bike! Wow it was like buying a car...took some time, but I finally said "I'll take it and they got it all set up for me.

I am signed up for a 36 mile ride on the 15th. And I am pushing my husband to take me out on the bike trails. I am a new biker..so far so good with clipping in and out. I still need practice with shifting and overall confidence on the bike. I'm excited to push myself to new limits and so far it's fun to really get somewhere fast vs walking or running.

I have another 15 pounds to lose...and love my exercise. I am a regular at the gym and hike, walk run, and now bike. Any tips are welcome and or success stories of weight loss from cycling. I can't wait to hit the bike trails after work today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love my Trek mountain bike. I take her out 4x a week. She and I are one on the road. Corny, I know. I just love biking outside A LOT.

Used to be a cyclist...

now I'm a fat bloke that rides bikes a bit, but I'm working on getting back to being a cyclist again...

What's the difference? Serious question. I don't know the difference between biking and cycling and at what point somebody becomes a cyclist rather than (in my case) a fat woman who occasionally does a few miles on a bike. I don't know if I'd ever be a cyclist regardless of weight and ability because I'm a wuss about cycling on actual roads (rather than cycle tracks), but I just wondered.

What's the difference -

Fat bloke who rides a bike a bit... 25miles - 1h51m and 2,500 miles a year
Cyclist - 25 miles 58m49s and nearer 10,000 miles a year.

I'm trying very, very hard to get back to being a Cyclist, but I reckon it's not likely to happen in this lifetime :brokenheart:

I still ride 5-6 times a week - at least 30 miles a day, whatever the weather throws at me, and I'm getting faster and stronger, but I'm a long way from it yet!

I see. What you are doing now sounds VERY impressive to me indeed! But I know how it feels to be struggling to do things you used to do very well . Good luck with it. Maybe you're doing as well as you did previously if you take into account age, weight, fitness level, etc.

I'm loving my new bike too. Rode 30 yesterday and 14 Thursday in the high 90 degree heat. You are going to love it.

22 miles a day ..... would not miss it.....it's my time

I recently rediscovered my love for riding. It is great to get out there and ride. I ENDOMONDO to track my rides it's a great free tool:

Here is my bike!


Always looking for fellow riders to share some motivation!

Used to be a cyclist...

now I'm a fat bloke that rides bikes a bit, but I'm working on getting back to being a cyclist again...

THIS

I am a mountain biker and LOVE it! I try to hit the trails at least 4 times a week. It's a great cardio work-out and great strength building for the legs. According to MFP I burn around 500+ calories per hour. Not bad for having a blast!
Pedal on!

I'm new to it too. quick question what is the difference between road bike and a mountain bike.

I just brought my bike home from my BF house....he gave his to a neighborhood kid!!,! I want to cycle to work. Its only about 9 miles ...

my wife asnd i have road bikes and have ridden 3 or 4 times.....ive fallen twice ...OUCH!!!..my longest ride has been 27 miles....the literal pain in the butt is something that i'll have to get used to, even with padded shorts!!!! good luck to ya!!