Any Cyclists out there?????

24

Replies

  • Wonderob
    Wonderob Posts: 1,372 Member
    Also a cyclist.

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

    Excellent cause, good luck with that
  • TheBigYin
    TheBigYin Posts: 5,686 Member
    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...
  • Vailara
    Vailara Posts: 2,472 Member
    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.
  • KitTheRoadie
    KitTheRoadie Posts: 641 Member
    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.
  • tadpole242
    tadpole242 Posts: 507 Member
    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.
  • TheBigYin
    TheBigYin Posts: 5,686 Member
    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!
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    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!
  • chelsa1986
    chelsa1986 Posts: 71
    .
  • tadpole242
    tadpole242 Posts: 507 Member

    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.
  • tadpole242
    tadpole242 Posts: 507 Member
    double post
  • Elen_Sia
    Elen_Sia Posts: 638 Member
    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. :smile:
  • bpotts44
    bpotts44 Posts: 1,066 Member
    Your best bet is to find a group ride to participate in. You can typically go to your local bike shop and find out where one meets. There will be many experienced riders in there that can lend a helping hand. Over time it is very important to get your position correct on the bike to optimize speed and comfort. Just start putting miles on and you will get stronger and stronger. I bike and run, but cycling is much easier on your joints.
  • Vailara
    Vailara Posts: 2,472 Member
    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.
  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member
    I'm a new cyclist too! I just got a mountain bike/road bike last month and I'm loving it! Some of the rail trails around here are amazing and they're good cause I can get used to riding again without the huge hills around my neighborhood. I went off roading for the first time last night with my new bike and she handled perfectly! Good luck with your ride, I'm sure you'll do great!
  • cbeutler
    cbeutler Posts: 667 Member
    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.
  • wickedcricket
    wickedcricket Posts: 1,246 Member
    I LOVE my bicycle- bummed cause it's been TOO HOT to ride. you're new & going on a 36 mile ride? I used to be able to do that, then got away from riding & got out of shape- now working back up to it but 15 miles is about my limit so far

    have fun! keep pedaling!
  • JamesThiel
    JamesThiel Posts: 85 Member
    22 miles a day ..... would not miss it.....it's my time
  • dianediaz
    dianediaz Posts: 53 Member
    Love love love cycling! It's my favorite part of the triathlons that I do. I would always rather be on the bike than the swim or run! Clipping in and out takes practice for sure, as I am sure you can tell by what some of the others have said. And, yes, even with experience some of us (me) still fall over while clipped in. I've even fallen over at a dead stop. Happens. Not fun, sort of embarrassing. But it's part of cycling. :-)

    It sounds like your hooked and good for you because cycling is one of the best forms of exercise there is. Ride safe and enjoy it!!!! Yay cycling!!!
  • kenlad64
    kenlad64 Posts: 377 Member
    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!
    6970935_6064.jpg

    Always looking for fellow riders to share some motivation!
  • GinaKurtz
    GinaKurtz Posts: 228 Member
    I am! My husband & I bought bikes together. We got mountain bikes, but our next major purchase will be road bikes! I agree, it was like buying a car for us too! :laugh:
  • fatboypup
    fatboypup Posts: 1,873 Member
    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
  • erinup
    erinup Posts: 53 Member
    I am a mountain biker and starting to do some cross racing. The best thing about riding to me is that it I don't do it for the exercise - I do it because it is fun. The awesome added bonus is that it can torch some calories too. As my 14 yr. old would say NIIIIICCCEEEE.

    I mountain bike on a single speed and cross race geared, but am thinking of just going single speed there too. It's a blast!
  • runner1609
    runner1609 Posts: 9 Member
    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!
  • kbuehner
    kbuehner Posts: 9 Member
    I am new to cycling as well. I have my husband's hand-me-down Trek. I plan on getting a new bike once I get more experienced and into it. Cycling is the only thing that does not hurt my knees so that is what I need to do!

    If only I can get my butt not to hurt from my seat!
  • maden2629
    maden2629 Posts: 14 Member
    I'm new to it too. quick question what is the difference between road bike and a mountain bike.
  • amyram
    amyram Posts: 108 Member
    Hi I'm also 51 and haven't ridden since I was about 12. I just bought a Cannondale cyclocross bike and other than a really sore backside, I'm enjoying this new form of exercise. :smile:
  • Xniecex
    Xniecex Posts: 39 Member
    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 ...
  • Kany
    Kany Posts: 336
    Hi I consider myself as a weekend warrior. I mountain bike once a week and I'll ride along the bike path every other weekend with either my fixie or cruiser. Add me. I would love to have other cyclist friends.
  • 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!!
  • janeseal
    janeseal Posts: 7
    Hi, I'm a cyclist. Did a 15 mile ride on Saturday and 12 on Sunday. I love getting out on my bike.