Tim
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Someone recently sent me this link to a YouTube video. As I watched it I was amazed and sat watching in awe. It reminded me of at least one reason I ride…I’m inspired and very grateful for the beauty that surrounds us every day. Riding allows me to experience more of that. Here’s to cultivating the response of gratefulness.
http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/gXDMoiEkyuQ?
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sligerd
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I am writing this from the perspective of a runner. Running is my first love. Even though I first cut my teeth on a bike as many of us have done in our childhood, it was only as a means of getting to my next destination in the quickest manner. As i grew up, the bike was soon forgotten and replaced with running shoes. Having ran several marathons, countless 5ks, 10ks and 1/2 marathons, I eventually started looking for something else. I found itin the sport of triathlon. Just as a child, I had the same approach to the bike: a means to an end. The bike, just like my running shoes was a tool, an instrument by which to exercise and compete in endurance races. It was not until last spring that I discovered the real benefit of cycling: the camaraderie and making friends. As a runner, you are mostly on your own. As a triathlete, you train mostly by yourself. As a cyclist, you paceline, share the pulling, watch out for each other when cars approach or dogs give chase. You build relationships, perhaps talk about relationships, and laugh, hurt and get stronger together. In cycling, group dynamics are front and center. You do not need to attend a lecture, read business journals or watch seminars about group dynamics when you are a cyclist. Instead, you are an active participant; a doer, a follower and perhaps a leader in a ride. To summarize, cycling/riding to me is a LIFE-EXPERIENCE!
David Sliger
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sray123
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If they dont know by now then will they ever? I really never mean to bore anyone with what seems like a Cinderella story but the reason I ride is to survive. You see days seem to come and go when I dont know or understand how much longer I really have but I am always certain of one thing, my bike is always there for me to get on no matter what the days bring for me. As many may very well know I was diagnosed with MS in 2009 and it has been a battle everyday since. For some reason a bike was there for me to get on and walking with a cane it was really the only thing that made sense considering that I had no ballance to run. So on that cheap wal-mart bike away I rode. Over them next couple of years after my diagnosis I was showed the ropes by a select group of individuals that taped into my true riding potential. Everyday I am very thankful for the help that so many give. So many have faith in me and at times I feel as if I wouldnt be anything if I was out in the wind by myself. I ride for those that believe in and I also ride for another reason and that is what my Road ID bracelet says and sums up “For those who cant” because I was once one of those who couldnt.
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Jason
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Not to sound dramatic, but I ride because I feel that cycling saved my life. At 300 pounds, I suffered from high blood pressure (usually around 205/130), high cholesterol, sleep apnea, borderline diabetes, and had a horrible family history of heart disease. I found cycling and have reversed every one of my risk factors. I even sold my sleep apnea machine on Craigslist last year.  Now, I ride because I can. I climb the hills because I can. Also, there is something very peaceful about seeing the sun come up from the seat of a bicycle.
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SteveS
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The early morning rides are for exercise and friendship.
I drove to Nashville to work for fifteen years. I dreamed of riding my bike to work, and not making that commute. Now I am living out that dream. I have traded I-24, for an Estil Loop. Like Jason (above) the health benefits have been significant for me as well.
The friendship aspect of riding a bike keeps me coming back to the sport day after day. I’m constantly making new friends because I ride a bike. My biking friends include all skill levels, bike models, ages, and levels of fitness. It is exciting to see the club broaden it’s reach to young riders, and show a good tolerance for people just getting started with cheap bikes from local retailers. On the other extreme, there are discussions about a race team. There is something for everybody!
The long rides, organized or not, are a great test. Physically, and mentally, it’s good for me to see how I measure up, and how I recover.
Below is a part of a blog entry of mine that I copied and pasted.
It’s called, “Hurts So Good”, from August 2011, right after the Hot 100. I addressed this very question, Why do I ride?
http://rdside.blogspot.com/2010/08/hurts-so-good.html
…I ask myself. Is it worth it? Physically I mean? What drives me to push like that, and know that I’m going to hurt for a week or so?
I think maybe I still do these rides to prove to myself that I can do something that most people can’t do. It is also proving to myself that I still have the heart of a warrior, to face something, fight with it, and kick it’s butt. That I can compete, finish, and win.
Yeah, it hurts. But its a good kind of hurt. I have to smile as I get up and walk from my chair in the office, to do the simplest of tasks. Don’t let it show. Stand up straight, shoulders back, walk without limping, keep smiling. I can’t wait until the next long ride.
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