13 replies to this topic

[red to the bone]

What do you use your bicycle for? Commuting, exercise, zipping around town, enjoying the countryside…? How often do you ride it? What do you like about riding a bike? That kind of stuff…

Post your experiences, ask cycling related questions, give advice, talk about your bikes…

Hopefully someone will be interested in this thread

[AnfieldCat]

Right I'm owning up now, I can't ride a bike or swim!!! Not much use in here then am I! :' />

[EdWood]

I used to bike a lot to keep the pounds off until some c*nt sideswiped me up by the Ford road near Halewood and I broke my wrist when I crashed and burned; the bugger of it all was that he was a cyclist too!!! Oh the irony of it.

[EdWood]

Right I'm owning up now, I can't ride a bike or swim!!! Not much use in here then am I! class=:' />

Riding a bike is like....... riding a bike babe; once you get the hang of it you never forget.

[AnfieldCat]

Riding a bike is like....... riding a bike babe; once you get the hang of it you never forget.

Your breaking your wrist story hasn't inspired me!

[Mada]

Cycling = always a topic of interest.

For many years road biking was my entire focus, I road too many kilometers each week/year...but I enjoyed it. For several years cycling and coaching was paying some of the bills.

However, with age came change. My body began to resist sitting in the same postion hour after hour and along with two bad crashes (one was an encounter with a car) the wear on my body and pain in my hip, shoulder and neck became too much. I was physically and mentally spent, so I climbed off the bike for two years.

However, about five years ago I began riding again. At first it was just short trips with my kids. But now I have rediscovered my love for riding and enjoy mountain bike or road bike for exercise, riding off the frustration of my job, general enjoyment, and getting outside on the roads or trails.

I am fortunate to live next to a trail system with almost 100k of singletrack fun! I generally get out on the mountain bike 4-5 times a week and hit the road once or twice every few weeks.

[red to the bone]

As you could’ve guessed, I love cycling.

As a kid I rode my bike every day, but then I made a big pause until couple of years ago when I rediscovered my love for cycling. I live near the city centre where having a car would be a huge fuss. So I use bicycle as a primary mean of transportation. I don’t work at the moment, but while I used to go to the office I commuted by bike. It was around 12k in each direction and it really helped me relax after a hard day.

I also like bicycles as such. I appreciate the aesthetics of it, especially vintage models. I currently ride an old road bike from the ‘80s. It’s not really a museum piece but it takes me where I need to be and it’s pretty fast. I also like old city bikes, while I’m not the biggest fan of the mountain bikes (from the aesthetic point of view). One of my dreams is to set up a shop where I’d refurbish old used bikes, bring them back to their former glory and sell them afterwards. With the market for bicycles being relatively small here in Serbia, it would have to be done more as a hobby than as a way to make a living. So that plan will have to wait for some better days.

[lfc.eddie]

Used to own one Colnago road racer, but sold it off because of too much travelling. Yeah biking is fun.

[Mada]

Used to own one Colnago road racer, but sold it off because of too much travelling. Yeah biking is fun.

A Colnago is on my top 3 list of dream bikes. Shame you sold it Eddie.

[Iron_Zombie]

So long as none of you wear the minging spandex then that's fine by me. There was a guy at work who'd cycle in then be in his spandex up until lunch time. he's retired now.

I'm definitely not a dedicated cyclist but do go on it in the mornings before work. Normally ride between 40 mins to 1hr 15 mins depending on day of week. It's nothing exciting though. I literally cycle in one direction for half an hour, then turn around. Not really any trails near me but at the same time I can't really be arsed with them. Only using it for fitness and as I leave the house at 5.30am then it's dark so can't see anything anyway so have to stay on roads (yes i do have lights).

days I don't cycle I try to run but it depends if i have any injuries or tiredness. My calf is the main thing that prevents me running so if that is ok and I feel up to it then I'll run. If not I'll go on my bike (only a 20 quid job from ebay).

When I go to work, my mum and dad live a mile away from my work (I live about 8 miles away). As I have other commitments which prevent me cycling to work from home, I drive to my parent's house, then use the bike I have there and cycle to work from there. The only time i don't is if it's raining but when there was all that snow the last couple of years I was on my bike. Quite dodgy though, came off a few times but was well padded.

[red to the bone]

Used to own one Colnago road racer, but sold it off because of too much travelling. Yeah biking is fun.

You’re a man of taste, Eddie.

A Colnago is on my top 3 list of dream bikes. Shame you sold it Eddie.

Same here pretty much. If I ever spend a large amount of bucks/quid/euros on a bike it’ll either be a Colnago (Master preferably) or something like this:



It’s a 1937 (frame) Durkopp Adler nickel plated piece of beauty and history. Some guy is selling it on ebay for 4000$. I don't think I'd ever ride it though.

So long as none of you wear the minging spandex then that's fine by me.

I have too much self respect for that. It’s only ok if you’re racing or touring, so your bum doesn’t disintegrate.

[Mada]

^^^^^^
Beautiful! (just to clarify....I meant the bike!)

[lfc.eddie]

A Colnago is on my top 3 list of dream bikes. Shame you sold it Eddie.

Mine was CX-1 if I am not mistaken, freaking expensive though. I put up Campagnolo sprockets and crank sets, I think I changed the brakes as well. Sweet ride, but unfortunately I have to let it go due to work commitment.

[Tosh]

Like Red, I 'used' to cycle like mad when I was a kid.

But there again, here on the Isle of Man, we take cycling VERY seriously!
My cousin, Steve Joughin, was twice British Professional Road Race Champion - he blazed the trail long before Mark Cavendish was a glint in his father's eye.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/3LC.tv

I've involved myself in the various cycling threads during the course of this summer, as I love the sport.
But as so many do - no name, no pack drill - I've found myself on the wrong side of forty, and putting too much weight on.

What's the solution?
Some bone-headed physical training 'specialist' at the gym, shouting "Give me just one more."

Nah. That sort of shit just isn't me.

So, I've finally done what I should of done years ago. I bought a bicycle (and before any of you ask for a go, my mam has told me that NO ONE is allowed a go!).

Simply, it's the best money I've spent in friggin years.

Walking like John Wayne after my first outing, I've quickly got myself more comfortable on my bike - and the Isle of Man is a cyclist's paradise!

So at the moment I'm doing about an hour at a stretch - although I put in 20 miles the other day.

Yes. Laugh if you want, but it's all about working myself up.

We have an annual walk on the Island called the Parrish Walk. The course is 85 miles, and it's my ambition to cycle it one day - although regular cycling outings take place over the course throughout the year.

The bloke who lives accross the road from me is 80.
His name is Brian Nelson, and he held the record for the quickest lap around the T.T. Course for years (37.73 miles).
Brian was recently looked at by a doctor, and he was told that he had the heart of a 28 year old man - and he still cycles most days.

Another mate of mine, cycled from Land's End to John-O-Groats ealier this year.
He suffers from athritus, and was diagnosed with throat cancer a couple of years ago.

Instead of taking it easy, he chose to find the most arduous way between the two pionts. Heading over the west side of Scotland, and taking in as many climbs as he could find.

So yes, I cycle. I love it.

And thanks to the exploits of the likes of Cav a Wiggo, the 'humble bicycle' is now back in the main stream.

Smooth roads to us all!