Cycling

[Oli]

The good weather is upon us, and that means one thing... cycling time!

Been getting back into it to get fit again, although i've currently got lobster-red shoulders from yesterdays 3hour outing... must remember to get some suncream! I've covered about 65miles in the past week, and i hope to get it up further- doing 20miles a time (around 4 times a week) is reasonable i think. Being situated on the North Downs is nice, as there's a lot of scenery and good routes, i'd like to try and cover most of the Downs this season, but we'll see how that goes.

I'm hoping to retire my current ride and get a new bike at some point (current bike needs new cassettes, wheels and shocks- not worth repairing really)... I've already had a big puncture about 5 miles from my house, and nearly missed 24 because it took so long to walk back with it!

Anyone else into cycling here?

[Stevepage]

I love cycling, well riding about on my BMX. Though my bike is now gone away. It was beyond buggered, almost got me into a few near death experiences  :lol:

Would love to get back into it. Now I usually go jogging for 20 minutes or skip to do some cardio.

[noodleplugerine]

I cycle everywhere generally, (not that I ever go particularly far), infact, recently bought a new bike - Cannondale "bad boy" (I laughed) - Very nice bike.

This morning was odd, was cycling the 3 miles uphill I have to do to get to my college, and my legs just failed me, I knew I couldn't cycle the whole journey, so I chained my bike and ran for a bus - Where I lost the ability to run... Was really really weird - Anyone ever heard of random fatigue like this>?

[sgmypod]

need to dig my claud out again

[Philly Q]

This morning was odd, was cycling the 3 miles uphill I have to do to get to my college, and my legs just failed me, I knew I couldn't cycle the whole journey, so I chained my bike and ran for a bus - Where I lost the ability to run... Was really really weird - Anyone ever heard of random fatigue like this>?

Only when I have bad dreams!  Seriously, I often have these dreams where I'm trying to get somewhere, but my legs feel like lead and I can hardly walk.  It's so familiar I feel like it's happened in reality... but it hasn't.

I'm sure it must have some deep psychological significance.

Anyway, cycling.... where did that "it's like riding a bike" phrase come from?  I used to be able to ride a bike, but buggered if I can any more.

[PhilKing]

I used to be very into it and when I was living in London cycled to work most days.  I will be getting out on the bike this weekend but I haven't cycled much in the last year so will try to do 15-20 on Saturday and the same Sunday.  I have both road and mountain bikes because when I used to cycle a lot I would do 70-100 mile rides and they are no fun on a mountain bike!  If you are dehydrated you can loose an awful lot of power (I know from running out of water at mile 80 on a century).

[hunter]

I love cycling, but it takes a lot of energy, you don't realise while you're going, but one break and - boom, it hits you. If I manage to ride without a break it's good, I do 20-25 miles, but one break in the middle and man that butt hurts!

I stopped running after I did a marathon in 2007 (dreadful time of 5:30) - that was enough.

Now I do Bikram Yoga 3-5 times a week, this is very physical you wouldn't believe, and it's 90 minutes each time. My hope is that one day I manage to keep the Yoga up and control my eating habits => those 40 pounds that I have too many will just drop off me ...

[Ian Price]

Only when I have bad dreams!  Seriously, I often have these dreams where I'm trying to get somewhere, but my legs feel like lead and I can hardly walk.  It's so familiar I feel like it's happened in reality... but it hasn't.

I'm sure it must have some deep psychological significance.

Philly - I often used to have dreams like this. I would be trying to run but my legs would feel insanely heavy. It always felt so real that it used to worry me when I actually was running.

Very strange.

[_tom_]

I cycle loads but the problem is we have nowhere good to ride here. Its all so flat and boring :(

[Philly Q]

Only when I have bad dreams!  Seriously, I often have these dreams where I'm trying to get somewhere, but my legs feel like lead and I can hardly walk.  It's so familiar I feel like it's happened in reality... but it hasn't.

I'm sure it must have some deep psychological significance.

Philly - I often used to have dreams like this. I would be trying to run but my legs would feel insanely heavy. It always felt so real that it used to worry me when I actually was running.

Very strange.

Great minds.... 

[Jonny]

If I cycled I'd probably get run over by mothers and their stupid $%&#ing Merc/BMW/Porsche 4x4s.

Other than that, I do like the exercise on a bike.

[_tom_]

I've been riding my mtb like a bmx the past few weeks, forgot how fun it is! Think I'm going to get a bike more suitable for the road and xc stuff then keep this one for the ramps and stuff. I look ridiculous on a bmx so a small mtb aimed towards that sort of thing is the next best option I think haha

[Spitfire]

it can be a problem finding nice places to cycle.. its very hilly around here so i probably dont go as far as others but i like the odd 15 mile cycle.

i do hate cycling on roads though.

[indysmith]

Last summer I was a cycling MACHINE. Got my average speed XC up to 15mph :D
I plan on getting fit again this summer.

[Oli]

I live right in a valley, so I have an uphill start, no matter which route I take! Only plus side is that it's a downhill finish :) I far prefer the offroad/ wooded runs- there's no thrill like bombing it around a wood, jumping over roots and fallen branches. There's a nice little run i've found on the way back to my home that is a little through woods, and a little through a gravelly track- it's great to be going through sweeping downhill bends whilst feeling the bike just on the verge of slipping away on the gravel.... so exhilarating!

Also feeling the dislike for cycling on roads, not nice when there's traffic and inconsiderate drivers around!