Cycling

[Jeevan | 8,912]

So, um, anyone cycle for fun?  Show me your rides and your accomplishements.  I just started cycling last year around August, and have put some miles on the bikes.

Starting out, I purchased this beaut. last year:

Tis a Trek Marlin 5 gen 2.

This year I plan on doing a very long 162 mile ride called the RAIN Ride.  https://www.rainride.org/

So, instead of trying to ride my Mountain bike the entire way, I purchased this beaut. in March:

Tis a Fezzari Empire Sport.  

So far, since August of last year, I have put in total 1174.99 miles on both bikes.  The Trek has over 900 as i have had it longer, but over 200 on the Fezz.  Hope to make 3,000 miles this year alone, and am already at 536.87 for the year as of today.  

This was a way to boost my weight loss btw, kind of why I bought them.  Never thought I would really go passed the trek, but since someone suggested we try it, now 3 of us from work are planning on doing the RAIN Ride.  

Feel free to share, and look forward to more from me as I plan on sharing my accomplishments in the thread.  For instance, I stopped the timer on accident as I was ansering a text, but I rode 40.35 miles today before the eclipse.  Hope to get really ready so the 162 mile ride isn't as bad .

[DefaultGen | 5,407]

I cycle occasionally on the one decent local path, but it feels like suicide to go long distances on busy roads due to the lack of infrastructure around me. I originally bought my bike to use indoors on a trainer, but the trainer was such a pain in the ass I only use it like I'm supposed to in the great outdoors

[TDIRunner | 2,742]

I used to be a runner, which is part of where I came up with my user name, but after more than 20 years and however many thousands of miles, I started to develop knee issues that have prevented me from continuing.  I eventually switched over to cycling as it gave me similar enjoyment without the impact on my knees.  I'm fortunate because the county I live in has hundreds of miles of bike trails all interconnected in a massive system that links me to all of the surrounding areas.  My county also has one of the oldest "rail to trail" bike trails in the entire country.    I've been pretty bad about riding the past few years, but I'm hoping to get back into it again this year.  I have a decent road bike.  Nothing too fancy.  

 

[Jeevan | 8,912]

1 hour ago, TDIRunner said:

I used to be a runner, which is part of where I came up with my user name, but after more than 20 years and however many thousands of miles, I started to develop knee issues that have prevented me from continuing.  I eventually switched over to cycling as it gave me similar enjoyment without the impact on my knees.  I'm fortunate because the county I live in has hundreds of miles of bike trails all interconnected in a massive system that links me to all of the surrounding areas.  My county also has one of the oldest "rail to trail" bike trails in the entire country.    I've been pretty bad about riding the past few years, but I'm hoping to get back into it again this year.  I have a decent road bike.  Nothing too fancy.  

 

We have the Cardinal Greenway here in Indiana, looking to do the full ride of it in june-ish should be 10x miles to get a century ride in prior to the 162 miles.  Never been on it, but am going to go on it on Saturday to ride with the pack of 3 that we have for the RAIN ride.  

2 hours ago, DefaultGen said:

I cycle occasionally on the one decent local path, but it feels like suicide to go long distances on busy roads due to the lack of infrastructure around me. I originally bought my bike to use indoors on a trainer, but the trainer was such a pain in the ass I only use it like I'm supposed to in the great outdoors

I don't ever plan on using a trainer.  Went to a local dirt trail recently, lots of offshoots, almost ate it on an expert jump I shouldn't have jumped, but didn't, just scratched up my leg on my pedal.  The Trek does alright on dirt, even if the tire is balding, which I need to replace very soon.  If I continue on dirt, I plan on getting another bike, full suspension instead of just the hardtail Trek.  There aren't many trails near me, we have one that is 6.2 miles round trip here in my City, it suffices for now, but look to goto a much longer trail soon, see above.  

[Jeevan | 8,912]

Just shy of a 47 mile ride today, plan on doing more tomorrow, that 3k is looking ez .  Famous last words.....

[Link | 2,714]

First of all as we've talked about it before, @Jeevan I'm glad you're long term taking care of your health and also that you are enjoying it! 

Edited April 14 by Link
where did the picture go

[Link | 2,714]

Uh, ↑ there's my bike. I got it for a song on craigslist, definitely the last time I ever found something good there.

As for me, for fun? Not exactly. It can be fun, just like driving, but commuting, shopping, going out, I live in a big city and my motivation is moreso convenience and saving money. I do it all year round. But I don't know how far I ride, aside from single trips. Like I know it's about 2½ miles to work, but I've never tracked or calculated cumulative numbers. 

[Jeevan | 8,912]

17 minutes ago, Link said:

Uh, ↑ there's my bike. I got it for a song on craigslist, definitely the last time I ever found something good there.

As for me, for fun? Not exactly. It can be fun, just like driving, but commuting, shopping, going out, I live in a big city and my motivation is moreso convenience and saving money. I do it all year round. But I don't know how far I ride, aside from single trips. Like I know it's about 2½ miles to work, but I've never tracked or calculated cumulative numbers. 

you weren't even curious to keep track?    I want to know what I ride everytime, even if I didn't have a goal, I would keep track just kuz i like to know.  Nice looking ride though.  I ordered a new seat for my Fezz.  The current one sucks, ordered a fizik tundra 2, hope it helps with the long ride.  Looking to replace my Mountain bike tire soon as it needs it.  Get some more offroading done this summer I hope.

[Link | 2,714]

13 hours ago, Jeevan said:

you weren't even curious to keep track?    I want to know what I ride everytime, even if I didn't have a goal, I would keep track just kuz i like to know

Haha, it's kinda weird sometimes what I do and don't keep track of, I guess. 

 

13 hours ago, Jeevan said:

Nice looking ride though.  I ordered a new seat for my Fezz.  The current one sucks, ordered a fizik tundra 2, hope it helps with the long ride.  Looking to replace my Mountain bike tire soon as it needs it.  Get some more offroading done this summer I hope.

Thanks. I added the rack and doublewide milk crate. I want to add a front rack, too. The other upgrade I got is a bigger chain ring at a friend's recommendation. I think I went from 42 teeth to 46; now I wish I had gone bigger. 

[fcgamer | 4,727]

Heading out Wednesday morning before work with a new cycling partner, hopefully we make it back before I need to be at work, not that I really care at this stage in the game. Looks to be an easy ride, which will be perfect for my first ride of the season.

[Jeevan | 8,912]

3 hours ago, Link said:

Thanks. I added the rack and doublewide milk crate. I want to add a front rack, too. The other upgrade I got is a bigger chain ring at a friend's recommendation. I think I went from 42 teeth to 46; now I wish I had gone bigger. 

I was told to make my mountain bike a 1x12, so I am thinking about that, I need to get an air shock instead of the spring one I have on front right now too, but other than that, not much to mod about the bike.  I really want a full suspension one now that I have ridden my friends Fezz MTB.  But that is expensive, so prolly ride this one for another season and save up

[Jeevan | 8,912]

Long ride today:  

 

[Link | 2,714]

8 hours ago, Jeevan said:

I was told to make my mountain bike a 1x12,

idk what this means.

56 miles! I think most I've done is 13 miles each way round trip, so 26 with a break in the middle.

[Jeevan | 8,912]

Just now, Link said:

idk what this means.

56 miles! I think most I've done is 13 miles each way round trip, so 26 with a break in the middle.

less for me to worry about and easier to go up and down the hills on dirt.  I told you I was training haha, so over 100 miles the last 2 days........I'm beat

[fcgamer | 4,727]

1 hour ago, Jeevan said:

less for me to worry about and easier to go up and down the hills on dirt.  I told you I was training haha, so over 100 miles the last 2 days........I'm beat

That's good, if I can't do about 50 on a trip it's not worth going out.

[Jeevan | 8,912]

22 minutes ago, fcgamer said:

That's good, if I can't do about 50 on a trip it's not worth going out.

we plan on riding 100 miles in june together as a group, my riding buddies and i, hope we all make it

[fcgamer | 4,727]

52 minutes ago, Jeevan said:

we plan on riding 100 miles in june together as a group, my riding buddies and i, hope we all make it

I hope so too, that sounds like it will be a fun time. 

[Sumez | 2,963]

I enjoy cycling but I'd never do it just for fun. For me, it's just generally the most practical way to get around

[fcgamer | 4,727]

Went out for my first ride of the season this morning. The owner of the coffee shop across the street from me, who is also a potential future bandmate, has been begging me for about two months to get out with him and a few friends of his.

Went out and bought two cycling jerseys yesterday at lunchtime, got my bike in order and went out this morning for a quick two hour ride before work. Woke up at 4:30, rode from about 5:40 to 7:40, now at work by 8:30.

We might try getting out in the mornings several times a week in the future. 

[GPX | 1,370]

I’m turning into a sport freak of late. Very keen on my tennis currently but ultimately I just want to keep getting fitter whenever possible. So a long marathon run or a long bike ride is part of future planning. 

Good to see fellow members here keen on looking after their bodies. I mean, games are good but the body is pretty important too!

[Jeevan | 8,912]

4 hours ago, GPX said:

I’m turning into a sport freak of late. Very keen on my tennis currently but ultimately I just want to keep getting fitter whenever possible. So a long marathon run or a long bike ride is part of future planning. 

Good to see fellow members here keen on looking after their bodies. I mean, games are good but the body is pretty important too!

Are you strictly looking to ride miles?  If so make sure to buy a road bike, I rode my Mtn Bike last night and boy was it sluggish compared to my road.  

[fcgamer | 4,727]

Well I received a message from my new cycling partner this afternoon. Anyways he said he and his buddy (the other guy that joined us today for the ride, I guess?) want to ride from Taichung City down to Chiayi, and then back to Taichung City on the last Monday of this month. The distance is just over 200 kilometers, I'm not sure of the terrain.

I'm always scheduled to work on Mondays but the decision to join my friend or not was easily made after receiving an out-of-the-blue message today from my supervisor with a ridiculous deadline for some work. Fuck 'em, after sacrificing so much over the years to a management that only knows how to take, take, take, I think I'd rather flake out on work and go on the adventure of a lifetime. Not really feeling the distance, but I'm gonna feel awesome after conquering it!

[GPX | 1,370]

On 4/17/2024 at 10:23 PM, Jeevan said:

Are you strictly looking to ride miles?  If so make sure to buy a road bike, I rode my Mtn Bike last night and boy was it sluggish compared to my road.  

Thanks for the tip! I’ve done biking before up to around 35 miles total, with a group of friends. Those were some leisure rides around the beach side. I had stopped doing any physical exercise for 2 years during the pandemic and only got back to fitness training for the last 2 years, but mainly with tennis and jogging. The aim is to play some other sports including getting back to bike riding, just finding my balance with fitness and fun.

[Jeevan | 8,912]

1 hour ago, GPX said:

Thanks for the tip! I’ve done biking before up to around 35 miles total, with a group of friends. Those were some leisure rides around the beach side. I had stopped doing any physical exercise for 2 years during the pandemic and only got back to fitness training for the last 2 years, but mainly with tennis and jogging. The aim is to play some other sports including getting back to bike riding, just finding my balance with fitness and fun.

Doing what you enjoy helps out a ton!  Just get back to it in your own time and enjoy it