Has cycling changed how you feel about cars?
Discussion
Since I took up cycling less than 12 months ago I feel like my interest in cars is, to some extent, waning. I can only put this down to having got to a point where my finances aren't going to keep progressing at anything like the rate of the last 10 years and therefore feel like there's nothing I can realistically strive for. Cycling on the other hand feels much more obtainable, even if a £10k Pinarello ridden wearing a grand of Rapha kit would be wasted on me. Has anyone else found this since they got into it? I'm strongly considering selling my 911 to fund a bike (fast ish) estate for carrying bike stuff round in!
For me it was motorbikes. I've definitely lost interest in them since starting cycling. I feel that I can get a good sense of speed at 30/40mph on my bike where as to get the same feeling I'd be into illegal territory on my motorbike. I also feel that any time I am not cycling, I am losing fitness and overall speed, while my motorbike will always go the same speed regardless of how long it sits there unused.
I've spent a fortune on my car, it's been heavily modified and produces 150% of the power it originally came with - and it sits outside on the drive 99% of the time whilst I ride my bike.
I think the thing about modifying yourself (aka, riding a lot) is that you get a much bigger sense of achievement than, for example, fitting a larger intercooler and gaining 20 bhp.
It's also possible to really push yourself, in a way that you would need a motor-circuit for in the car, on the bike on the way to work every morning.
I think the thing about modifying yourself (aka, riding a lot) is that you get a much bigger sense of achievement than, for example, fitting a larger intercooler and gaining 20 bhp.
It's also possible to really push yourself, in a way that you would need a motor-circuit for in the car, on the bike on the way to work every morning.
Completely disinterested these days after 30yrs of expensive enthusiasm. Don't go anywhere near the motors parts of PH. Mates of mine come from (motor)bikes, all now sold. Feel sorry for the bikers constricted by full face helmets and noise in stifling leathers when we ride the Alps and other awesome places.
I also have an old BMW estate so something to chuck bikes in isn't an issue. I do use my 911 but every bill is no converted to an opportunity cost for cycling stuff. The bill Autofarm are about to hit me with would buy a better bike than anything I currently own! I'll always be a car guy, I just can't get the pleasure per £ I'm finding from cycling. I'd need to to have a lottery win I think.
I was a cyclist before a car driver, I have always cycled, 5 years ago I added a full motorbike license - my interest in cars has changed but not due to cycling. 5 years ago I decided to do bike test as I was coming home infuriated with almost every driver on the road, too slow to pull off at lights, to slow on every open road, drive to close, my 16mile commute in my VX220 regularly took 1hr 20mins. The bike made it 40mins every day, I turned my car into a track day car and never used it on the road again although it was road legal. Eventually I found I was thinking about racing instead of track days, then I took stock realized it was silly money; I could never afford it so decided to give up completely and sold the car. Now I have a 325i barge to move dogs, bike about and either cycle or motorbike to work, cycle too 50mins today :-) on way home.
Basically too many cars on the roads ruined cars for me, bike you just slip past cars as if they are just things to pass. Don't get me wrong I'd like a nice 911 in my mind but I know i'd not use it, it'd be a waste. Currently have a Fireblade, CBR600F, 4 mountain bikes and 2 road bikes :-) much better fleet than I'd have with cars.
Basically too many cars on the roads ruined cars for me, bike you just slip past cars as if they are just things to pass. Don't get me wrong I'd like a nice 911 in my mind but I know i'd not use it, it'd be a waste. Currently have a Fireblade, CBR600F, 4 mountain bikes and 2 road bikes :-) much better fleet than I'd have with cars.
It was a comment from Richard_xjr on the way back from the Dunwich Dynamo that gelled it for me, the ideal time for going out for a blast in a car is the same moment you'd want to be out on the bike. The car might give a bigger adrenaline hit, but it's the long term endorphin glow I crave now.
There is definitely room for a hoonage machine in my life still though, it'll have 4wd and chunky tyres and it'll win the hoon vs turbo trainer session argument hands down.
There is definitely room for a hoonage machine in my life still though, it'll have 4wd and chunky tyres and it'll win the hoon vs turbo trainer session argument hands down.
I've spent a (relative) fortune on cars over the last 20 years and then one day decided that the 997 C4S in the garage didn't really do it for me any more. Sold the Porsche and bought an S-Works Tarmac and a Wilier Twin Blade. Now I've realised that my 330d touring is actually a masterpiece and I spend as much time as I can during the week enjoying the wonderful Scottish weather (ahem!) pedalling the bikes and obsessing about my own power data and strava segments rather than bhp an 0-62 times! 
Herman Toothrot said:
Basically too many cars on the roads ruined cars for me
+1I almost feel trapped when I drive my car sometimes. Entire journeys are completed without even stretching the engine. Tomorrow for example, I know I will be travelling around 80 miles across the cotswolds and it will take over 2 hours. I'll be held up for most of the way because just 1 person way ahead of the procession I'm in wants to do 40mph on a NSL road.
As someone said above, you can generally go flat out on a bike. The only thing holding you back is your skill or your fitness. I certainly feel freedom on a bike. Not so much on the road commuting to work, but when absolutely pinning it down a big hill on my mountain bike... there's nothing like it.
Me too
Ive loved cars, bikes and motorbikes since as long as I can remember and driver/ridden all "properly" since I was a teenager
These days it takes longer to drive a MINI Cooper S with approx 500% the power of my old Mini Van 70 miles across the Yorkshire moors and motorway network from home to my parents on account of congestion and speed cameras
Ive binned off the motorbikes for similar reasons
They used to be my escape and commute secret weapon but since I got back into bikes I can be most of the way to work by the time Ive got a bike out the garage, warmed it up and wriggled into my leathers
Hooning around the countryside also used to be great on each but now I just dont get as much fun without worrying about being pulled for speeding and getting frustrated being stuck behind endless mobile chicanes
On a push bike its just more enjoyable with a higher sense of achievement
Plus you also get to chat to your mates and break each trip with either a cake or a pint
Or both
Winner
May last year I was still obsessed with car, especially classic cars, specifically Minis...
Now I've totally fallen out of love with cars, the cost of tax, fuel, insurance, MOTs and maintenance along with the processional traffic, sneaky coppers and bloody cameras everywhere has all added up to drain all my enthusiasm for anything motorised!
My bikes on the other hand, save us from running a second car, they don't need taxing, insuring or MOTing and I power it and fuel it...
Sold my two projects and treated myself to a Trek SL5!
Now I've totally fallen out of love with cars, the cost of tax, fuel, insurance, MOTs and maintenance along with the processional traffic, sneaky coppers and bloody cameras everywhere has all added up to drain all my enthusiasm for anything motorised!
My bikes on the other hand, save us from running a second car, they don't need taxing, insuring or MOTing and I power it and fuel it...
Sold my two projects and treated myself to a Trek SL5!
I've just bought a 2nd car for weekends, general pottering and because I wanted it. It's a thirsty V8 (Merc CL) but I justified it because I'll be saving money cycling to work (when the knee is better).
Generally though, my attitude to cars is one of weekends only or travelling longer journeys, or really bad weather.
Generally though, my attitude to cars is one of weekends only or travelling longer journeys, or really bad weather.
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