What, Where, Why and How Often do you ride?
Discussion
As it says really...
What do you ride?
Where do you ride it?
How far and how often?
And why?
I hadn't ridden a bike for around ten years until six weeks ago.
Since the arrival of my 2011 Orange Diva (and I have Johnny to thank for all of this) I've been out daily, starting off with 3 to 5 mile XC rides for first few days, sometimes twice a day, increasing to 10 to 20 miles XC a day in the last few weeks.
I've done just over 80 miles XC in the past week. Some farm tracks, gravel paths, and have cycled Grafham Water several times (my local route is 17 miles) and aim to do this twice a week. Days off and evenings after work. Often alone, I'm enjoying the rides immensely. Is also great fun being out with Johnny, though feel I've distracted him from his road bike somewhat.
I'm using a GPS based app on my iPhone and have seen an increase in my times on regular routes. Which is nice.
I'm by no means a pro at any of this. But am loving my Orange Diva so much. I can get a little air, and my skids are getting bigger! My confidence has grown loads.
What started out as light exercise is sIowly developing in to an obsession and now I find myself checking out other bikes and lusting after them!! I can see this getting very expensive...
I'm thinking road bike next... Then the race is on
What do you ride?
Where do you ride it?
How far and how often?
And why?
I hadn't ridden a bike for around ten years until six weeks ago.
Since the arrival of my 2011 Orange Diva (and I have Johnny to thank for all of this) I've been out daily, starting off with 3 to 5 mile XC rides for first few days, sometimes twice a day, increasing to 10 to 20 miles XC a day in the last few weeks.
I've done just over 80 miles XC in the past week. Some farm tracks, gravel paths, and have cycled Grafham Water several times (my local route is 17 miles) and aim to do this twice a week. Days off and evenings after work. Often alone, I'm enjoying the rides immensely. Is also great fun being out with Johnny, though feel I've distracted him from his road bike somewhat.
I'm using a GPS based app on my iPhone and have seen an increase in my times on regular routes. Which is nice.
I'm by no means a pro at any of this. But am loving my Orange Diva so much. I can get a little air, and my skids are getting bigger! My confidence has grown loads.
What started out as light exercise is sIowly developing in to an obsession and now I find myself checking out other bikes and lusting after them!! I can see this getting very expensive...
I'm thinking road bike next... Then the race is on
What do you ride? Mostly a Condor Heritage but occasionally a Giant TCR Composite as a treat!
Where do you ride it? The hills around Henley / Marlow / Bucks / South Oxfordshire and occasionally the North Downs in Surrey / West Sussex.
How far and how often? At the moment I go out most days and do 50 miles minimum.
And why? I'm off to France next month for a 2000km trip and want to be fit. Starting in Bilbao then 720km & 18 cols in the Pyrenees in the first 4.5 days then riding from the Med back to the Channel for the ferry home.
Where do you ride it? The hills around Henley / Marlow / Bucks / South Oxfordshire and occasionally the North Downs in Surrey / West Sussex.
How far and how often? At the moment I go out most days and do 50 miles minimum.
And why? I'm off to France next month for a 2000km trip and want to be fit. Starting in Bilbao then 720km & 18 cols in the Pyrenees in the first 4.5 days then riding from the Med back to the Channel for the ferry home.
I'm still riding my Spesh Hardrock until funds allow for a Bionicon frame 
Where? Well, most popular spots are Glentress, Innerleithen and Whinlatter. I live about the same distance from each. 7Stanes Newcastleton is close by but we only use it in the winter when time is limited because, to be quite honest, it's s
te.
Why? Obviously it's a great way to exercise, especially as we try to go at least twice a week, but it's mostly for the social side of things, good banter, decent ride on the bikes, and a bit of piss taking. Be it Jason's Schwalbe 'Flat' Albert or my fondness of the inner chainring, and before anyone says anything, it's there, so why not use it!!
How far? Just until we're knackard basically, but as an example, tonight we rode all 3 loops at Whinlatter (North, South and the blue one) and that was plenty. Generally we ride a route, normally red grade, and see how we feel afterwards, possibly repeat sections or do other bits of trail that we know about.
Where? Well, most popular spots are Glentress, Innerleithen and Whinlatter. I live about the same distance from each. 7Stanes Newcastleton is close by but we only use it in the winter when time is limited because, to be quite honest, it's s
te.Why? Obviously it's a great way to exercise, especially as we try to go at least twice a week, but it's mostly for the social side of things, good banter, decent ride on the bikes, and a bit of piss taking. Be it Jason's Schwalbe 'Flat' Albert or my fondness of the inner chainring, and before anyone says anything, it's there, so why not use it!!
How far? Just until we're knackard basically, but as an example, tonight we rode all 3 loops at Whinlatter (North, South and the blue one) and that was plenty. Generally we ride a route, normally red grade, and see how we feel afterwards, possibly repeat sections or do other bits of trail that we know about.
What do you ride? An Orange R8 single speed, with Whyte Bros, rigid carbon forks and a Specialneedz '09 Stumpjumper full susser.
Where do you ride it? The singlespeed is only on the singletrack and odd official XC trail on Cannock Chase, where I live. The Stumpy gets worked out on the official Chase trails and (Stile Cop) downhill runs, as well as venturing further afield; Coed-y-Brenin, Llandegla, Kielder etc.
How far and how often? The singlespeed is used for a regular 3hr 'nutter' ride on a Wednesday night. It's a bit of a of a 'cult' thing, rain, snow ice, we'll ride for three hours, racing each other (most of us on single speeds) like kids on a BMX track.
Shortest ride for the bouncer would be 1hr 30 (about as much of the downhill jumps as I can take!), longest is 8hrs. It's also ridden at least once a week.
And why? Fun. Fitness is a consideration but is a distant second to recreating the pure, unadulterated joy of doing something without (speed or safety) limits.
Where do you ride it? The singlespeed is only on the singletrack and odd official XC trail on Cannock Chase, where I live. The Stumpy gets worked out on the official Chase trails and (Stile Cop) downhill runs, as well as venturing further afield; Coed-y-Brenin, Llandegla, Kielder etc.
How far and how often? The singlespeed is used for a regular 3hr 'nutter' ride on a Wednesday night. It's a bit of a of a 'cult' thing, rain, snow ice, we'll ride for three hours, racing each other (most of us on single speeds) like kids on a BMX track.
Shortest ride for the bouncer would be 1hr 30 (about as much of the downhill jumps as I can take!), longest is 8hrs. It's also ridden at least once a week.
And why? Fun. Fitness is a consideration but is a distant second to recreating the pure, unadulterated joy of doing something without (speed or safety) limits.
Edited by Digga on Thursday 1st July 08:27
What do you ride?
Fat Chance Yo Eddy / Cannondale R600
Where do you ride it?
MTB - trails around Bath
Road - roads (and occasional canal path) around Bath
How far and how often?
Between 4 and 20 miles, not often enough.
And why?
The MTB is a joy to ride and gets me out doing some exercise.
The roadie is the quickest way to get to work (+ exercise too).
Fat Chance Yo Eddy / Cannondale R600
Where do you ride it?
MTB - trails around Bath
Road - roads (and occasional canal path) around Bath
How far and how often?
Between 4 and 20 miles, not often enough.
And why?
The MTB is a joy to ride and gets me out doing some exercise.
The roadie is the quickest way to get to work (+ exercise too).
Not having pedalled anything outside of a gynasium since getting my driving licence 17 years ago (even though I bought a decent bike specifically to do so back in 2007) I got back into it about four months ago.
What do you ride?
'06 Iron Horse Warrior Comp with road tyres. A robust and simple hard tail, bought principally because it's light.
Where do you ride it?
Urban environment only - which means huge hills and cycle lanes which look like they were landscaped by the Royal Artillery
How far and how often?
Daily, at least 4 miles
And why?
Because I love it, it's excellent exercise which doesn't trash my already wrecked knees, and it's actually the fastest method of getting around Brighton & Hove (not to mention cheaper, more convenient, and I can stop and perve/windowshop whenever I like)
What do you ride?
'06 Iron Horse Warrior Comp with road tyres. A robust and simple hard tail, bought principally because it's light.
Where do you ride it?
Urban environment only - which means huge hills and cycle lanes which look like they were landscaped by the Royal Artillery
How far and how often?
Daily, at least 4 miles
And why?
Because I love it, it's excellent exercise which doesn't trash my already wrecked knees, and it's actually the fastest method of getting around Brighton & Hove (not to mention cheaper, more convenient, and I can stop and perve/windowshop whenever I like)
What do you ride? A Nicolai Helius FR & Dialled Bikes Prince Albert
Where do you ride it? NE Scotland, big hills, loads of rocky descents, some lovely xc singletrack, DH and everything inbetween.
How far and how often? 2-3 times a week all year round. I never keep track of miles so can't answer that bit.
And why? I got my first mountain bike in 1984 and just loved the challenges and freedom it gave me. I felt right at home and haven't been without a mountain bike since.
Where do you ride it? NE Scotland, big hills, loads of rocky descents, some lovely xc singletrack, DH and everything inbetween.
How far and how often? 2-3 times a week all year round. I never keep track of miles so can't answer that bit.
And why? I got my first mountain bike in 1984 and just loved the challenges and freedom it gave me. I felt right at home and haven't been without a mountain bike since.
What do you ride? Trek 6500 and KHS 29er
Where do you ride it? South Island NZ, mostly around christchurches port hills singletrack network or (in winter) our forest plantation tracks. Occasionaly out of the city on back country missions.
How far and how often? Lunchtime rides of 15-20k, weekend or after work rides (when theres light) anything up to 7-8 hrs and 70-80kms. Havnt ridden much recenty due to bad weather.
And why? Fun. It gets me fit, I push myself to get fit as a lot of what I do you need some fitness, love the technical rocky tight trails we have in chc.
Where do you ride it? South Island NZ, mostly around christchurches port hills singletrack network or (in winter) our forest plantation tracks. Occasionaly out of the city on back country missions.
How far and how often? Lunchtime rides of 15-20k, weekend or after work rides (when theres light) anything up to 7-8 hrs and 70-80kms. Havnt ridden much recenty due to bad weather.
And why? Fun. It gets me fit, I push myself to get fit as a lot of what I do you need some fitness, love the technical rocky tight trails we have in chc.
What do you ride?
- Genesis Vapour CX (soon to be replaced...)
- Genesis Altitude steel hardtail
- Gary Fisher Rig 29er Alfine hub or singlespeed
- Giant Reign 6" full-bouncer
Where do you ride it?
- CX bike purely for commuting
- hardtails mainly used on my local trails around the Stirling area but also further up north on epic rides (e.g. Devil's Staircase, anything natural north of Glasgow), but also enjoying my steel hardtail at the 7 Stanes centres
- 29er used everywhere, in all conditions, and becomes my main bike through the winter in the crappy conditions
- full-susser mainly at Innerleithen and Glentress and up at Fort William
How far and how often?
- commute every single weekday
- regular MTB evening rides weekly, 2.5hrs followed by the pub every Tuesday...
- MTBing at least one day every weekend, usually longer rides 3-6hrs
- MTBing holidays several times a year, mainly long weekends but also a few weeks in Europe each summer (although not this year
)
And why?
- commuting because my distance to work isn't worth driving, plus I enjoy it
- MTBing purely for fun!
- because I get grumpy if I don't get my regular fix of biking, I get withdrawal symptoms...
- Genesis Vapour CX (soon to be replaced...)
- Genesis Altitude steel hardtail
- Gary Fisher Rig 29er Alfine hub or singlespeed
- Giant Reign 6" full-bouncer
Where do you ride it?
- CX bike purely for commuting
- hardtails mainly used on my local trails around the Stirling area but also further up north on epic rides (e.g. Devil's Staircase, anything natural north of Glasgow), but also enjoying my steel hardtail at the 7 Stanes centres
- 29er used everywhere, in all conditions, and becomes my main bike through the winter in the crappy conditions
- full-susser mainly at Innerleithen and Glentress and up at Fort William
How far and how often?
- commute every single weekday
- regular MTB evening rides weekly, 2.5hrs followed by the pub every Tuesday...
- MTBing at least one day every weekend, usually longer rides 3-6hrs
- MTBing holidays several times a year, mainly long weekends but also a few weeks in Europe each summer (although not this year
)And why?
- commuting because my distance to work isn't worth driving, plus I enjoy it
- MTBing purely for fun!
- because I get grumpy if I don't get my regular fix of biking, I get withdrawal symptoms...
What do you ride?
CAAD9 roadie and Orange P7 mtb
Where do you ride it?
Marlborough/Lambourn/Wantage B roads on the roadie and the Ridgeway on the MTB which is 2 mins from my house. Yeah, it's hilly here.
How far and how often?
Currently 18 mile loops on road three times a week, 15 mile offroad loop once a week and a longer ride at the weekends if I have time
And why?
Fun and general overall fitness which had lapsed badly due to living and commuting in London for a number of years and getting no exercise at all. I have set the goal of climbing Mont Blanc next year and then hope to do some other high altitude peaks after that. Basically I have realised that at 34 if I don't do it soon, I will never get round to it.
CAAD9 roadie and Orange P7 mtb
Where do you ride it?
Marlborough/Lambourn/Wantage B roads on the roadie and the Ridgeway on the MTB which is 2 mins from my house. Yeah, it's hilly here.
How far and how often?
Currently 18 mile loops on road three times a week, 15 mile offroad loop once a week and a longer ride at the weekends if I have time
And why?
Fun and general overall fitness which had lapsed badly due to living and commuting in London for a number of years and getting no exercise at all. I have set the goal of climbing Mont Blanc next year and then hope to do some other high altitude peaks after that. Basically I have realised that at 34 if I don't do it soon, I will never get round to it.
What do you ride?
A [Halfords special] Raleigh Incognito hardtail MTB running Schwalbe City Jets. Had new wheels a while ago, allowing an "upgraded" cassette and currently sports a disk brake (back) and v-brake (front, the fork doesn't have mountings!).
Best £250 I ever spent.
Where do you ride it?
South Bucks and surrounding areas, 70% road 30% bridlepath/towpath
How far and how often?
Two or three times a week I do a 15-20 mile round loop from home after work, and sometimes a longer ride at weekends
I also cycle 1 mile to work and back each day
And why?
Because I love being outside and would rather spend 5 hours on the bike than 1 hour at the gym
A [Halfords special] Raleigh Incognito hardtail MTB running Schwalbe City Jets. Had new wheels a while ago, allowing an "upgraded" cassette and currently sports a disk brake (back) and v-brake (front, the fork doesn't have mountings!).
Best £250 I ever spent.
Where do you ride it?
South Bucks and surrounding areas, 70% road 30% bridlepath/towpath
How far and how often?
Two or three times a week I do a 15-20 mile round loop from home after work, and sometimes a longer ride at weekends
I also cycle 1 mile to work and back each day
And why?
Because I love being outside and would rather spend 5 hours on the bike than 1 hour at the gym
Edited by john_p on Thursday 1st July 10:45
What do you ride?
'92 Marin Eldridge Grade
Where do you ride it?
Commute
Pirbright Common and Ranges
Leith/Holmbury Hills occasionally
Have taken it to Afan and Cwmcarn but hopefully getting FS for that before the year is out!
How far and how often?
Commute - 13 mile round trip - if the weather's good!
If the knobblies are on then 45mins-1hr on the common taking the dog for a walk every other day
Anything more adventurous is usually a full day (weekend in the case of Wales) but only every couple of months
And why?
Surely the question should be why not...?
'92 Marin Eldridge Grade
Where do you ride it?
Commute
Pirbright Common and Ranges
Leith/Holmbury Hills occasionally
Have taken it to Afan and Cwmcarn but hopefully getting FS for that before the year is out!
How far and how often?
Commute - 13 mile round trip - if the weather's good!
If the knobblies are on then 45mins-1hr on the common taking the dog for a walk every other day
Anything more adventurous is usually a full day (weekend in the case of Wales) but only every couple of months
And why?
Surely the question should be why not...?
What do you ride?
1993 Diamondback Ascent Ex
Where do you ride it?
Central London
How far and how often?
100 miles a month - up to four commutes a week
And why?
Why the Diamondback? Because for me a hardtail steel-framed mountain bike on fat slicks is the perfect cross-London commuting tool. I've been running steelie mountain bikes in London since 1999. I'm not planning to get another bike, just keeping this one properly serviced and occasionally replacing consumables - brakes/tyres/rims/hubs/gear train. A great whippy steel frame in 1993 is still a great whippy steel frame in 2010. I bought it to last three years and it's proved to be one of the best £500 spends I've ever made. (I guess £800 in today's money). The biggest expense in last 12 months has been clothing to make sure I'm fitted out for year-round commuting
Why do I commute on the bike? exercise, convenience, fresh air, fun
1993 Diamondback Ascent Ex
Where do you ride it?
Central London
How far and how often?
100 miles a month - up to four commutes a week
And why?
Why the Diamondback? Because for me a hardtail steel-framed mountain bike on fat slicks is the perfect cross-London commuting tool. I've been running steelie mountain bikes in London since 1999. I'm not planning to get another bike, just keeping this one properly serviced and occasionally replacing consumables - brakes/tyres/rims/hubs/gear train. A great whippy steel frame in 1993 is still a great whippy steel frame in 2010. I bought it to last three years and it's proved to be one of the best £500 spends I've ever made. (I guess £800 in today's money). The biggest expense in last 12 months has been clothing to make sure I'm fitted out for year-round commuting
Why do I commute on the bike? exercise, convenience, fresh air, fun
Edited by angusc43 on Thursday 1st July 12:57
What do you ride?
Merlin Extralight - best road bike
Specialized Allez - the odd commute and on the turbo trainer in winter
Yeti ASR
Klein Pulse
Where do you ride it?
On the road in Herts and Cambs and off-road in the same areas or something a little more challenging when at my parents in South Wales.
How far and how often?
I try to get out at least twice per week but its difficlut with a full time job, young baby, diy, etc... Road rides vary between 30 and 100 miles and mtn bike probably 40 miles max.
And why?
I love the escapism that being out in the peaceful countryside provides as its a very nice contrast to work (central London). Its also my primary fitness provider which balances nicely against my appetite for weissbier!
Merlin Extralight - best road bike
Specialized Allez - the odd commute and on the turbo trainer in winter
Yeti ASR
Klein Pulse
Where do you ride it?
On the road in Herts and Cambs and off-road in the same areas or something a little more challenging when at my parents in South Wales.
How far and how often?
I try to get out at least twice per week but its difficlut with a full time job, young baby, diy, etc... Road rides vary between 30 and 100 miles and mtn bike probably 40 miles max.
And why?
I love the escapism that being out in the peaceful countryside provides as its a very nice contrast to work (central London). Its also my primary fitness provider which balances nicely against my appetite for weissbier!
What do you ride?
Trek 7.3 FX Hybrid with lots of lights and mudguards !
Where do you ride it?
Commuting to work
How far and how often?
15 miles a day, 5 days a week
And why?
Cos I got banned for speeding My Ban is up soon, but honestly I'm enjoying it so much now that I'm just going to carry-on cycling in... I've just started to consistently conquer my biggest hill (one that made me stop and get off half way up each time) so I'm amazed at how much 'stronger' my legs have got, plus I'm sure a lot of it was in my head too.
Trek 7.3 FX Hybrid with lots of lights and mudguards !
Where do you ride it?
Commuting to work
How far and how often?
15 miles a day, 5 days a week
And why?
Cos I got banned for speeding
My Ban is up soon, but honestly I'm enjoying it so much now that I'm just going to carry-on cycling in... I've just started to consistently conquer my biggest hill (one that made me stop and get off half way up each time) so I'm amazed at how much 'stronger' my legs have got, plus I'm sure a lot of it was in my head too.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff