Did driving put an end to your cycling days?
Discussion
My history was a Raleigh Speedway (6), Grifter GS (9), Rayleigh Equipe (12) racing bike and then I passed my test ay 17. I did have a Kona mountain bike which got the occasional use, more for outdoor activity than getting me around. I did buy a GT Aggressor mountain bike a few years ago which gets the odd ride with my son or mate but not much.
I used to cycle everywhere until I got my first car at 18. I even worked in a bike shop for a bit. Unfortunately when the car arrived the bike got left behind. These days I'm more into the bikes themselves than actually riding them (I appreciate this sounds ridiculous). I've spent countless hours sourcing nice 2nd hand parts and building all manner of different bikes, only for them to be ridden a handful of times before being replaced.
I keep trying to cycle in to work but something always seems to get in the way. I went through a phase of cycling in for about 2 years, but then I broke my wrist (not on the bike) quite badly and had to stop for quite a while. I know I'll be fine once I start doing it again, but finding the motivation to start is currently the problem. There's a beautiful Klein Adroit Race sitting in my shed begging to be ridden. Maybe I'll try next week...
I keep trying to cycle in to work but something always seems to get in the way. I went through a phase of cycling in for about 2 years, but then I broke my wrist (not on the bike) quite badly and had to stop for quite a while. I know I'll be fine once I start doing it again, but finding the motivation to start is currently the problem. There's a beautiful Klein Adroit Race sitting in my shed begging to be ridden. Maybe I'll try next week...
J4CKO said:
Dont see many kids riding round nowadays, think the road have got busier but also parents more protective and drive them everywhere, not surprising given the ability of kids on bikes versus the cretins that infest our roads.
It's true you don't see as many kids on bikes as when I was younger. My son (who is 11 now) has a nice mountain bike and never usees it, he's always playing with his mates on those mad gear pro scooters. It's the modern day equivelant of the skateboard or bmx! In my day, we all used bikes and anyone on a scooter was fair game for a ribbing as we saw them as poor or uncool. (kids are cruel.)
How times have changed.
I used to cycle to school every day, did it energetically to spend less time in the rain, usually in an imaginary "race" with other cyclists en route and covered about 3-4 miles a day. It was nothing to do with fitness though we plainly were and even planned on cycling from Chester to the Lleyn Peninsula in N.Wales until our parents put a stick in the spokes.
A moped ended that but school still required lunchtime footy and cross-country so fitness wasn't compromised and youth burns energy anyway.
In the 80s I bought a bicycle to go to work and became amazed at how a flat road suddenly seemed like a hill and that lasted a very short time before I reverted to the motorbike.
A year or so back,I bought a bike on ebay and used it with my daughter but being little, any distance was out. Eventually, it just took up room in the shed so I sold it again. Living on top of a mountain doesn't help my resolve as it can do your knees in.
A moped ended that but school still required lunchtime footy and cross-country so fitness wasn't compromised and youth burns energy anyway.
In the 80s I bought a bicycle to go to work and became amazed at how a flat road suddenly seemed like a hill and that lasted a very short time before I reverted to the motorbike.
A year or so back,I bought a bike on ebay and used it with my daughter but being little, any distance was out. Eventually, it just took up room in the shed so I sold it again. Living on top of a mountain doesn't help my resolve as it can do your knees in.
Yes, although I had a moment of reliving my youth when my stomach overtook my waist lineand I ventured into Halford's, yes Halford's, and bought a mountain bike, I didn't like the tyres so bought some road tyres for it. I can reach the pub on foot in three minutes from my house.
The furthest the bike has managed to make it in the last three years is to the pub.
The furthest the bike has managed to make it in the last three years is to the pub.
Yes, basically. Once I knew how the road really worked and I'd seen it from a driver's perspective, I considered the road a bit dangerous to be out cycling on. I also wouldn't want to be an irritation to other drivers, as I know how annoying cyclists can be when they are holding everyone up.
Baryonyx said:
Yes, basically. Once I knew how the road really worked and I'd seen it from a driver's perspective, I considered the road a bit dangerous to be out cycling on. I also wouldn't want to be an irritation to other drivers, as I know how annoying cyclists can be when they are holding everyone up.
Like a fairly narrow 50mph road in my home town that has a large cycle track running alongside the whole road, yet some cyclists enforce their right to use the road, causing tailbacks. I saw some builder type stick his head out the passenger window of a knackered transit and scream abuse at such an inconsiderate plank last month. I drove past shaking my head at the guy, I think he was wanting some sympathy for being shouted at. :-)
No. I stopped cycling when I left home at 18, largely due to not being interested enough and not needing it for transport.
However, I didn't start driving until I was 32, and at the same time moved house, and bought a bike for commuting. I had no intention of driving into and out of an ever more car-hostile city every day.
However, I didn't start driving until I was 32, and at the same time moved house, and bought a bike for commuting. I had no intention of driving into and out of an ever more car-hostile city every day.
No.
Still cycle when I can. In a previous job I cycled all year round (for six years). These days I work further away and have to use NSL roads so only cycle during BST (too dangerous in the dark winter evenings), but still try to cycle to work two days a week in the summer.
A cycle ride always makes me feel better.
Still cycle when I can. In a previous job I cycled all year round (for six years). These days I work further away and have to use NSL roads so only cycle during BST (too dangerous in the dark winter evenings), but still try to cycle to work two days a week in the summer.
A cycle ride always makes me feel better.
toon10 said:
Baryonyx said:
Yes, basically. Once I knew how the road really worked and I'd seen it from a driver's perspective, I considered the road a bit dangerous to be out cycling on. I also wouldn't want to be an irritation to other drivers, as I know how annoying cyclists can be when they are holding everyone up.
Like a fairly narrow 50mph road in my home town that has a large cycle track running alongside the whole road, yet some cyclists enforce their right to use the road, causing tailbacks. I saw some builder type stick his head out the passenger window of a knackered transit and scream abuse at such an inconsiderate plank last month. I drove past shaking my head at the guy, I think he was wanting some sympathy for being shouted at. :-)
t and beer cans, they dont always go where you are going and a lot of the time are crossing roads so you have to stop and wait for cars when really if you are on the road you are just traffic, beleive me, most cyclists dont ride on the road to make a point, if there is a suitable altnerative that gets us away from Transit vans then we will take it.toon10 said:
J4CKO said:
Dont see many kids riding round nowadays, think the road have got busier but also parents more protective and drive them everywhere, not surprising given the ability of kids on bikes versus the cretins that infest our roads.
It's true you don't see as many kids on bikes as when I was younger. My son (who is 11 now) has a nice mountain bike and never usees it, he's always playing with his mates on those mad gear pro scooters. It's the modern day equivelant of the skateboard or bmx! In my day, we all used bikes and anyone on a scooter was fair game for a ribbing as we saw them as poor or uncool. (kids are cruel.)
How times have changed.
No wonder they're all fat round here
ps Didn't ride a bike for 20 years after getting first car.
Got a MTB now - and am going out for the first time this year tomorrow.
Will break myself in gently
Took my cycle with me to University in London (many, many years ago), joined a local club and had some nice rides out Essex way. Made a change from the hills of S Devon.
But trying to commute around central London and the N Circular Rd scared the st out of me, especially after dark. A car just wasn't on so I bought a scooter. Progressed from there.
But trying to commute around central London and the N Circular Rd scared the s
t out of me, especially after dark. A car just wasn't on so I bought a scooter. Progressed from there.Justayellowbadge said:
Born again cyclist here.
and another one here.Used to cycle everywhere, used to do a 40 mile ride on a Saturday and Sunday just for the fun of it, then got my first car and bike got used less and less.
Recently a combination of stolen car (replaced with a runabout hatchback), increasing fuel prices and redunancy / change in job left me with a choice of walking, cycling or bus to the station to get into Manchester. Bought myself a Brompton, now cycle at least 5 miles every week day (even in the snow and ice) and the car hardly ever gets used. It's been just over 7 months now, and I really enjoy the cycling, so much so that I am considering getting another bike (one that doesn't fold!) and doing more of the commute by bike (cycling a few stations up the line) a few days a week. My wife can't understand when I say no when she offers to collect me from the station on the way home - the 15 minute bike ride along the canal is really quite therapeutic. Riding in Manchester city centre is less calming, though - requires a different mental mindset. I just wish I had got back on the bike years ago, I wouldn't be carrying so much weight now if I had!
Gave up the bike when I got a car, then I got fat.
Now I do more trips on two wheels than four (although less mileage). I'd forgotten how nice cycling is, especially since some of the worst roads I used to use now have dedicated cycle paths.
As someone commented earlier, there don't seem to be a lot of kids on bikes but I do see a lot of adults riding. I went to the supermarket this morning and the cycle racks were full.
Now I do more trips on two wheels than four (although less mileage). I'd forgotten how nice cycling is, especially since some of the worst roads I used to use now have dedicated cycle paths.
As someone commented earlier, there don't seem to be a lot of kids on bikes but I do see a lot of adults riding. I went to the supermarket this morning and the cycle racks were full.
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