15 votes

Are there any cyclists here?

I'm wondering how many cyclists we have on tildes. What kind of riding do you do? (Casual/road/mtb/cross country)

23 comments

  1. JuniperMonkeys
    Link
    I just commute by bike. I live three miles away from work in a city laced with dedicated bike paths, and parking permits at my job cost many hundreds of monies, so it would be stupid not to....

    I just commute by bike. I live three miles away from work in a city laced with dedicated bike paths, and parking permits at my job cost many hundreds of monies, so it would be stupid not to. However, I do sometimes dream of buying a super-light racing bike -- my bike is a Gazelle that probably weighs 60 lbs./27 kg loaded up, so it's not exactly spritely.

    7 votes
  2. [7]
    patience_limited
    Link
    I used to be an avid cyclist, commuted 15 km daily for a few years, and rode 100 km on weekends. After getting clipped by a truck once, and a bad crash that left injuries I'm still suffering from,...

    I used to be an avid cyclist, commuted 15 km daily for a few years, and rode 100 km on weekends.

    After getting clipped by a truck once, and a bad crash that left injuries I'm still suffering from, it's less compelling. I haven't ridden much since moving to South Florida; it's bereft of bike lanes, the drivers sometimes go out of their way to threaten bikers, the weather is too hot for commuting to a place that doesn't have showers, and the terrain is boringly flat.

    6 votes
    1. [3]
      DangerChips
      Link Parent
      That’s terrible to hear. Cycling has been one of the biggest joys in my life outside of my family. Hope you end up someplace we’re cycling makes sense again!

      That’s terrible to hear. Cycling has been one of the biggest joys in my life outside of my family. Hope you end up someplace we’re cycling makes sense again!

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        patience_limited
        Link Parent
        I'm working hard on that, just hoping I'm not too old and crippled to enjoy it when I get there.

        I'm working hard on that, just hoping I'm not too old and crippled to enjoy it when I get there.

        3 votes
        1. DangerChips
          Link Parent
          I hope so too! As much as I enjoy cycling, I do think ebikes are super rad and can give just about anybody the ability to ride the distances and terrain they want.

          I hope so too! As much as I enjoy cycling, I do think ebikes are super rad and can give just about anybody the ability to ride the distances and terrain they want.

          2 votes
    2. [3]
      cfabbro
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Based on my experience living in Boca, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale for a number of years, South Floridians often go out of their way to threaten other drivers (with their horrible driving). It's...

      Based on my experience living in Boca, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale for a number of years, South Floridians often go out of their way to threaten other drivers (with their horrible driving). It's dangerous enough simply being a driver in South Florida, so I can't even imagine how scary (and risky) it would be trying to be a cyclist down there!

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        patience_limited
        Link Parent
        That's exactly it, and part of the reason behind the GTFO strategy. I don't feel safe in a car, let alone on a bike.

        That's exactly it, and part of the reason behind the GTFO strategy. I don't feel safe in a car, let alone on a bike.

        2 votes
        1. cfabbro
          (edited )
          Link Parent
          I once had an octogenarian drive directly into the side of my car while I was parked in a virtually empty parking lot... and instead of reversing afterwards she decided the best thing to do would...

          I once had an octogenarian drive directly into the side of my car while I was parked in a virtually empty parking lot... and instead of reversing afterwards she decided the best thing to do would be to hammer on the accelerator for a good 30 seconds before finally coming to her senses and stopping.

          Another time I had someone ram into the rear of my SUV while I was stopped at a traffic light, smashing me into the car in front of me, and them into the car in front of them, all the way up the line of half a dozen cars. And then the fucker had the nerve to try and sue all of us for "pain and suffering" a few years later.

          So I know exactly how you feel. South Florida, as beautiful as it is, is a nightmare in almost every other respect. Other than the beaches and warm weather (though not the humidity), I don't miss it at all. GTFO, indeed.

          2 votes
  3. [2]
    joelthelion
    Link
    Been going to work by bike since forever. Currently the distance is very limited (only 1.5km one way on a shared bike), but I occasionally go all the way from home instead of taking the train, in...

    Been going to work by bike since forever. Currently the distance is very limited (only 1.5km one way on a shared bike), but I occasionally go all the way from home instead of taking the train, in which case it's around 25km.

    4 votes
    1. Octofox
      Link Parent
      Nice, I have been cycling to work for about a year now. Currently 20km each way with an average incline of 6% on the way back. Its a little brutal but I don't mind the daily exercise. Currently...

      Nice, I have been cycling to work for about a year now. Currently 20km each way with an average incline of 6% on the way back. Its a little brutal but I don't mind the daily exercise. Currently planning to move closer to work ~6km away just because its too hard to ride long distance in the heat and we get a lot of 40c days in Australia. I used to do a lot of mountain bike riding but its been too hard to get out to the mtb parks without a car so I'm not sure when I will get back in to that. Really makes me wish busses allowed you to take bikes on.

      5 votes
  4. spctrvl
    Link
    I'm a casual cyclist. Weather permitting, I try to bike around 20km/12mi a day, mainly for exercise. I ride a dirt cheap single speed cruiser that's nothing special, but it gets me where I'm...

    I'm a casual cyclist. Weather permitting, I try to bike around 20km/12mi a day, mainly for exercise. I ride a dirt cheap single speed cruiser that's nothing special, but it gets me where I'm going. Kind of sucks living in a hilly area, but I make do, and it just makes it all the more effective as a workout.

    4 votes
  5. mrbig
    (edited )
    Link
    I have a bike that is cheap, resistent and good. Cycling is the only physical activity I ever loved. I go to college by bike 5 days a week on an urban setting, which takes 30 min a day. It’s...

    I have a bike that is cheap, resistent and good. Cycling is the only physical activity I ever loved. I go to college by bike 5 days a week on an urban setting, which takes 30 min a day. It’s nothing much. Even when there are bike lanes, no one respects it. I have to fight the traffic but I’m used to it. I used to do 30km a day but stopped because of hemorroids. There’s no consensus on the correlation, but I quit preventively. Hemorrhoid sucks. Now I have a special seat. I love cycling cause it’s useful, outside and I can do it by myself whenever I want. I’m kind of a lone wolf.

    4 votes
  6. [4]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. [3]
      DangerChips
      Link Parent
      Just got into cycling in the beginning of this year and picked up an REI Co-Op ADV 1.1 for a steal. Already have 600 miles on it in just a month’s riding. It’s super addictive.

      Just got into cycling in the beginning of this year and picked up an REI Co-Op ADV 1.1 for a steal. Already have 600 miles on it in just a month’s riding. It’s super addictive.

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        Comment deleted by author
        Link Parent
        1. DangerChips
          Link Parent
          Gosh that sounds wonderful. I’m already putting together a wish list of things to upgrade later. What kinds of upgrades are you getting for your bike?

          Gosh that sounds wonderful. I’m already putting together a wish list of things to upgrade later. What kinds of upgrades are you getting for your bike?

          2 votes
      2. Octofox
        Link Parent
        That's pretty insane for the first month!

        That's pretty insane for the first month!

        3 votes
  7. lakhs_24
    Link
    I cycle for fun when it's warm enough. I would like to be able to commute by bike daily, but it's pretty far so it would take way too long. Also a lot of places don't have bike lanes so its pretty...

    I cycle for fun when it's warm enough. I would like to be able to commute by bike daily, but it's pretty far so it would take way too long. Also a lot of places don't have bike lanes so its pretty dangerous.

    I love biking on trails though on weekends.

    2 votes
  8. Porpkork
    Link
    Well as someone from the Netherlands, I think I can say yes ;) I go to school by bike everyday (8km) and sometimes work. I also just like to ride it in spring and summer evenings.

    Well as someone from the Netherlands, I think I can say yes ;)

    I go to school by bike everyday (8km) and sometimes work. I also just like to ride it in spring and summer evenings.

    2 votes
  9. ianw
    Link
    Me! I live in Colorado and definitely take advantage of all the awesome climbing here. I'm planning on racing a bunch this spring/summer. I also try to commute by bike as much as weather...

    Me! I live in Colorado and definitely take advantage of all the awesome climbing here. I'm planning on racing a bunch this spring/summer. I also try to commute by bike as much as weather reasonably allows, which has been tough recently. I mainly do road and gravel, and I'm hoping to race cx this fall.

    2 votes
  10. [4]
    Gabe_DeGrossi
    Link
    I've always been fairly into cycling (MTB), but I've been commuting by bike recently and that's been getting me into road cycling. Got plans to buy a proper road bike soon! Any suggestions?...

    I've always been fairly into cycling (MTB), but I've been commuting by bike recently and that's been getting me into road cycling. Got plans to buy a proper road bike soon! Any suggestions?

    Exercise wise; while it's not as intense as running, it puts so much less stress on your knees - which I like. And of course, it's the most efficient form of transport!

    1 vote
    1. [3]
      Octofox
      Link Parent
      I have one of these. I think I paid about $1400 AUD for it. Its such a nice road bike and I ride it pretty much every day. It really is a high end racing bike which and its super nice for that. It...

      Got plans to buy a proper road bike soon! Any suggestions?

      I have one of these. I think I paid about $1400 AUD for it. Its such a nice road bike and I ride it pretty much every day. It really is a high end racing bike which and its super nice for that. It comes with some downsides for practical use though. It has no mounting holes for a rack and the thru axle makes it very hard to attach trailers to. This makes it a little hard to carry stuff with you. I wear a backpack while going to work but this gives you a sweaty back.

      I also own a cheaper hybrid bike which has a rack and it is pretty nice to get the bag off your back but I just prefer to ride a really nice bike and get sweaty :P

      2 votes
      1. [2]
        Gabe_DeGrossi
        Link Parent
        Thanks for the suggestion! Merida bikes are pretty easy to get in NZ, so I'll have a look and see if I can go try one out at a local store.

        Thanks for the suggestion! Merida bikes are pretty easy to get in NZ, so I'll have a look and see if I can go try one out at a local store.

        1 vote
        1. Octofox
          Link Parent
          The Merida scultura comes in like 10 different versions. Its basically the same bike but at price points from about $700 to $4000. Its a really nice design, the different versions just have...

          The Merida scultura comes in like 10 different versions. Its basically the same bike but at price points from about $700 to $4000. Its a really nice design, the different versions just have different parts and the higher up ones have a carbon frame.

          2 votes
  11. Moonikun
    Link
    I bike to work during the spring, summer and fall. 7km trip, I decided doing that after I figured it was almost as quick for me to bike to work as it was to take transit. It's mostly pathways but...

    I bike to work during the spring, summer and fall. 7km trip, I decided doing that after I figured it was almost as quick for me to bike to work as it was to take transit. It's mostly pathways but you have to ride on the road a bit.

    1 vote