{"id":191693,"date":"2023-01-05T13:59:46","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T13:59:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=191693"},"modified":"2023-01-05T13:59:46","modified_gmt":"2023-01-05T13:59:46","slug":"how-the-reasons-we-ride-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2023\/01\/05\/how-the-reasons-we-ride-change\/","title":{"rendered":"How The Reasons We Ride Change"},"content":{"rendered":"

As cyclists, we spend a lot of time on a bike. Days of the week, weekends, and holidays are likely to include some time on two wheels. Whether a commute, a solo outing or a group ride is in the works, have you ever thought about why you ride your bike like you do now or at different points in your life?<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at how our interaction and motivation with the bicycle exist or change during our lifetime. Are you ready for a trip down memory lane or to glimpse into the future?<\/p>\n

The early years<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Every child dreams of getting a bicycle. How many of us saw a bike in the local shop window and immediately fell in love? If you were lucky, your parents picked up on your interest and treated you to it for a birthday, holiday or special occasion.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re a kid, a bike is your first taste of freedom and independence. The chance for liberty using your legs and a set of wheels. Be it riding ahead of your parents at the local park or meeting up with neighbourhood friends to cruise around in the warm sun without a care in the world.<\/p>\n

Transportation<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Whether getting to work, practice, school, shopping or a friend\u2019s house, a bike is your mode of transportation. You don\u2019t have a driver\u2019s licence yet or don\u2019t plan on ever getting one. Your bike serves you just fine; you prefer it.<\/p>\n

Using a bike as transportation isn\u2019t limited to a particular moment in your life. It\u2019s a deliberate choice and something many cyclists do, even after getting a driver\u2019s licence and a car. Is there a better, healthier, and greener way for someone to get where they need to go?<\/p>\n

Social aspect<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A friend from work invites you to join them on a weekend group ride<\/a> and lends you one of their bikes. A group ride? What\u2019s that? You don\u2019t know exactly but are about to find out. One ride and you\u2019re hooked. You\u2019re soon creating lifetime friends and have a new social circle around the bike.<\/p>\n

Friends motivate you to get out and ride. You\u2019re getting fit while having fun and look forward to pedalling with your friends at every opportunity. You may even meet your future significant other. Coffee stops with a delicious and guilt-free sweet pastry are a highlight of the ride, not to mention sharing a few of your favourite beverages post-ride as you swap stories.<\/p>\n

\"Friends<\/a>
Enjoying your ride with a friend or a group of them is very rewarding way of spending your free time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ready for a new challenge<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You\u2019ve invested in your own bike to ride with friends but are craving a new challenge. Road racing on TV looks intriguing and you decide to give it a go. But how? Luckily, a cycling buddy already competing in the local scene shows you the ropes and gets you registered for your first event.<\/p>\n

There is a lot to discover at this stage, and the learning curve is steep. You realise there is a lot more to it than just pedalling hard to stay with the pack. The pros make it look so easy. But you\u2019ve got the bug and want to see how far you can take it. You\u2019re already signed up for the next event.<\/p>\n

Competitive spirit<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s time to step up your game. You\u2019re ready to prove to yourself and others what you can do physically on a bike. That means finding the right training program or coach to help you accomplish your goals. But what kind of rider are you? You aren\u2019t sure yet but you know you love to climb.<\/p>\n

That competitive spirit can be visceral and push a rider for years. And for most of us, that spark never completely goes away. There\u2019s something inside you that compels you to keep turning the cranks through the pain. You spend hours on the bike to be ready for the next event or capture the local KOM for the bragging rights.<\/p>\n

Employment<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Have you thought about working in the cycling industry? It\u2019s a natural progression for many cyclists who can\u2019t get enough of their two-wheeled friends. You apply to the massive global brands or stay local. Being involved in the racing or regional event scene is terrific for meeting folks already working for a favourite brand. A personal reference can open doors.<\/p>\n

Cycling companies, particularly large ones, need graphic artists, inside salespeople, marketing and promotional staff, engineers, a communications team, and more. There are fewer prized jobs but you have to start somewhere. You want to combine your love of bicycles with your work. And the daily lunch ride keeps you fit. If a 9-to-5 office job isn\u2019t for you, outside sales is an option or consider becoming a cycling guide.<\/a><\/p>\n

Health and stress reduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s never too late to get on a bike. And riding is an excellent way to improve your health and reduce stress. Some time away from the merry-go-round of life is exactly what you need. Rides on peaceful, lush country roads and trails lined with trees and magnificent green landscapes are ideal. There are more than you think in less than an hour from your home.<\/p>\n

Exercise stimulates immune cells in your body to ward off illness and releases dopamine in our brains, which makes us feel good and more relaxed. It only takes about 20 miles a week to feel the benefits and reduce our chances of heart and other chronic diseases. Getting into shape, a positive outlook, and prolonged life are your rewards. Your doctor will congratulate you on your next check-up.<\/p>\n

And, thanks to e-bikes,<\/a> you start out slowly to reap the benefits of exercise and improve your health. You can always progress from an electric to a pedal bike as you get fitter. E-bikes have opened the sport to new populations and welcomed the return of former cyclists who suffer from persistent injury or illness. Keeping up with their riding buddies anew is the best medication.<\/p>\n

Strictly for fun<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Cycling is fun at every age. And there are plenty of cycling-related activities and events with no aim other than having fun riding bikes with like-minded people. Local gravel rides, charity events and Gran Fondos<\/a> are just a few examples. Is there a better way to challenge yourself, discover your surroundings or explore unfamiliar terrain than by bicycle? I don\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n

Former competitors may not be as young or strong on the bike as they used to but the desire lives on. Today, you ride for pleasure in favourable weather. But memories and pride don\u2019t let us forget the past and push us to catch the rider that passed us on the hill or blew by on the flats; a perfectly healthy response for any cyclist.<\/p>\n

What is your reason for cycling at this point in your life? How has it changed and why? We want to hear from you!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As cyclists, we spend a lot of time on a bike. Days of the week, weekends, and holidays are likely […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":191694,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[334],"tags":[2668,6868,1912],"global-categories":[3366],"class_list":["post-191693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-socialising-and-culture","tag-cycling-fun","tag-reasons-we-ride-a-bike","tag-why-we-ride","global-categories-cycling"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Reasons to Cycle: What Are They? - We Love Cycling<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As cyclists, we spend a lot of time on a bike. Days of the week, weekends, and holidays are likely to include some time on two wheels. 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