Is there any point in cycling?

[KieranC]

Let’s put this into context. I’d probably only cycle in my local area which is 2-3 moderately sized villages and a high street as I don’t have a regular commute to be completing. Longest route around the boundary of the area is about 9 miles.

The only reason I’m considering cycling is for the health benefits, I’m not particularly healthy and I’d say my exercise is no more than an hours walking per week on average now, I have considered walking more / even running but the pace is really slow for the effort, even if you run.

My concern is I’ll quickly grow bored if I stick to the same area and it’d quickly become an expensive ornament.

[KieranC]

I think what I would need is something secondary to focus on, I.e a good podcast to keep me occupied. If that makes sense? Obviously need to be aware of surroundings, but that alone I don’t think would stimulate my mind enough I don’t think, at least not long term.

[axel_knutt]

The health benefits of exercise are real, getting no exercise at all is about as bad for you as smoking, but it's much easier to do if you can find something you enjoy, and want to do. Walking may seem slow, but my experience is that satisfaction with speed is dependent on effort: 3mph on foot is less frustrating than 3mph would be on a bike because it's less feasible to go faster. Walking also has the advantage of being free, and you can get to places you can't on a bike. Give it a free trial and see if you get bitten by the bug.

A bike has the advantage that you can get further from home, so the routes can be less repetitive, and if you get into cycling regularly, you'll soon find you can get further from home than you're anticipating now. You don't need to spend a lot to give it a try, especially if you buy second hand.

[KieranC]

Walking may seem slow, but my experience is that satisfaction with speed is dependent on effort: 3mph on foot is less frustrating than 3mph would be on a bike because it's less feasible to go faster.

I generally just don’t enjoy the type of body movements when you walk, if that makes sense. Becomes tiring rather quick, even if I have done the same route once every week or two for multiple years.

I think a fairly key thing to me is probably having a ‘goal’. I.e go to a cafe, visit a business in the industrial estate, pickup grocery’s for dinner that day etc as to be fair whilst I do use buses, they are rather inconvenient and I can easily be stood for 30 minutes. Something to make a ride useful.

I noticed you mentioned the speed point and I’m not really sure what you are getting at, as realistically you should be able to always go above walking pace, and really above running pace unless your going up a really steep hill when cycling.

I do unfortunately have the disadvantage that buses around here don’t accept bikes unless they are folding (I’ve noticed they tend to be more basic, smaller and lower weight limits) and the main 2 routes into the next town over (city centre) are rather steep and very busy. However, there is a National cycle way that takes the long way round and avoids the main city connection road.

[KieranC]

You don't need to spend a lot to give it a try, especially if you buy second hand.

Unfortunately the second hand Market around here is rather sparse, mostly bikes that need work done to them, are very small frames or just generally look really rough.

And I’ve been told when buying the cheapest bike (even for a trial) Probs isn’t the best idea even once you look past build quality, as you won’t get the same gearing, tire sizes etc to a more expensive bike if that makes sense?

I’ve been told to look at and I can certainly afford to buy the Pinnacle Lithium 1 at Evan’s as that’s one of the few bikes around the £300 mark that isn't just going to drop to bits after a summer.

I would be rather disappointed if I found myself bored after a summer though, as it’s still a fair bit of money. Any ideas what the second hand Market is like if I needed to sell? Don’t see an awful lot of Lithium’s listed?

[MarcusT]

Either you take to cycling or you don't. There are those who ride for the fitness aspect, those who like seeing the country side and those who commute for variable reasons.
For many of us, a house without at a bicycle is a sad house, but to each...
My question is; how did you do 40 posts in 4 days?

[in4time]

Why not borrow or eBay a bike. You need a certain desire and or motivation to try riding. If you don’t have that, even at a curiosity level perhaps try something else instead. The benefits of exercise are widely known, just choose the activity that suits you best. Good luck.

[pwa]

Let’s put this into context. I’d probably only cycle in my local area which is 2-3 moderately sized villages and a high street as I don’t have a regular commute to be completing. Longest route around the boundary of the area is about 9 miles.

The only reason I’m considering cycling is for the health benefits, I’m not particularly healthy and I’d say my exercise is no more than an hours walking per week on average now, I have considered walking more / even running but the pace is really slow for the effort, even if you run.

My concern is I’ll quickly grow bored if I stick to the same area and it’d quickly become an expensive ornament.

There is a lot of point to me cycling, because I fell in love with riding bikes when I was about five years old and it is still a source of pleasure. But for you, I don't know. You could make it more interesting by going further. At my peak I could do more than 200 miles in a 24 hour period. Or you could time yourself to give your ride a playful edge. And you can mix in some walking, and try to make that more interesting too. But I do understand your worry, because boredom is what stops people carrying on with new fitness regimes. Do you have anyone who could do exercise with you? Chatting whilst walking or cycling makes it a social activity.

[Nearholmer]

For many, myself included, the mental benefits of cycling are absolutely huge, with the physical benefits sort-of coming free in a two-for-one offer.

You will only know if it benefits you if you try, and to f you persist for a bit.

If you do take to it, there is no question that you will get beyond your local village circuit, simply because you will very quickly want to.

There is a danger that if you don’t crack on, if you keep analysing, you will talk yourself out of it though.

[Jamesh]

You might find that you love it and it's a free ticket to travel further. It's a positive boost for your mental health, you get to see new places meet new people.

On the other hand you may find you get hot and sweaty, caught out in a rainstorm, or have an off and throw the bike in the hedge.

Perhaps a second hand bike would be a better choice so that do don't loose money if you need to sell it?

[De Sisti]

Either you take to cycling or you don't. There are those who ride for the fitness aspect, those who like seeing the country side and those who commute for variable reasons.
For many of us, a house without at a bicycle is a sad house, but to each...
My question is; how did you do 40 posts in 4 days?

Is there any point in cycling?

My concern is I’ll quickly grow bored

.....it’d quickly become an expensive ornament

I think he's playing us!

[Nearholmer]

No, if you read his other threads, he comes across as a person trying to make decisions that don’t come easy to him.

[531colin]

There is no decision thats so easy that you can't put it off if you want to.

Buy a bike, ride it, enjoy it.......or not.

[simonhill]

I'd love to reply, but I'm off for a ride on my bike.

[Audax67]

It doesn't have to have a point. I just love it.