Anyone who used to road ride who has quit or some other form of cycling now?

[ashpelham]

I was wondering if there is anyone here who cares to share their experiences or reasons why they USED to road bike, but have now quit, either giving up cycling altogether, or moving to mountain biking, cross, or some other form of cycling? Perhaps there are people here who used to road bike who now run instead.

The reason I raise this question is that I've been riding for 10 years. I'm now in my 30's and I'm beginning to wonder if the risk is worth the thrill I get from it. While this is largely personal opinion, I'd like to hear the reasons why some of you might have given it up. I'm not looking to sway anyone's opinion, and won't even try. Treat this is a welcoming, confessional type thread .

I'm pondering giving up the sport on the road. I don't have a pull to go back to mountain biking, which is what got me into the sport in my early 20's, and evolved into road cycling. The reason I'm thinking of giving it up is my status as a father, a person with a mortgage, the need for lots of life insurance or even disability insurance, and the very dangerous roads and drivers in the area I live (Birmingham, AL, USA: fat capital of the world). It almost seems like it's inevitable with our 1 hour commutes, 60 hour workweeks, culture of food as comfort, and just outright disdain for fit, trim people.

The main reasons I don't want to quit is I love to ride, and ride fast. I love the freedom of being able to travel to someplace 20 miles away in an hour, without a car. I love the simplicity and efficiency of a 2 wheeled, self propelled machine. I love to watch the sport at it's top level.

 

[Oldman]

Many, many roadracers in our neighborhood love cyclocross. It's not as likely to maim you as mountainbiking and the social element seems pretty healthy.
Most of them tired of the amount of time dedicated to Road events that ended up being dull and painful-a bad combination for the head.

 

[Mestre]

The reason I'm thinking of giving it up is my status as a father, a person with a mortgage, the need for lots of life insurance or even disability insurance, and the very dangerous roads and drivers in the area I live.

All of this, plus running a business and it taking me an hour to get out of the city onto decent roads. The rest of life took up my time

 

[Michael Brown]

Why do you have to officially give it up? Take a break. Put the bike away and out of sight. Switch to running to stay fit. Join a running group, and expand your circle of friends.

If you don't miss it after a year...then you can think about making a proclamation of giving it up...until then...just put the bike in secure storage and switch to something else. Stay fit. The road may call you back.

This might have less to do with cycling and more to do with other issues. It happened to me. Life gets busy, and change is sometimes needed. But I am back on the road. Don't sell your stuff yet.

 

[ashpelham]

Hey, thanks for the responses folks. I get the feeling that many people have to let their cycling take a hiatus, though it's sometimes a break for good. I love cycling. Absolutely love it, and probably like it even more on the road than anywhere.

Like many places, we've had a long tough winter, for Alabama standards. It's been grey and way too cold for the enjoyment of the outdoors for most of us cyclists. Tough winter for the whole eastern USA I think. We had a nice break for a couple weeks late in February, with highs in 70s and sunny, which only spoiled us. The last 5 days have been back in the grey and 40's again, which is totally unseasonable for us. But, it IS still winter.

The last poster was right: it's the OTHER issues that keep me from enjoying the sport to the fullest. And, to top that, I'm changing jobs again next week, and I'll be on the road pretty much non stop for the foreseeable future. Waaaaahh, waaaahhh...So many issues, and yet, there are people who would KILL to find a job like I just got, or one like I'm leaving.

 

[Fausto's Schnauzer]

I haven't quit the road, not even close. But I do find that I head to the trails on my mountain bike more than I used to. Why? Cuz I've never had a tree turn left in front of me!

 

[Boeing]

I actually gave up mountain biking a few years ago because I crashed harder and was out more often than ever on a road bike. I sold every full suspension long travel bike. Every mtn bike actually. Went exclusively road. But I was taking too much risk and pushing the technology of the bikes to my limit etc. I just got tired of cleaning dirt out of my legs and elbows and broken bones

However I needed to mix it up recently so I tried a rigid SS 29er. I had so much fun on that thing I built one. Just keep the ride within the limits

I am back on the mtn bike just rigid 29 as much as the road but I pulled way back on my risk. I just push hard fire roads and take it easy on single track. pick lines carefully etc

On the road I don't ride in the large groups any more. Far too much risk and ego. Kills the whole deal. I don;t ride alone either. I have a few select buddies committed to the sport and we plan accordingly. Train or just fun ride whatever.

One thing I did this year to start the season was strip the bike ride of computer and heart rate and power. I just go out and feel my limits and don't think about anything but the ride. It has been an awakening of consciousness

I think I got that from SS mountain biking. So simple and pure with less distractions. Just ride

As for safety. I can only play the odds. Stop at lights. limit traffic routs etc. Never cross wheels and let wheel sucks I dont know personally pass by

thanks for letting me share

 

[Boeing]

I haven't quit the road, not even close. But I do find that I head to the trails on my mountain bike more than I used to. Why? Cuz I've never had a tree turn left in front of me!

I have turned left in front of a tree far too often however

 

[2beeDammed]

I think it's important to actually ask yourself 'why you ride'. I know it's a simple question but it's easy to loose site of. Moving up here to the Gold Coast has been a real eye opener for me, coming from a small rural area I'm amazed at the people riding up here. I'm 41 and I ride because it's fun and like you I love it, so many riders up here ride for other reasons (eg: racers, triathletes, fat wanna be's, skilled old dudes with style, w@nkers......I could go on) my point being, stop and have a think as to why you ride and forget about why others ride. It's to easy to get caught up in it all and start over training/spending trying to win....
As for your concerns for your saftey, I can relate. Not sure what the answer is for you, but like Boeing I found peace and fun in SS MTB . Can't say I will give up the road, but I do pick my rides. I don't like being out there after 6:30 am, to busy so I leave for rides a 5:00 am and try to be home before the traffic picks up. Longer weekend rides, usually mean heading out of town in the car first (but that's where the hills and peace are)

 

[Ninety5rpm]

The reason I raise this question is that I've been riding for 10 years. I'm now in my 30's and I'm beginning to wonder if the risk is worth the thrill I get from it.

...
The reason I'm thinking of giving it up is my status as a father, a person with a mortgage, the need for lots of life insurance or even disability insurance, and the very dangerous roads and drivers in the area I live (Birmingham, AL, USA: fat capital of the world). It almost seems like it's inevitable with our 1 hour commutes, 60 hour workweeks, culture of food as comfort, and just outright disdain for fit, trim people.

So if it wasn't "thrilling", it wouldn't be worth "the risk" at all?

Please read this essay about the fear of cycling:

thinkingaboutcycling.wordpress.com/article-fear-of-cycling

You also might want to read up on traffic cycling safety, or take a LAB course.

While there are some dangerous drivers out there, even incompetent bicycling is quite safe, and you can improve your odds by an order of magnitude or two by learning to take full responsibility for your safety, and a few techniques and practices.

 

[DirtyWorks]

The reason I'm thinking of giving it up is my status as a father, a person with a mortgage, the need for lots of life insurance or even disability insurance, and the very dangerous roads...

Exactly why I stopped.

-Spending time with your kid is way more important until they get into early adulthood.

-Strongly recommend cyclocross. You can pack it all in over a very short time span.

-I ride myself into a stupor on the electronic exercise bikes at my gym. I can be suitably tired in < 30 minutes using some of their pre-programmed 'courses.' Add some swiss ball/weight lifting and Bob's yer Uncle. When a holiday rolls around where you can spend some alone time riding, most of the fitness will be there.

 

[Polyarmour]

(Birmingham, AL, USA: fat capital of the world). It almost seems like it's inevitable with our 1 hour commutes, 60 hour workweeks, culture of food as comfort, and just outright disdain for fit, trim people.

Who wants to be fat?
If I stopped pedalling I would be fat I have no doubt. Been there done that.
You talk about being a father and taking on new responsibilites.
Let me ask you this.
Think about the example you set for your kids.
Think about the lessons they learn just by watching what you do.
What will they be thinking if you sit around doing nothing and get fat like 66% of Americans do?

 

[Autobus]

I have given up the road. I've had collisions with cars twice now. The first time caused more damage, but I came back to riding pretty much as soon as I healed. I was going about 40 kph when a driver coming the other way turned into her driveway without seeing me. I played Superman and after hitting her fender I went flying over her hood and skidded a fair bit down the pavement on my knees and shoulders. The next time I was hit from behind by a woman who said she was just tired of getting out of the way of cyclists. I tried riding after that, but I was too gun shy. Every time a car would pull up to a stop sign on a side street I'd veer way far into the middle of the lane I was riding in. I was becoming too dangerous to myself, regardless of what the cars were doing.

I still ride my mountain bike some. I'm not too crazy and the worst of my crashes have only inflicted a few stiches. I raced cyclocross for a few seasons (before the second collision with a car), but not being able to train well, the filthy weather, and mud holes for courses just got too bothersome. The races were great, but the rest of it just got old.

I'm still active. I run regularly so I'm not getting fat, but the fear of another collision just doesn't allow me to enjoy road riding. I miss it. I still have my bike that I haven't sat on for 6 or 7 years, but without the enjoyment I used to have I can't see me riding again. Plenty of people do after much worse, but I can't get my head back into it.

 

[For The World]

I'm considering giving up road cycling because basically, I don't want to die.

I'm getting married in a few months, and I don't really feel like leaving my fiancee in the lurch and checking out early. Plus, while I only have two things I do outside of work (ride my bike and play my guitar), for some reason I don't want to get out of bed at 5:30am every morning and go riding and deal with drivers. Once I get to the spot I ride at, it's generally OK - it's essentially closed to cars, but getting there is another story.

It's a catch 22 - do I take the route where there are many cars, thus increasing the chance of getting hit, or do I take the route where there are fewer cars, but because the streets are quieter, my chance of not being seen by someone increases? I've got bright lights front and rear, wear bright clothing and check every side street (as well as fore and aft of me) as often as possible, but this won't stop a ton of steel and plastic being hurled at me indiscriminantly.

I just wish there was mutual respect and safety from both sides.

 

[JA.Tri]

Over the years I have dipped in and out of cycling. Raced/participated is a better term triathlons, road, mtb. I mainly tootle now.

Some periods of non-riding have exceeded a year. I would play golf, go for a run, a walk, a swim...or just chill out. Right now am recovering from a road crash (my fault entirely). And I am a bit scared riding, after my first ride back.

As previous posters have suggested/implied: give yourself a break:
* figuratively (don't be hard on yourself and you don't need to make a long term commitment either way) and
* actually (have a few days/weeks off).

Spend more time with your fiancee...she may suggest that you need to go for a bike ride or you both may find some activity to share...it's all good.

So by all means give it a rest...for however long. Or put your bike in the back of the car and go for a ride in an environ that suits or... put it on your "To do someday" list.

Good luck with whatever choice you make...and you can always change your mind!

 

[usedtobefast]

not that we need more people, but California is a GOOD place to ride for the most part. sorry for you folks that have it otherwise.

 

[Oldman]

not that we need more people, but California is a GOOD place to ride for the most part. sorry for you folks that have it otherwise.

San Diego to Vancouver....riders paradise when the weather cooperates because the drivers know they will pay when they don't honor a reasonable road-sharing reality. As for the un-insured, former felon dairy farm hillbillies...you take your chances.

 

[Boeing]

This is an excellent post and a lingering question in all our busy responsible lives.

The mortgage. Kids now in College. are all reasons this comes up in my house. I stated personal reasons earlier..

I still believe mountain biking has the highest risk for injury and given mortality numbers, I still feel injury is a bigger risk to family lifestyle than death

My biggest battle personally is more a mid life crisis so-to-speak.

I don't charge as hard any more and the time I need to get to sick fitness is not available.

I remain with the club team, get the kits and the perks but show up to rides a little bigger than the young guns and off the back.

too fast for regular joes but no where near the young lads.

sometimes fall into an all or nothing downer as in I don't want to ride if I am not going to be able to hammer with the boys.

I will go 6 weeks with good miles then boom the schedule gets mixed up and I might go 2 weeks with maybe 20 miles. then Start over?

the tighter the schedule the harder it is to watch the diet. On the go with business and lunches and morning meetings ..... hard to count calories. Hard to turn down a drink in the evening.

in the end is it worth it?

my father comes to town to visit 4 times a year. he is 79. I built him a bike to cruise down the path. I rode with him last trip. just a coast really but I realized all that stuff didnt matter. it was great and I realized it is all about the ride regardless of fitness. we had a blast and it was just 10 miles and i didnt break a sweat

Ask him about the risk and he says F it its better to go out on your bike than going into a home and playing bridge


If i didn't ride I would still build bikes and look at them in my garage every night

 

[DirtyWorks]

I'm considering giving up road cycling because basically, I don't want to die.

I'm getting married in a few months, and I don't really feel like leaving my fiancee in the lurch and checking out early. Plus, while I only have two things I do outside of work (ride my bike and play my guitar),....

IMHO, you lay out two false choices.

How about driving over to the safe riding place? I know it's not as cool, but you are moving onto a different phase of life where people are relying on you in a new and enormously risky way. By shuttling to the safe place to ride, you are at least reciprocating some of the trust.

You are another good candidate for cyclocross. You can have the full cycling experience, off the streets in about an hour.

 

[Rip:30]

I have turned left in front of a tree far too often however

But you are (or should be) moving much slower than a car I would suspect.

Interesting conclusion about mt bike v road. Agree about reducing suspension to make tamer trails more fun to ride though.

I used to ride and race full time and split time about %50 %50 dirt and tarmac. After I retired I decided not to ride road anymore b/c I had had so many near death experiences on the road that had nothing to do with my decision making. Personal opinion is that for me the chance for severe injury or death is considerably higher on the road. I'll take a tree on any day over getting plowed from behind by a F350 going 60 mph.

Cross seem like the best compromise in terms of maximizing safety and minimizing the time spent, I want to get a bike this fall.

 

[Autobus]

San Diego to Vancouver....riders paradise when the weather cooperates because the drivers know they will pay when they don't honor a reasonable road-sharing reality. As for the un-insured, former felon dairy farm hillbillies...you take your chances.

I can't agree. Seattle is supposed to be one of those places that is sooo bike friendly, but I've been hit by a driver who was just tired of getting out of the way of cyclists, hit by water bottles thrown at me by laughing pickup truck passengers, had a horn blasted at me from 50 meters behind me to 50 feet in front of me, cursed at regularly, and scared to death uncounted times because of drivers' total cluelessness to my presence. There was even a minister who while riding was literally pushed off the road and permanently injured by a car passenger who rolled down his window, leaned out, and pushed the rider into the roadside ditch as they were moving. Hardly cycling paradise.

While not an excuse, the feelings toward riders are not helped by the actions of the local urban hipster fixie riders who wear dark clothes, use no lights, and blow stop signs and stop lights at night and just generally ignore the fact that they aren't alone on the roads.

People in cars feel that they invulnerable and king at the same time. They can do what they want regardless of the consequences. That's pretty much the way I've experienced it wherever I've cycled or driven. If drivers are not respectful of other cars why would you expect them to be respectful of cyclists, those arrogent feebs in tight shorts with their junk bulging for all to see, who take up the whole road, and make me late because they ride so slow. While this may be a warped view of cyclists, it sure is one that exists in a lot of drivers.

Wasn't it in San Diego County that the person on a training ride was hit and killed by a sheriff's deputy? It's dangerous wherever you ride. You just either have to ignorant and happy or calculate the risk you're willing to put up with.

 

[Anonymous]

I used to ride and race road, but stopped about 15 years or so ago, mainly due to the sheer time needed, just wasnt working with work, relationships etc.

when i started riding again, road wasnt really an option, again due to the amount of time commitment required so I got a cross bike (largely under advice from people here). To be a competative road cyclist you really need to be either very singleminded or have an amazingly supportive partner and family.

Cross works brilliantly for me, training is based around an hour, hour and a half rather than 50k + rides, the bike can also handle cycle trails etc so social riding with the wife is an option. If i want to race its a couple of hours on a sunday morning (rather than 4-6 hours on the road), on a course so the wife can come along as well and cheer me on without getting bored, Its all round just a less time demanding discipline for me.

Cyclocross is the way to go if you love riding but the time and safety aspect is an issue.

 

[BroDeal]

I simply started to avoid certain roads with lots of traffic and/or bad shoulders. I avoid other roads at certain times of the day or days of the week. A narrow canyon road in the fall may have tons of autumn leaf watchers on Saturday, a fraction of that on Sunday, and very few on a weekday.

 

[md2020]

When I raced as a youngster in the 80's I had all the time in the world and motivation from wanting to race. Once I stopped wanting to race that motivation disappeared and I basically gave up riding cold turkey. I didn't touch a bike for almost 15 years until last year a few guys from work started riding and convinced me to ride with them at lunch. I enjoy it and am glad to be out again but like others have said, road riding takes time and it's time that I'd rather spend with my family. I can usually make it during the week for a ride or two but the time it takes makes it hard. It's much easier to get a good quick running workout in.

I'm lucky enough to live in an area that is fairly safe to ride (north San Diego) so the safety factor hasn't been an issue.

 

[ashpelham]

I've received some great answers here. With the new job coming up for me, and many more nights spent in a hotel room, I've dreaded the time I'll miss on the bike. However, I think my strategy will be to mix up the running and they cycling to maintain a good level of fitness, and ride like hell on the weekends with the team I've been a part of for several years. I'm not giving up cycling, but I'm curtailing back the time I spend on busy, unfamiliar roads with drivers who hate us for being there. What a testament to the world we live in now, huh?

All that said, any trips to the Gulf of Mexico that I make, usually the Emerald Coast of destin, ft. walton, Pensacola, down to Panama City, will include some outdoor cycling!

If you've got to have a territory, at least the redneck riviera isn't the worst one with some nice, designated bike paths in various areas!