[Closed] Road biking for fun - not commuting or training

[i]what is it I'm missing[/i]

1) the right routes

2) the right company

Road biking, practical - not all that fun!

what is it I'm missing

1) the right routes

2) the right company

This, and possibly

3) fitness

IMO it's miserable when you're suffering, it's at its best when you feel good.

There's 2 different kinds of fun on a road bike, first is only "fun" afterward, that feeling you get after smashing yourself and having a really good workout. Second is spinning along in a fast group of guys taking turns on the front and being amazed at how fast you're going, having digs on the climbs and making each other suffer. Great fun!

The right routes and the right distance.

There are some bits of road that I enjoy riding as much as mountain biking, they flow just right, they are a challenge to ride, but are fast and exciting.

I also find that I really enjoy riding 30km, I can smash round it in an hour and get my riding fix - longer, and it's a challenge and I can get on a mountain bike for a couple of hours and have different fun, shorter, and I don't even get warmed up.

There's nothing really to get. If you don't enjoy it, then that's fine. Not everyone likes the same things.

It's just riding bikes. Find a scenic route to a cafe/pub and ride there with some mates. Kind of like riding a mountain bike but faster.

If that still doesn't work, maybe it isn't for you. I don't enjoy gnarr core mountain biking, so I just bumble along doing what I do enjoy. No point stressing over it.

Sometimes it's nice just pootling around on a bike. Not really trying, just twiddling the pedals and looking at the view. Round here, that's a lot easier to do on a road bike.

Obviously mountain biking's better though.

As said above it all about the routes - finding quiet roads and exploring new places. You can go a lot further from home than on a MTB, and a road bike is much easier to maintain.

Just had a week in the west of Ireland and the road biking was stunning - don't think I'd have had much fun on a MTB

Remembering to look up at enjoy the countryside you're passing through is key for me. Too much time worrying about speed, cadence, heart rate, sock colour or tan lines and you'll quickly start wondering why you aren't on the mtb.

But if you take in the views, sounds and smells (perhaps not past roadkill in this weather) it all becomes more enjoyable and relaxing*.

*Needless to say this must not be at the expense of a KOM

yeah, maybe its fitness? last night i was going flat out when this geezer glided effortlessly past me, i tried catching him up until my legs were screaming but i was nowhere near him! aftger that i was plodding along muttering to myself how shit it is! 😀

i do enjoy getting from A to B on it tho, its the leisurely loops i can get into. especially when its pretty much all flat.

what is it I'm missing?

road bikes are for commuting - even then I have to take a good book.

pleased to see its not just me then...

Routes, groups and fitness.

For routes I try to ride somewhere interesting. I aim for a particular town, hill, feature, cafe to give my ride a focal point. Mountain biking would be boring if you were riding on flat featureless forest roads.

Groups are good for the social side and also a good working or racing bunch adds excitement. Following wheels and doing turns at 20mph+ is good fun.

Fitness - There is no where to hide on a road ride. Sure you can sit in the bunch but even that requires some fitness to get there. No one is going to push up the hills either. Riding fast is fun and challenging yourself to go further or higher.

I enjoy a road ride either on my own or with mates.

The route is key. Find I enjoy the scenery a great deal more on the road as i'm not having to pay attention to obstacles/rocks/routes.

Moved to Yorkshire about 10 years ago but only in the last 1 year have I started to explore on the road bike and my knowledge of the area has increased greatly.

As above, try
1. change the route
2. start training properly, try intervals or something.
3. get someone to do it with

or
4. do something else

I don't know any roadies that aimlessly cycle around on boring routes on their own. There's nothing to "get" (because its not a "thing")

Speed! I commuted on my road bike (till i broke it, yesterday)and it only became fun once i'd got to a point where i could maintain speeds that I was, at the start, sure had been done by people in cars.

There are some roads that just need a good blast, the undulating road through Delemere Forest and the descent down to Ladybower from the top of Snake Pass come to mind.

Come on Ribble, hurry up with my new bike 😀

I'm the other way around, I have recently started road biking after mountain biking and prefer it at the minute.

I mainly started cycling after being a keen runner though so sometimes I think road biking is more of a 'fit' for this. I can't stand the amount of faff involved with mountain biking- backpacks and other gear etc, whereas it seems quite easy to just jump on the road bike and go.

I do agree it is better to have a pre-planned, specific route though. If you're just pedalling around at random it wouldn't be much fun imo.

Have you tried heading off down the quiet country lanes rather than the stressful A and B roads?

Strava's quite good for making it fun if you're riding on your own - no, really! As long as you don't take it seriously a bit of competition is good motivation. I've got two small kids and most of my [former] riding buddies are in a similar situation so getting together is difficult. You ride when you can and if someone else has been out on a similar route you can race them a bit, see what they've been upto etc. If you're away with work it'll find you some decent routes and give you some targets to beat. Just don't become a strava-dick.

the little devil in my head is saying 'if we wanted to see the scenery, we could just pop there in the car' i like the isolation you can only find on a mtb.

I don't think it's for everyone, it's a mentality thing. Though the right routes (quiet roads, good surface) and a training plan help. Fitness also helps, it can be pretty demoralising if you're not fit (though it doesn't get easier, it just gets faster 🙂 )

strava is a good shout, will get one of them phone holder mounts and try that!

+1 monkeyfudger for me.

Like mountain biking different people get different things out of it. Some like social pace, chatting, checking out the scenery and having a cafe stop. I ride alone or with a few mates and enjoy smashing myself/each other, pushing myself to hold a pace I think I'm going to crack at, then the reward of keeping it up, or even better making your mates crack. Attack on every climb and sprint for every village sign.
There is an element of

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=type+2+fun

for me, but I enjoy the "pain" at the time too.

My first road ride since being a teenager was 2.5 years ago and was a total joyless deathmarch. Went out again and it clicked, and I ride on road more often than off now.

Speed seems to be the thing im missing too, i guess its a confidence thing? still not keen on cars and lorries thundering past when im going quickly!

As chakaping says, get off the main roads

The same 3 points as everyone else

Routes, groups and fitness.

I find I can't go out without there being a point to the ride, even on the MTB. Ususaly it's just a point on a map (new road, trail, cafe, hill). Easiest way to get motivated is to comute (as you have to be at work/home), but always find a new route even if it's just a small diversion, next week it'll be a small diversion off a small diversion, then "just over that hill", and before you know it "I fancy fish and chips for dinner in Whitby", despite the fact Whitby is 30miles past home and involves crossing the Moors with 3000m of climbing.

After a few weeks of that you'll have enough of a mental road map to string together almost entirely trafic free rides. Cycling arround trafic is never fun, but even arround here (Berkshire/Oxfordshire/Hampshire) which is about the most densly populated "countryside" in the country it's possible.

I mainly use the road bike for commuting. But the route has to go up and down to be fun IMO. Too flat and it's dull unless the scenery is nice, So nice countryside or along side a beach!!

and before you know it "I fancy fish and chips for dinner in Whitby", despite the fact Whitby is 30miles past home and involves crossing the Moors with 3000m of climbing.

Won't it be cold by the time you get it home though?

Won't it be cold by the time you get it home though?

Naaa, feet up on the pier feeling smug that the ride home will burn off more calories than's in the fish and chips.

strava is a good shout, will get one of them phone holder mounts and try that!

No point, just set it off and stick it in your pocket. Doesn't show anything useful during the ride.

Definitely get off the busy roads. I'd recommend a decent Garmin that allows you to plot and follow routes.

I find I can't go out without there being a point to the ride

I love just getting the road bike out and not even knowing what way I'll turn at the end of the street, making it all up as I go along and seeing how my legs feel.

🙂

OP use a road bike like a cheap hooker, get in, get out, splash your load then go home to your loving wife (mtn bike)..

Friend of mine asked when I was coming out road riding at weekends.....err no thanks.

I bought a road bike to kill that 1-2hours in an evening after work when I could get out and hopefully add some fitness for when I ride at weekends on my mountain bike.

I don't want to wear full lycra. I don't care for car drivers. The woods are my natural habitat.

Use road riding to get you other means OP- thats your motivation.

I love just getting the road bike out and not even knowing what way I'll turn at the end of the street, making it all up as I go along and seeing how my legs feel.

See everyone is different 🙂 I need to know exactly where I'm going, what I'm doing, what the point is to the ride, etc. Just making it up as I go along would drive me nuts.

Doesn't show anything useful during the ride.

It does if you're premium actually (real time segment reporting) but I tend to agree anyway.

Hora, thats exactly how i am. i thought maybe i was missing somthing, and i clearly am, but its something im unlikely to ever find with the odd 1-2 hr blast round alien roads with no mates while wishing i was popping over roots in the woods!

all that full Lycra nonsense too, not for me either.

on the flip side i do love the aesthetics of nice roads bikes, they make me want to own one! (maybe ill stick it on the wall!)

all that full Lycra nonsense too, not for me either.

This may be why you're not enjoying it. 2 hours in baggies on the road bike would leave anyone grimaceing.

is this why proper roadies dont acknowledge me? 😳

Use it purely for fitness. On a level of hate, I view the gym as by far far worse, riding on rollers for idiots. A road bike allows us to get outside into the beautiful evening air. It drives out the stress and you comeback more relaxed.

Ready for the weekend.

Not everyone likes the same things - road biking may no be for you.

I never showed an ounce of interest in it until last year - I was staunchly an MTBer etc. But I found that I really enjoyed it - I like riding it on my own and can get out to some fairly nice roads that are dead. I never really go out with an aim and have explored the country lanes near home and have discovered some good pubs, some nice roads, some not so nice plus a few shortcuts that I can use to avoid traffic in the car.

I'm not a monster on it but can maintain an OK pace and ride for 60 to 70 miles pretty happily.

I like the lack of planning, faffing and ease that comes with it - I can do a short, fast loop or a longer , steadier one depending on how I'm feeling. No doubt once Jnr arrives in September I'll eb doing more road riding because its easier to fit in around other stuff for me.

is this why proper roadies dont acknowledge me?

No, we aknowlage no one except the holy trinity of pain, suffering and tan lines.

But seriosuly, get some decent cycling shorts. Riding in baggies is like driving a car that's only firing on 3 cylinders, you've forgotten to put any pants on than the seat is made from sandpaper.

Unless this is you.

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all that full Lycra nonsense too, not for me either

Always thought the same, but when I bought a road bike I indulged and wouldn't want to ride a road bike in baggy gear. Everyone looks a bit silly in lycra (especially when you step away from the bike) but it just works on a road bike. Bib shorts / tights are so comfy.

Yep, I've fully embraced lycra now as well, it just feels so nice against the skin!! Better in the rain as well, you just don't feel as wet.

Still ride the MTB with baggies though.

i wear my padded lycras.. under my tightest mtb shorts! and quite a fitted nike running top so not too bad. i will never go all out roadie!

I spend most of my time on the road now. I bought a touring bike for long tours and it has now become my main bike, I love just going out in baggy shorts, t-shirt and exploring or looking for a nice pub.

Found some lovely spots not far from home.

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3cylinder cars beat many hands down.

hora - Member
Use it purely for fitness. On a level of hate, I view the gym as by far far worse, riding on rollers for idiots. A road bike allows us to get outside into the beautiful evening air. It drives out the stress and you comeback more relaxed.

Ready for the weekend.

This is my take on road bikes. I got one purely as a means to get fitter and get evening rides in after work.
I used to do this by means of a slick set of wheels on my Inbred, but eventually decided to do it properly.

I do enjoy road rides when I'm out with a group of mates, but that's because I'm out with a group of mates, not because it's a road ride.

3cylinder cars beat many hands down.

but generally not when they are designed to be running on four...

OP, not being funny but you seem to be viewing the concept of road riding with s bit of contempt and negativity which will never help with the enjoyment.

Did you try it / buy one because you wanted to it because you felt that you should?

Again not trying to be funny just asking as it seems a lot of people are doing it because others are or because they think they should rather than seeing the appeal and wanting to.

When I swing my leg over my road bike I like to glance sideways, watch the countryside, then look ahead- wiggle the steering slowly down the lane, over humpback bridges I'll lean abit more to see how much Ican with time on the bike, I like the feeling that rather than 40mins in a car- I'm straight out of the door and already on my ride. After 2hours I can do other stuff.

Its not contempt. Its just the sister of your wife. You like her, you like spending time with her but you don't sleep with her and get all 'nasty.

This may be why you're not enjoying it. 2 hours in baggies on the road bike would leave anyone grimaceing.

Why?

This may be why you're not enjoying it. 2 hours in baggies on the road bike would leave anyone grimaceing.

Missed this bit. I ride in padded lycra with green cargo shorts over the top. I don't even notice the pants are on when riding.

I really do think unless you are a pro, in a competition or hitting a huge/all day ride either in the rain or scorching sun why do you need to look like a giant clingfilmed-sausage?

I really do think unless you are a pro, in a competition or hitting a huge/all day ride either in the rain or scorching sun why do you need to look like a giant clingfilmed-sausage?

because some of us look good in it 🙂 ...

I did an early road ride in a baggy jersey, and quickly got sick of being flapped to death. Wear what makes you comfortable. For me thats lycra on a road bike.

I thought i'd never buy a road bike but a year after getting one, i really enjoy it, although id still rather mtb if i could only do one. My rides fit into 3 categories, much like the posts above. i reckon there's something to embrace in there.

1) strava on, punish yourself for an hour, enjoy "working out" outside instead of in the gym and enjoy strava telling you you're getting fitter. There's no faff or hours of de-mudifying afterwards and stuff doesnt break as often. Your mtb rides will improve from added fitness

2)social rides with friends on quiet country roads. It's much easier to chat cruising on a road ride than a singletrack epic.

3) the distance you can cover under your own steam, seeing places close to home you would never have been to otherwise.

I'm lucky, i live in a rural location with plety of scenery straight from the door and little traffic.

summing up, this was halfway into a 50 miler on exmoor on monday, you cant argue with a view like that, from the coast all the way to dartmoor! I could have be up there off road but would have spent 40 minutes in the car for the privilege instead of enjoyiong the sunshine and fresh air

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[i]There's nothing really to get. If you don't enjoy it, then that's fine. Not everyone likes the same things.[/i]

That's it in a nutshell really. There are things I don't like doing, I'm not confused or annoyed about it. I would struggle to be motivated to play crown-green bowls, but some folks love it.

I absolutely love riding my road bike, I like getting up early at the weekend and doing long rides on tiny wee roads, seeing the countryside. But it takes me about a minute to get on small country roads from my front door. Don't suppose it would be much fun if I had a 10 mile ride through a city before getting on the open road then I guess I wouldn't find it so much fun.

[i]I really do think unless you are a pro, in a competition or hitting a huge/all day ride either in the rain or scorching sun why do you need to look like a giant clingfilmed-sausage? [/i]

I guess that depends how fit you are, at 68kg I'd need to wear kids clothes to look like an cling filed sausage.

I really do think unless you are a pro, in a competition or hitting a huge/all day ride either in the rain or scorching sun why do you need to look like a giant clingfilmed-sausage?

You're going to look like a **** anyway, even if you wear baggies, so you might as well wear the most practical and comfortable clothes. Which is lycra.

Ceepers thats the sort of top that I'm after- what is it/model?

True- I just don't want to be reminded of my fun-sized marsbar everytime I glance down 8)

[url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-gabba-windstopper-rain-jersey/ ]Castelli Gabba jersey?[/url] although I think its a bit more muted.

hora, thats not me but my friend Rob who has much more disposable income than anyone who hasn't retired at 40 after years of bonuses!

I think its one of the new Gabba tops by castelli, its a sort of neoprene kinda feel and is waterproof. I think lots of pros were using them in the giro. It might well be hideously expensive! He says it's really good!

He is exceedingly quick on a road bike so he might have all the gear but has the speed to back it up!

Ah, I kind guess its got three figures at the till.

Edit- hi-caramba!

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/castelli/gabba-windstopper-long-sleeve-jersey-ec040794?country=GB&currency=GBP

Yikes!

althogh i should have guessed, it's about the only thing he wears that isnt Rapha!

It did help me keep him in sight as he disappeared up the road on a couple of climbs!

I'm far from iron-man but even I can tell how much comfier lycra is if you're really pushing yourself.

If you can't understand it just go and enter a race or ride flat out in the sun for an hour with baggies on, you'll soon realise.

pleased to see its not just me then...

Nope, same here.

Gabba is well worth the money, a great bit of kit. The same cut as their aero jerseys but made out of a softshell type fabric that sort of repels water, deals ok with showers. Great for winter and spring rides.

riding on rollers for idiots.

I spend rather a lot of time on rollers/turbo 🙂

Edit- hi-caramba!

You're not in the roadie mindset.

I'll hallpily wear a T-shirt on the MTB, however on the road bike it's about buying the clothes that make you as comfortable as you can be, then riding just a little bit longer/harder to make it uncomfortable again.

Hence £180 is perfectly reasnoble for a jersey that lest you ride in shitty weather.

I've a £70 Endura FS260 jersey that does similar and ends up being my most worn bit of kit.

Missed this bit. I ride in padded lycra with green cargo shorts over the top. I don't even notice the pants are on when riding.

Weren't you moaning a week or so ago about how you couldn't find a comfortable saddle?

Werent you the one that me and other posters corrected on said topic?

Its about the saddle v your sitbones for you not a thin layer of fabric ontop. Feel free to re review said topic again.

Sorry Im surly. THREE different young females tonight tried killing me on the bike.

Road biking is shit.

For a start, there's nothing work looking at....

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...you never get to anywhere interesting...

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... there's all those crappy nutritional supplements you have to eat ...

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... and nothing exciting ever happens.

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Road riding = Pedalling.

Mountain biking = Riding.

I use the road bike for training but it's pure crap from an enjoyment point of view. If that isn't the way you see it your mountain bike trails suck.

what is it I'm missing? I'm not trolling, i genuinely want to 'get it' ??

JCL's poor effort at trolling even more weakened coming after Scotroutes post. Road riding, single speeding, fat biking, every subset is valid if it works for you, if it doesn't theres others that hopefully will.

Road cyclings good. I was lost in thoughts/daydreaming yesterday and was passed by a few roadies, one said a warm hi, another (on a Lapierre so I'm assuming a mountain biker) didn't but he was also shit at overtaking two other riders too.

Anyway, I was lost in thought but then the usual happens. This is partly why mountain biking will always win.

[b]I don't want to die because[/b] Liam's now going out with Jane and Kev's jealous and wont leave it. Oh and the hair appointment has now been moved to Tuesday.

Why should I die painfully and never see my loved ones again because some stupid ****ing bint who will end up having more stupid mouth-breathing versions of her lives on and I die?

They say men are the most dangerous on the roads. I disagree, I think the figures are based on 17-21yr old males (who are proven to roll/crash more than anyone else even though they make up a tiny percentage of drivers on the roads). Its females that cause the most accidents IMO.

Therefore no matter what you roadie-fans will say 'I like to see the countryside' - HOW? You cant look/admire whilst pedalling because you've got to make sure you don't veer out. You can only glance and think death may come from behind.

You're on the wrong roads...I'm further south than you and even I can get onto some nice empty roads where I don't see any cars. Lovely. Get right out into the sticks.

Not wanting to get into the driving debate too much but even the STW driving gods must make the odd error from time to time.

Yeah, you're doing it wrong, or maybe I'm really lucky with the roads around Sheffield. But I go straight out of my door and can ride some fantastic winding roads around the hills. I've done rides of 20+ miles where I see less than 10 cars. Usually it's a bit busier than that example, but I certainly don't fear for my life as you seem to be suggesting.

I dunno, I love riding my road bike. And then I get back on my MTB and I remember I love that too. If you don't enjoy it, don't do it. Simple.

Edit: Actually, don't you live in Sheffield, hora? Go out around dungworth/bradfield/strines. If you don't enjoy that then I'd probably just give up.

If you don't enjoy that then I'd probably just give up.

Exactly. There's lots of things that I don't get or enjoy so I, er, don't do them. Simples.

But this is STW were logic has no place.

I love hearing how hora's been out on his road bike again but diced with death and has endured it rather than enjoyed it.*

I live just a few miles from you and in 18 months of road riding I think I've only had two "moments" with drivers. Are you sure you're cut out for this hora?

*Every time you use that bike I'm knocking £25 off my final offer 🙂

Bregante its females too. Ex-Girlfriends? £25 less? The good thing is PlanetX are raising their prices to counter you 😉

You're on the wrong roads

I don't live in Sheffield, just hang around the Peaks most weekends.

but even the STW driving gods must make the odd error from time to time.

I made one in Trafford Park- it'd been a serious/fatality if I hadn't turned my wheel at the last moment. I pulled over and apologised though. Thats all a driver has to do, even if its a raised hand.

Anyway...

You're on the wrong roads...I'm further south than you and even I can get onto some nice empty roads where I don't see any cars. Lovely. Get right out into the sticks.

I live just north of Oxford, a couple of miles from the junction of the M40. Within 5 minutes of leaving my door I'm on quiet rural roads. The few drivers I do meet are in the vast majority patient and courteous, and get a thank-you wave accordingly.

Did a 75 mile loop with a mate on Tueday, occasionally took us on some pretty heavily trafficked A and B roads. Closest we came to death was having a red kite take off from its kill on the grass verge as we drew alongside and startled it, missing the front wheel by inches 😯

Went out last night for 2 hours with one of the guys I race with. Tried to rip each others legs off, averaged 23mph over 45miles. Didn't notice the scenery it was either his back wheel or stinging sweat and red mist.

Tomorrow I'm going to do some Crit racing.

Saturday I'm off to climb some pretty hills and eat cake.

The week after I'm planning a 150mile ride over to Scotland

loads of different ways to ride a road bike - you just need to find one that fits you. If you are the type of mountainbike that pushes your "rig" up a hill to "shred" it on the way back down then maybe you'll struggle.

When I started I wore baggies. Then I went out on a long ride in the wet and realised I was wearing a soggy parachute for no reason. These days I go for the spray on lycra look. And think twice about wearing baggies on the mountainbike. Don't for racing and xc. There is a reason everyone wears lycra.

why do you need to look like a giant clingfilmed-sausage?

I think enough people have seen enough cyclists that a person in lycra on a bike now just looks like a cyclist.

Re road safety, I have to say that when I've been up North, near the cities at least, much of it looks very crowded and congested so you might need to be a bit more creative with route choice.