[Closed] one month off the bike...

without meaning to be derogatory, but why?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and also the month in which the initial verses of the Qur'an were said to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Each day during this month, Muslims all over the world abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, as well as participating in anything that is ill-natured or excessive; from dawn until the sun sets. Fasting is intended to educate the Muslim in spirituality, humility and patience. It is a time to cleanse the soul, focus attention on God, and put into practice selflessness. Ramadan is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God and to put forward more prayer than is customary.
Fasting is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. It also reminds them of the suffering of the poor, who may rarely get to eat well.
Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of the Islam religion, and one of the main types of Islamic worship.
Restraint from everyday enjoyment and curbing wicked intentions and cravings are considered as an act of compliance and obedience to God, as well as amending for sins, faults, and mistakes. During Ramadan, Muslims request forgiveness for sins in the past, pray for direction and assistance in abstaining from everyday troubles, and endeavour to cleanse themselves through self-control and great acts of charity.

Your imaginary friend sounds a bit of a bastard. Why not try a more chilled religion? Lots out there.

This is not going to end well is it?

I think taking the piss out of an individual's beliefs is pretty low and shouldn't be aired on what is generally a very pleasant forum.

[i]Each day during this month, Muslims all over the world abstain from eating, drinking...[/i]

You eat and drink nothing for 30 days? Won't you die? Or do you just do it at night?

One month off the bike done due to injury, compensated with beer and good food.

[i]I think taking the piss out of an individual's beliefs is pretty low[/i]
Hope there are no scientologists in today.

Gonzy - many years ago, while I was living a slightly wilder life than I do now, my mate, Ama, told me that he was doing Ramadan, and I should do it as well, it would benefit me.

So I laid off the drink and partying, ate only after sunset, although i did drink water, and went to uni everyday. Ama, did the same, other than going to uni, instead he stayed up all night, and went to bed in the morning, cheating git.

It was a terrible month, no sleep as my body tried to detox, hungry, fairly grumpy and wondered at the number of people doing it around the world.

Felt better at the end of it, and enjoyed being part of the feast with his family, and the visit to the mosque a couple of times was odd, but very accepting, as he explained what I was doing and why.

Anyway, good luck.

When's Eid likely to be? You have that to look forward to...

so its that time of the year again where my sleeping and eating patterns are massively disrupted as i put myself through 30 days of fasting during Ramadan. during the summer months where the days are longer its more mentally and physically challenging as i abstain from eating and drinking and try to keep myself mentally pure.
i've stopped riding the bike into work and if i'm lucky i might manage a few leisurely weekend rides...no bikes for a month is gonna be the hardest part.

anyway no eaten or drunk since 2am...and everything going ok so far...only 10 hours to go!!

All the best with that. Fasting and thinking about stuff seems a good thing to do from time to time. I've never had the will power to do that.

Hugs from Hippy Hebden Bridge.

You eat and drink nothing for 30 days? Won't you die? Or do you just do it at night?

When's Eid likely to be? You have that to look forward to...

around july 17th give or take a day...it depends on the new moon sighting but wont go over 31 days if no moon has been sighted

...we can eat and drink as much as we can when its night time....

I'm no expert here, but when a Muslim breaks their fast during Ramadan they should:

This way, one would only eat what is needed instead of eating unneeded amount of food at the moment of breaking the fast.

Not indulge in a "binge", paraphrasing, but to use that time reflect on the deeper meaning of Ramadan. Prayer, purification, thoughts about those less fortunate, charitable acts, etc.

from dawn until the sun sets

That must be a tough gig for North of the border muslims.

bigblackshed...my comment was merely to imply that there are no restrictions on what we can and cant eat at night nor are there restrictions on how much we can eat, but you are absolutely correct that it shouldn't be seen as a green light to go on a food binge. you should only eat what you are able to and not what you think you can.
the classic mistake is to let your eyes become bigger than your belly and have too much food to eat and then when its not eaten it goes to waste (the complete opposite of what ramadan signifies)

Gonzy think of the good that it is doing for you both spiritually, mentally and physically.

As LONG as you aren't overdoing fat-rich food?

When I've gone without food it gives me an appreciation for food, for my easy access to it and to re-set my assumptions on a wider scale as I start thinking. Physically as it is helps burn off the surplus of you.

That is...as long as you are eating good when you eat again post-fast?

there's no such thing as too much curry so I'd go with that.

Are people really that ignorant to Muslim beliefs ? 😯

Eddie - Your truly are an idiot, just because you do not hold the same beliefs as some one, doesnt mean you shouldn't respect their beliefs

I dont understand why it keeps you off the bike. Finish a ride just as its getting dark. Or going early morning after a big breakfast. I understand it's not ideal and you wont be racing but surely a couple of hours fun is possible.

Gonzy - best wishes mate, my friends have told me how hard it can be at this time of year.

For all the piss-takers, religion aside do you think you're capable of doing it?

Religion aside I think it'd take great inner strength and conviction.

Good luck, gonzy.

Can't believe anyone's knocking it, especially on here. It's a challenge, mental and physical that enables you to find out more about yourself.

Much like plenty that's admired on here: HT550, RAAM, SDW x n, Great Divide etc, etc. plus there's an additional focus on looking outwards as well, to the family, the community, poor in general. (plus god)

Replace a few of the words from gonzy's second paragraph and it could be someone talking about the trancendental benefits of ultra-endurance running.

[i]Are people really that ignorant to Muslim beliefs ?[/i]

Yep, and most of the others too. No RE in my school days.

[i]Eddie - Your truly are an idiot, just because you do not hold the same beliefs as some one, doesnt mean you shouldn't respect their beliefs[/i]

what an utter overreaction - just as offensive as what Eddiebaby said.

Gonzy.

I picked up on the word "can" rather than "need" when in context to food. I admire my friends who observe Ramadan, including the non-Muslims who participate to show moral support.

Good luck.

Edit: Mackem

Giving up the bike for a month isn't because of the physical, more about personal sacrifice to give up those things you find pleasurable so to be able to focus on the spiritual.

Are you allowed (is 'allowed' the correct term?) to drink water if your profession means you need to be physically active?

What about if you're a professional driver? Is it better to switch to driving at night?

It sounds tricky to me, I reckon I'd forget and accidentally make a cup of tea on autopilot in the morning. 😆

Ramadan mubarak! 🙂

gonzy - Member

we abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours only...we can eat and drink as much as we can when its night time....if we were in Scandinavia we'd be screwed!

I've often wondered, why don't you just work to Mecca day light hours or something like that? Fair play to you though, being on the chunky side, I personally stuggle with not eating for more than 3 hours! 😆

China's not keen on the whole thing:

http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/china-bans-ramadan-fasting-in-mainly-muslim-xinjiang-region_1615599.html

I admire your beleif in your faith. Some of us lot could do with a bit of that rubbing off on us.

However I'd never choose to do what you are doing. To me it seems restrictive and prohibitive. I see the mental toughness coming through, but this time of year the Suns out and we should make the most of it whilst we can.
For that reason I'd fail.

Good luck.

Ramalamadingdong in June. That's tough, dude. I think most on here could do with a abstention of talking shite for 30 days.

That must be a tough gig for North of the border muslims.

in london they will break their fasts around 9.20pm, in the midlands it will be around 9.30pm, in the northwest its at 9.40pm. for those north of the border 10.05pm.

the saudis will be breaking their fast at 7.05pm. but those in scandinavia (Helsinki 10.49pm)(Oslo 10.40pm)

You might be pleased to hear that there is a movement amongst certain British Muslims to get the fasting times brought in line with Saudi Arabia, so that people in northern hemispheres don't have to suffer as long as they do. Mind you, in a few years Ramadan will fall in midwinter, won't it?

The more I learn about Islam the more parallels I see with Roman Catholicism, another religion which until quite recently gave you all the rules for life and required extreme adherence including fasting, though admittedly only for 12 hours before receiving communion.

Wouldn't it be better to link it to Mecca sun up and down?
That would even it out for those in the southern hemisphere.
Last year one of our staff had their doctor faint on them due to fasting.
I hope pilots and surgeons can opt out.

Presumably you don't live in the Arctic Circe if you're an observant Muslim? Or you come up with a pragmatic view of intent behind the words in the Qur'an and use sunrise and sunset for that day in e.g. Mecca?

Edit: what they said. pretty much. Slow at typing.

I dont understand why it keeps you off the bike. Finish a ride just as its getting dark. Or going early morning after a big breakfast. I understand it's not ideal and you wont be racing but surely a couple of hours fun is possible.

bigblackshed is kind of on the money with his response

Giving up the bike for a month isn't because of the physical, more about personal sacrifice to give up those things you find pleasurable so to be able to focus on the spiritual.

but there is also the other aspect to draw upon that initially we fast for up to 20 hours. by the end of the 30 days this might decrease by at least about 2 hours. even then we'd be looking to be fasting on average of about 18 hours of which 14-15 hours of this will be done while we go about our usual business (unless its Quirrel's mate). at some point it will start to catch up with you and in order to get through it all you need to conserve your energy where possible.
at 38 with 3 kids i aint no spring chicken any more...i should be given that i commute 70 miles per week but i'm going to take the opportunity to be lazy and not ride and enjoy the company of my wife and kids! 😀

Are you allowed (is 'allowed' the correct term?) to drink water if your profession means you need to be physically active?

What about if you're a professional driver? Is it better to switch to driving at night?

exceptions are usually in place for those who are unable to do so for health reasons such as pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women who are at "that time of the month", the elderly and infirm and those who are not of sound mind.
if you are unwell and not physically capable of fasting the same exceptions can be made for you but on the understanding that any days lost will be made up for at another time.
as for those whose professions come into conflict with fasting....its a tough one as it is also understood that you shouldnt put yourself at risk of any harm by fasting.
the algerian football squad was given exemption to play at last years world
cup as were many other muslim players who were also playing. i'm not sure though how many actually took advantage of the exemption.

Good on you for sharing, and good luck with it.

My school was a good 30% Muslim, and I remember friends having a hard time with it, and other friends who ignored it completely on the sly!

Knew a footballer a few years ago who got special permission from his iman for eating on days where he was playing in the champions league in the evening - i suspect the iman supporting the team in question might have had something to do with the permission granted 😀

Do you lose much weight over the course of the month or does the night time food make up for most of it?

You might be pleased to hear that there is a movement amongst certain British Muslims to get the fasting times brought in line with Saudi Arabia, so that people in northern hemispheres don't have to suffer as long as they do. Mind you, in a few years Ramadan will fall in midwinter, won't it?

this has only brought to the medias attention due to the ramblings of Usama Hasan from the Quilliam Foundation. TBH i think Quilliam are a bunch of self serving clowns.
i dont see how it can be applied as when the Saudis get up the begin their fast just before sunrise it wont be the same anywhere else. the same can be applied to breaking the fast at sunset.
i.e. if sunrise is at say 4am in saudi then it will still be 12.30am in the UK so technically not sunrise yet. in the evening at sunset in saudi which will be just after 7pm it will still be light here so again technically we cannot break our fast yet.
by the same token this idea cannot be applied to countries that are ahead of saudi. for example in ****stan it will be around 8am when it will be 4am in saudi so technically if they start their fast at that time in line with the saudis their fast will e invalid as they have begun their fast after the sun has risen.
it just wont work. you have to adhere to the rules of fasting and apply them to your geographical location taking into account local time/light conditions...which is rather unfortunate if you're stuck in the north pole!

FunkyDunc - Member
Are people really that ignorant to Muslim beliefs ?
Eddie - Your truly are an idiot, just because you do not hold the same beliefs as some one, doesnt mean you shouldn't respect their beliefs

Sorry, no respect for religion here. At best a childish need to find a reason for ' Why...?' At worst a control system where you blindly obey because of the threats of what will happen in the case of non-observance.
Gods in general come across as total a'holes.
'Kill me a virgin or your crops will die!'

Do you lose much weight over the course of the month or does the night time food make up for most of it?

last year my weight stayed pretty much the same as we enforced a healthy eating regime in our house.
in previous years i've actually gained weight due to eating the wrong foods and sleeping on a full belly.
hopefully this year will go the same way as last year

Sorry, no respect for religion here. At best a childish need to find a reason for ' Why...?' At worst a control system where you blindly obey because of the threats of what will happen in the case of non-observance.
Gods in general come across as total a'holes.
'Kill me a virgin or your crops will die!'

It all sounds a bit controlling to me. I wouldn't like to be told when me and my family can eat at all.

But each to their own, good luck with it.

I've not been asked for my opinion on religion but neither have alot of ^^^^ on this topic.

I don't believe in organised religions but I do believe there is something there. I don't look down on anyone who chooses a name to their faith but I don't like it when bands of random men with ulterior motives do things and say its in the name of God(s will). It isn't. He doesn't talk to you.

For me the Poet Jalaluddin Rumi's one line says it all for me:

I then looked into my heart and it was there
where He dwelled that I saw Him; He was
nowhere else to be found.

that's three lines

I wouldn't like to be told when me and my family can eat at all.

there are people who suffer this on a daily basis all over the world, through no choice of their own. fasting helps us to understand their plight more and helps us to appreciate some of the things we take for granted such as clean drinking water.
during Ramadan we are expected to increase our charitable giving (as charity is one the the 5 pillars of Islam) and whilst fasting and trying to understand the daily suffering of those less fortunate than ourselves, we find ourselves more compelled to try and help them financially.
if you think that is controlling then fair enough...but to me i think its a small sacrifice for me to pay to feel a small portion of the suffering felt by those less fortunate

that's three lines

but I don't like it when bands of random men with ulterior motives do things and say its in the name of God(s will). It isn't. He doesn't talk to you.

who does Hora? apart from similarly minded individuals or those who have been naively fooled into believing their warped ideology....thankfully these types of people are still in the minority although i would prefer if there were none who held this belief/attitude.

as for your earlier question on food Hora...we'll do our best to avoid the greasy kebabs this year, the same as last year. we've enforced a healthy eating policy during ramadan and this will also include plenty of foods with high carbohydrate content/slow release energy. any rich and spicy food such as kebabs etc will still be consumed but on a more infrequent basis and even then they will be cooked in the healthiest way possible.

i love the poem you took that excerpt out of. its one of my favourite poems by him...

Allah

I tried to find Him on the Christian cross, but He
was not there; I went to the Temple of the
Hindus and to the old pagodas, but I could not
find a trace of Him anywhere.

I searched on the mountains and in the valleys
but neither in the heights nor in the depths was I
able to find Him. I went to the Ka'bah in Mecca,
but He was not there either.

I questioned the scholars and philosophers but
He was beyond their understanding.

I then looked into my heart and it was there
where He dwelled that I saw Him; He was
nowhere else to be found.

Only one other poem has had a strong effect on me- that was Wilfred Owens Dulce Et Decorum Est that my English teacher read out at school. It made me cry.

Jalaluddin Rumi's conversely makes me very happy.

during Ramadan we are expected to increase our charitable giving (as charity is one the the 5 pillars of Islam)

Not trolling honest ! Will the fighting die down in Syria as they will all be too worn out or do they get special dispensation?

^ not trolling 😆

You know what, good question....

Im NO expert but Im guessing a Mufti or Iman probably gives direction on spiritual matters and allows special circumstances like battle to take precedent.

Will the fighting die down in Syria as they will all be too worn out or do they get special dispensation?

i dont class them as muslims

update:
yesterday was fine....felt really easy considering it was effectively the longest one to keep (todays will a few a few minutes shorter)
we cooked too much but that was deliberate...needed to see how much food we actually did eat so we have a better idea of how much food to make for the following days

i actually ate that much that i couldnt move properly and it hurt when i breathed in.
even now i still feel severely bloated, sat at my desk...but i dont feel hungry of thirsty

one thing i do desire is the need to go somewhere private so i can let off the almighty fart that is brewing in my bowels... 😯

gonzy - Member

Will the fighting die down in Syria as they will all be too worn out or do they get special dispensation?

i dont class them as muslims

The world need more of your disposition, is farting classed as a pleasure for Ramadan?

Gonzy - I like your narrative style, now go release the pressure!

is farting classed as a pleasure for Ramadan?

It nullifies wudu, that much I know.

Hey Gonzy, sorry for being my usual ahole. Best of luck with the month. I spent a lot of time in Egypt and N Africa watching people cope with the stress of fasting.
I have trouble giving up biscuits for month let alone a more serious change to my calorie régime.

I really fail to understand why we are meant to 'respect' people who have pre-enlightenment ideas, misogynistic attitudes to women, secret friends in their heart, irrational dietary requirements. If, for example, it was an Irishman who had these characteristics, would he be heralded in the same way as by some in these columns? Or would he simply be seen as ill-educated, chauvinist and superstitious? I do wonder.

I really fail to understand why we are meant to 'respect' people who have pre-enlightenment ideas, misogynistic attitudes to women, secret friends in their heart, irrational dietary requirements.

You are entitled to think whatever you want to think, just preferably avoid being insulting about other peoples religious and cultural beliefs.

And as for your weird analogy with an Irishman why would it be different ? Although you don't say it but assuming your Irishman isn't Muslim why wouldn't you respect a similar act of self-denial ? Always satisfying your personal desires isn't particularly impressive imo.

How's it going gonzy ?

If Mickey Mouse was the prophet would everyone still be respecting a posters beliefs?
Where's David Icke when you need him.. David are you on the forum somewhere? ('paging on the forum' rules waived for this one..surely!)

Real Fasting is tough Gonzy, perhaps you should try it some time. :0)

You are entitled to think whatever you want to think

just preferably avoid being insulting about other peoples (sic) religious and cultural beliefs

I haven't got a clue what you're talking about.

It nullifies wudu, that much I know.

Hey Gonzy, sorry for being my usual ahole. Best of luck with the month. I spent a lot of time in Egypt and N Africa watching people cope with the stress of fasting.
I have trouble giving up biscuits for month let alone a more serious change to my calorie régime.

I really fail to understand why we are meant to 'respect' people who have pre-enlightenment ideas, misogynistic attitudes to women, secret friends in their heart, irrational dietary requirements. If, for example, it was an Irishman who had these characteristics, would he be heralded in the same way as by some in these columns? Or would he simply be seen as ill-educated, chauvinist and superstitious? I do wonder.

How's it going gonzy ?

its going well Ernie...thanks for asking.
i can usually kill time at work as i have my mind occupied whilst doing my job...but it becomes harder when i'm at home over the weekend. i really do feel for my wife as she's stuck at home on maternity leave and doesnt go back to work until september.
yesterday was supposed to be difficult as it was the longest day but it didnt feel any more different than the previous days. i managed to keep my mind occupied with doing little jobs around the house.
it was bloody fathers day as well....didnt even get to enjoy breakfast in bed form the kids...so i cashed that unused chip in with the wife and was allowed to carry out a full strip down and rebuild of the bikes instead.

Real Fasting is tough Gonzy, perhaps you should try it some time. :0)

I do marvel at your combination of sometimes socialist arguments, the love of monarchy and respect for religion. You never do know what's coming next.

Its commonly known as the ability to think 😉

http://www.mkweb.co.uk/RAMADAN-did-MKWeb-s-Bulman-cope-fasting-day/story-26788526-detail/story.html

just preferably avoid being insulting about other peoples (sic) religious and cultural beliefs

I take it you're arguing here the case for Winchean cultural relativism, an approach which I view as reactionary and defeatist.

so yesterday was day 15...the halfway point.
the hours of fasting arent getting much shorter but the body is now fully used to running on no food and water for 18 hours.
however this spate of hot weather isnt helping...yesterdays 8 mile bus journey took over 90 minutes in what felt like an industrial sized oven on wheels....
forget 1 month off the bike...i'm getting back on from monday onwards!!

Month off the ride. I'm currently sitting in Orlando int airport . Flying back uk tomo and I've been dying to ride some muddy green trails for near 2 weeks !!!!!!!!!

so yesterday was day 15...the halfway point.

No way......really ? So quick, how time flies - feels like just a few days ago when Ramadan kicked off 🙂

I have nothing good to say so I'm not going to say a thing.

A month off through choice, rather than illness or injury, isn't going to set you back much unless riding at a high level. Just be glad you can get back out soon.

A month off through choice, rather than illness or injury, isn't going to set you back much unless riding at a high level. Just be glad you can get back out soon.

it does with me though...i've already lost half a stone in body weight. bloody belt needs to be on tighter to keep the pants up now!!
the weight loss usually is a good thing, but i'd already reached my target weight of 10.5st prior to Ramadan so this summer i'll be looking to add that weight back on.

well the bike commute didnt happen today...as much as i wanted to it was a no-goer due to a damaged hamstring...looks like i'll be off the bike for a bit longer than planned/expected 😥

update: down to the last 10 days....always the toughest but they're also the most enjoyable for some reason.

update: now on the last stretch. today could potentially be the last day i have fast. depending on the moon sighting tomorrow will be the end of ramadan marked by Eid celebrations of i'll be fasting tomorrow and celebrating Eid on Saturday.

for some reason its felt very easy this time around...i thought 18 hours of no eating and drinking would be tougher.

the hamstring wasnt as badly damaged as initially thought so i was able to ride in all this week...has been pretty easy...only being 5 minutes slower either way.

body feels good now that its had a full detox...but i've lost over half a stone in weight...not happy!

still gives me the perfect excuse to start munching next week on whatever i need to put the weight back on again...i can even have a few naughty kebabs too!! 😀

Nice one. Well done.