Riding your bike instead of racing it?

[Jacques@ACT]

I have recently moved back to SA after being away for a very long time. One thing I have noticed is that it seems most people don't ride their bikes, but it looks like they racing the whole time.

 

To give you an example, I cycled from Blouberg to the waterfront in Cape Town and back one sunday morning. We had a nice pleasent ride, stopping on the way to have an apple or a quick drink of water, and just enjoying the scenery. Everyone else coming past looked like they were on this mission to get to the end destination as soon as possible, forgetting to actually enjoy where they are.

 

Is this just the general mindest of cyclist here? Maybe im just different, having cycled as a tourer through some countries and cycling as a tourist.

 

Very interesting to see how different it seems here in cape town, or was that just an incorrect observation?

[camelman]

That was the first thing my wife noted when going to SA. Everything seems to be a race. There are the exceptions of course, but in general terms that seems to be the case. I do like racing, but have also come to enjoy just riding in nature, enjoying the company of friends and being healthy. Maybe it stems from the fact that commuting on a bike SA is not huge, but that biking is a sport and that creates the competition. Before coming to Europe that's all I knew and it took a while to get out of Lycra and into the baggies and backpack mode.

[johannrissik]

You are quite correct.

Simply riding a bicycle for the fun of it is frowned upon. This can be seen when one observes the intense competition for places 33517 and 33518 at the Annual Funride Championships

 

There are a few places where it is tolerated, but you need to know the secret handshake.

[BrandonF_]

Straaaaaaavaaaaaaaa

[GlockG4]

In general, in SA, cycling is a sport, not really a means of transport. When most get on the bike they are training and not just simply out to enjoy the scenery.

[TonyC]

I do a lot of races, actually I do all the races possible within a reasonable distance in Gauteng and surrounding provinces and I do them for fun, I don't compete as my feeling is that's for the pro's, I am not a pro, I ride to finish and don't race to win. That being said there are plenty of people who race to win but never will but for some reason think they can and are annoying, overtaking in non overtake zones causing others to fall or better yet, themselves. However you do it, if its for fun or competitively it must be enjoyed or whats the point.

[Letum911]

Straaaaaaavaaaaaaaa

You sir are correct!!

 

Also I think many people ride for training, the enjoyment is the reason why they picked cycling. Runners like running, but in most cases running is the instrument they use for training (same goes for cycling, swimming and gym). We train in the mornings, so we ride as hard as we can, but every now and again we go for a fun ride.

 

It might also be a time thing, if you only have 2 hours you have to have to choose whether you want to train or chill

[Shebeen]

Playing the race card, always gets messy

[DirtyDan]

Such ignorant folk you lot. Surely you must know by now that in South Africa it's all about flaunting how big your cycling balls are!

[Letum911]

Such ignorant folk you lot. Surely you must know by now that in South Africa it's all about flaunting how big your cycling balls are!

Or wheels...

[BarHugger]

I do a lot of races, actually I do all the races possible within a reasonable distance in Gauteng and surrounding provinces and I do them for fun, I don't compete as my feeling is that's for the pro's, I am not a pro, I ride to finish and don't race to win. That being said there are plenty of people who race to win but never will but for some reason think they can and are annoying, overtaking in non overtake zones causing others to fall or better yet, themselves. However you do it, if its for fun or competitively it must be enjoyed or whats the point.

+1

 

This weekend it was the Magoebaskloof Classic.......and there where quite a few people that raced. It is actually a pitty to be in such an environment and all you see is a few metres in front of you and missing the whole enviroment, surroundings and atmosphere. Not chasing time or looking for that elusive ego fertiliser is a different mindset.......focussing just on racing is sometimes void from the enjoyment and fun factor. I am not saying not to race, but some people just take it to the extreme......sometimes with detrimental consequences to themselves and the people around them......or the environment makes you realise that you are not a racer when your performance turns to survival mode.

 

There was a VERY SERIOUS incident this weekend where a rider completely misjudged a situation in the race........his racing will be on hold for the next six months or so. Pushing the limits on a section that is clearly dangerous, and where speed is not your friend.

 

Everytime one gets on a bike it should be to enjoy a ride.......and if the ride went well with some added speed......hey, then it was a good race.......and next time will be even more enjoyable. Trying to be the main peanut in a packet of smarties usually does not work. It is about having fun, enjoying life, interacting with fellow riders and appreciating the privilege to be physically active

[Chro Mo]

Just ride what you want, as you want, when you want and how you want.

 

Respect each other and the rules of the road.

 

Enjoy your bike - for most of us it's the only place we are truly happy (except for family time) - you know what I mean.

[rudi-h]

It could be the general tendency but I dont see the problem or why here is so much critisizm around racing. All of us are grownups and can choose how we would like to ride our bikes when we get the time. If somebody chooses to race balls to the wall and not look around and enjoy his ride, its his choice, his loss or whatever he thinks it it.

 

It should also be mentioned that how much you enjoy cycling is to a large extent dependent on your fitness and also your level of skill (mtb). If you go for chilled cruises all of the time, you will never get strong and will not be able to ride, nevermind enjoy longer, more demanding or technically difficult rides. Once again it boils down to preference.

[Nil]

Straaaaaaavaaaaaaaa

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

I was wheelsucking in the middle of a pack in the west coast express and I found it irritating with all these bikers squeezing to get in front of me just to continue wheelsucking. If you going to push through then go help out in front, cos essentially you not putting me in the hurtbox nor are you going to win, just chill. (ps. I was kaput, hence wheelsucking).

 

I ride at times as if I am going to win, I try to beat my Strava segments all the time, but I never compromise the safety and enjoyment of other riders. Oh and other times I just chill, mix bag

[Eppie]

I ride the Blouberg to Cape Town route regularly as my training ride. I still manage to take in the sun, sea and mountain. I do respect the space of all other commuters on the route greeting each person that I pass. I have recently bought myself an old school Bianchi so maybe soon I will start taking a slow ride to town and stop for a coke somewhere.