Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Biking - the downside....

What do you find the most dis-spiriting i.e. the most likely thing to stop you going out for a ride?

Number one must be the weather, and mine is sorta connected...getting all the kit on.

Doing all the zips and fastners up, making sure your sleeves are tucked into your gloves, pants are over your boots etc. storing all the essentials, e.g card for gas, breakdown/recovery numbers, documents, shades,mobile phone etc. after that getting on the bike and pulling away is a dream.....and all the hassel is forgotten !

I ride to work every day. Getting the kit on consists of pulling the riding pants on over the Dockers, slipping the riding boots on (after going stocking foot into the garage), slipping the jacket on, ear plugs, helmet and go. Rain means putting an additional jacket and pants on. The helmet is always wired to a chatterbox (intercom/transceiver) and satellite radio.

For thousand mile multi-day trips a few tools (that I really don't think I'd use) go into one of the saddle bags, some clothes in a bag, and off I go. No trouble at all.

The only downside is when it snows and I can't ride.

Other than that, it's never too much trouble to ride.

I've always said no matter how bad I'm feeling, once I hit second gear I'm smiling.

Riding in the rain's not a whole lot of fun, but as long as the traffic's not too heavy and you have decnt gear it's got it's own sort of pleasure. Like JJ I ride to work, and everywhere else since I don't have a car. Realistically tho, even a bad day on the bike is better than a good day doing most other things.

Mostly just loading up my gear. Some of it won't fit in the saddle bags (work stuff) so I strap it on the back. I really should get a backpack.

No downs at all, unless I'm sitting around in my shorts and have to put on pants & boots. I'll do that in a heartbeat, though.

Riding in the rain is like taking swimming lessons. If you fell in the water and had never had any, you would have a hard time learning on the spot. Though we get our share of rain here, it often falls while I'm still on the job, or when I don't have anywhere to go. But when I do, and it is raining, I look forward to it, really. With the proper kit on, the only downside (in the Summer here anyway), is getting so hot inside the rain gear. I'm going to be wet anyway! The bike is fine in the wet, thanks to the Metzlers, and I see pretty well - always wear my polarized Oakleys to cut the glare. I would forego the suit, and have, if it's just a one-way trip back home, but the boots get wet if I can't keep the rain from coming in the tops of them. All in all, the opportunities to ride in the rain are rare, and a good chance to practice.

Swimming lessons.

The weather is definitley number one. I don't care for the rain.

I have to go work in Seattle all this week. Was planning on taking the bike, but have changed my mind. It is suppose to rain Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Plus, I will be staying in a hotel all week too. So, safety is an issue.

Normally I ride to work everyday, unless the weather is bad or I have to run errands during lunch that I would neeed the car.

Soren

When I'm on call, (not going to happen anymore! ) it's a PITA packing the laptop into my bags well enough that it will survive the trip to the train station.

Well , actually, getting the gear on is not to bad if you "just throw it on" and the weather ? nope, it is raining today,,just chose to ride the fairinged bike (TROPHY) but what always STOPS my riding pleasure is SEX, yep, I said it, SEX... when the wifey is in the mood then the bikes stay parked.....

Yep... that would keep the bike parked!

Hurricanes keep me off the bike, and real bad thunderstorms. (Florida is the state with the most lightning related deaths in the United States!) I don't mind riding in the rain since it rains almost every afternoon. I carry a rainsuit, but it is so dang hot that I try not to wear it unless it is pouring. I carry some tools and my phone (but nothing like bonnyusa in Ft. Lauderdale). I ride my bike to work every day and try to avoid driving my car as much as possible. Sex would definitely guarantee a parked bike!!

the down side to bikeing for me is rideing 200 miles to see my brother, to find he is out for the day!!! shoulda phoned him 1st!!!, but mind you that just gives me tho oppertunity to have a ride around the country roads untill he gets home!!. the only other down side i can think of is the price of fuel in the uk!you are a lucky lot in the usa!

About the only thing that'll keep me off is lightning, maybe wind over 50 mph. But they usually go together anyway.

The last month it has over 100 degree everyday. That is sure keeping me off the bike during the afternoons. Hottest August on record. When it gets into the 50's I'll be bitching about the cold weather.

Not really a "downside", just running out of places to go...Here it is Monday morning (I'm off work Sunday and Monday), and have been trying to think of somewhere to ride to....basically "been there, done that", would have already been gone by now....

for me here in Tucson there is no downside. Other than occasional rain in season.

Otherwise I insert key in ignition, start bike and ride into the rising sun or sunset depending on the time of day. I spend zero time in preaparations. No more so than I would if I were to jump into my truck for a commute.

I do tend to use my extended index finger as a token of inaudible communication somewhat more than when driving my truck but otherwise its a breeze.

For me the biggest downside is having to fill up with fuel every two days.

Wish I could get 400 miles to a tank