Hey folks! Welcome to join me on a little mid-week 45 miler in my local Pennine hills, setting up some stunning views and descents along the way!
Cycling can take up a fair bit of our time and attention (not to mention disposable income!) and so I wondered out loud (a bit!) on this ride if the sacrifices are worth it?
Perhaps no prizes for guessing my own conclusions! Stay safe and happy cycling!
22 Comments
Thanks Martin…great video and you're absolutely right..i was going to have a ride out this afternoon but was thinking of all sorts of reasons not to but im taking your advise after watching this video and just going to saddle up and go explore the outskirts of Preston and back!!:👍
When in trouble, head for the hills.
you've got your priorities straight. That's for sure.
one of the dangers of road cycling is the tendency to become obsessive. I have had a balance of cycling and hiking this summer.
Must admit I don't see the cycling as a sacrifice, I see it as an investment in my health and wellbeing which benefits all the family not just me.
I used to play golf and that didn't deliver in the same way, little fitness benefit and very time heavy to play a round a couple of times a week. So I gave that up and don't really miss it.
Been cycling all those roads all my life, still do occasionally and I'm 70 now. All that traffic reminded me why the road bike doesn't get out much and the gravel bike is my main ride these days, I much prefer gravel and cycle paths. I presume you no about the old railway path between Rochdale and Bacup ? Much quiter than the road. Great film.
A very interesting question. I decided a year ago that I was going to do structured training in 2024 to enable me to knock 31 seconds off a PB on a local hill climb. I changed my diet, so I ate 6 times a day, I stopped drinking any alcohol and have barely done a group ride all year. The hill climb is tomorrow, but it looks like like it'll be into a block headwind, so it's likely that I won't beat my 4 minute target. Yes, I've trained all year to do a climb in 4 minutes and the wind is likely to thwart me. Don't know what I'll feel like tomorrow but, at the moment, it feels like I have sacrificed too much!
Martin,
To balance the benefits and fun and danger.
You've got it right.
Sometimes I think a mountain bike or good gravel bike would be best, getting away from cars.
Of course then we would have wolves, cougars, rattlesnakes and Bears… but still safer than traffic.
Maybe with a pistol, bear spray and a friend.
I love your videos, thanks for taking the time to bring us along.
Cycling is like any hobby, it can become addictive, moderation is the key to most things. Cycling can be expensive, if you can afford it then that's ok, it's not worth getting into debt for
It's always good to get out on the bike i got rid of my car my bike is my only strands port cycling everyday now and i am retired plenty of time now.
Cycling these days is good for the old ticker as well as a stress relief. None of my parents' or grandparents' generations were physically very active by the time they were my age (in their 70's, and some never got that far). I used to run regularly until I had tendon surgery done on one of my ankles some 20 years ago, so cycling is a great alternative for cardio health. In my elder years, I have to be careful to get sufficient recovery between rides or risk injury. I wish bicycles were not so expensive right now.
Lovely video Martin, and with some deep thinking going on with subject of sacrificing other things to get your exercise/outdoor fix. Main concern being how patient and understanding is your wife/partner ? In the early days your both in training for each other relationship wise and testing each others patient's and so it all takes time to get used to. But i believe to some degree we owe it to ourselves to get out and about but get the balance right and make up for any neglect very well, so keep on cycling !
Cheerful as always.
First time here. Really enjoyed the video, including the musings 👍
Great video! Had a very similar moment in my life where I changed direction. I sailed, mainly dinghies on the Dee estuary. I found it very time consuming, dictated by weather conditions and tide there was never a degree of flexibility. Loved the sensory experience of being out on the water, completely immersed in the environment. Think the parallel to cycling, for me is the solitude. Lot to be said about having time out 😀
It can be stressful
I love feeling like im the rider. Good angle. I can never get the right angle when i film
Always take extra contact lenses
Fantastic film and rideout in our calderdale Martin well done.
I to enjoy the thrill of a fast decent! I often wonder what would be the result if I came off at such a speed!
Im 59 on oct 8th,bought a 250w ebike kit for my bike two weeks ago.felt like a bit of a fraud at first and realy put off getiing it but im afraid my knees just couldnt take it any more.I cant ever see myself not riding a bike and i did 100 miles in the last two weeks.Glad i did it?yes i am.
Fantastic video, I love that route out of Bacup towards Burnley. Beast of a climb but the view makes it all worth it. The sheer amount of landmarks you can see from the top is incredible.
Also that descent from Crown Point is a little too much fun.