just come back from rubbish boring night ride just outside London and haven’t been in the hills for months…

remind me why we do this?

get a new/different riding buddy,
spices things up no end IME.
or go down a slightly familiar trail with crap/no lights on.
or only one brake.
or take the bike abroad on a cheap deal, see some new terrain.
hth.

Didnt click thats all.

I dont get out nearly enough. Stole 90 minutes to have a pootle in the woods the other day and had a blast. No expectations of the ride and depressed about to tiny time window at the start and beaming at the end 🙂

Never had a bad ride solo. Sometimes riding partners can put pressure on you to do stuff you dont want to do and your ride is not so good…

just come back from rubbish boring night ride just outside London and haven’t been in the hills for
Says it all really.

Ah, I see it didn’t take long for the “London is awful” comment to arrive. So, in response to the OP;

We ride because of;
Freewheeling in the winter sun
The sense of freedom
Space
Time to think
Fun
Friendship
Challenges
Excitement
Health
Danger
Laughter
and so many more.

It’s all good! No matter where you ride.

Mountain biking is sex. When its great, its really f***ing great.

When its not so great, its still pretty awesome.

huh. i know why i ride. no idea why you do though.

well I guess that was part of the point of my post…

In the old days it was all about getting cold, wet and muddy with my mates and then the beers in the pub afterwards mocking each others general inability to ride.

And now it’s turned into ‘getting the miles in’ to stay fit in the hopes that one day I might get back out in the hills soon

Ah, I see it didn’t take long for the “London is awful” comment to arrive. So, in response to the OP;
Did I or did i not say ‘London is awful’?
Yes or no?

You’ve lost the passion for it man,
Maybe it’s time for a new steed?
Or new riding mates?
Or different hills.
Or how about a skills course like a Great Rock type thing, might re-awaken the inner bike soul?

for the bolt, for the buzz and for the sheer fookoffness of it all 🙂

to look at fit womens’ bums obviously 🙂

find new friends to bike with…good friends to share good times…
take a hip flask…
some sweets…
a camera to record the moment…
a spare tube and quick link too… 😉
cherish every ride…alot of folk would love to, but cant do what we do…

Ride your trails the other way round?

Sometimes helps me when I get bored of riding a particular place…

Because hitting a great bit of singletrack is one of the best feelings in the world.

for the scenery
to enjoy the elements
to see the seasons
to immerse yourself in a different zone
for the buzz
for the feeling
for the rush
to make friends

remind me why we do this?

I don’t! I took up running and enjoy that much more now. I went down to the Surrey Hills for the first time this year a few weeks ago, didn’t enjoy it really, would have prefered to be running. But mtbing changed for me in the same way it did for you when I had kids. I had kids and it was about getting out when I could, running seems to tick this box in a much bigger way.

Maybe I’m a freak, but at least I don’t have to hand around with kit whores all the time now.., 😉

in the hills above hope in the peak distict a couple of weeks ago. If the sun comes out on a ride i take a couple of pics to remind myself why i love it

well it’s not for money or female attention that’s for sure.

others have put it more eloquently than me but i’ll put mine down.

to enjoy the smell of the roots and the fresh air
to feel the freedom and forget about all the shit
have no expectations of the impending ride
keep in touch with good riding friends that are great fun around (as they are few)
if you like the bike, stick with it
avoid the poseurs
enjoy your own company
be grateful you can enjoy your bike and the freedom it affords you.

For days like this. You have to get out there adn do it and withut the bad days you don’t get the good ones

Tandem leaving Fealar Lodge by paul.newman4279, on Flickr

And a bit of this sort of sillyness

east lothian ride with Bruce 134 by sharki2, on Flickr

Aperrot – Is that just off the Roman Road?

rumbledethumps- yes it is. Was my first ride in the peaks, will definitely be heading back soon

chuffing nora aperrot! – mind if i nick that shot for my own gratification?

Coming down Barry Knows Best this afternoon. Just in control – as much air as a muppet like me can take. Priceless. And a damn sight closer to London than to where I live.

MTBing clears my head completely of all the other crap

If you want to go to the hills – just do it.

awhiles- you’re welcome to