ALL THE REASONS WHY

Recently, an article I was reading in a cycling magazine grabbed my attention.  It was all about the "why?"  Why do you ride your bike?  I read on as people from all over the country chimed in and shared their own personal "why."  It really got me thinking about all the reasons why I ride.  Narrowing it down to one thing...one overriding reason as to WHY I love to ride my bike...has proven difficult.  Some reasons why, like overall health, have been a constant and others, like training for races, have ceased to be important to me.


Enjoying the view at the top of Baughman Trail from Baughman Rock Overlook in Ohiopyle State Park. -- June 13, 2017
I have this internal desire to ride my bike all of the time.  My brain is always trying to find a time slot in the day for me to turn the pedals.  Just this morning, prior to coming to school, I was in the rain putting my bike in the back of my truck, with the optimistic feeling that the weather would clear and the trails at Rocky Ridge would be open at 3PM.  But that "internal desire" doesn't answer the "why" question.  So, I sat down and made a list of all the reasons I ride...hoping to come up with a theme.  The list looks like this...

-Riding my bike makes me happy.
-Riding my bike keeps me focused.
-Riding my bike helps me to explore and enjoy nature.
-Riding my bike keeps me from getting too fat.
-Riding my bike allows me to enjoy time alone.
-Riding my bike allows me to enjoy time with friends.

I know I missed a few...but just creating that small list brings into focus the bigger "WHY."  It's clear that I ride my bike because it positively affects me both mentally and physically.  Cool...but what about my biking friends?  I wondered what their "WHY" was and I asked them to complete this sentence:

"I ride my bike to..."  


Here are their responses in the order in which I received them.  Thanks to all of my friends and family who helped me out with this one.  Enjoy!

MIKE ALESSANDRONI

Mike Alessandroni riding at the Gettysburg National Military Park. -- August 3, 2016


"...experience freedom." 
 




JAY ZECH

Jay Zech at the conclusion of the Cradle of Liberty Adventure Race. -- June 28, 2009.


"...be more happy."




MATT LINNANE

Matt Linnane in riding in Michaux State Forest. -- August 15, 2017


"...to push my body and to work out OUTSIDE.  Oh...and I ride to pick up chicks, they love the spandex!"




MARK LENTZ

Hanging out and riding the trails around Camp Tuckahoe with my fellow homo sapien, Mark Lentz. --  February 3, 2018


"...to have fun, hang out with other homo sapiens, and to be by myself."




TIM SINDLINGER

Tim Sindlinger doing his best to avoid "cabin fever" by riding at Rocky Ridge County Park. -- October 14, 2016


"...to escape the indoors!  I catch cabin fever easily and I don't handle it well."




ROBIN RAYMOND

On  a ride with my beautiful wife, Robin, in West Palm Beach, Florida. -- December 1, 2017


"...for the pure joy I experienced in my youth--the freedom, the wind on my face, and the thrill of a downhill ride."




CHRIS KELLER

David Raymond and Chris Keller riding in Swatara State Park. -- April 7, 2018


"...exercise, relieve stress, and hang out with cool people."




MIKE ALICEA

Mike Alicea in Michaux State Forest. -- June 14, 2014


"...relieve stress.  When riding my mind is clear and the trails are wide.  In that moment, I leave behind the bustle of daily life."




ALEX RAYMOND

Alex Raymond riding his bike through Point State Park in Pittsburgh, PA. -- October 2017

"...to get from point A to point B...it's a fun way to do so.  It's a lot more challenging than driving and far more exciting because you have more time to think to yourself and get an awesome workout.  It also gives me the opportunity to sing to myself because I know that no one on the road will hear me."



Why do Mark and I ride?  So we can get back into shape! Mark Lentz and David Raymond at the Lakes. -- April 13, 2018



Life is a journey...not a destination.



David A. Raymond -- April 27, 2018
What is your "WHY?"  Feel free to post it in the comments below.  


One of the biggest reasons I ride is so that I don't feel so guilty going out for a deep-fried PBJ at Todd Conners in Fells Point, Maryland!  Left to right:  David M. Raymond, David A. Raymond, Robin Raymond, & Mary Jane Raymond -- April 21, 2018

Here are the GARMIN maps and data from a few of the rides featured in this post.   Happy riding!













Interested in biking or hiking some of the trails featured in this post?  Check out the TRAIL MAPS and TRAIL HEADS tabs on the ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM website.   

All of my posts are available at ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM and, if you get the chance, be sure to visit the good folks at YOURTRUENATURE.COM and PA PARKS and FORESTS FOUNDATION.

"WRITE SOMETHING WORTH READING OR DO SOMETHING WORTH WRITING..." Ben Franklin

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