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Gold Country Cyclist: [Sticky] "What makes for a great ride?"

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- CommentAuthor Gold Country Cycling
- CommentTimeJan 6th 2009 edited
My favorite rides cover a variety of terrain, ascend long climbs, have fast flats, are scenic and provide a destination that can be shared with friends.

What aspects make up your favorite rides?

www.goldcountrycycling.com
- CommentAuthor dlcohen
- CommentTimeJan 8th 2009
Hm. Well, in no particular order, here is what constitutes a Great Ride, to me: - no wind, (or out & back tailwinds only!!!) - no flats or mechanicals - HILLS HILLS AND MORE HILLS! - smooooooooth road surfaces - no traffic lights, and as few cars to deal with as possible - long, safe, clean, fast descents - good company, or even no company, which is okay too - no pain aside from the usual aches associated with an awesome long ride - a hot post ride shower, and a well deserved cocktail
- CommentAuthor sblanch6
- CommentTimeJan 8th 2009
Wildlife, such as deer or heron, no accidents, and what made my ride great today was the brunette on another bicycle smiling and saying hello.
- CommentAuthor jawa9000
- CommentTimeJan 9th 2009
Smooth roads, good mix of hills and flats, good rest stops, no traffic, scenic and no flat tires!
- CommentAuthor aubeasty
- CommentTimeJan 12th 2009
When others acknowledge my hello, great weather, no problems, the cooldown/shower afterwards, knowing that it's done something good for me.
- CommentAuthor parmy
- CommentTimeJan 21st 2009
Courteous drivers that don't come so close they drive you into the dirt on roadsides! Nice weather, tail winds, hills that aren't so steep you have to stand and pedal, great variety of scenery, smooth flat roads, equipment that doesn't fail, my iPod not going flat whilst out on the ride and most of all the feeling when accomplished another distance goal!!
- CommentAuthor eamuscatuli33
- CommentTimeJan 28th 2009
No dogs!
- CommentAuthor dbikekc01
- CommentTimeFeb 2nd 2009
Favorite rides are filled with a whole host of ingredients. Riding, like life, is best when shared with someone else - the more, the merrier! The gear, the route, the pace, the pain, the food and the weather can all influence your overall experience, but suffice to say, the best of each are what everyone hopes for every time we leave a starting point. For me, being outside, with only a destination as the goal and the love of riding are all I really need. However, the scenery is what I like taking in the most. Riding with my head-down, staring at the pavement, is not what I call exciting. To sum it up, my perfect ride would be through a calendar photo location, with a slight tailwind and all the time in the world to take it all in. Ahhhhhhh - paradise!
- CommentAuthor texdoc77
- CommentTimeMay 20th 2009
I am pretty easy to please....

1. No cars

2. No wind

Me vs. whatever terrain mother nature throws my way (as long as no wind, see #1) That's it.
- CommentAuthor newcyclist
- CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009
smooth road :) good drivers, no huge climbs, company preffered, good scenery
- CommentAuthor sblanch6
- CommentTimeJun 9th 2009
After my spill a couple of weeks ago, I would have to say that any ride not ending in a fall is a good ride.
- CommentAuthor wilburmighty
- CommentTimeJun 12th 2009
smooth pavement, some hills, no mechanicals, a tailwind is always nice, No headwind, lol. I prefer to either be by myself, or a group that is not racing! I ride long distances for the enjoyment of it, not setting a pace so fast I can't enjoy whats around me.
- CommentAuthor jetline217
- CommentTimeJun 16th 2009
Exploring new roads or parts of the town or city I happen to be in is by far the most fun part of riding for me. Also, not having to retrace your steps. I prefer my rides to loop in a circle so that my beginning point is my ending point.
- CommentAuthor garandonee
- CommentTimeJun 18th 2009
Long runs with few turns. Nice simple cue sheets.
- CommentAuthor corymay99
- CommentTimeJun 23rd 2009
No flat tires, no mechanical problems, no accidents.

I don't mind all the other things people have mentioned like wind, hills, cars, dogs, etc.
- CommentAuthor DbikeL
- CommentTimeJun 25th 2009 edited
Old not me I ride with all I have for 3 straight hours and cover safe routes as I have found them. The roads are rarely smooth and the hills are only challenging when there is a head wind. I have been encouraged to enter a senior race, but I am not a racer. I like to ride alone and push it hard and long. I can only tell you I have been at it along time and will stay with it what ever the conditions. The best ride is the last one I finished, today, 50 miles in 3 hours. I broke 1700 miles for the year so far today.
- CommentAuthor rick6003
- CommentTimeJun 28th 2009
Hi , I did a nice ride yesterday of 54 miles, mostly flat low traffic roads, hardly any wind today and clear skies. The valley floor is littered with nurseries and crops growing. We came upon fields of flowers, hops growing up the lines, and blueberry fields. Mt hood is always in the background. leisurely lunch in a small town and headed back. great company and lots of stops to enjoy the day.

These are the things I like about cycling.

Rick
- CommentAuthor scabby
- CommentTimeJul 1st 2009
Having the presence of mind to realize it's a beautiful life while out on my bike.
- CommentAuthor puckbum15
- CommentTimeJul 1st 2009
A good hard sweat and a litte burning sensation in the legs
- CommentAuthor madcarew
- CommentTimeJul 2nd 2009
Challenge makes a great ride. Challenge and company. I prefer smooth road surfaces, but being in New Zealand that's not common. Challenge , company and Competition. There's nothing like bouncing your form off others, doing the best you can and sharing war stories afterwards. As for Topography, the more hills the better so long as there's as much down as up. And like jetline217 I prefer loops.
- CommentAuthor qualtierigirl
- CommentTimeJul 5th 2009
Climbing start and a fast decent somewhere! I like scenery and car-less routes. Riding with hubby is my fav.
- CommentAuthor drfergus
- CommentTimeAug 6th 2009
Riding with friends and my lady. Good scenery. The ducks that I have to stop for as the cross the road. The Aupacas that look at my with their poofy bangs, and the horse that I named Jesus, because every time I ride past him he gets the look on his face like he's saying "JESUS!!!!!.

I also like challenges, and gallons of man sweat. Hydration makes for a good ride too.
- CommentAuthor thepacker
- CommentTimeAug 17th 2009
I think definately something that takes you out of your comfort zone and is challenging. Making you feel fulfilled after.

No real heavy rain or wind. A challenging mountain, riding by the sea and the wildlife in the country. Quiet roads and a nice hot bath or shower after :-)
- CommentAuthor josiahsell
- CommentTimeAug 18th 2009
Rider Registration Fee = $40

Nutrition = $15

Spare Tube = $5

riding 100 miles, 8,000+ elevation gain, and great weather with my brother for the first time in 15 years...priceless.

2009 Blue Ridge Brutal!
- CommentAuthor allangh
- CommentTimeAug 25th 2009
Long distances, no flats or other mechanical issues, plenty of water, lots of new things to look at while I'm riding, no "out" or "return" leg dependent on anything except the bicycle and my feet, and arriving at home safely.
- CommentAuthor almostarunner
- CommentTimeOct 13th 2009
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I think almost all of us can agree that your running music is crucial to an effective and enjoyable run. I hate to be seen as pimping some product but its free so who cares: Motion Traxx is hands down the best thing to happen to my run since shoes. It’s a podcast, look for it on iTunes, which has high BPM (beats per minute) electronic music. Personally I never listen to this kind of music normally, but when im on a run it motivates me like no other, I feel like im in a movie or something and always find myself going way harder and longer then normal. It’s incredibly fulfilling.
- CommentAuthor dullman
- CommentTimeOct 16th 2009
Great scenery, great weather (at least no rain or snow), no traffic, and good tunes (with only one ear bud in to be safe). I go to getapodcast.com and find lots of free podcasts. One i really like is the one Almostarunner mentioned: Motion Traxx and at getapodcast.com you can listen before you download. Then go to iTunes and subscribe and get them all. Very cool. Of course no breakdowns is esstential, too.
- CommentAuthor crum67
- CommentTimeNov 3rd 2009
Great friends to share the scenery and ride. I want the challenges and bruises that a tough ride can give you. I like to keep moving, if I don't get a techincal section on the second try, there be another day to try. Of course some cold beers to share with my friends after the ride as we talk trash about each others skill.

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