The Purpose of the Bicycle

People ride bicycles for many different reasons. For some, it is a pure leisure activity and the bike is incidental to enjoying a fine afternoon. Some view their bikes as transportation tools and commute to work, run errands, or both. For others, it is more serious and involves a strict training regimen with speed its principle objective. Another segment of cyclist fall somewhere in the middle and ride for fitness purposes and long, endurance rides. There are many objectives and the bicycle can be used as an effective tool to achieve them. But what about those who ride for the simple pleasure of the sensation of the ride?

For most, perhaps, the bicycle is a tool to accomplish some other objective. Whether it is speed and glory, fitness, weight control, and health benefits, a means of getting from one place to another, or a way to see the neighborhood or the country, the bike is often a means to an end. On the other hand, as the old “Zen” saying goes for bicycling, “I ride my bike to ride my bike”.

“Miles per hour” is not the point and even “miles” are not the goal.

It’s about “hours”. Anything else is a bonus.