Cycling is like childbirth. Discuss

corblimey

There's an old adage that says that if women properly remembered the agony of childbirth they'd never go through it a second time. I think cycling may be similar.

Bear with me here

This morning, I spent over 2.5hrs cycling a new 50k route. It was brutal. All horrible climbs (4 cat 5's according to mapmyride - I walked up a lot of them) and every descent was down twisty country roads with blind corners diring which I basically wore out my brakes. And just as I was cursing another blind bend, I'd find yet another bloody hill. After 30k, I just wanted to go home; after 40k, I was considering throwing my bike into the ditch and calling a taxi; at the 45k mark, I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to walk again.

And then, on a long straight descent back into Douglas village, with the sun shining, and no longer sweating profusely into my eyes, I remembered what I liked about cycling again. And now 5 hours after finishing and my poor battered body has sufficiently recovered, I'm fairly sure I'll be back in the saddle on Tuesday and will start looking for a (flatter) 60k route for next weekend.

So, basically, what I'm saying is I needed an epidural this morning, but now I've got a bouncing baby boy and all is well. Does the analogy hold?

Hermy

I think you need to see a psychologist.:D

monkeyslayer

shut up legs

get on your bike

I enjoyed reading ur post

Beasty

corblimey wrote: »

Does the analogy hold?

Potentially ....

.... if it's Friday;)

niceonetom

monkeyslayer wrote: »

shut up legs

Shut up vagina?

I've never tried childbirth but I'm still pretty confident in say that no, it is not similar to cycling. If you think they are similar you may be doing something wrong on the bike.

xz

was out on a club spin yesterday, and coming into Rathdrum, one of the guys seemed indescisive about where he was going to go, as the group split, one heading for Laragh, the other for Avoca, I stayed with him, and we ended up going towards Greenane, to loop back towards Rathdrum, as we were going along, he was saying that his legs were sore, as he had been out the day before, I just quipped "As Jens would say, Shut up legs", he nearly fell off his bike laughing, he said that's one of the best quotes he'd ever heard.........and he is 72

Lumen

Maybe if you do a 40K TT with two broken arms then crash so badly you need your genitals stitched up.

That would be like childbirth.

Stark

I don't think I'd ever say to a women that she should start with giving birth to smaller babies before moving onto bigger ones tbh.

Iwannahurl

Is your bike still waking you up with its wailing several times a night?

If not, you may need a new analogy.

QueensGael

Not sure pushing pedals compares to pushing something the size of a melon out through something the size of a lemon.

Marathon running might be the analogy you're looking for.

mloc123

Oh lord, I hope no mothers are on here reading this. A 50km spin on a Saturday afternoon, really?

Here... http://lmgtfy.com/?q=childbirth+tears

Lumen

mloc123 wrote: »

Here... http://lmgtfy.com/?q=childbirth+tears

Ah but they're tears of joy. :pac:

Stark

Maybe the saddle was really badly adjusted.

manwithaplan

Bikes are like children in that you keep the good ones in the house and chain the crap ones up in the shed.

smacl

If you're finding cycling like childbirth, maybe now's a good time to consider getting a new saddle.

Keep_Her_Lit

corblimey wrote: »

Cycling is like childbirth

OP, you're right, there's a multitude of similarities. Just a few more ...

• You're unlikely to achieve much if you've never bonked before.
• Make sure you're properly clipped in before you start.
• You've got to push in the big ring, not the little one.
• Cadence, gotta get the cadence right.
• Shaving your legs makes *!$# all difference.
• Wearing a helmet probably won't help much either.
• If your team mate is proving useless, launch an attack.
• Always aim for the podium.

marketty

Keep_Her_Lit wrote: »

• You've got to push in the big ring, not the little one.

sy

Keep_Her_Lit wrote: »

OP, you're right, there's a multitude of similarities. Just a few more ...

• Wearing a helmet probably won't help much either.

Brilliant!! depends on where you wear the helmet

mahoo

Keep_Her_Lit wrote: »

OP,

• You've got to push in the big ring, not the little one.
  

ill never be able to use the phrase 'grinding away in the big ring' in casual biking conversation again without smiling

NamelessPhil

I'm qualified to answer this question. I've given birth to a baby and cycled the Wicklow 200, not in the same year!

When giving birth:

1. The drugs are legal and very, very good. Try and get some gas and air FTW.

2. Labour can take a long time, far longer than the Wicklow 200!

3. You get sore muscles too, just in different places.

4. You get a baby at the end, not a medal.


When cycling up hills.

1. You want to do it again the next day, not something that can be said about pregnancy.

2. You're not lying awake because of a wailing baby, you're dreaming about how to improve your PB.

3. The only washing you have to do at the end is your own, not a crappy nappy.


In both situations:

1. You will be cursing and roaring and wishing that it was all over, but it'll be worth it.

2. Keep your breathing steady and the experience is a lot better.

3. Shaving your legs does make f*** all difference.

4. You'll wish that your other half was suffering just as much as you!

Lots of similarities.

Cookie_Monster

I imagine cycling is more fun.

also you can't throw a baby in the shed and ignore it for a week once you're finished