What was you're best moment on a bike?

100Suns · 08-07-2010 12:20PM #1

I've been reading Arthurdaly's 'I'm amazing' post and I'm not sure he get's it. It's always encouraging to read posts from cyclists of every level and ability who have a sense of achievement and mental wellbeing, be it from not falling off and crippling themselves the first time they've ridden a bike in 20 years; to challenging themselves to cycling to work, losing weight, sticking with it and maybe moving on to considering sprotives; participating in and usually finishing sportives; or racing against other commuters, themselves or comptetively.

It's not bragging to post your achievements. It's sharing an experience which people understand and may give them something to aspire to, perhaps achieve, and be mentally and physically fitter for the effort.

I think it would be really interesting and maybe inspirational if people posted their best moment(s) ever on a bike (it's not bragging).

DirkVoodoo · 08-07-2010 12:28PM

Hmmm, still waiting for a "best" moment, but I've had lots of great ones. In fact, nearly every time I get out on the bike is a great moment, I don't think many things come close to that level of simple and pure enjoyment.

Of course, I don't always look happy on a bike, but inside I'm laughing.

neris · 08-07-2010 12:42PM

I keep setting challenges for myself to do longer distances as a way to build stamina and loose weight. Only started cycling in April. Challenge for last weekend was to cycle Dublin to Drogheda and back and got it done. Was sore after but well chuffed with myself. Next challenge this Sat a 70km cycle round Wicklow mountains. And have lost over half a stone in last 2 weeks

Raam · 08-07-2010 12:47PM

Descending in the Nurburgring at 90kph at night time was kinda thrilling.

SamB64 · 08-07-2010 01:03PM

Reaching the top of Alp D'Heuz

Being on a mountain bike holiday, and realising L'Alp was only three miles away.

2.25 Panaracer Cinders with slime tubes made it hardwork, but gliding into the Ski Station at the top was awesome.

Sam. :cool:

blorg · 08-07-2010 01:04PM

The time I crushed all my opponents into the dirt.

Muwahhhaa

mfdc · 08-07-2010 01:46PM

blorg wrote: »

The time I crushed all my opponents into the dirt.

I'd imagine the lamentations of their women get a bit old when you just want a stretch and some cake afterward

Mine is probably when I saw Alpe d'Huez for the first time in the marmotte just coming into Huez village - was suffering badly and to suddenly see the end was a glorious moment. Still a good 5km away but just seeing it did wonders.

Vélo · 08-07-2010 02:17PM

I haven't done anything spectacular that stands out. My favourite times on the bike are when there's no traffic around, sun shining, no wind and just enjoying the cycle.

My favourite time off the bike is after cycling home from work on a warm sunny evening and enjoying a nice pint....aah there's nothing better:)

el tel · 08-07-2010 02:42PM

Doing a 10ft long jump on my Grifter. I was 9 or 10 I think. Doesn't get much better than that

manwithaplan · 08-07-2010 02:50PM

I haven't done anything spectacular either but I did Slieve Mann and the Shay Elliott for the first time last Saturday, as part of an 85k spin that also took in the Wicklow Gap. Reading the "toughest climbs in Wicklow" thread, I felt I had to tick them off the list and, to be honest, it wasn't too bad. Even though I think I did them from the easy side, I got a nice sense of achievement. Not exactly the Marmotte but there you go...

I shall be taking on the Hill of Howth TT course for the second time this evening. If I break 9 minutes (highly unlikely), I will regard it as my finest hour on a bike.

el tel · 08-07-2010 02:52PM

manwithaplan wrote: »

If I break 9 minutes (highly unlikely), I will regard it as my finest hour on a bike.

2 Wheels Good · 08-07-2010 02:54PM

Climbed Mont Ventoux last summer, killed me & was in bits at the top, so did it again the next day and was able to enjoy the top that time, great feeling to have made it!

07Lapierre · 08-07-2010 02:56PM

My Best moment was getting OFF the bike last night after the race. Totally B*****ix'd, but Happy.:D

Jawgap · 08-07-2010 02:59PM

Cycling over 70km in the snow and ice last year - I felt like a real hard b$5tard after that - even though it was pure stubborness that kept me out because I didn't want to go home and admit to everyone it was too cold, icy and snowy for cycling.

I just came back loaded up the data from the GPS and displayed it on the TV!!!!:)

damo80 · 08-07-2010 03:05PM

cycling the l'etape and having the fans cheering me on at the side of the road as if i was a pro!! and meeting Eddie Merckx at the end. awesome experience.
and a close second is cycling next to Sean Kelly (childhood hero) and he going "nice bike!!!" i coulda died and gone to heaven there and then

manwithaplan · 08-07-2010 03:19PM

el tel wrote: »

I was using the same time stretching algorithim I employ when discussing my prowess in the sack.

Anyway, it will feel like an hour.

niceonetom · 08-07-2010 03:33PM

I'm pretty sure my finest moment on the bike is still to come.

There have been some pretty amazing ones so far though.

Esroh · 08-07-2010 03:44PM

As I have to put up with Galways traffic everyday as part of my job I have to give being lead by 2 Garda Motor Bikes with sirens blazing from Carnmore Cross all the way to the UCG on the Sat of TOI 08 as bing something special. Especially as the group left me infront from Headford roundabout. And this was the 4th group a few hours after the fastlads had come in.
I lived a dream on what was the nearest thing to a home stage as I was riding my own race:D

helimachoptor · 08-07-2010 03:49PM

Doing just under 100k there last week. Biggest cycle so far, faded at the 40k mark due to my inability to manage my calorie intake properly. Caloried up and the other 50k were grand.

Doing a 135k spin next saturday

Raam · 08-07-2010 03:51PM

Esroh wrote: »

As I have to put up with Galways traffic everyday as part of my job I have to give being lead by 2 Garda Motor Bikes with sirens blazing from Carnmore Cross all the way to the UCG on the Sat of TOI 08 as bing something special. Especially as the group left me infront from Headford roundabout. And this was the 4th group a few hours after the fastlads had come in.
I lived a dream on what was the nearest thing to a home stage as I was riding my own race:D

Do you remember arriving into Galway on the Friday? There were no marshals or outriders anywhere when my group got in. Lads were racing in the traffic... nutters.

superrdave · 08-07-2010 03:53PM

Cycling up the hill in pouring rain and a forty kph wind at Malin Head at about 19:15 on a Sunday having set off from Mizen head at 19:30 on the Tuesday is probably second. The feeling was pretty good. The best was cycling up the same hill, again in pouring rain, after taking about ten days to do the same cycle as that time we didn't have any support and were carrying our own gear, one of us on a really ****ty mountain bike. The feeling of accomplishment is hard to describe.

IM0 · 08-07-2010 03:59PM

those 'no chain' days, they are kind of rare, but when they come they are stunningly good, what bike riding is all about.

madrabui · 08-07-2010 04:33PM

Jawgap wrote: »

Cycling over 70km in the snow and ice last year - I felt like a real hard b$5tard after that - even though it was pure stubborness that kept me out because I didn't want to go home and admit to everyone it was too cold, icy and snowy for cycling.

I just came back loaded up the data from the GPS and displayed it on the TV!!!!:)

Same sort of experience. It was last winter going through floods and ice when no one was about. As I came out of the valley, the look of the tourists faces as I emerged soaking wet, pulling off my shoes to pour out water and settling down to a nice cup of tea still is priceless.

Lumen · 08-07-2010 04:37PM

Attempting a doomed solo breakaway in my first race.

It didn't work (of course) but I briefly felt like a proper cyclist.

niceonetom · 08-07-2010 04:58PM

Lumen wrote: »

Attempting a doomed solo breakaway in my first race.

It didn't work (of course) but I briefly felt like a proper cyclist.

Wait, wait, I've got one:

Dooming that attack.

kennyb3 · 08-07-2010 05:16PM

finishing my first proper club race last night. i hadnt even done a sportive beforehand.

IM0 · 08-07-2010 05:23PM

Finishing first 400 on the marmotte and EARNING a spot in the 1st group the next year, not buying my way into it

Garlic Suplmnt · 08-07-2010 05:56PM

I'd a notable one the other week while out on the saturday spin.

Was cycling through Celbridge, and passed the kerb that I'd pushed off, sans-stabilisers, ahead of my Jonathan Livingstone Seagull moment at the age of 4!

Made me smile, although I expect my 4 year old self would have pointed and laughed at the man in the tights and funny helmet!

Esroh · 08-07-2010 05:57PM

Raam wrote: »

Do you remember arriving into Galway on the Friday? There were no marshals or outriders anywhere when my group got in. Lads were racing in the traffic... nutters.

Raam it was a Saturday in 08( I worked sats those days and I knew what the traffic would be like) and it was because you guys went so fast and got there before the guards were ready that we got all the bells and whistles

SubLuminal · 08-07-2010 06:01PM

My girlfriend noticing my calf muscle recently and going "holy f**k!!"

Cycling: unforseen benefits.

uberwolf · 08-07-2010 07:24PM

Race out west. Sligo maybe.

Break left us early, 2 big loops followed by 5 small loops outside the town.

Just A's and B's those days, and there were a few B's up in the break and with no chase being organised it seemed the goose was cooked after a long drive up there.

Anyway, in the final miles preceeding hitting the town loop I noticed a few B's being reeled back in and arrived at the conclusion that the balance of them were probably struggling with the miles. None of my club mates had made the break (A's) and because I'd had a few placings over the previous weeks they elected to work for me. So there I was, sat in behind 6 lads working flat out for me, reeling in the remaining B's before leaving me to my own devices for the up hill bunch sprint.

Felt like a pro, stringing out a bunch in tandem with 6 lads all in the same gear.

What was you're best moment on a bike?

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