MapMyRun Community - "What makes for a great ride?"

"What makes for a great ride?"

Gold Country Cycling — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:26:05 -0600

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

"What makes for a great ride?"

dlcohen — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:06:38 -0600

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

"What makes for a great ride?"

sblanch6 — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:33:07 -0600

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.

"What makes for a great ride?"

jawa9000 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:29:27 -0600

Smooth roads, good mix of hills and flats, good rest stops, no traffic, scenic and no flat tires!

"What makes for a great ride?"

aubeasty — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:19:45 -0600

When others acknowledge my hello, great weather, no problems, the cooldown/shower afterwards, knowing that it's done something good for me.

"What makes for a great ride?"

parmy — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:40:34 -0600

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!!

"What makes for a great ride?"

eamuscatuli33 — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:18:47 -0600

No dogs!

"What makes for a great ride?"

dbikekc01 — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:59:06 -0600

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!

"What makes for a great ride?"

texdoc77 — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:15:15 -0500

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.

"What makes for a great ride?"

newcyclist — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:06:11 -0500

smooth road :) good drivers, no huge climbs, company preffered, good scenery

"What makes for a great ride?"

sblanch6 — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:33:58 -0500

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.

"What makes for a great ride?"

wilburmighty — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:09:46 -0500

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.

"What makes for a great ride?"

jetline217 — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:43:21 -0500

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.

"What makes for a great ride?"

garandonee — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:40:10 -0500

Long runs with few turns. Nice simple cue sheets.

"What makes for a great ride?"

corymay99 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:38:23 -0500

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.

"What makes for a great ride?"

DbikeL — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:59:05 -0500

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.

"What makes for a great ride?"

rick6003 — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:30:07 -0500

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

"What makes for a great ride?"

scabby — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:46:16 -0500

Having the presence of mind to realize it's a beautiful life while out on my bike.

"What makes for a great ride?"

puckbum15 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:25:34 -0500

A good hard sweat and a litte burning sensation in the legs

"What makes for a great ride?"

madcarew — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:17:17 -0500

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.

"What makes for a great ride?"

qualtierigirl — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:46:00 -0500

Climbing start and a fast decent somewhere! I like scenery and car-less routes. Riding with hubby is my fav.

"What makes for a great ride?"

drfergus — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:57:39 -0500

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.

"What makes for a great ride?"

thepacker — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:39:42 -0500

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 :-)

"What makes for a great ride?"

josiahsell — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:36:08 -0500

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!

"What makes for a great ride?"

allangh — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:37:28 -0500

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.

"What makes for a great ride?"

almostarunner — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:52:03 -0500

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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.

"What makes for a great ride?"

dullman — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:15:02 -0500

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.

"What makes for a great ride?"

crum67 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:39:05 -0600

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.