2) I started riding to lose weight; it has become an obsession, releasing me from the worries of a troubled world.
—William W. Ward MSgt/WG-11

3) I ride for my family, for my health (physical, mental, and spiritual) and for the joy of it. I want to ride until I can no longer ride, and I hope my son finds the pure joy that awaits him on the bike. Every day I look to the possibility of riding, because it breaks the tension barrier around me, I feel free on the road, I feel like I’m being myself at the end.
—Vincent Magret

4) I ride not to recapture those years I did Red Zinger Classics nor to duplicate the ’81 RAAM. I ride because eight years ago doctors told me my lungs were so bad I’d be dead in less than five. November second I’ll undergo double bypass surgery and I’ll be doing it in part so that next season I can do the century at 17mph.
Rich McCarthy; Buffalo, NY

5) I ride, simply to ride my bike.
—Dan Oravez

6) Some people say, “I could have done that,” but I like to say, “I did that!” Riding makes a 60-year-old, like me, feel mighty good when I leave a bunch of 30-year-olds in my dust. And riding makes an old man, like me, feel pretty neat when his grandkids say “My paw-paw can beat your (25–year-old) daddy!”
—Dave Pierson; Jacksonville, FL


7) The excitement I feel right now for road riding is how it was when BMX and motocross were new to me. Every ride I am learning something new about the bike, the setup, and the techniques, but mostly I am learning stuff about me, who I am and what makes me tick inside. Cycling is without a doubt the purest sport on earth and I have tried my capable hands at many. I love my new Lycra friends as much as my old nylon friends. I love my Tommaso as much as my KTM. I love the Tour and will always defend it and the gods who race it. I love my fellow cyclists—young and not so young. We all can live boldly through our machines with the anger of youth guiding our competitive instincts along each of our chosen paths. Enjoy the journey for the race itself, it is against only you and no one else. It’s gonna be a great ride; see you out there.
—Michael James

8) I ride because, when I do, I let go. Once on the bike, I escape from the stress, the bombardment, or even the doldrums of the day. Out on the road, with the wind and sun on my face, the deer that takes a moment’s glance, the challenge of the ascent and the glorious view and feeling from the top. The way it makes me feel and the connection with other cyclists—are just some of the great reasons why I ride.
—Todd Parker, Sr.; Mountain View, CA

9) I ride because my dad made riding a fun adventure. For example, when my dad graduated from high school in 1957 he celebrated by riding his bike from Santa Monica to Yosemite. Now I ride for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation as a member of Team Duke.
—Greg Graber; Newport Beach, CA
 www.teamduke.org

10) I started riding because a knee injury from my service in the military has left me unable to do any real running or other weight–bearing exercises. So, my doctor suggested that I ride the stationary bike at the gym. Obviously, I took it a few steps further. Now, 17 years later, it’s no longer exercise or the competitive nature of racing that motivates me, it is the medicinal psychological benefit of being free on my bike that floats my boat.
—Gilbert Moore

11) I ride for health, fitness, and mental awareness. Everything about my ride depends on my mind, body, and preparation. If I am slow, fall, or cannot finish a ride, I can only blame myself. It makes me an overall better person for my wife, family, job, and community.
—Clifford Fallico; Panama City, FL

 12) My heart beats, my blood flows, I'm awake when I get to work.
John Gilnick

13) I ride for the energy to keep up with my two daughters and the longevity to see them grow up.
Oscar Contreras

14) I ride for the four F’s. I don’t ride because of some goofy left wing ideology or because of what some leg-shaving guy does overseas or stateside. If all organized racing stopped this year it would not matter to me in the least. I know that if I am riding in the woods or on the road, the fun of challenging myself or competing against others or just cruising and taking in the view, awaits me every time. Riding has strengthened two knees that were abused by high school wrestling and riding hare scrambles and motocross. The most important reason I ride is that it is one of the best places to bond with my son and my other closest friends. Fun, fitness, family and friends — what other reasons do you need?
—Jeff from SC

15) The Zen answer is that I ride my bike to ride my bike, but the reality of it is that I needed a change in my life. I couldn't really go back to contact sports...too many knee, ankle, wrist and back injuries. And I couldn't go on the way I was...50 lbs overweight and losing ground by the year. A co-worker of mine lives on his bike and I'd see him come in every morning, full of life and energy. So after a couple of months of watching, I dragged my old mountain bike out, got it tuned and started riding. At first seven miles was an accomplishment, then it was 10, 15 and 20. But I'd never really liked riding my mountain bike on the road, so I talked it over with my wife and we made the investment in a new roadie for me. Only $1100, but it's been worth its weight in gold. I've dropped 30 lbs in under four months, and I celebrated by going out and riding a century on my 47th birthday. So why do I ride?  I ride to live.
—Jeff Seger

16) I ride because it’s fun! This photo is of me and my youngest son Caesar on his first bike ride ever on the Swedish island of Gotland.
—Mikael Olofson; Stockholm, Sweden

17) After being diagnosed with bi-polar disorder (and it is disorderly) my psychiatrist and therapist spent a couple of years begging me to exercise. They told me that in order to control my illness, I was going to have to exercise. To placate them, I tried the gym; running; walking; and situps at home for about ten minutes. I hated all of them. One day I went into a bike shop to help a friend pick out a bike and the rest, as they say, is history. Needless to say, my doctors are very happy. I ride because something was missing. Twenty miles on steel cures that.
—Greg Stant; Denver, CO


18) Because I don't know the words to Rock-A-By-Baby.
—Kevin J. Shutt and Kaden, 2; Sebring, FL
 

Please email why we ride submissions to whyweride@roadbikeaction.com